China - never a dull moment!

[zig]

Free bottle of Krug to the first reader who can tell me exactly where I am right now?

View attachment 518625

Peace Hotel, Shanghai?

 

[serfty]

Free bottle of Krug to the first reader who can tell me exactly where I am right now?

View attachment 518625

I cheated using AI -- no need for Krug ...

Spoiler: Non Winning AI Answer

The legendary Old Jazz Band performs nightly at the historic Jazz Bar at Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund in Shanghai, China.

The Band: Formed in 1980, the ensemble features veteran musicians whose average age is over 80, playing a nostalgic mix of traditional jazz and classic Chinese melodies.

The Venue: The Jazz Bar offers an authentic 1930s art-deco ambiance, serving classic coughtails with daily performances typically running from evening until the early morning hours.

 

[mel-world]

You beat me by a few minutes and I would not have needed Ai. Been there a few years ago. A unique experience. Enjoy.

 

[woodyren]

Yeah. Peace Hotel. Just logged in. Iconic place.

 

[defurax]

Fairmont Peace Jazz Bar. Very nice spot, enjoy!

 

[Mitch_W]

Free bottle of Krug to the first reader who can tell me exactly where I am right now?

View attachment 518625

Fairmont in Shanghai.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Kinda on the money but more specifics were required - ‘If you face the bar with Jazz Band behind you look right and locate 4th bar stool from RH end of bar’ - that’s what I was looking for I am surprised that wasn’t picked up

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Today it’s HSR Hongqiao to Hangzhoudong

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Onboard catering - dodgy warm sweet coffee and snack box which I will ‘gift’ to the next kid I see

 

[moa999]

Business class for a short journey.

Some of the snacks will be quite tasty.. others probably not to a western palette.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Business class for a short journey.

55mins and tax deductible - I haven’t worked for 50 years not to enjoy every small benefit I can

 

[moa999]

Wasn't having a go at you.. I've done the same exact journey in Business Class.
Not that much more $s, and definitely worthwhile if it's your first time on China HSR

 

[markis10]

Wasn't having a go at you.. I've done the same exact journey in Business Class.
Not that much more $s, and definitely worthwhile if it's your first time on China HSR

Business is 2x a First Class fare and 3x Second class typically

 

[Cruiser Elite]

 

[TheEmu]

View attachment 518675

~$60... Still so cheap it's ridiculous.

 

[Noah Count]

Today it’s HSR Hongqiao to Hangzhoudong
View attachment 518667View attachment 518668

Not to doubt but I assume this is the class that some sites call first. I often get confused in China around Y, J and F. You have way more experience in China than myself. In Japan this 2+1 seating is called Grand Class however I think I read in Japan they have now introduced a 1+1 with doors on certain routes but I maybe wrong. When I have booked trains in China it seemed to be guaranteed seating, a 2+2 or 2+1 or the option to just get on board and hope for the best. My last train trip in China was Lhasa to Xining in a first class sleeper, 4 per room with a door and mixed sex, business was 6 per room same room size as F just 2 more pax and no door, then there was the section for the rabble, seat only and if no one was next to you you could stretch out.

At some time during the evening all the classes got locked in just in case PAX choose to move between cabins. Between Xining and Shanghai I had originally booked the class/ seats in your photo (I seem to recall there may have been some changes involved) but in the end the Lhasa train was changed and I ended up flying from Xining to Shanghai in order to connect to a morning flight to Japan.

No need to respond as when when we have caught up and I am sure we will again at some point we often end up in some banter about travel, red wine and which is better SQ or EK F or some other airline.

On another note I did see post about our mutual friend, it was with great sadness I had to pull out but I did like the montage photo you posted in your link second last one. As for your other photos I am pretty sure there was all but 1 or 2 I did not know or recognise.

Kind Regards

Noah (who most like remember the old handle I used to use)

 

[TheEmu]

A few of the best aspects of booking those HSR Business Class fares are the "lounges" at those stations that have them: never great in terms of f&b offerings but they're always quiet and the separate entry and security manned by the lounge staff, who are always very pleasant, and escort to the platform are big crowd avoiders.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Return today is Linpingnan-Hongqiao with newer herringbone seats - never had these before:

 

[TheEmu]

I had a great experience recently (June) at the Hangzhuodong Business Lounge: checked out of the Intercontinental ICC and got the concierge to book a cab to Hangzhuodong. Going through the security at HZD Business lounge realised phone was missing - it had come out of my pocket in the back of the cab. Lounge staff immediately called the hotel for me. As the concierge had booked it, he called the cabbie who found it on the back seat and was back at the station within 20 minutes. Meantime, Lounge staff were looking at which other train they could switch me to (to ShanghaiHongqiao) if the cabbie didn't get back in time... which wasn't necessary. All done with genuine smiles and relief when resolved. The all-too-brief MU F PVG-HND was every bit as good as the JAL F I'd had in the opposite direction. Shame about the MU (F) Lounge tho...

Return today is Linpingnan-Hongqiao with newer herringbone seats - never had these before:
View attachment 518690View attachment 518691View attachment 518692View attachment 518693View attachment 518694View attachment 518695

China HSR just keeps getting better and better!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Do you have an undeclared interest in Chinese HSR mate?