My father
specifically asked me not to ride the bullet train. When my mother forbids me
to do something, I usually dismiss it as unfounded paranoia intensified by
maternal instincts. On the contrary, when my father forbids me to do something,
I normally heed the advice because it would likely be based on facts, this time
referring to that recent accident in Hangzhou where one car of a high speed train
got hit by lightning resulting in an accident with a death toll of 30+. Sorry
Pa, the woman at the counter didn't really give me a choice. She just asked for
the hour of departure and said "555 yuan" with a conclusive tone, and
neither the slower overnight trains nor any of the cheap Shanghai - Beijing
flights would get me to Beijing early enough for my Erlian flight the next day.
This just had to happen.
These trains just
started operating in June, if I'm not mistaken. The average speed is around 300
km/hour, with less than ten stops from Shanghai to Beijing. The normal 13 hour
trip has been reduced to just five and a half. That, in itself, is amazing. If
you factor in check-in and security procedures at airports, not to mention
their considerable distance from the city center, you'll realize that travel by
rail with these new high speed trains are just as competitive and even more
comfortable.
The stops I
remember are Nanjing (after the first hour and a half including the two
initial stops), Xuzhou, and Tianjin which marks the last half hour of the
journey en route to the terminus Beijing South. Beijing South is well
integrated to the rest of the Beijing metro system, which is really very cheap.
2 yuan for ten stops! The price is comparative to Metro Manila's MRT fares!
The car is similar
in orientation to a plane's cabin. There is an overhead compartment but it
does not have a cover. The seats could be reclined to some extent. There are
cabin crews selling food and drinks. The rows to the left have three seats
while those to the right have two. First class has two seats for each side of
the row, but legroom is just the same. The only added benefit is the wider arm
rest, which in my opinion, is not worth it. The business class seats have
three seats per row that could be reclined to a total lying position and
has added features like mini LCD monitors and stuff.
The trains depart
from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, which is just next to the two Shanghai
Hongqiao Airport Terminal stops. There are automated machines dispensing
tickets, although not for all destinations. Tickets run out pretty fast so try
to purchase them in advance, either online (I don't know how) or at the station
itself like I did. The security check area could get pretty crowded especially during rush
hour so make sure you allot enough time for that. The trains leave on time. This
is serious, they really won't wait for you.
BEIJING: The Chinese Bullet Train Experience
2 creature/s gave a damn:
Wow, I want to experience riding a bullet train as well. I only had a limited time in China so I wasn't able to try that out. :|
@jasetiojanco - I think your Mandarin studies will bring you back to China eventually. I guess it is where one should really ride a bullet train, cheaper than the one in Japan, which I think is absurdly expensive, lol. :)
Post a Comment