A trip to China by train is not only a great way to save, but also the opportunity to find out the country from the inside. China boasts a developed extensive railway network, as well as modern and highly comfortable trains. We will talk about the most exciting routes in this article.
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1. Sinin – Lhasa
Duration of paths: 22 hours
Experience: 1 956 km
Ticket price: 495 yuan (4 046 ₽) for the reserved seat, 781 (6 385 ₽) – for the compartment
Visa: a tourist permit is needed to visit Tibet. The permit for entry is issued in advance by the tourist operator. You can contact any travel agency (both in Russia and in China). The original permite is checked when landing on a train to Lhasa.
The route from Sinin to Lhasa is considered the most beautiful section of the Zinhai-Tibetan Iron Railway. This is the highest railway in the world. In China, she is often called the “Way to Heaven.” The train on a mountain pass of Tang-la rises to a maximum height of five thousand meters above sea level, and also passes through the fenkhoshan tunnel-the longest of the number of high-mountain tundra built in the zone.
Along the way from the windows, an amazing view of the endless deserts, mountain lakes and snowy peaks opens. Each wagon is provided by the supply of additional oxygen to prevent a mountain disease. At some stations, if there is no landing and landing, the doors do not even open, so as not to let the discharged air inside. Protection against solar radiation is also provided.
2. Hefay – Fujou
Duration of paths: 4 hours
Experience: 813 km
Price: 350 Yuan (2 861 ₽) for places in the second class car, 600 (4 905 ₽) – for places in the first class carriage
After the opening of the Hafei-Futjou high-speed railway in June 2015, the travel time between the two cities decreased from fourteen to four o’clock. The road immediately won the title “The most beautiful route of the high -speed railway in China”, and absolutely deservedly.
Most of the road passes along bridges and tunnels. In total, along the path of the train 170 bridges and 54 tunnels. The longest of them is the railway bridge over the Yangtsy River with a length of 50 km.
Along the way of the gaze of travelers, several popular tourist places are opened at once, the most colorful of them, of course, are the Huangshan and Wishan mountains, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
3. Sian – Urumchi
Duration of paths: 33 hours
Experience: 2 526 km
Price: 544 Yuan (4 450 ₽) for the reserved seat, 846 (6 916 ₽) – for the compartment
This route fully repeats the section of the Great Silk Road – the caravan road connecting East Asia with the Mediterranean in antiquity and in the Middle Ages.
Along the way to passengers, amazing views of the Huanghe River, the largest desert of Asia – Gobi, the western fortification on the Great Chinese wall – the Jiaguan fortress, as well as the “Heavenly Lake” Tianchi, known for its crystal clean water, open.
4. Beijing-Ulan-Bator
Duration of paths: 30 hours
Experience: 1,167 km
Price: 1200 yuan (9,810 ₽) for reserved seat, 1800 (14 715 ₽) – for the compartment
Visa: In Mongolia, Russian citizens are not required, provided that the deadline in the country will not exceed 30 days.
Traveling along the Transmongol Railway is an unforgettable experience. In addition to unique natural landscapes, fellow travelers – Chinese, Mongols, Uyghurs – a real mosaic from various religions and cultures.
Since in China and Mongolia there are a different track width, at the Eren-Khoto border station, the replacement of wheeled steams, along with the customs inspection. The train literally lifts into the air, change wheels, and then lower to another rut.
Photo: Korea Rail Network Authority
5. Beijing – Pyongyang
Duration of paths: 23 hours
Experience: 808 km
Price: can vary
Citizens of Russia can visit North Korea only as part of an organized tourist group or accompanied by an individual guide.
The capital of the two states: China and North Korea connects the train No. 27. There is only one class of tickets for this route: soft sleeping place. Trains run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The coolest in this route is not landscapes outside the window (although, of course, they will not leave anyone indifferent),
A unique chance to talk in an unofficial atmosphere with Koreans, to touch their life. During an official tourist trip around the country, such an opportunity may not be presented. As a rule, guides per kilometer do not allow tourists to citizens of the DPRK.
And in conclusion, several useful tips on traveling in China by train.
- Most tickets can be booked no earlier than 60 days before the estimated date of the trip. However, some tickets can be purchased only in 20 or 10 days.
- Only passengers with tickets are allowed into the station building, everyone checks the passport at the entrance and data is entered into the computer, things are shone, passengers are searched. Everything is like at the airport.
- For first -class passengers there are special waiting rooms with soft chairs.
- Only when the train arrives on the platform, you can’t go down before.
- There are no doors and 3 rows of shelves in the compartment instead of two.
- If you are traveling from the terminal station, then bedding will already be bed and it will be fresh. If you went at the intermediate station, it is possible that someone had already slept on this underwear, and no one is going to change it. These are realities.
- Keep the ticket until the end of the trip. At the output, it will need to be attached to the reader of the turnstile.
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Read on:
10 important facts that you need to know when planning a trip to China
8 simple tips on how to travel by train in India with comfort
10 most beautiful railway routes
