18hrs on China's Overnight Train... A Surprising Journey!

There are two main ways to travel around China, either by flying domestically or by train, so we opted for the train! We made our way from Shanghai to Chongqing, an 18-hour overnight journey on one of China's soft sleeper classes, which came with its own surprises!
Vlog No.229
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#china #chinatravel #chinavlogs #shanghai #chinafirstimpressions #travelchina2024 #eoinandaisling #travelvlog #coupletraveller #chinesefood #chinatrains #bullettrains #chinaovernightrain #overnighttrain

[@Chloe-tw2zl]

Love your guys’ attitude. China has lots of Good and Bad at the same time. At least, you just show the real side of it and appreciate it in a positive way. Appreciate that. Wish you all the best and I will keep on following 👍

[@EoinandAisling]

Aw thank you so much for your lovely comment, like you said there’s good and bad everywhere but we try not to get caught up on the bad things

[@白发阿桂]

As a Chinese, I agree with you. Do not brag, be objective and fair, and present the real China.

[@LH1xx]

These green trains are not bad at all, they are kind of old but clean and organized. Most trains in China are high-speed trains which are very fast and comfortable, which will be a far better experience for them.

[@蔡头-p8i]

这是老中国的老式火车基本上都是用了十多年以上的旧车。

[@Youngcl77]

Yes just give people the real China, I hate many things in China such as public smoking. But when it comes to western media, China is the capital in hunger game like what?

[@YongLi-np3wg]

Travel in China on overnight sleeper train is the best choice for budget travellers. You save both on transportation and accommodation. My two cents of tip on sleeper train: buy a lot of snacks and share with your new roommates. It's gonna be a wonderful trip.

[@EoinandAisling]

These are the BEST tips! Haha we swear by snacks and meeting new people ☺️

[@lisali414]

The reason why you got those upper sleeper is that the train station wants to make sure people over60 or kids get the bottom sleeper in priority,which is difficult for them to climb! Anyway welcome to China

[@EoinandAisling]

That’s so good that they prioritise these people. We always go up when it comes to sleeper trains, I prefer the very top but the middle is okay if we have to

[@smithtam02]

令我回憶約40年前回祖國觀光，從廣州坐火車到北京，約30多小時，當年與今天繁榮不可同日而語。

[@ty-tianyu]

中国的40年，变化的太大太大了。

[@roywong731]

四十年前，我可是需要票证排队购买米面，煤球。四十年后，每次回到美国，我都要抱怨生活没有在中国方便。

[@jianusheng3851]

Even for Chinese, this kind of train journey is tough, nowadays most people prefer high speed train or flight, you guys are brave, hope you enjoy your time in China!

[@shiroxie]

totally right hhh, they are brave to try new things

[@philipemery5503]

Have traveled from Shanghai on both sleeper and bullet train. Both are comfortable and railway staff always ready to assist. Have found Chinese people to be friendly towards foreigners, and helpful. Hope to use these systems again next visit

[@f1111v]

the green colored train was only in my memory of my childhood, reminds me of my 1st trip to my dad's hometown. nice video. enjoy ur staying there!

[@taylorzhao4700]

这是快车 硬卧 不错了

[@EoinandAisling]

Aw that sounds like a lovely comment! So glad we thought back such fond memories

[@peasoupish6279]

Exactly, this video reminds me when I was five or six years old and there were no high-speed rails that time. We also travel with those green trains and overnight hard-sleepers. On the train, people were eating instant noodles for their dinner. My parents usually don’t allow me to eat instant noodles but it was exceptional when I’m on the overnight train. In my memory, the instant noodles always have the best taste when I’m eating on the tiny desk in the corridor of that train carriage. Although I haven’t had that experience for more than ten years now, I can still feel that. This is a really nice video, thank you!

[@jeffreyINAus]

@@taylorzhao4700 其实是红皮车刷成了绿色

[@strongbow310]

This young lady sounds american I've just clocked she irish.

[@tengsteel8560]

乘坐高铁从上海到重庆也需要12小时，所以18小时的过夜卧铺是一个很好的选择，你们很聪明

[@mielli9730]

查了下还真要12个小时，高铁没有太多优势

[@hellosurvivor97]

我几年前坐过，应该是十个小时左右，绝对要不了12小时

[@hellosurvivor97]

我可能坐的是重庆到无锡，我记不清了。不过无锡到上海也只有半小时左右。

[@easymi9964]

@@hellosurvivor97 case by case, 即使都是上海-重庆 如果是 不同的车次 路线不同 停靠次数不同，时长差别会很大的

[@tengsteel8560]

@@hellosurvivor97 你没记错，上午有3列是10个半小时，其他几十列都在12小时左右。

[@marilovescoffee]

We lived in China about 15 years ago, and we loved traveling by hard sleeper. We took soft sleeper once, when we had relatives visiting us, and it was great for the four of us but I think it would have been more awkward with strangers, because it's a more closed-in room. It has 4 beds instead of the 6 that you have in hard sleeper. I don't remember any difference in comfort, except that maybe the beds were a little wider. Also there was a Western toilet in one of the washrooms in the soft sleeper car, which was easier for our guests but I actually prefer the squat toilet in a public place like that because it's more sanitary.

[@ThienThanhTieu]

Warm tip for travelers: railway stations in China are massive, so make sure you can arrive about 1 hour earlier in case you get lost or incidents happen. You need time to go through the security and find your platform gate.

[@EoinandAisling]

It’s literally like an airport but we won’t make the same mistake again!

[@werewhoweare]

I like slow trains, which allow me to enjoy the journey and the scenery along the way. It feels great!

[@EoinandAisling]

I totally agree!

[@craftyfamily5959]

These green trains remind me of my college years (20 years ago). I’m glad you feel positive about these old fashioned trains😊

[@JJr-ce3vv]

Cool! I also like the idea to choose a sleeper train, it's more exciting than staying in a hotel.

[@jeffreyINAus]

Dude,thank you for giving positive feedback regarding to china rail system. As tourists ,only cost $50 bunks , you can enjoy sleeper car over 1800km distance long journey. Nothing to complain about. PS on Green trains , each carriage has an attendant. in middle car of the train. It is dining car,you can order your dishes ,buy snacks etc.

[@CharleyCharlieHE]

Glad to see you like this old style train in China , wish you have a wonderful stay in Chongqing City , enjoy it !

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you very much! It was a great journey

[@jialixie4109]

Memory of childhood for this kind of train.

[@EoinandAisling]

Love to hear that! You can’t beat childhood memories

[@vivianlz5489]

There are 3 types of accommodations on these overnight sleeper trains. The hard sleepers, the one you just took. The soft sleepers, there will be 4 spaces per unit for soft sleepers and a unit door that can be closed at night. The highest and most expensive ones are the premier soft sleepers, with two beds per unit, there will be a western toilet attached to the unit, a sofa, a closet, and a safe locker, and there are tissues and toilet rolls in the premier soft sleepers units.

[@panke216]

Brought my boys back to China last year, and took this kind of green color slow train for one night just to let them experience something new, and they were so excited the whole time on the train and were kind of fighting for the luggage area a little bit, and enjoyed squeeze their little boy inside that area. Wonderful memories!

[@EoinandAisling]

That sounds like such a memorable trip! Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the best on holidays and trips with family

[@chiropractorinhongkong]

I really like you guys coming here to experience our ordinary people 's life. Good luck and stay healthy!

[@zhang_zhe]

i would rather 18h hard sleeper train than 8h seat bullet train,actally its more comfortable and save lots of money

[@EoinandAisling]

Agreed! We are on the same page

[@Fdibd]

What a positive couple.❤

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you ☺️

[@guochi]

你们非常乐观和具有极强的包容心！感谢！祝福！

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you very much ☺️

[@mustafaaa772]

i love how you guys are so raw and authentic !! best channel ever

[@爱就一个字]

这种火车还是小时候坐过 方便 经济实惠 老外会玩

[@EoinandAisling]

Getting you all the places you need to go!

[@oliviazhao7753]

Great job guys!! Your videos never disappoint me 🎉❤

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you so much 😀 this means so much

[@xiyue511]

First time, I heard someone used royal green to describe the low speed green train. Interesting! I haven't been this low speed green train for more than ten years.

[@EoinandAisling]

Haha it is like a royal green! Love how this train brings back memories of all journeys for people

[@车医]

I am from Tianjin, China, and welcome you to visit China. I wish you a happy visit!

[@bboymxl]

Wow, fellow countryman.

[@holung1772]

This video bring back so many memories. I haven’t been in these older model green skin train for a long time.

[@longxue4592]

You have brought so many things that I want to go up and help.😂

[@SpaceBound-1]

You guys are doing the real traveling. :)

[@EoinandAisling]

Haha it’s the only way

[@Alex-c7l]

In fact, a "soft sleeper" will be more comfortable

[@EoinandAisling]

Maybe we will try next time

[@JC_auto]

@@EoinandAisling just 2 seats,hard sleeper means 3seats

[@JJr-ce3vv]

Yes, big difference, you have your own room and wide bed.

[@derekwampum8861]

It seems better than our Indian trains.

[@LH1xx]

LOL way better

[@ttcok]

oh, really?

[@helenazddd21]

I know from Shanghai to Chongqing the best choice is the train but I highly recommend you guys experience the bullet train. It’s gonna blow u away, really my favorite way to travel in China, cause if u count the total travel time like arriving at airports at least 1 hour prior to the flight and how massive China’s airports are, it’s actually more time efficient and convenient to take the bullet train. Most importantly the comfort is next level, big legroom, spacious seats, standard temperature instead of freezing while otw, no shakiness or air turbulences. On the train business class is like a first class on a plane, u can lye down and stuff but usually first class is good enough for me to avoid any noisiness and have a little bit more space to myself.

[@jurrasicpig2426]

the fare for soft sleeper is only a little cheaper than high speed rail, but it's a quite an interesting experience, only if the cabin has only 2 beds, that will be perfect

[@EoinandAisling]

When we were pricing there was a big difference but if there was only a little different the high speed would definitely win. When the cabin had 3 beds each side, and it’s full, it can be very cramped but we’re happy because it was a half full cabin for this trip

[@jurrasicpig2426]

@@EoinandAisling maybe when you booked the ticket, the hight speed train only has 1st class or business class tickets available, that would be way more expensive than the sleeper train hahaha

[@partyhu]

软卧是四个位置，硬卧6个位置。软卧的价格跟高铁二等座差不多甚至更贵。

[@chinalijb]

There are indeed train sleeper compartments with two beds, known as deluxe soft sleepers. They come with a private bathroom, a sofa, and a table, and have a lockable door, making them more like a small hotel room.However, the price is not cheap, starting at around 900 RMB per ticket.

[@啾啾良]

Haha，when they got off the train and said “Thank you” in Chinese，the attendant on a train was suprised and said“ You can speak Chinese！”in Chinese

[@WangSteveWeixiao]

You two are so cute. China welcomes you.🎉

[@onkycui]

The green train, I remember spending 2 nights and 3 days on it with my parents when I was a kid, going to my grandparents' house. Now the same distance is only 4 hours by high speed rail.😂

[@EoinandAisling]

3 days and 2 nights!! Oh my goodness, I’d say you have both good and bad stories from those journeys haha it’s great that the high speed trains are making big commutes like that so much more accessible

[@jogana6909]

I think the train is very good, the station is great

[@EoinandAisling]

We were sooo impressed

[@zolo5425]

This green train is really retro, hahahaha, it exists in my memory 10 years ago!

[@EoinandAisling]

Haha that’s so cool

[@joemichael9885]

welcome to chongqing- 8D Cyberpunk city

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you ☺️

[@daisypeng99]

Love your video! Really miss the time I travelled with those green train when I was young haha. And for more infomation about the train in China, I want to share an interesting line which is Y754 from Lijiang to Kunming/Y752 in opposite direction (the 2 cities are both in Yunnan Province), it has 14 VIP sleepers that include one lower big bed and one upper smaller bed, the price for each room is around 570RMB (62 pounds), and one ticket can use for max 3 people. Also this train has lovely bar decorated in the style of local ethnic minorities!

[@MacrosFTW]

Damn, even the lower class trains aren't too bad.

[@EoinandAisling]

That’s what we thought! Haha

[@max_dsouth9]

Enjoyed watching your train ride and look forward to your mega city tour.

[@EoinandAisling]

Glad you enjoyed it ☺️ we can’t wait to share it

[@fengbocai7304]

You can choose to take the high-speed rail, which can save a lot of time! !

[@mathieuchen9509]

You are so lovely, and welcome to China

[@adamzhu2313]

I can imagine your face when you got in the washroom, it was a hard time for my kids who grow up in Canada, too. But generally they still love the train experience. Enjoy your stay!

[@amandagrant4331]

China is very good for tourism

[@EoinandAisling]

It was much better than we thought

[@linus631]

Good job, great video! Thanks for sharing! ❤

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you so much for watching ☺️

[@Baoice-je2ko]

In fact, the price of a sleeper berth is about the same as that of a high-speed train. There are many people buying high-speed rail tickets, so sometimes you may not be able to buy tickets. There are also soft sleepers (very expensive) that can only seat 4 people, and hard sleepers that can only seat 6 people.

[@dayanddayshello811]

Love Irish people 🎉🎉respect from China

[@EoinandAisling]

Aw thank you ☺️

[@dayanddayshello811]

@@EoinandAisling yes I m serious I was studying in Ireland.and I got lots of help from Irish people. Miss Ireland and Irish people so much. Chinese people are also warm and kind as you guys^^ so enjoy your time in China

[@土馒头]

enjoy your trip 🎉

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you ☺️

[@josechong8207]

I absolutely loved it. Thank you for sharing your positive experience on a sleeper train going from Shanghai to Chongqing. I was wondering if any toilets in the train had actual sit-down toilets.

[@mikebo3775]

What I took this kind of "slow" train was about 18 years ago when I was back hometown from South China. Same beds. It took me about 12 hours to arrive. Now these years I always take fast train which took me about 5 hours or even earlier. It's a reminding video for me to recall those old days... ha ha

[@victor9308]

From Shanghai to Chongqing you can travel by ship, down to changjiang River、You can also explore cities along the river

[@feilyu1295]

Welcome to my city ,and enjoy your travel

[@sosochio4374]

Chongqing is amazing, enjoy your stay there guys!

[@EoinandAisling]

We agree! So glad we had it on our China bucketlist

[@JSM-bb80u]

Cool video! Subscribed

[@EoinandAisling]

Thanks for subscribing ☺️

[@alvinsin4963]

Is Jiuzhaigou of Sichuan province on your list? It will be a real pity if you miss it.

[@Hitokui12138]

我在上大学时会坐这种火车回老家😂真让人怀念

[@adicheah5049]

My Favourite and Best Train Journey Memories in China had always been the Green Sleeper Trains, rather than the High Speed Train. In the Colorful Autumn Sceneries, Pull Out A Bottle of Wine and A Pack of Peanuts and Chat the Night Away. Unfortunately such Slow Train Routes are being Phased Out in Too Fast A Pace in China to My Sadness.

[@汉成-z5p]

Love both of your positive lovely life attitude, and welcome to China! It's a pity you can't visit my city- Hangzhou (the most romantic & futuristic city in my heart as a Chinese) nearby Shanghai. anyway, plz tke care & updated more!

[@豫见-p8y]

嗨，伙计，这是中国绿皮火车，所有火车中等级最低的，你还可以试试其他种类，还有软卧车厢，那种车厢只有上下双铺，空间会大一些，体验会更好。

[@lljia-ni7yn]

I usually choose overnight sleeper train for a trip.😊

[@shanzijian]

确实，任何地方都有好也有坏，希望你们旅途中能多遇到好的人吧，祝福

[@貔貅神獸]

接下來有端午節，可以去看划龍舟，好好享受😊

[@dondon520.]

影片播送時，他們可能已離開

[@RM-qw3xz]

You two definitely had a much better time on the sleeper train than a couple of your countrymen who were also traveling in China. They said that it was the train from hell. They got tickets that didn't include seating or sleeping, only standing.

[@EoinandAisling]

Didn’t include seat!!! Oh my days, that would be a long journey

[@LarryZeng]

have a nice trip,love you guys.

[@方园陈-u7u]

Welcome to china enjoy your trip

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you!!!

[@yuehuang-qi7ft]

哇，你们适应力很强哦😂我每次坐火车都感觉口干舌燥的喉咙痛，起码准备两大桶水上车😂😂😂

[@杜子腾-w8l]

火车上有餐厅 可以点餐吃饭哦

[@EoinandAisling]

No way!

[@jrwkd6114]

@@EoinandAisling Box lunch package, approximately 40RMB

[@rex5948]

You're very professional travelers，Look forward to your arrival in Chengdu

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@王老吉-c3r]

多方面体验，确实是个好主意。 中国欢迎您。❤

[@gainwan1374]

臥鋪車省了旅館費用，票價就算貴點也划算😂

[@taylorzhao4700]

Have a nice journey, please try spicy foods in Chong qing.😄

[@EoinandAisling]

We try some really spicy food! It was soooo good

[@wben4145]

谢谢你们

[@ninger-c1k]

You two are so cute ❤love you guys

[@yoingen]

Green trains are very cheap, but I am impatient, so high-speed rail and airplanes are more suitable for me. lol. have a nice trip.

[@EoinandAisling]

Haha understandable, we don’t mind the longer journeys it it saves us money 💰 😅 we usually have fun stories from our longer travel adventures

[@马大哈-m2m]

actually,when you finished your journey and say 谢谢 to steward,he said "you do can speak Chinese"to you😂

[@EoinandAisling]

Oh no way did he?! 🙈 if only we understood him, we could have had a great conversation

[@马大哈-m2m]

@@EoinandAisling what a pity

[@EllisBarshaw]

from bilibili , lov your videos and attitude❤️😘, What a lovely couple

[@kejiejin6605]

you can learn jack who take 32 hours trans from chongqing to Xinjiang,it is a nightmare for longterm train travel, hah

[@marlonchueng1675]

I like your videos

[@EoinandAisling]

Thanks ☺️

[@EoinandAisling]

Thanks ☺️

[@sitwazheng]

very good

[@ALWH1314]

Our fast Amtrak is about the same speed as this Chinese slow train, but probably cost twice if not more, lol.

[@怒月-p9k]

Trust me, it's definitely more than twice

[@leonlili5312]

你们太了不起啦，我都快十几年年没做过绿皮火车了，都是做高铁，这个绿皮火车太辛苦了

[@kirbyhuang5609]

加油💪

[@EoinandAisling]

Yeoooo

[@manishdhawan551]

Welcome to china

[@Yougurt-oz1wk]

The hard sleeper doesn't look that hard, but it's narrow. What does a soft sleeper look like? Is it softer?

[@ganxian8884]

I have not traveled by the green train for more than 20 years. I prefer bullet trains which is much faster 😂. So I answer your question from my memory which might make some mistakes. The main difference between hard sleeper and soft sleeper is the doors . Soft sleeper corridors have doors which keep the travelers’ privacy very well, and hard sleepers are half open. Hard sleeper is 6 beds each box, while soft sleeper has only 4 beds. So there are upper beds, middle beds and lower beds in hard sleeper. Soft sleeper only has upper beds and lower beds. In my experience, hard sleeper is much better value for the money .

[@Yougurt-oz1wk]

@@ganxian8884 That make sence

[@ting_7885]

Yes, you’re right. Soft sleeper is more quiet, softer and wider, but just a little bit. The biggest differences are there just have 4 beds and easier to find a place to charge your phone 😂The price of soft sleeper is higher than hard sleeper, so for me, I prefer to add some money to take high-speed train or plane 😂 Hard sleeper is best choice for me, not only I can save the money from hotel, but also have more time to travel during the day time🎉

[@stevenwu3924]

Now you know why we good at asian squat. We have squat toilets

[@daisyc9970]

喜欢你们的笑容👍👍👍祝你们在中国玩得开心，享受旅程😊❤❤❤

[@yggdrasill7811]

lol its not your fault. i was in shanghai in feb (i was born in shanghai and speak and read chinese fluently) i my self also got on the wrong subway train 3 times before finding the correct one. luckly i was not on the way to the train station that day. but i remember seeing many people who was travelling to the shanghai railway station that was confused by this subwayline and one of the couple looked super stressed as they were running late for their train. it was super confusing for non locals.

[@momo_omom-xx1hy]

哈哈 欢迎你们。感觉最近来中国的人好多啊🎉🎉

[@jingmo2210]

Welcome to Chongqing

[@EoinandAisling]

Thank you!!

[@Antinonsens]

说起来，我自己都十多年没坐硬卧了，有了高铁大家都不想坐这种了。

[@taylorzhao4700]

我喜欢过夜的硬卧 外出旅游省房费 还不浪费时间😂

[@EoinandAisling]

Sometimes the hard sleeper isn’t as bad as you think!

[@Antinonsens]

@@EoinandAisling Sure.Actually it's.just my personal experience.Never mind,wish you guys have a wonderful trip in China.💖

[@zhenzhang6740]

这种还算是很好的了 卧铺的。你要是坐座位那种 坐一夜屁股疼

[@MrSuperunix]

我小的时候中国只有“绿皮车”😂能买到硬卧票已经算中大奖了。通常是一二十个小时的硬座和“站票”。

[@汤姆是个猫咪]

As a Chinese, sleeper trains bring me mixed feelings, carrying my childhood and youth. However, the bad smell and constant snoring also make me very repulsive about taking overnight trains.😂

[@李永刚-k6f]

中国的铁路很准时，一般不会延误，除非天气不正常

[@EoinandAisling]

This is good to know

[@John_259]

I don't know how feasible long distance car driving would be for foreign visitors to China, but China has more mileage of ultra-modern expressways (motorways) than the US interstate highway network.

[@EoinandAisling]

Ohh that would be interesting to do on another trip! Rent a car and go on a big road trip

[@iWantPeace838]

@@EoinandAisling It will take a lot of planning. Getting a driver's license will be an issue. China is not part of Int'l Driver's License org. If you could, it would be a wonderful experience.

[@xinluoxin]

Where is this going

[@carolinejelendanglangkah3478]

Im Malaysian, can someone tell me how to purchase this green colour train ticket ❓

[@EoinandAisling]

We booked on trip.com

[@carolinejelendanglangkah3478]

Thank you so much 🥰🥰

[@AmberWang-nf1xu]

Maybe you can try a sleeper on a high-speed train next time，It's a lot more comfortable than this train.

[@EoinandAisling]

Ohh we will have to compare!