How to take train in China
1)Â Buy tickets in advance.
If you go to the train station without a ticket, you might be lost in a crowded railway station in China. Hundreds of people waiting in front of a small window at the station, a small notice in Chinese posted on that window, which you can not see 12 yards away. It says: open hours: 08h00 to 10h00, 10h30 to 12hoo…It means you might stay in line for two hours, eventually you see the notice, it tells you that this booking window closes in two minutes, and impatience Chinese behind you break the line from both sides of your body, pushing you away to get a ticket!  You want to fight, but no one pays any attension to you.
All travel agents do not offer the service of “buying train ticket only”, they insist on offering a package of train/hotel/pickup/tours together.  Please be prepared for that.
2)Â Transfer to the train station
In big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, highly recommend you to take subway to the train station, especially in rush hours.
Shanghai Metro Route
Shanghai maglev train
Beijing Subway
Beijing railway station
Or you might take a taxi.       Taxi in Beijing
3)Â Read the Sign and Notice at railway station
English is generally not spoken by any of the staff on the trains or in the railway stations. Limited English sign or notice are available in the railway stations. When you arrive the station, the most important thing is to find the departure hall that your train is leaving from! You have to read the sign carefully, double check the train code on your tickets, the departure time, the city where you are heading for!
4) Find your cabin on the train
A separate waiting lounge is available in the railway stations for passengers traveling in the soft sleeper section. Preferential boarding is available for those passengers.
5)Â Check-in Baggages on the train
Baggage space is limited and must be storred in your compartment so it is wise to travel with small baggage rather than large suitcases.
6)Â Hand luggages
Most train stations have a considerable number of stairs to climb to reach the platforms. Bags have to be carried up and down these stairs. Most stairs have a steep ramp so that wheeled bags can be dragged up as you walk up the stairs.
How good is the railway system service in China?
Train travel in China has to be undertaken with the full knowledge that the system is designed for the local population who are familiar with the standard conditions. Trains between larger cities are always superior to those on lesser routes and will probably run close to schedule.
How can Sinoway Travel deliver the train tickets to me?
The system for rail reservations in China will only allow Travel Agencies including Sinoway Travel to confirm bookings 10 days prior to departure of the Tibet-Qinghai train. Sinoway Travel will ask our local tour guide to pick up passengers from different destinations when you arrive, transfer to hotel to freshup and have breakfast first, then you continue your tour programs.