China - never a dull moment!

[TheEmu]

How do you book trains on ctrip - or any other site/way in advance - hate the ques to get tickets and the wait for booked train, but still easier than flying most times.

Book China Train Tickets Online & Easy Train Tickets Delivery with Ctrip

Join up as a member - it's pretty easy to use.
Queues to pick up the pre-ordered train tickets are usually short but Ctrip are now advertising that they will deliver the tickets to you.
Avoid travelling during the major holidays - it is total chaos and tickets for anything going anywhere are often sold out well in advance.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Did some cross country / back tracking around Nanjing in Dec and came across so exquisite Poultry / General Meats dispensing outlets:









Actually caught the Vendor during his lunch hour:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And now a look into his 'chillers':



Not only poultry but quite an extensive range of meats:



A very proud Vendor indeed:



Another species - 'underground mutton' maybe:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Lo and behold 1km down the road he has competition:



Nothing like good fresh air to keep meats fresh huh?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have a few pics from Beijing South Railway Station (Beijing Nan in Chinese) to share - this is the main station in Beijing for the CRH or High Speed Train service.

All pax must present ID Card or Passport at entry and all luggage screened:



There are 4 ticket sales areas - one at each corner of main ground level terminal and others downstairs at subway connections. This day was the quietest I have ever seen this area - usually lines are min 20 to 30 deep - board above tix sales window ALL in Chinese - tix sellers VERY limited English ability:



Just a couple shots to try to show actual physical size of this building but the camera does not do it justice:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Lots of shops in main waiting area incl the usual suspects:



But alas the only place in whole complex where you could get a decent coffee had just closed down:



But plenty variety if you want to spend a few bob:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

There are 23 platforms at Beijing Nan - your train and platform number clearly displayed on huge boards right in centre of terminal - I have never had any confusion as to which platform or never seen platform changes in 100+ trips - AND IME - the system runs to the minute 100% of time.



And here are the entry gates that lead down to platforms - to access platforms you must show ID Card for national or Passport for ALL foreigners. So by the time you get through these gates your passport will have been inspected no less than 3 times if you buy ticket at station - once on entry to terminal - at ticket purchase - and at gate to access platform.



Now this is more like the real experience - people EVERYWHERE - China is nothing short of the world's biggest ant farm:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

This day I was on a regular route I do - Beijing to Nanjing - I always travel in Business Class on this service - Chinese CRH Train Service top tier is Business Class then First Class then Cattle Class - the Business Class costs RMB1403 (AUD275) for this journey - 3hrs 39mins give or take a few mins depending on exactly which train you are on as there are innumerable variations to services - some trains only stop at 2 or 3 stations and others have more stops - I try to take one of quickest - timetable to better display what I mean here - Beijing To Nanjing Train Schedule and Fares

Some pics of the seats in Business Class:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Most times Business Class not full so you can usually get a double seat to yourself - this time I was not as lucky and here is my little seat for the morning:



Lots of leg room and space around you - seat has tray table and IFE screen but that is all in Chinese so not much value - there is power to each seat which is a huge bonus:



And you never get bored by looking at the speed:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have now used CA's new F Lounge in PVG twice - SQ F pax are housed here - 1st time it was a disgrace and I sent off feedback to KF - pleased to sat 2nd visit just prior to XMAS it was very much improved.

Entry:



And your first view as you enter F section:



View of bar which has gorgeous bar staff to look after you:



And ample Champers this time - ZERO Champagne last visit - was told will replenish supplies maybe tomorrow!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

General pics of food / dining area etc:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And some more:

 

[hummel]

Spent the day on the road today...what do you mean the load is not secure??

 

[NFF]

Is it more chaotic to board a plane than a train in China ?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Is it more chaotic to board a plane than a train in China ?

I would not say boarding trains is chaotic unless it is major holiday periods such as CNY or May Day etc. You just need to understand trains are the major inter / intra city transport means undertaken by the Chinese and there are 1.4 Bill of them. Once you appreciate queues to buy tix usually 50 deep and the cultural diff of pushing in rather than patiently waiting your turn - or the fact that the concept of politely giving way to elders / women etc is non existent - or patiently waiting for train doors to open and pax onboard to alight before those waiting on platforms charge on - then the system is quite orderly rather than chaotic.

Huge cultural diff east to west - east is basically every man for himself - no such thing as personal space due primarily to population numbers - it is just so different.

When waiting on platforms at many stations - particularly where a train will stop very briefly mid journey to pick up / drop off - there are uniformed martials / staff members whose job it is to make sure all pax intending to board are indeed rowed up nicely like little soldiers adjacent to the carriage numbers painted on platform (inter city trains not City subway networks) - and indeed carriage doors will align to the millimetre when train does stop.

But back to your original question - each has its own unique challenges - so hard to explain.

 

[hummel]

Huge cultural diff east to west - east is basically every man for himself - no such thing as personal space due primarily to population numbers - it is just so different.

Ain't that the truth!

Was doing a weights session in the gym this morning at our apartment complex... halfway through my set I had all 3 (there was only 3 other person in the gym) standing around me within 3ft watching my every more and of course talking! NFI what they were saying but they eventually left me alone... to go and try the same thing.. with the same weight!! That was my comedy relief for the day.

 

[NFF]

As a tourist, I should have plenty of patience and time to be pushed around.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

As a tourist, I should have plenty of patience and time to be pushed around.

As a tourist you should adopt the same attitude in China as you should in any other country on the globe that you are lucky enough to visit - 'I am a guest of this country so I will respect its citizens and culture' - adopt that attitude - observe closely how the locals go about their activities - mimic and follow suit wherever possible - SMILE - ALWAYS SMILE - be friendly and courteous - the locals will love YOU - and you will love your experience.

So often I read how visitors are sickened by the Chinese locals hocking up spittle and dropping it on the ground right beside you - get over it - you are in their back yard they are totally entitled to act as their culture has educated them - China - NEVER A DULL MOMENT.

 

[Pvcmenace]

SWMBO and I are 'hoping' to do business outside of PVG sometime this year I hope to be able to seek advice about the ins and outs of China. Really enjoyed your roaming so far.

 

[seanpodge]

Is it more chaotic to board a plane than a train in China ?

Trains, every day of the week! The boarding system employed by China Railways often doesn't help. It tends to be better in the newer station serving the CHR trains, but in some of the old stations with the regular speed trains, things can get a bit rough. Boarding habits in airports are pretty similar to everywhere else, really.