china - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**beergal** · 10-12-2005, 02:58 PM

heh everyone, i will be going to Beijing with my university on the 20th AMrch and really want to head down to Hong kong. Has anyone travelled from Beijing to hong kong y train?

**TimmyJames1976** · 10-12-2005, 09:05 PM

a few friends of mine have....expect to blow a day of travel time on it

**weirdbeard** · 10-12-2005, 09:12 PM

Ooooh Briley! je suis tres jaloux! Ayez l'amusement en votre voyage!

**beergal** · 10-13-2005, 03:02 AM

heh timmy i kow it takes around 12 hours but can you remember how much it cost and whether you can walk on and buy a ticket because i have read somewhere you need to really book in advance to secure a sleeper room?

Patrick: merci beaucoup votre gentil mot. Je suis tres excite et tres nerveux parce que mes francais est tres pauvre!

**voyd** · 10-13-2005, 06:42 AM

I believe I've done the reverse route before and my friend also did the Beijing-HK route this summer... Whew, longest..train..ride..evah!

**TimmyJames1976** · 10-13-2005, 07:38 AM

not sure the price, but a good deal cheaper then flying from HK

**beergal** · 10-13-2005, 08:18 AM

voyd is this safe for a female to do on her own the last time i spoke cantonese was when i was 10 and all i could say then was happy new year ha ha

**voyd** · 10-13-2005, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beergal1@Oct 13 2005, 09:18 AM
voyd is this safe for a female to do on her own the last time i spoke cantonese was when i was 10 and all i could say then was happy new year ha ha

[snapback]81077[/snapback]

Yes, I believe so. Do watch and secure your belongings tho - as petty theft would be the greater concern rather than bodily injury. In fact, I remember on one train ride when we passed by a kid on the side of the tracks reaching a bamboo pole into the open windowsills as the train sped by - hoping to knock off some cameras or whatever people left sitting there. That said, I have never had anything stolen from me in my 3 trips to China so far...

The main areas in China I recall being possibly riskier for physical threats were Shenzhen, Macao and Yunnan near the "Golden Triangle" drug-trafficking mecca - but moreso for native businessmen, not tourists. I've personally not heard of violent attacks against Western tourists there - particularly females. Just take the same precautions as anywhere - especially in isolated areas or touristy bars. Also, better of course to take a buddy along when possible.

But, my personal concerns would be more getting lost, getting ripped-off, omnipresent secondhand smoke, petty theft and the occasional bad chicken from a dive (if it tastes off, spit it out to avoid possible food poisoning). Well, I'm planning on being in Beijing sometime next year myself - not sure when yet, tho!