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 Beijing is the
largest railway hub of the nation, with
trains to most provincial capitals and a large number of other
medium cities as well as many small towns.
There are six railway stations in Beijing, of which Beijing
Railway Station and Beijing West Railway Station are the major
ones. The former mainly operates long-haul routes such as Beijing to
Baotou, Beijing to Shanghai and all international lines to Moscow, Pyongyang and Ulan Bator.
The latter is the largest train station in Asia, primarily serving
the routes to the cities in south and west parts of China.
Additional four train
stations mainly provide short-haul services to the neighboring
cities and provinces.
Main train ticketing centers are located in Beijing and
Beijing West Railway Stations. You can book your tickets up to one week in advance.
The train tickets are refundable with twenty
percent service charge. Passports or other government issued
identifications are required to book the tickets. There are several
satellite ticketing offices scattered around the city. These offices
charge a five yuan service on top of face value of the ticket. You
may also your ticket through travel agencies, where service fees
could be as high as fifty yuan, but they will deliver ticket to your
hotel. Many hotels now also provide ticketing services for air and
railway travels.
Important advice. As demand for train tickets always exceeds supplies
available during
holiday seasons, winter or summer breaks and other peak tourism
seasons, it is important to to book train tickets as soon as
possible to avoid potential delays. There
are two types of seating available, regular seats and VIP seats
that are often called "soft seats" in China. A soft seat holder has
the privilege to use rather comfortable VIP lounge.
Facilities. There are 3 ATMs at the entrance of the Beijing
Railway Station. The nearest currency exchange facility or ATM
around
the Beijing West Railway Station is in Zhongse Building on the
south square of the station.
Beijing Railway Station ticket booking
hotline is 010-95105105. You can book the tickets through this
hotline for the trains departing from Beijing Railway Station, Beijing
West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station and Beijing
North Railway Station four days four days in advance. Service
hours are 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Beijing Railway Station inquiry
telephone number is 010-51019999. You can dial this number any time to inquire about
train status, delays,
schedules, ticketing fees. This call is free of charge.
Other tips for traveling by trains in Beijing
1.Public transportations serving the main railway stations
Beijing Railway Station
Daily
Bus Routes 9, 10, 20, 24, 25, 29, 39, 52, 59, 103, 104, 122, 403,
420, 434, 457, 637, 638, 639, 640, 668, 673, 674, 728, 729, 744,
938, 957; Night bus routes 203, 204, 208, 209, 211
Subway Line Number 2
Beijing West Railway Station
Daily
Bus Routes 9, 21, 40, 47, 50, 52, 54, 65, 67, 301, 319, 320, 373,
374, 387, 414 (north), 437, 609, 616, 661, 662, 663, 673, 702,
727, 741, 802, 823; Night bus routes 205, 209, 212
Beijing North Railway Station
Daily
Bus Routes 7, 16, 21, 26, 27, 44, 347, 360, 362, 375, 387, 392,
438, 601, 604, 608, 632, 634, 650, 651, 702, 719, 748, 800, 808,
816, 802, 833, 845, 939, Yuntong 104, 105, 106, 205, trolley 105,
111; Night buses 206, 109.
For all routes, get off at the Xizhimen
Bus Stop
Subway Lines number 2 and 13
Beijing East Railway Station
Daily
Bus Routes 31 and 608
2.Try to avoid communicating with any
person attempting to sell you tickets or introduce a
hotel or other place or people in a railway station.
3. When you are at railway station,
make sure to keep eye on your
belongings as it is usually very crowded. |
