I would like to share my best tips for train journeys for people who don't plan ahead. These were shaped from my travel experience riding seat-less in China with three friends as we criss-crossed our way down through the country using the busy train network. We travelled on a shoestring budget, and with no fixed agenda we often arrived at stations with only a loose idea of where we were heading. However, demand for seats and beds on these trains is huge and when there are literally millions of citizens using the network at anyone time, these spaces are booked days in advance... Surprisingly, my tip isn't to plan ahead, be sensible and book in advance - but top tips for surviving and enjoying an overnight train journey with no seat or bed to speak off. Following these tips allows you to get closer to the fascinating Chinese character and fully involve yourself to feel like a true and accepted local which is lost in 1st and 2nd class travel.

My first tip is to play the Chinese at their own game in order to get the best floor positions for your overnight journey. Your competing 3rd class companions will be travelling with half their kitchen larders strapped to their backs, which can include two or three 'cash and carry' style bags of rice or even sacks of chicken feet! So i would advise teaming up with a friend or fellow westerner, which combined with your likely height advantage and 20kg backpacks, you'll find yourselves with some kind of purchase on the crowds of surging travellers to get to your carriage first.

The second tip is on boarding and locating your floor space. With competition fierce, and the odds stacking against you, you will need to prepare for your mini sprint. Try and establish from platform gates, which end of the train your carriage is in; you don't want to find your self running in the opposite direction as you are then likely to be stood beside the toilet for the next 15 to 20 hours. So, once at the carriage doors, I would recommend boarding at the same time as your friend, guarding yourselves from the beating crowds to give you the opportunity to seek the best position, ideally not near the toilet or wash basin, but next to a guards door, which is likely to leave you some good leg room and uninterrupted sleep from people getting on and off through the night.

The third and final tip is spread yourself out, as selfish as it might sound, conceding early on or showing weakness will leave you sharing your pillow another guy who likes to chain smoke and cough up loosening flem from his lungs. This early initiative also gives you the flexibility of lying down and sitting up to read throughout your journey, as fidgeting to get comfortable will become your new best friend. Once you have your little enclave, you can pick and choose who you share your space with, and observe the fascinating culture and characters on board your train as people pass through and squat to chat to the unlikely westerners slumming it on floor.

These light-hearted tips are really just great memories and a product of clashing national psyches, for which I believe brings so much colour, character and adventure to a train journey and gets you right under the skin of a nation which is quite literally on the move.

Many thanks for reading my top tips for character rich 3rd class train travel in China.

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You'll do wonders for your carbon footprint; experience the vastness of the Russian east and be able to explore the wonders of Mongolia. You'll also see a little of the old China from your cabin as you trundle south to Beijing.

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Train travel can be a great experience in China. On my visit during October 2006 we had the opportunity to travel to a remote village to experience life untouched by modern China.

To get to our destination we travelled by train for seven hours and then a further two hours by taxi.

This was my first experience on a Chinese train and, to be honest, I was impressed. They were on time!

Arriving at the train station in Beijing we were amazed by the size of the station, it was massive compared to any train stations I have been to in the UK.

Twenty minutes before our departure time, the ticket collectors began to inspect tickets, there must have been 600+ people waiting their turn to get their tickets clipped. We didn't think there would be enough time for everyone to make the train and the allocated time for leaving.

We were worried as we were at the end of the queue and we may not have got on board in time. But having our own guide made the difference, she called a porter to carry our bags to the train. This was a great decision, the porter cost very little and he took us to the train by an underground walk way, by-passing the the 100s of people who were patiently waiting.

Once on board the train we located our accommodation. We had reserved a soft sleeper. This was a cosy compartment for four people and each had their own bed. The upper bunk beds cost a little less than the lower bunks. Each bed comes with its own bedding, ample for our needs.

A flask of hot water was provided and topped up as required by staff.

There are bathrooms located on each carriage, but don't expect western facilities, unless you use a T train.

Overall it was a really relaxing experience and later this year when i travel from Beijing to Xi'an I will use the train instead of flying.

So consider the train if you are travelling overnight, its a worthwhile experience.

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Train tickets are sold from more than one ticket office, and hotels and hostels seem to have different sources.

So, if the tour/ticket desk where you're staying can't book you a ticket for the day or time you want to travel it's definitely worth asking at another hotel - they may find you the ticket you want from someone else.

Tourist desk in hotel / hostel foyers.

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