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!!).