Beijing to Xi'an By Train

by Steve Reiss (Dalmdad Landscape Photography - www.dalmdad.com and https://www.facebook.com/Dalmdad.)

All my native Chinese friends were very impressed when I told them that Joanie and I were taking the overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an, a trip of about 750 miles.  This train takes over 12 hours as compared to the bullet train, which takes about 5-7 hours depending upon which one you take.  I have pleasant memories of riding the bullet train on my last trip to China (2012), when I went from Guangzhou to Wuhan.

For whatever reason, we got to wait for the train in the VIP waiting area.  I am not so sure what was VIP about it as all the fast food dining was located outside this secure area, the area was packed with people, and the VIP area men's room had to be one of the worst toilets I have ever experienced, anywhere.

Who knows what she is doing?

Huge Crowd

Joanie was a little worried we would have some trouble making our train.  There was not many announcements in English at the railway station as compared to the airport.  You also need to find your entry door (gate), train platform, and then the rail car that matched your ticket.  We waited about three hours at the railway station.

Our ticket was for a double sleeper, so it would only be the two of us.  The price was fairly cheap as is most stuff in China (to people not from China).  Since it was so cheap, there was no reason to risk what type of persons we would be mixed in with if we had a four sleeper.

We were told that considering the price of the double sleepers, it would be likely that there would mainly be non-Asians in the train car.  Indeed, what we were told was true and when I took a quick walk up and down the car to explore, I mainly saw white folks, with some German speakers over here and some from who-knows-where over there.

Hall Way

Our sleeper unit was tiny, but acceptable.  Reminded us of our tiny motel room in Valdez, Alaska.

Motel Room - Valdez, Alaska

Railway Sleeper

 Each bunk had its own TV and the room had its own toilet.

Ahhh...Sterlized For Your Protection!!

There was a large window, but it was already evening and we could not really see anything.  After chowing down some DOTS and Sweethearts and some local Oreo's and Chips Ahoy, with my usual Coke, and putting in my ear buds, the next thing I knew we were being awaken by the arrival of our coffee service (coffee was awful) and our excitement over our visit to see the Xi'an Terra Cotta Army (coming soon!).

Dinner of: Dots, Sweettarts, Oreos, and Chips Ahoy!

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