elanshin
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Currently still in China visiting family and showing my partner around. Took the HSR for the first time myself and I thought I'd start a thread for information as it can be a bit hard to find online or slightly outdated. If others have experiences please feel free to add.
Our trip Shanghai <> Hangzhou 1h~1.5h one way
There's a couple ways i found i could book. Through the travel app on WeChat/Alipay but this is in Chinese only. Trip.com was where i ended up booking and just seems a reskin website version of the app.
When you search the city pairs you're going to get a lot of stops. Major cities have at least 3-4 stations where HSR departs from.
Shanghai for example has Shanghai South, Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao (linked with Hongqiao Int'l airport) and a couple just on the outskirts of Shanghai. Make sure you pay attention to where each stop is and book appropriately.
You can choose between unreserved seat (i was told not to try), 2nd class (2-3 seat configuration), 1st class (2-2) and business class (1-2 or 1-1 lieflat seats). When you put in the order, its not confirmed immediately, the Chinese RailCorp will issue you with a confirmation when they confirm your seats.
You can also buy the ticket at the terminal, but i would do that as a last resort. Once confirmed, your e ticket will be attached to your official document (passport for most of us) so don't mess up that part
At the terminal, you're going to feel like you just rocked up to an airport. The terminals are huge like airport ones. We departed from Shanghai Hongqiao which on the metro is just past the airport terminal 1 and 2.
As with every mode of transport, you will need to clear security as well as an ID check. For foreigners without Chinese ID cards, look for the manned gate and they will just put your passport number in. Some of the tiny stations may need you to find a ticket counter to swap for a paper ticket first.
As Shanghai Hongqiao is a huge terminus there's multiple entry points on all the perimeter to get into the centre area where you wait. We got there 1.5hr early. Got a little confused before eventually going inside. A lot of seating areas out in the open with lots of "check in" gates. Basically when your train is coming soon, you line up at the gate get processed (passport holders again use manual manned gate) then go down to the platform.
On the actual train itself, it's similar to the Shinkansen but a little bit less refined. And theres a weird table group seating at the front where you face each other.
On the way back from Hangzhou, we checked out the business class. There's a separate lounge area where you check in. A bunch of cookies and other snacks and some basic soft drinks and beer available. When it comes time to board, one of the staff will collect you and take you straight past the line to board.
2nd class was 73rmb, first was around 115rmb and business was 230. Round trip for me in first + business cost us $75 AUD per person.
Our trip Shanghai <> Hangzhou 1h~1.5h one way
There's a couple ways i found i could book. Through the travel app on WeChat/Alipay but this is in Chinese only. Trip.com was where i ended up booking and just seems a reskin website version of the app.
When you search the city pairs you're going to get a lot of stops. Major cities have at least 3-4 stations where HSR departs from.
Shanghai for example has Shanghai South, Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao (linked with Hongqiao Int'l airport) and a couple just on the outskirts of Shanghai. Make sure you pay attention to where each stop is and book appropriately.
You can choose between unreserved seat (i was told not to try), 2nd class (2-3 seat configuration), 1st class (2-2) and business class (1-2 or 1-1 lieflat seats). When you put in the order, its not confirmed immediately, the Chinese RailCorp will issue you with a confirmation when they confirm your seats.
You can also buy the ticket at the terminal, but i would do that as a last resort. Once confirmed, your e ticket will be attached to your official document (passport for most of us) so don't mess up that part
At the terminal, you're going to feel like you just rocked up to an airport. The terminals are huge like airport ones. We departed from Shanghai Hongqiao which on the metro is just past the airport terminal 1 and 2.
As with every mode of transport, you will need to clear security as well as an ID check. For foreigners without Chinese ID cards, look for the manned gate and they will just put your passport number in. Some of the tiny stations may need you to find a ticket counter to swap for a paper ticket first.
As Shanghai Hongqiao is a huge terminus there's multiple entry points on all the perimeter to get into the centre area where you wait. We got there 1.5hr early. Got a little confused before eventually going inside. A lot of seating areas out in the open with lots of "check in" gates. Basically when your train is coming soon, you line up at the gate get processed (passport holders again use manual manned gate) then go down to the platform.
On the actual train itself, it's similar to the Shinkansen but a little bit less refined. And theres a weird table group seating at the front where you face each other.
On the way back from Hangzhou, we checked out the business class. There's a separate lounge area where you check in. A bunch of cookies and other snacks and some basic soft drinks and beer available. When it comes time to board, one of the staff will collect you and take you straight past the line to board.
2nd class was 73rmb, first was around 115rmb and business was 230. Round trip for me in first + business cost us $75 AUD per person.
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