Enchanting China (Beijing, Xian and Chengdu) : Day 3 – Train Beijing to Xian

Back from Summer Palace, we had a quick rest and got ready to check out around 2pm. Earlier, we had arranged with the hotel staff for taxi pickup to the Beijing West Railway Station. I have posted about China trains and how to purchase the ticket in previous post under preparation. You may refer the link HERE.


iii) Train Beijing to Xi’an

Beijing West Railway Station. It is one of three major railway stations in Beijing and operates trains to/from most cities in China including Hong Kong.

Address:
East Lianhuachi Road, Fengtai District, Beijing.

Direction:
Take Subway Line 7 or 9 to Beijing West Railway Station (Beijing Xi Zhan).


For this train to Xi’an, our departure time was at 4.30pm and expected to arrive around 6.20am. We were so excited as we will spent overnight in the train and we took the Hard Sleeper. So far, I have only 2 experiences with overnight train (sleeper) which both to Langkawi, so definitely this was my first experience with oversea train.

We arrived at the station around 2.30pm. So far the journey by taxi from Hostel to Railway Station was smooth and took around 30mins only however advisable to head out extra early just in case traffic is bad especially if you’re in the big city like Beijing, Shanghai, etc. Arrived…. as any of train station in China, we needed to get through the security checking before entering the hall. The officer checked our passport and train ticket while we put our bags (purses included) through a security scanner. However, unlike an airport, we don’t need to take any electronics or liquids out of our bag. In addition to scanning bags, many train stations also have body scanners you’ll need to walk through. You’ll probably “beep” when you walk through the scanner (everyone does, so I don’t really understand the point), and then they’ll wave you down with a scanning wand. Nevertheless the access was very smooth.

The station has a couple of main entrances North and South. This place has lots of handy places where you can grab something to eat. Heads up there is a quiet Starbucks just left too the north entrance escalators that’s very quiet for the bustle of this station. This railway station is huge and very busy. Quite modern too.

There’s screen displayed all the train’s schedule and which gate / platform the train is departing (like in the airport or bus station). While waiting for the gate to open, we head to the relevant waiting room, relax and observing the environment. Mix feeling, excited, nervous don’t know what to expect… there were some lingering doubts in my mind that time either we were at the right platform, is our ticket valid etc... That’s why it is advisable to get to the train station extra early so that you have sufficient time to check tickets, buy anything and to settle if any unforeseen problems occurred. Mind you also there are some people in the station offering to carry your luggage, please do not accept as the charge will be very expansive. (

Alhamdulillah, 1/2hr before departure, the platform gate opened and everybody got into the queue for the ticket checking before went down the platform. Relief after passing the checking, we dragged our heavy luggage down to the platform and searched for our train / coach.

We got into our coach and had a first introduction to the china sleeper train. Each coach of the train consists of few compartment on the left aisle; one compartment have 3layers of bunks bed on each side (left and right) so total 6 beds. The higher the berth, the cheaper the cost as the space is smaller. On the left side of the aisle opposite the compartment, there is also one small table and 2 seats facing each other for having a meal or just sit enjoying the view from the window .

It’s quite an experience, funny to think also on how the passengers can actually understand the “rule” for the sleeper train. When a day light, everybody will sit on the lower berth even it is your bed so don’t ever claimed it’s your place and asked them to move ok… or they will sit at the small dining table opposite the compartment also. Durin this time, most of the passengers will have their meals, chit-chat, reading or enjoying the view.

Then when it’s getting dark, suddenly everybody will start to climb to get to their bed. This is the time when the lights off, so you can have your own sweet time in bed. Owh how I missed the experience!!

The idea of a 14-hour train ride might seem like torture to you, but I actually really like Chinese trains. Overnight trains are very. I use my free time to read a book or watch a movie. Both short and long train rides in China are a great way to see Chinese scenery, too. Spot small villages and cities, beautiful mountains and rivers, smoggy factory towns, and miles of farmland. There are even a few train rides, like the train to Tibet, that are famous for their scenery!

Trains in China have much more leg room than your typical flight, and overnight trains even have beds to sleep in! I love being able to spread out on my bed and read a book or watch a movie. You can also get up and walk around whenever you want.

We tried at first to communicate, but in the end surrendered: P (Dah la time to Chong Wei baru menang against Lin Dan in China Open Semi Finals). Mesti rancak klau dpt borak pasal ni… because we heard that uncle say something about LCW and Lin Dan. Tp time tu belum dpt news lagi and klau tahu pun x faham. (Later that year, Dato LCW had won the China Open against Cheng Long in the final (proud Malaysian!!).

Enchanting China (Beijing, Xian and Chengdu) : Day 3 – Summer Palace

This was our last place to visit at Beijing…

ii) Summer Palace (Yiheyuan),

The Summer Palace in northwest Beijing, is said to be the best-preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in China. It is only a short drive of 15km from central Beijing, but it seems like another world. The Summer Palace was listed as World Heritage in 1998. UNESCO reported that the Summer Palace is "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design”.

The Summer Palace is known as the ‘Imperial Garden Museum’ in China as its purpose now as the preservation of national heritage material. Just as its name implies, previously it was used to be the private garden for Royal families of Qing Dynasty to decamp during the hot summer days. It has assembled almost the best design, skill and classic features of traditional gardening architecture of ancient China.

Address:
19 Xin Jian Gong Men Rd, Haidian District, Beijing 100084

Direction:
- Via North Gate: Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station. Take Exit D. Walk west for 3mins.
- Via East Gate: Take Subway Line 4 or Line 16 to to Xiyuan Station and leave from Exit C2. Walk west about 15mins.
- Via West Gate: Take Subway Line 10 to Bagou Station. Then take Western Suburban Line to Yiheyuanximen Station. Walk north for 4mins.

Entrance Fee:
Apr to Oct: RMB 30 / Nov to Mar: RMB 20

Operating Hour:
6.30am–6pm (Apr.–Oct)
7:00am–5pm (Nov.–Mar)


The Summer Palace’s largest features are Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake.

Longevity Hill
Located at the north of the Summer Palace, accounting for about a quarter of the whole garden. Most palaces and gardens were built along the north–south axis of Longevity Hill. These palaces fall into several sections, each with its own distinct character, some meant for administration, some living, and others relaxation. People usually divide Longevity Hill into the ‘front hill’ area and ‘back hill’ area.


Kunming Lake
It takes up three quarters of the whole garden and is dotted with several small islands. These small islands also host some halls and pavilions. Famous attractions amongst this area are numerous, including Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Bronze Ox, Nanhu Island, Hall of Embracing the Universe, Spacious Pavilion, Pavilion of Bright Scenery, Marble Boat, Suzhou Market Street, etc. Apart from Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, there are over a hundred scenic spots, more than 20 courtyards and 3,000 ancient structures, and 1,600 trees over a hundred years old. 290 hectares (717 acres) Summer Palace Attractions Palaces, halls, pavilions, the long corridor, and the marble boat are the main things to see in the Summer Palace gardens. The Summer Palace Tour Route: Beigongmen → Suzhou Street→ Longevity Hill → Kunming Lake → the Marble Boat → the Long Corridor→ Paiyun Dian → the Tower of Buddhist Incense → Hall of Longevity and Happiness → Wenchangyuan Garden → Renshoudian→ Donggongmen Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) It is the main building of the Summer Palace complex, built halfway up the front of Longevity Hill. Empress Dowager Cixi went there every month to worship Buddha. Hall of Dispelling Clouds (Paiyundian) This was the Summer Palace’s main place for Empress Dowager Cixi to receive guests, host grand ceremonies, and celebrate her birthday. Like the Tower of Buddhist Incense, it is located on the central axis of the ‘front hill’ area. The Long Corridor The paths beside the lake lead you under shady trees, or along the roofed colonnade known as the Long Corridor, with its magnificently painted ceilings. Bridges, boats, willows, lotus flowers, and other attractive landscaping make this a pleasant place to soak up the atmosphere and lovely views. Facing Kunming Lake, it's 728 meters (2,388 feet) long. In 1992, it was recognized as the longest corridor in the world and listed in "The Book of Guinness World Records". The Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Deheyuan) It was built as a theater for the Empress Dowager Cixi. The three-story theater stage is the biggest and best-preserved wooden stage in China. Famous Beijing opera actors of the Qing Dynasty would come to perform for the Empress Dowager and the stage was regarded as the "Cradle of Beijing Opera". Sea of Wisdom (Zhihuihai) It is located on the peak of Longevity Hill. The outer layer of the building is decorated with exquisite yellow and green glazed tiles. Suzhou Street Suzhou Market Street recreates a selection of traditional riverside shops (as would have been found in Suzhou), many of which can only be reached by boat. The story goes that former Emperors, or their concubines, used to enjoy 'pretend-shopping', as normally everything was bought for them. The Marble Boat The Marble Boat, at the northern edge of the lake, is a decorative building that imitates a real boat. Erected in 1755, it is the only Western-style structure in the park, inlaid with colorful glass windows and wheels, and paved with colored bricks. Kunming Lake and 17-Hole Bridge Kunming Lake, in the center of the park, takes up about 75% of the park. Boating on Kunming Lake is highly recommended. It takes about 10 minutes and gives a tranquil and relaxing break away from the crowds of tourists confined to the pathways. The boating fee is not included in the entrance fee. The famous 17-hole bridge spans between Nanhu (‘South Lake’) Island and the east bank. The bridge is 150 meters (490 ft) long, and is curved like a long rainbow frame above the blue water.