Beijing is the rail hub of the nation, and while the highway network is expanding, it is still a long way behind the �Iron Rooster� as the key means of transportation in China. Chinese trains are divided into different classes, from the lowly hard seat (for seasoned aescetics only!) to plush, air conditioned soft sleeper cars that cost nearly as much as air fare. Nowadays, trains to nearby destinations such as Tianjin and Chengde are often double-decker soft seat carriages that offer modern climate control and good sanitation.

The Beijing Railway Station



If the phrase "Iron Rooster" is unfamiliar to you, it is a Chinese euphamism for a railroad train. Those with even modest interest in China or railroads would enjoy Paul Theroux's wonderful Riding the Iron Rooster: By Train Through China. Highly recommended for learning something about being Chinese.