10 Tips for Traveling by Train in China

[@iamcanadianedmonton]

good morning from alberta, canada. i have travelled by trains in china, from the slow turtle green train to the lightening fast maglev train in shanghai. i think train is the best way to explore china. once this virus is over, i will be heading that way again. two thumbs up. love from canada.

[@GoYvon]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I can't wait to hop on a train either!

[@贾天宇-x7i]

hahah turtles green train lvmao totally agree it called 绿皮车

[@Aerotrain301]

I traveled to china in 2012. I plan to travel back to china in either mid or late 2022 and i plan on taking a lot of CRH trains :) much love from 🇺🇸

[@wedigii]

@Daniel J. China Railway Highspeed

[@YangFengsen]

I agree, I’m a chinese in Edmonton

[@truth8307]

I wish to add that China trains provide EXTREMELY hot water(be careful), convenient for those who wish to cook instant noodle or make their own drinks. Another point to note is do NOT book train tickets online from any English website especially "China Train Booking" as they charge a high fee and also won't refund money or allow changes. Always book direct from the train station or ask the hotel to book for you from the official train booking website which is free and they allow changes. If you missed your train, go to the ticket counter immediately and they will allow you to take the next train, and I think no penalty charge. Make sure you arrive any China city train station at least half an hour earlier, there is usually a long queue to get into the station and security is tight.

[@mengyangliang6388]

I’m Chinese. Still remember the trains I took 15 years ago. Sleeper being the best, and coach or standing tickets, which are more common, would simply serve the purpose of getting you to another city. Trains got delayed quite often, and the restrooms were not very clean. I even saw people staying in the restroom just because the carriage is too crowded. They would leave if you need it, but would return afterwards. It was indeed not very enjoyable back then. But it’s such an unforgettable memory and experience. It also reflects just how much of people’s everyday life has been improved in China in the recent decades.

[@ohmoneymoneyhome6430]

15 years ago, the fast train from Shanghai to Nanjing is 2hours 44 mins, now it is less than 1 hour... many things change....

[@maxynoelia1]

Nice video! There's something special about the slow train, I don't know. I really like it 🙂🙂

[@GoYvon]

Thanks for the support! I agree, there's something to it. I should take one again and film the experience.

[@wynerforsure4692]

@@GoYvon If you are not in rush, the slow train is a better idea to travel in China for sight seeing as well as understanding more local culture, and of course, much cheaper LOL.

[@xz1891]

Special is, it's still faster than Amtrak.

[@美食萊克]

慢车的特别之处就是便宜，便宜，便宜。没了。

[@williamzacalias5433]

When can we expect your traveling videos to come?

[@graciag6218]

I still remember my experience taking the green train from Xiamen to Xi'an like 10 years ago. There was very few green trains left nowadays, mainly for short distances. Although you may find the slow trains have green cabins but they are not what I refereed as "green trains". The real "green trains" operate on speed of 80km/h, not higher than 120km/h. Not fully electrified, no AC and you can actually open the window. It is super cheap though. To be honest being a Chinese I don't have much experience with the green trains and my friend and I suddenly decided to took the adventure as part of our trip experience. It was planned for 30+ hours and we had only seat tickets. We started it with full of curiosity and chatted with others and soon becoming very tired. No room for sleeping, even not stretching. No AC just fans and it was hot summer! To the worst we learnt that there was a railroad traffic due to flooding and we waited 20km away Xi'an for extra 8 hours! We literally begged the chief conductor(he was so bored waiting so he came out the room and joined our chat) to open the door so we may walk back Xi'an... Lol. My friend's brother laughed so hard at us when he drove us back to home...

[@arminh1325]

二十年前从湖北上的西安到厦门的火车，二十多小时，那味道，终身难忘。

[@GoYvon]

Wow, that sounds like quite the experience! I almost got stuck in the same area 2 years ago in summer due to heavy rain.

[@veritasfx]

Nanchang to harbin😁

[@graciag6218]

@@arminh1325 哈哈，从湖北到厦门还要20多个小时，那可能速度还不到80km/h吧。现在这趟绿皮车应该已经没有了，其实还挺有意思的。

[@arminh1325]

@@graciag6218 火车一进福建，速度就慢了下来。全是隧道，而且是单线，经常停车让行啊。不过在漳州的小站停靠时，蕉农的香蕉非常便宜，2元一大串。

[@bob.b.s8338]

Your channel is seriously under rated, you have gained such enormous knowledge about travelling and culture and life in China, such a wonderful channel!

[@JohanFitFoodie]

Travelling by train in China is definitely fantastically convenient 🇨🇳🚂😊

[@hong3170]

That's true buying the tickets in advance during holidays. In Netherlands trains just like metro, you don't need to buy tickets until minutes before you boarding the train.

[@cyrus-tang]

It's well-known that the movement during Lunar New Year in China is seen as the hugest migration of human race in all time history.

[@shaunkong62]

1.Don't travel in Chinese New Year or other holidays, if you can't buy your tickets in advance. 2. Best to avoid "holidays" when buying tickets. Buy in advance.... Go for soft sleepers before hard sleepers. 3. Write out your destinations in Chinese to prevent mispronouciation. 4. Try to go to stations early like, at least one hour beforehand. 5. Picking the right train, which arrives at the right train station is important. Plan. Sleeper trains may be arriving at more convenient stations. Sleepers are slow moving, easy going. Plan well ahead. 6. Try sleeper trains that may not be crowded thus saving hotel expenses. Bring an energy bar or two.. High speed trains are cleaner. 7. Try different foods available on trains. 8. Try bringing your own toilet paper and plenty of hand sanitisers. 9. Bring some personal entertainment... 10. Being able to stretch your legs in second class trains is a lot cheaper and worth it. Second class trains are good enough..

[@yangli2263]

I was born in Qing Dao, and i remember when i was 5 or 6 yrs old, my dad used to work in ShangHai and i did take the Green Train with my mom to go to Shanghai and see my dad. and i still remember my mom told me i only need to sleep over the night and i will see my dad in the morning. Really great memories.

[@thestreetsviller]

sweet!

[@angelp4724]

I'm so looking forward to a whole series ☺️! It's like another world.

[@GoYvon]

To a whole series of.... train videos?

[@angelp4724]

@@GoYvon Yes actually, maybe if you could do a series of different episode meeting lots of different people and asking about their livelihoods and exploring how they feel content/ or not, that would be very informative. Esp. given the current political climate.

[@jzeng2022]

If the high-speed train only takes 4 to 5 hours, the high-speed train is usually chosen. Chinese aircraft are restricted due to the opening of civil aviation engine rooms and are often delayed due to airspace control. Chinese trains, especially high-speed trains, are very punctual. Nowadays, trains can reach almost any city, so traveling by high-speed train in China is the best choice.

[@yannihike3514]

What the situations you came across were way way better than mine when I visited China in the 70s when I was young. At that time, once you missed a train schedule, the next train to your destination could be 2 days later. Even if I bought the sleeping seat, if that was taken over by some rude people, even the train staffs couldn't offer any help. The train were crowded all the time, people would travel with cages of life animals or games, of course the smell could be imaginable. But that was then, glad that my country is developing and the citizens are becoming more civilized.

[@GoYvon]

Wow!! That's something different! Not sure if I could do that.

[@heemagauss8691]

You can book the tickets online via we chat or alipay ( zhifu bao ). Then in the train station u got to print it from the station office.. For free

[@GoYvon]

Thanks for sharing the tip. I have bought them on WeChat / Alipay in the past.

[@ohmoneymoneyhome6430]

Train+ museum, my favorite trips in China~

[@Pixmosphere]

I also love to travel by train, it's fast, cheap and punctual on the minute. Will take a train this weekend too from Xi'an to a yet not know location as you can also be super spontaneous.

[@detrickguillory7537]

Thank you for sharing your videos & experiences. I absolutely love my experiences in beautiful China. I wish you great success & continuous blessings in all your endeavors.

[@yanhantang8417]

If there are airports between your city and destination, airline tickets can be cheaper during workdays (at least 3 days ahead)

[@scchiang00]

I recommend that you should visit tibet and duanhuang cave in silk road

[@TariqMahmood-in5fq]

Good

[@GoYvon]

Thanks.

[@Bob_just_Bob]

I’ve done quite a few train trips around China myself having lived there since 1998 but I certainly would not do it during Chinese New Year! I’ve taken train’s between Beijing and Guangzhou, Beijing and ChangChun and a bunch of other trips as far west as Dunhuang, Xi’an, Chengdu and Chongqing. I’ve driven myself from ChongQing to Beijing but I truly love traveling in China by rail.

[@positivemindsets2225]

Great Contents

[@GoYvon]

Thanks!

[@anhcui1730]

G>D>TorZ>K sort by speed

[@GoYvon]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nileshbhattacharya2526]

Hello sister. How are you? I❤️ your KZbin channel . You are one of my favorite KZbinr. I really appreciate your hardwork, respect you and your KZbin channel. Good to see you after long days 👍

[@GoYvon]

Thank you so much 😊

[@geforce1122]

I always thought you had to buy the tickets at the station if you’re not a Chinese national . I do have Wechat but I’ve not fully explored the purchasing options yet .

[@veritasfx]

Wa, there's a lot story when travel with the slow train. It was hard to get a hard sleeper. Sitting in the crowd cabinet, for more than 48 hours....really missed it.

[@rajappanpk9569]

Train also very there's something special about the slow train, I don't know. I really appreciate possible like it.

[@oldschoolwaverider]

Awesome tips! Amazing views @04:48 and 06:38 ! 😍

[@meganet21]

Have a nice day always🙏

[@WendyBankgonne]

I like traveling with train in China especially slow train

[@GoYvon]

Same here, I enjoy traveling by train as well. So much I did a 2 week trip on a train, haha. What do you like so much about the slow train?

[@WendyBankgonne]

I enjoy meeting new people in the train communicating together since the journey will be a bit longer

[@贾天宇-x7i]

respect from CN. WOW all people like your video

[@williamzacalias5433]

Hi Yvon, I get to know your channel from Mexicanos en China.

[@GoYvon]

Oh cool!

[@taoyinghuang1439]

Beautiful! It even recorded china train history and passengers in 2011. Keep it up!

[@joyremy4777]

Even for me, traveling by K train(slowest train) is a big challenge. You're very brave and have the spirit of adventure! good luck in China! if you visit Wuhan, my pleasure to buy you some wonderful breakfast😻

[@Mll21]

Nice. Had watched till the end.

[@hangtuah888]

Thank you Yvon, engkau fan youl, love this video on train travel and if my memory serves me right, your husband opined that he wished that this same transportation is available in the United States. Most Western countries bickered and talked about high speed trains. The country I am in, had fifteen feasbility studies costing about three or four million each since 1947 to have a high speed train line between Brisbane and Melbourne. Yet not a single inch of track has been laid. One woman in a vox pop, told the interviewer that she would have to experience 40 reincarnations before the high speed train will be a reality. So sad. Just get on and build a modern high speed line so that the commuters do not have to endure the slow train coming sang by the evergreen Bobby Dylan.

[@shaunkong62]

Yvon what is so oxymoronic about the topic or term cheaper pilots ? Do you really know what this strange dude Hang Tuah is going on and on about ? What a fart?

[@jas_lyn]

ill be in china for a month, anyone know the luggage regulations for the high speed train and others too??

[@jinhailin4828]

这么好的视频，竟然没有中文留言？

[@stanbimi]

2021 is almost upon us. Since you have been travelling in China by train since 2011, please reflect on how much have changed in the last 10 years and share your thoughts. When did you start to notice things have improved? Is it a gradual change or sudden? What is the biggest change that impact train travel? How have your fellow Chinese travellers changed over the years? More 文明 (Wénmíng) "civilized" as government's PSA constantly urge citizens? What are the lingering complains you wish would improve soon? As an expat with 10 years experience, your old footage from those early days are valuable historical documentary. It's like looking at oneself in the mirror everyday and suddenly open up old photo albums. Shocking to see how much has changed.

[@zjoker2416]

One suggestion: Please add subtitle(both English and Chinese) Thank you for sharing this video.

[@taozhang3135]

"Green Cover Train", an old style train with low speed in China

[@shaunkong62]

Traveling by train is safer than by plane in China. Also there is almost no queuing for "immigration". Luggage requirements are more casual.

[@arminh1325]

Hi man, traveling by plane is very safe in China. By train is more convenient.

[@GoYvon]

I'd say planes are very safe as well. You're right about immigration / security and luggage. Although there are restrictions. I wasn't aware of that in 2012 when I moved from Shaoxing to Shenyang by train and had to pay extra upon arrival in Shnyang cause we had too much luggage with us.

[@lucysushi8608]

Thanks for sharing Yvon

[@polyglotsebvlogs259]

10 years living in China??! That’s a long time! Do you mind if I ask how old you are Yvon?

[@winterslee6103]

when you buy a D train, make sure the train is not operate by a CR200J train, Coz CR200J is regarded as a D train but the Max speed can only reach 160. same as Z train but more expensive.

[@GoYvon]

Thanks for leaving the tip here! I'm sure it'll be helpful for people who will travel by train.

[@edie930]

So helpfull

[@GoYvon]

Glad you think so!

[@PaddyMan1988]

I took the similar train from Beijing to Guangzhou in 1985 and the trip was little bit over 40 hours. 😓😓😓

[@GoYvon]

Wow, that's long!

[@veritasfx]

😃nice trip.

[@GeorgeLouVideo]

Two years ago I took an overnight Amtrak train. Even though I spent a lot in getting the largest room for myself and a friend (bunk bed and shower), it was still small and slightly crammed. So I can't imagine how it must be to just have a single seat for a long trip. By the way, can you do an episode on music? I'm sure there are cool local musicians that you like.

[@GoYvon]

Music... I don't listen to Chinese music a lot, but maybe in the future. I'll put it on the list!

[@G.S.7981]

Actually you may also take a sleeper train at day if the trip takes less than 6 hours. That would bring you almost infinite leg room.

[@a_viewerv2069]

👍👍, thank you for sharing

[@peterliu5612]

好

[@ayflying2145]

base on current COVID situation,. first tip is how to enter china.

[@Kevin-kd6hf]

very nice video! I recognize your Dutch accent :D

[@GoYvon]

So hard to get rid off, haha! ;)

[@tachuanliu739]

Miss GoYvon, could I ask how tall are you, is it more than 190 cm?

[@GoYvon]

Not quite 1.90, but close. I'm 1.86m

[@王际洲]

What language is the book at 10:29 written in? Seems like German and English. Is it Dutch?

[@王际洲]

I watched more videos and found out that you come from the Netherlands! New subscriber and hope you enjoy in Beijing!

[@coldhank]

Love the vid. How tall are you Yvon?

[@GoYvon]

Thanks! I'm 1.86m.

[@oestergaard141]

I think you need to improve Chinese perhaps, because actually, planes are often cheaper for long domestic journeys in China 😂 I understand the environmental point, but sometimes the prices I find are like 1/3

[@aynazsyzd8537]

继续努力吧 ！🌻

[@kking8650]

Hairstyle is the highlight.

[@GoYvon]

Absolutely, haha!

[@yuchuanwang9265]

能配上中文字幕就好了

[@阳光-i6r]

👍👍👍

[@aynazsyzd8537]

It is good idea of you say the name who just put too much comment it is gonna help you to have more comments🌹🥀🌺🌻

[@陳毓麟-v1p]

讚！

[@起个响亮的名字]

看不到中文字幕啊，跟不上啊

[@Fuerzaestudiante]

Te pareces mucho a la chica del canal "Ni Hao Casandra"... 😂

[@shaunkong62]

Let's just hope we are one of the passengers where an accident NEVER happens while travelling by plane. This is not a complaint about travelling within China by plane. When the flight is not one country to another, say Hong Kong to London in the UK, it is regional say Beijing to Yunnan, even Yunnan to Myanmar or Hainan island, the standards become less strict when you are not flying "international". Then, the use of cheaper pilots, or planes, or whether your plane can withstand strong winds etc, before having to change course because you are now too far away from the intended airports etc... I guess I don't like to fly airlines that have to go cheap because it is essentially local or regional etc... TRAVELLING by train at 350km/hr is still safer than by plane. Thankfully you are still on the ground. It is of course not safe to go with a regional airline even if they buy their planes from Boeing and you are on AIRMax!

[@hangtuah888]

FYI, there are no such things as cheaper pilots, it is like finding the proverbial dinosaur. They are gone with the stone age. All pilots must meet the requisite flight hours experienced, proper training and knowledge on the instruments on their consoles. Please do not feign problems when there is none. I recalled when China first opened up, there is talk similar to yours of Chinese planes being held together with chewing gums and they will fall out of the sky. It is just silly scutterbug and unnecessary. By all means report poor behaviour to the governing authorities, if you think your flight border on dangerous. I am not even Chinese but sick of people feigning all sorts of problems from stealing IP and spying through the backdoor as if the Chinese government has so much time on their hands. Instead these Western countries would be best to look into their infrastructure spent as China continues to lay down more and more high speed train lines.

[@shaunkong62]

@@hangtuah888 Here is to a many more safe journey whether you fly China's Airlines or other countries. I am sure the standards will somehow prove to be reasonable enough to fly..

[@shaunkong62]

@@hangtuah888 Why is there no such things as cheaper pilots? Is this communism for China pilots? Oh l forgot in China under Hang Tuah all pilots are paid the same except for the super lingtaoren !!

[@hangtuah888]

Cheaper pilots is an oxymoron term, please do not be controversial okay. Hope you know someone in your family who is willing to be paid a lower rate for the same work. 😂😂😂

[@hangtuah888]

@@shaunkong62 You will be surprised that I am joining the Olympic Training Squad of the Chinese women hockey team. Anyway, whatever, you can call me anything but you are what I do not want to be and I am what you will never be. Okay. Suffice to say and keep it that way. I speak and read Mandarin besides Malay language and plain English.

[@Jai_guru_devji]

Long and blonde babe 💘 that is why every one tries to be friends with you 😜 Love you so much as your commentry goes so smooth and hasle free Exactly I can't listen what you told as your name

[@lance9105]

Jesus, those old green ones. Is there anyone of them still running in China?

[@wangzh2k]

¥1014, why is it so expensive?

[@bobzheng4586]

because it's the first class from Beijing to Shanghai, high speed train, 6 hours trip, second class is around ¥600, first class is around ¥1000, business class is even more expensive, around ¥1800 from Beijing to Tongxiang, her destination, is farther than to Shanghai

[@GoYvon]

Great question! Like Bob said, it was a first class ticket. Miguel and I were invited to an event in Tongxiang and had the chance to try out the first class high speed train.

[@shaunkong62]

Whenever you can spell out a risk, ask yourself, what are the consequences? If NO REGrets is the answer, please go ahead. Any other answers, do record in your diary, the whole situation, later maybe you have another decision. That way you can live your life without any regrets or blaming of others.. I learned this from a preacher that insisted even your schedule of what you pray for must be documented, otherwise how do you know it is not a waste of your effort...

[@中国-e8c]

中国🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@fionajones972]

Hi, Yvon. I have emailed you for business inquires. Looking forward to your reply.

[@yanghan9399]

strange accent while you say China, where you from?

[@GoYvon]

Watch my latest video to find out. :)

[@yanghan9399]

@@GoYvon Oh, I get it. anyone who want to know where GoYvon from, can find it in her new video at 2:40 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpeyqpWKgNGKfMU&ab_channel=GoYvon

[@mingxingju5322]

Traveling by foot in China 😂 😂 😂

[@georgec9765]

It was a nightmare if I couldn't sleep in the train on the trip.

[@eduardochavacano]

someone will offer you a bag of sunflower seeds... and you have to be polite. Careful eating those seeds can ruin your teeth. I collected all my Train tickets!

[@roywong731]

Chinese new year？ no！ You better stay at home

[@royalbond84]

🌟 🇮🇳 🤝 🇹🇼 🌟 India Celebrates Taiwan National Day 10 October 2020

[@doobtom271]

@Archer Stanton his point come here to insult Chinese