Train Spotting - China Style

Nihao!

Time for another blog-errific tale from China, my home for the last 13 months.  If you've just joined the story, let me update you on a few key facts:

1) I am an Australian living and working in China

2) I live in Beijing, but travel to 8 cities around China on a regular basis

3) Don't challenge me to Seinfeld trivia, as I will win hands down (nothing really to do with the story, just wanted to throw that in).

As I mentioned, I get to travel to a number of different cities around China, most with populations the size of Sydney and Melbourne put together.  Usually I fly, but last week I thought I would take the scenic route and jump on a fast train from Beijing to Nanjing. The trip to Nanjing is 1,404 km's and takes 3 hours and 53 minutes - exactly!  The good thing about fast trains in China (unlike the flights), is they always run on time.

The 4 hour journey costs about 750RMB (roughly $125 AUD) for a first class ticket.  The difference between first class and second class is in first class they give you a bag of sweets and a drink, and in second class you get to sit next to the guy who decides to phone every number in his phone, and talk really, really loudly.  Thank god for ipods!

Last Tuesday, it was off to Nanjing.  From my home to the Beijing South Railway station, I jump on the subway.  Takes about 40 minutes.  My train to Nanjing was leaving at 8am, so I decided to leave around 6am, and get some breakfast when I arrived.  The first photo is something that I have never seen in Beijing in my 13 months here - an empty subway station.  

Beijing South Railway station feels like an airport, except it's crowded, hot, and you don't have those little carts driving people around to catch their flight.  the good part about arriving early in the morning is that it was not too hot - but still crowded.  Trains leave pretty much every few minutes, to Tianjin and also Shanghai.  

If you are going the short distance to Tianjin (30 minutes) you can usually buy your ticket on the day.  Long distances, it's best to book.  My Chinese is now good enough to ask for one first class ticket to Shanghai, and please don't sit me next to the guy who wants to call his entire phone directory

Photo on the left is the the view of the train on the platform.  16 carriages long, made up of second class, first class, business class, and a dining car.  The right photo is the sign pointing to your train.   I think they installed the arrow on the sign after my boss once caught the wrong train.





The thing I like about travelling by fast train in China is that they are comfortable, and fast (OK, that's 2 things).  I can stretch out, turn on my laptop, put my ipod on, and not have to worry about flight attendants coming around telling me to turn off all electrical devices before landing.  The train travels at just over 300 km/h, and you don't feel a thing.  If you want to get some work done, this is the best way to travel.  And it's probably about the same time as taking the plane, especially to Nanjing.  By the time you get to the airport, check in, wait for your flight, get on your flight, sit on the tarmac for 45 minutes during the obligatory delay, then arrive at your destination, it's about the same - and probably less stress.  (Only thing is, I don't get frequent flyer points on the train).

And yes, keeping with the Chinese tradition of taking "selfies" (please refer to previous blog), here is another "selfie" of me on the train.  Look how relaxed I am.

As mentioned, the train travels at a constant 304 km/h, and only stops at about 3 or 4 stations before getting to Nanjing.  I am taking the train to Shanghai on Monday (due to the fact I have no passport), which is about another hour from Nanjing.  My dad asked me once does it feel like you are travelling this fast?  No, not until you look out the window, and see China rush past.

Oh, and this is a photo of me doing some work on the train. I thought I would throw this in just in case my boss was reading my blogs.  Just proves that I was doing some work, and not just watching China go by at 304 km/h.





Like anything in China, there are always some interesting observations along the way.  So, here is a quick summary of a few of the things I have noticed:

- Chinese men love making friends, and playing cards.  The chairs spin around, so you can easily form a game of 4 players.
- Even though there is an announcement advising that "this is a short stop, so please do not get off the train if this is not your destination.  And a reminder, smoking is not allowed on the platform", at every stop, men jump off the train and smoke a cigarette in about 8.5 seconds.
- They serve instant noodles on the train, and every carriage has hot water, so you can "slurp" away to your hearts content
- They have TV's and movies on the train, but they do not hand out headphones.  If you haven't got your own, you best bring a book.

(Left, a quick game of cards before the next stop, so they don't miss the smoke break)

(Right, coming into Nanjing at 304 km/h.  I included this photo, because it was the first time in about a week I had seem some blue sky)

Well, there you have it train spotters, a quick overview of train travel in China.  I am going to Japan in 2 months, and I have heard they have even faster trains!!  My next blog will write itself!!

As I mentioned, I have no passport at the moment as I am getting a new 12 months visa.  For some reason, they changed the length of time for processing from 5 working days, to 15!  I thought things were getting more efficient.  Needless to say, I feel naked without my passport.

Life goes on in China.  Next week off to Shanghai for a week, then back to Beijing then off to Nanjing for 2 weeks.  Let me sign off postcard style. "Having a great time.  Wish you were here!"

Zaijian!