 Hard
Seat
Avoid it, unless you really want to experience how
the majority of Chinese travel. These are the "cheap
seats" where you have to make a mad rush for
a seat and the cars are usually jammed packed with
people. Although referred to as "hard seats,"
the seats themselves are actually cushioned. If you
do get stuck traveling hard seat,try spending most
of your time in the dining car for the extra space.
The meals are inexpensive and are generally acceptable.
You can also try to upgrade after getting on the train.
Soft
Seat
Soft seats are much more comfortable and less crowded,
since the majority of Chinese can only afford the
hard seats. These cars are usually clean, air-conditioned,
with numbered cushioned seats. Smoking is prohibited
in soft seat, so this is a real plus for the non-smoker.
Soft seat is a good way to travel over short distances.
Hard
Sleeper
For longer distances, the hard sleepers are a reasonably
comfortable way to travel. Hard sleepers consist of
six beds in an open room with no door towards the
corridor. There are 2 upper berths, 2 middle berths
and 2 lower berths. The middle berths are considered
to be the most desirable, since the lower berths are
used as seats during the day and the upper berths
do not have much headroom.
Soft
Sleeper
Soft sleepers consists of four beds (2 upper berths
and 2 lower berths) in a closed compartment with nice
sheets, teacups, blankets and carpeting. It also costs
twice as much as a hard sleeper. Deluxe soft sleepers
may also be available, which offer a private room
with 2 deluxe beds. This is the ultimate in Chinese
train travel.
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