http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17427
Also on Nanluoguxiang you will find the best fish and chips in the city as well as a great curry house and the pass by bar and a good hostel. Best bet when coming to Beijing is to check out 'That's beijing' which will offer a good inside guide to the city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17427 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17392 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17392 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12185
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10336
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10336 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4090 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4090 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/746 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/746 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8025 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8025