Travelling by Train

» Trains are generally highly punctual and are usually a safe way to travel.

» Train stations are often conveniently close to the centre of town.

» Travelling in sleeper berths at night often means you can arrive at your destination first thing in the morning, saving a night’s hotel accommodation.

Timetables

Paperback train timetables for the entire country (Y7) are published every April and October, but are available in Chinese only. Online English-language timetables:

Travel China Guide (www.travelchinaguide.com)

China Highlights (www.chinahighlights.com)

China Train Timetable (www.china-train-ticket.com)

Useful Websites

www.12306.cn For buying tickets online; however, it’s Chinese-language only and only accepts Chinese bank cards and credit cards.

Seat 61 (www.seat61.com/china.htm)

Travel China Guide (www.travelchinaguide.com)

Tielu (www.tielu.org, in Chinese)

Bus

As trains are fast, regular and efficient, and traffic on roads unpredictable, travelling by bus is not a very useful way to leave or enter Shanghai, unless you are visiting local water towns. Buses to Beijing take between 14 and 16 hours: it is far faster and more comfortable (but more expensive of course) to take the 5½-hour high-speed G-class trains to the capital, or even the eight-hour D-class trains.

The vast Shanghai South Long-Distance Bus Station (Shanghai Changtu Keyun Nanzhan; www.ctnz.net; 5436 2835; 666 Shilong Rd; Shanghai South Railway Station) serves cities in south China, including:

Hangzhou (Jiubao, Hangzhou north bus station and Hangzhou south bus station) Y68, two hours, very regular (7.10am to 7.20pm).

Nanjing Y105, four hours.

Nanxun Y47, 2½ hours, eight per day, take the bus for Huzhou (6.50am to 7.28pm).

Suzhou (south and north bus stations) Y38, 90 minutes, regular (6.27am to 7.30pm).

Wuzhen Y49, two hours, eight daily (7.44am to 6.17pm).

Xitang Y32, 90 mins, 12 daily.

Zhouzhuang Y25, two daily.

Although it appears close to Shanghai Railway Station, the vast Shanghai Long-Distance bus station (Shanghai Changtu Qiche Keyun Zongzhan; 6605 0000; 1666 Zhongxing Rd; 1666 Shanghai Railway Station) is a pain to get to, but has buses to everywhere, including very regular buses to Suzhou and Hangzhou, as well as Nanjing (12 daily), Zhouzhuang (Y25, six daily) and Beijing (Y311, 4pm). It’s easiest to catch a cab here.

Regular buses also depart for Hangzhou (Y100, two hours) and Suzhou (Y84, two hours) from Pudong International Airport. Buses for Hangzhou, Suzhou and a host of destinations also leave from the Hongqiao Long-Distance bus station (Changtu Keyun Hongqiaozhan) at Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2.

From the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Centre (Shanghai Lǚyou Jisan Zhongxin;) at Shanghai Stadium, you can join tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou, Tongli, Zhouzhuang, Zhujiajiao and other destinations around Shanghai; see the Day Trips chapter (Click here) for details.

Boat

Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal (Shanghai Gang Guoji Keyun Zhongxin;; 500 Dongdaming Rd; 500) Located north of the Bund and mostly serves cruise ships. A few international passenger routes serve Shanghai, with reservations recommended in July and August (passengers must be at the harbour three hours before departure to get through immigration). At the time of writing, the recently opened 26-hour ferry route between Shanghai and Nagasaki had been suspended.

China-Japan International Ferry Company (Zhongguo Guoji Lundu Youxian Gongsi; 6595 6888/6325 7642; www.chinajapanferry.com; 18th fl, Jin’an Bldg, 908 Dongdaming Rd; 908) Has staggered departures (44 hours) every week to either Osaka or Kobe in Japan on Saturdays at 12.30pm. Fares range from Y1300 in an eight-bed dorm to Y6500 in a deluxe twin cabin.

Shanghai International Ferry Company (; 6595 8666; www.shanghai-ferry.co.jp; 15th fl, Jin’an Bldg, 908 Dongdaming Rd; 908) Has departures (44 hours) to Osaka on Tuesdays at 11am. Fares range from Y1300 in an eight-bed dorm to Y6500 in a deluxe twin cabin.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14