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Boarding the Train We left our hotel a couple of hours before our train was to leave. As I stated the station was much larger then I thought it would be. The very modern schedule board I estimated to be about two stories tall. As you can see from the photo there are a huge amount of trains moving through this station. Due to the sheer size of everything we were not quite sure where to go, so we stopped by what looked like the main desk and they were quite helpful in pointing us in the right direction.
At first we were waiting in the regular waiting area for our train. This area was quite large and there were quite a few people lounging around waiting for the train. Everything was quite modern and looked quite new, but there were already signs of neglect such as a number It was not until almost boarding time that we noticed that next to the regular waiting area is an area reserved for the Soft Sleeper cars. There was a lady checking tickets at the entrance and after getting our tickets checked we were allowed into this area. It had a lot less seating available and was quite crowded, but the seating that was available was very nice plush chairs and sofas. There also was a dining option available in this area. Since we got here so late I did not get much of a chance to look around. Also I can not confirm, but it seemed that this area got priority boarding. Once we got our tickets checked we made our way to the train. While not a long distance, if you have a large amount of luggage or have difficulty in getting around this might cause a problem. While I did not see anyone with any type of porter helping with luggage, I am guessing with the number of employees around it would not be an issue even if it entails just giving someone a couple of bucks for a few minutes of help. At about the time we were walking across the platform the flood gates were let loose on the general seating area and throngs of people (some running) were rushing towards the train. If I were trying to stake out my seat for the next 48 hours I would be running to get the best seat possible as well. Since they boarded much further back than us we did not need to cross paths and it did not create any issues. There were plenty of people to help us and point us in the right direction. As I stated earlier it was a challenge getting all the luggage stored in the cabin. In a very short amount of time the train got underway. Since we did a full day of sight seeing and we were still struggling with some left over jet lag we were very tired. Therefore it was not long until we got to bed. There was a person that came around and took our tickets and in exchange gave us a credit card style train card. We could not figure this one out. Someone we were talking with suggested that they collected the tickets to ensure you did not get off the train until the proper station. At the end of the train ride it was interesting that they came around and collected the credit card style train card and gave us our tickets back. I do have to add that this was our first chance to meet the two Chinese ladies we would be spending the next 48 hours with. Neither of them spoke very good English, but one of them did better than the other. After struggling for a few minutes she kept repeating the word Seattle and I thought I also have to add that throughout our entire trip I was always amazed at the quality of cell phone reception. Here we are traveling on a train that covers territory far removed from anything and I do mean anything, yet this lady was able to use her cell phone and text message people the entire trip. It got to the point of annoyance because every time a new text message came in the phone would beep and it seemed as if the phone beeped night and day ever few minutes. She even slept with it right next to her pillow even though the table was inches away from her. |
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The train leaves from the Beijing West Rail Station at 9:30PM. The station is very modern and much larger then what I was expecting. The cab was able to pull right up to the front of the station and the entrance was only a few steps away. While individuals were not screened very well, luggage had to go through some type of x-ray machine. It was interesting to see that compared to many places in the world in this day and age security seemed to be relatively relaxed throughout the station and throughout the trip in general
I walked around a bit and this place is a city in of its self. There are many places that I would classify as restaurants and grocery stores. The menu in the dining car on the train is very limited and I would highly recommend you stock up on snacks if not meals before you board the train. We had some snacks, but we were not prepared for only having seven expensive items on the menu in the dining car. We ended up purchasing some items at some of the stops along the way. 
of the monitors not working properly. I am always amazed at the size of the Chinese government's ego. At the front of the waiting area was a display with models of Chinese military machines. It almost seemed ironic that the Chinese government choose to display models of their military might at the entrance to a train that goes to Tibet. There were also other photographs and displays that showed off the "greatness" of the Chinese government. 
this was because she heard me say this is where I was from. Well, next thing you know I was on her cell phone talking to her son that goes to college in Seattle. It is instances like this that I am always amazed at how small the world truly is.