Guest Author - Taisha Turner
You have decided to travel by train in China. One important decision to make is the type of sleeper ticket to purchase. Your choice is a soft or hard sleeper ticket.
A soft sleeper sleeps four people in one compartment. There is a door for privacy. There are two upper bunks and two lower bunks. Store backpacks and carry-ons in the overhead bins. A storage area is below the lower bunks. Place large luggage there.
A soft sleeper carriage has a Western toilet. Hot water is available in each carriage. Use the hot water for preparing tea, coffee and ramen noodles. Of course, there is access to other carriages and the dining car. At the train stops, snacks and beverages are for sale.
One point to remember, every bunk in each sleeping compartment is sold. That means if traveling solo, you will share with three others. A couple will share with an additional two people.
The hard sleeper ticket gives the owner a bunk in a communal area. Everyone is assigned a bunk. Place your backpack or carry-on in it. There is access to other carriages and the dining car. Also, food and beverages are available at train stops.
A hard sleeper carriage has a Chinese toilet. There is hot water to prepare drinks and snacks, too. Sit in a window seat and watch the passing scenery. People with a hard sleeper ticket generally sleep in their clothes. There is no door or a sheet for privacy.
As you can imagine, a hard sleeper ticket cost more than a soft ticket. Use this information to decide which ticket you want to buy. Make your decision known to the tour guide or at the ticket window. Enjoy the train ride!
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