Beijing by Train

High Speed Train from Shenyang to Beijing

So...this time around I was not nearly as successful as the trip to Dandong. I had a feeling that the Chinese train system was maybe not so reliable, but I got a little more first-hand experience on Friday.

Flickr Set (haven't gotten all the titles and descriptions up yet, but it's there if you want to look)

Friday morning I woke up realizing that maybe I should have prepared a little bit more and I printed a train schedule for all the legs of my round trip on the train along with a list of places to stay in Beijing. Thank God for that. The original plan was to catch a train out of Liaoyang, have 1 hour to change to the high speed train in Shenyang and ride the 4hrs into Beijing.

Liaoyang Train Station

Well, right out of the gate my plan was screwed. I arrived at the train station in Liaoyang about 7am on Friday expecting to catch my train to Shenyang. Instead I waited around for a little over an hour before the train finally arrived.

Following the Crowd Through the Cattle Gates

Then, (again surprise!) the train was packed, like no empty seats packed. Turns out I had accidentally purchased a standing room only ticket and I had to stand the entire hour from Liaoyang to Shenyang. Okay, whatever late train, standing room only, I can deal with that. I had expected the train to be a little late. I think what really upset me was that it was one of the first trains through in the morning and it was and hour late, and we arrived in Shenyang about 5 min too late for me to make my high speed train. Perfect, it is now just after 9am and the next train to Beijing leaves at 1:30pm.

The upshot of being stranded in Shenyang at nine in the morning? McDONALD'S BREAKFAST!!!!

Sausage Egg and Cheese McMuffin!

Also how sweet would it be if McDonald's was not only opened 24hrs/day but delivered 24hrs/day?

24hr Delivery

Anyway, I finally got back to the train station and got on train only to find a Chinese girl sitting in the seat next to mine rocking the biggest suitcase ever. She had put it in the area for her feet so her feet were where mine should have been. I was not happy, but she didn't really speak English, she just said "Sorry for big bag". I just smiled and thought at least I'm on the train. Worst ride ever, interesting scenery but my back hurt by the end from leaning back against my seat and having my feet cocked out into the aisle at like a 30 degree angle. Finally I got to Beijing, almost 5 hours later than I had planned.

Beijing Train Station

Mostly I was just happy to be off the train, and I knew I had this to look forward to.

Beijing Olympic Green