There are four classes on Chinese trains: comfy soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat and hard seat. Computerized reservation system allows you to book any train 10 days in advance – not earlier… Book as early as possible! I went to the station 5 days ahead and I got only hard seat for my T-54. OK: car 5 seat 12 – window. The problem is that Chinese sell also standing tickets to the hard seat cars…
Can you imagine 42 hours journey in the crowded car? Practicaly you cannot stand – there is no space for that. And to get through the crowded aisle to the Asian-style toilet is like an expedition through the jungle of the people sleeping in the corridor! Want a hot water? Pass your cup or bottle over the heads and it will come filled in 10 minutes or so… Fellow passenders were nice to me: they offered unknown fruits and vegies and tried not to lay on me…
The electonic screen shows the speed 133 kms/hour… I was waiting for the Suzhou station a long time… Extremely tired, dirty I took a motocycle taxi to the youth hostel. Welcome to the Eastern China!
