Author: life-china

Overnight trains are good choices for long-distance train journeys. They are comfortable and safe and can also save you a hotel bill. Three Recommended Sleeper Classes on Overnight trains Sleeper classes are recommended when traveling on overnight trains. There are three types of sleeper class: hard sleeper, soft sleeper and deluxe soft sleeper. Sleeper classes are available on ordinary trains like Z, T, K trains, and overnight D category trains. 1. Hard Sleeper — Less Privacy in an Open Compartment 11 open-plan compartments in a sleeper coach 6 berths in a compartment Pillow and blanket are provided for each berth Luggage rack overhead across from the compartment Chinese-style toilet and sink at the end of each car Hard sleepers are only available on ordinary trains. A hard sleeper compartment doesn't have a door and opens straight onto the corridor. This makes a hard sleeper coach quite noisy during the day. It will be quieter after the coach's lights have been turned off by the train staff at 9:30pm or 10pm. There are some differences among the three bunks: Lower berth: A lower berth is the most convenient and comfortable one, and there is no difficulty with getting up and down. Of course the price is the highest. Please be aware that a lower berth allows less privacy. Passengers from the upper/middle berths may sit on your lower berth during...

In China, you will need paper train tickets to get into your train. So even if you have already got e-tickets displaying your ID information, train information, and a collection number, you will still need to collect them to board the train. Two Different Types of Train Ticket Booking in China If you book China train tickets with China Highlights, you will find that there are two options for you to get your paper tickets: Collect them at the railway station yourself We deliver your paper tickets to your hotel or address in China If you pick a delivery service at least 4 days ahead of departure, we can deliver your tickets directly to your hotel. Or you can collect your paper tickets at the ticket window by yourself. Here are some things you need to know in order to collect train tickets in China. What You Need to Collect China Train Tickets To collect your paper tickets, you need the right passport(s) and collection number(s). You can't use your booking information to board a train. Boarding China's trains requires tickets — there's no e-ticketing / on-train ticketing. 1. The Right Collection Number(s) After you book China train tickets online, you will be issued with collection numbers and information regarding your train number, departure/arrival time and stations, and seat class. If you book with China Highlights, we will send...

Chinese trains always seem busy. And they become even more busy than usual during holidays, with thousands of Chinese and foreign passengers traveling by train. The railways becomes extremely busy during the Goldren Week: the National Holiday week, the Spring Festival week. And you should also watch out short-break holidays such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and May Day Holiday. During holidays, trains may be noisy, crowded and dirty. Be prepared too for extra inconvenience when buying tickets during holiday times. Here are some tips that should help make your holiday journey smoother. List of Chinese Holidays in 2019 Chinese Holidays Dates in 2019 Please Note New Year’s Day December 30th – January 1st (3 days) Tickets on short-journey (less than 5 hours) high-speed trains (with durations that less than 5 hours) will be sold out quickly. Spring Festival February 4th - 10th The peak period lasts for around a month, from January 25th to February 21th. The whole China Rail network will be very busy. Tomb-Sweeping Festival April 5th - 7th (3 days) Tickets on short-journey (less than 5 hours) high-speed trains will be sold out quickly. May Day Holiday May 1st - 3rd (3 days) Tickets on short-journey (less than 5 hours) high-speed trains will be sold out quickly. Dragon Boat Festival June 7th - 9th (3 days) Summer Holiday July 1st - September 1st...