Korean Job Discussion Forums

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

Hi all,
Just a quickie.........going to China for the winter break and was wondering about trains. Doing Shanghai to Xian to Beijing. Would it be recommended to book in advance? How busy is Dec 24th to Jan 1st? And anyone reccomend a good place for xmas dinner in Shanghai? Any help appreciated. Ta.

ahopfe · Joined: 02 Apr 2005

Getting train tickets over the New Year - xmas time can be a little hard but its not that hard . I am also thinking of going to Beijing over the new year. I have lived in China Before and Getting to Xi an from Shanghai isnt that hard , there are quite a few trains per day that stop in Xi an from Shanghai.

You should be able to find a decent place near the "Bund " in Shanghai.

Going from Xi an to Bejing I would see if you can book ahead but i am not sure if you can from Overseas.

I would suggest that you do both trips overnight - there fore saving a nights acc. Its roughly from Memory a 11hour train trip S-hai to Xi-an. its also about 13 hours from Xi -an to Beijing.

Have fun Enjoy China

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

don't get suckered into paying for "soft sleeper" - the expensive cars. "hard sleeper" is plenty soft enough and you get a whole bunk to stretch out on. i don't know about the "soft seat" and "hard seat" trains, never tried those.

ahopfe · Joined: 02 Apr 2005

Dont travel on the hard seat for anything longer than a 1 hour train trip, I had to do it on an overnight train trip from BJ to a place called Zhengzhou, It was a 10 trip and it was LIVING HELL