Job Discussion Forums

anne · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 8

Hi all-
I have a few questions about National Day Holiday. First of all, i'm in a tiny, boring town and can't wait to get out of here for a few days. Everything I've read, though, says it's really difficult to get train tickets during this time. To make matters worse, NO ONE at my college seems to know what date the week long holiday begins (ie. on the actual 1st or the monday before?) Believe me, i've asked EVERYONE! So, it seems that i can't book much in advance.
My nearest big city is Nanjing (about 4 hours away). Any ideas on how possible it is for me to just show up in Nanjing and get tickets to ANYWHERE else? Maybe Beijing?
Any advice on holiday travel or how to deal with boredom in a small town would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

Seth · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 575 Location: in exile

It's been my experience that when it's a busy travel time the people who work in the ticket boothes sometimes won't give tickets to laowai. They'll lie and say there are no tickets left to save them for Chinese. Once I was trying to get a ticket for a friend to Beijing and the woman kept telling me there were none left. The Chinese guy behind me could speak English and he talked to the teller and the tickets were magically available. The same happened in Xi'an and I had to have a Chinese friend get the tickets for me. Another time they'd only give me a seat ticket for a 25 hour trip to Guangzhou. I had a friend get me a sleeper ticket. So I'd suggest getting a Chinese to get your tickets!

I'd imagine this holiday will have heavy travel to make up for the May holiday that was missed, this being the last holiday before winter (I think).

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

Hi, Anne --

I don't know how long you've been in China, but if you haven't checked out Nanjing already, that could be a good place to go for the holiday. There's plenty to see. Plus, for these weeklong holidays, it's good not to go too far away unless you fly, or else your travel time will cut into too much of your holiday. If you do go to Nanjing, try staying in the Nanjing U Foreign Students' Dorm. Make reservations beforehand, though, and get a price over the phone, or the lady at the desk might try to raise it on you when you get there. The U. is pretty depressing-looking, but the dorm rooms are palatial, and it's right down the street from this cool music club called Blowin' in the Wind, and this Italian restaurant called something like Tiramisu (good salads!). There's lots of good historical stuff to check out, like the Nanjing Massacre memorial. There are frequent trains to Suzhou too, although when I went in the Spring Festival everyone said we wouldn't be able to get tickets, it was a snap.

Oh -- two other things -- during these big holidays, if all else fails, try for plane tickets. Sometimes that'll be your only option for getting anywhere, since most people can't afford them. Also, in the train station, look for the window for teachers. The price won't be lower, but the line might be shorter. Bring your school ID with you, too, when you travel, in case they ask for it when you stay in a dorm.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

O come on, folks - it used to be a lot more challenging to get train tickets! These days, it is fairly easy, what with train travel being down realtively speaking, and more holidays available for commoners so that they can choose to travel in summer rather than in autumn or spring.
I am sure that from Nanjing you should get to Shanghai, Peking or Xi'an with little trouble.

It is, of course, always a good idea to book a couple of days ahead.
There are many advance booking offices across town and even in neighbouring towns.
If all fails, you can always try a five-star hotel's business centre.
I often buy train tickets at Guangzhou's Baiyun Hotel. Extra cost: 30 kuai commission.
A small price, considering how much time this saves!

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Hi Anne - My boss says a berth---sleeper---might be tough to get close to the holiday but a seat should not be a problem...Today I got her to book a soft seat up to Beijing and a hotel for 3 nights. I found the hotel at sinohotel.com ...The price is good but it goes up on the 1st form around 200RMB to about 300. I am leaving-I think-on the Sunday so I will beat the rush..Very good the place is close to the city center..

Anyway there doesn't seem to be any reason to panic...