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There has always been an old fashioned charm about traveling by train.
Today as environmental protection and low-carbon lifestyle has become a daily topic; to travel with less CO2 emission suddenly has new significance. And to travel by train seems to be the most ideal travel method -- you are able to discover many unusual areas that flight cannot reach; the journey will be relaxing and comfortable; and mostly important – you travel green!
CRH China Railway High-speed
Taking one of China’s high-speed passenger trains is probably one of the most convenient ways to travel the country. As China is building a high-speed rail network comparable to the French TGV and the Japanese Shinkansen “bullet trains,” trips through the country have become easy and comfortable. Over 8,000 km of rail tracks are already in service and by 2012 the goal of 13,000 km can be reached. Nearly every important and interesting place within in China can now be reached by high-speed train.
The trains are comfortable, very modern and can be compared to airplanes when it comes to seating and smoking restrictions. The fast trains called CRH, China Railway High-speed, are mostly separated into first and second class. Both classes are comfortable, but the first class seats provide more space. Some of the trains also provide a limited number of Business Class seats or private cabins.
Train category
For the overnight trains there are three different categories existing:
Hard Sleeper: Cheapest category, provide several beds on three levels in an open carriage with a wide aisle.
Soft Sleeper: Provide own lockable compartment with four beds. The two upper beds can fold up so the lower beds can be used as seats.
Deluxe Soft Sleeper: Private compartment with two beds and a bathroom; not offered on every train.
For the latest high-speed passenger trains there are three different categories:
Business Class: The seat looks like an egg from the back and is equipped with a flexible reading lamp, foldable dining table, multifunction LCD TV and 3G wireless networks.
First Class: First Class seats are adjustable; you can adjust the slope of the seats for comfort. The seats are also equipped with a flexible reading lamp. Each first class cabin has two toilets and one drinking location.
Standard (2nd Class): The most used and popular among the general public. A thick cushioned mat makes the standard seats feel more comfortable.
Train type
To figure out the different types of trains, the following explanation of the train prefixes may be helpful.
G or C: Newest CRH trains with top speed of at least 250km/h and some up to 300km/h
D: Older generation of CRH trains with top speeds of 200 to 250km/h
Z or T: No CRH trains but intermediate speed trains
K or no letter: Oldest kind of trains, slow and mostly crowded
Train ticket purchasing
China’s Ministry of Railway has recently launched a new online purchasing service for tickets. You can buy train tickets at www.12306.cn or by dialing 12306. When using an agent to buy tickets or buying tickets at a railway ticketing office yourself, bear in mind this is strictly on a first come first served basis. Also at peak times it is virtually impossible to obtain train tickets. Train tickets can be bought ten days before the departure date, however, Hong Kong train tickets can be bought up to 90 days before departure. Train tickets to Lhasa from anywhere in China are usually sold to group tour operators and therefore is difficult to purchase yourself or by smaller travel agents. Also, you often need to pay a high service fee in order to obtain the Lhasa ticket.
As well as launching the online purchasing service, the ticket refund fee has also been reduced from 20% to 5%. However, it can be an inconvenience that the refund can be only be obtained at the Railway ticketing office where the tickets were sold. Additionally, rebooking or obtaining a refund is not permitted after the scheduled departure.
Here are two magnificent train routes I would like to share with you. Both are attractive to an environmentalist and an active adventure hunter.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway represents the world’s highest rail track. It connects Xining in Qinghai Province with Lhasa in Tibet. It was established in 2006 and is the first railway connecting the Tibet Autonomous Region with any other province. As the ride goes through landscape at about 4000 to 5000 meters above sea level, the trains are specially built for a high altitude environment. They provide oxygen supply for each passenger and special UV protection systems. The operational speed of the trains is 120km/h.
Each passenger riding the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is required to carefully study and sign the “Passenger Health Registration Card” which gives information about high-altitude travel and its impact on the human body.
During the construction of the railway engineers were faced with several difficulties. The biggest problem was nearly half of the tracks are built on barely permanent permafrost. During the summer the ground heats up and softens which causes the rails to sink into the ground. To prevent this, Chinese engineers constructed elevated tracks and a cooling system to keep the surface frozen. In the future, the Chinese government has planned to extend the railway into Nepal to be completed in 2013.
The ride from Xining to Lhasa is about 24 hours. It travels across the Northern Tibetan highland containing pastures and snow peaks, the Kekexili natural preserve, the original source of the Yangtze River and more. If you get off in Damxung, 3 hours before Lhasa, you can explore the Namtso Lake, one of the highest and most spectacularly beautiful lakes in Tibet. You may meet Nomads and see their way of life. You will also see a great view of Mt. Nyincheng Thangla and perhaps visit the famous hot spring in Yangbacheng. When the train slowly pulls into Lhasa Station, you will immediately experience the anticipation and excitement of exploring the mysterious Tibet.
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway, or Transsib, is the longest railway in the world. Its network of railways connects Moscow with the eastern part of Russia, the Sea of Japan and China.
The three existing routes are:
1) The Trans-Mongolian extends from Moscow to Beijing via Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia
2) The Trans-Manchurian travels from Moscow to Beijing through Siberia and Chinese Manchuria
3) The Trans-Siberian proper covers Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia’s most important city at the Pacific
The Railway network was built between 1891 and 1916. It was the favored project of Tsar Alexander III and his son Nicholas II, who enjoyed travelling in the Tsar’s train through the wilderness of Siberia. Today it still remains the most important transportation method in Russia with about 30% of Russia’s Exports and hundreds of domestic passengers travelling on this line.
In total the Trans-Siberian Railway covers a length of 9,259 kilometers, moving through seven different time zones and taking eight days to complete the journey.
The Tran Siberian train route has captured the imagination of travelers for many decades. The Tans-Mongolian is the most popular among the three routes. Beijing-Moscow combines the classic train route with stopovers at many of the exciting destinations enroute. In Ulaan Baatar, you can take an excursion to Hustai Nature Reserve. You will also stop in Irkutsk, the heart of Siberia to explore the beauty of Lake Baikai and its surroundings. The final stop is Moscow where you can soak up the immense history through visits to Red Square and the Kremlin. In order to take in all stops and visits, you need fourteen days to complete the entire journey.
Traveling by train in China can be both an adventure and a challenge. Many railway stations are crowded from morning to evening, full of passengers with different sizes and shapes of luggage. You need to be there with enough time in order to cross the crowds. When there is a delay or a public holiday, people get anxious and you may need to fight to go through the entrance. There is often a long walk from the entrance to the platform or from the platform to the exit. Also, the rough ground surface makes it hard to pull your suit case. The heating and cooling systems inside the train may not always meet your standard creating a challenge to dress appropriately – layers are essential. Most trains provide a western style toilet.. Chinese people love entertainment and when almost every compartment on a CRH train has a TV, programs may play on and on.. Your neighbors may also be passionate about their food or conversation, chatting during the entire journey. You must be prepared that it might not be easy to take a rest or have a calm ride at times. Nevertheless, traveling by train is one of the most interesting and best ways to discover China. You will get a closer look at the local culture and people. So, why not get on the train to your next destination? And you travel green too!
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