China trains on a shoestring budget

Originally posted by Guy Bannister
I'd appreciate it if
someone could give me an idea about the cost of
3rd or 4th class rail
travel in China. Say, for instance, I wanted to
go from Kunming to
Chengdu? What might that cost? Then, say, Chengdu
to Xian?

Also
what options are available for accommodation for the shoestring

traveler and what might they cost?

Thanks for your help.


Trains in China are divided into ordinary and fast trains; there are
fours ticket categories: hard & soft seats, hard & soft sleeping seats,
and their prices are in ascending order.

For instance, the prices from
Kunming to Chengdu are RMB 150/237/256/400 (1 pound =12.4 RMB), and
about RMB 50 cheaper from Chengdu to Xian.

I would like to warn you
that trains in China are generally slow, at about 60-100 km/h. Pick some
out of the way small hotel if you want to save money.

Have a pleasant
trip in China!


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