High Speed Train to Beijing - April 4th

Wanting three full days in Beijing, Julie & Chris, Art & Shiela, Craig & Joyce and Joani & I abandoned the friendly confines of the MS Insignia and the upcoming day-at-sea; and proceeded directly to the Shanghai Hongqaio Railway station for a Bullet Train trip to Beijing.

It was not hard to get a ticket; there are 39 high speed trains a day from Shanghai to Beijing.

 The Shanghai Hongquiao Station is a modern facility bigger than most airports.

This trip was not a hardship. The modern pod seats in Business and Tourist Class have the same 100% reclining position found on some transcontinental first class airline seats.

Our speed was constantly displayed; we were car 3 of 16 on the G18 train. Normal velocity between stations was 190 miles an hour. With four stops, the 800 mile trip took 4 hours and 55 minutes. Here is what it looks like out the window at that speed:

After a very nice dinner on the train (Joani and Joyce thoughtfully provided several bottles of wine as the train only serves soft drinks), we arrived at the Beijing South Railway Station at 7:55 PM and were met by our driver from Catherine Lu Tours.

 Beijing South

Our new home away from home is the Beijing Raffles Hotel, only one mile from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, our Beijing Day 1 destinations. Although the hotel is fairly expensve, with the breakfast package you can add a 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM free-drinks-and-hors d'oeuvres happy hour for only $8 a person. Wow. Sign all 8 of us up now.

Yes, they serve a drink at the bar called a Beijing Sling.