Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train From Shanghai to Beijing, China 🇨🇳

josie lifts things

4 Oct 202318:51

Summary

TLDRThe video script details an exciting journey on China's high-speed rail system, highlighting the impressive speed and efficiency of the trains. The traveler shares their experience navigating a bustling train station, the comfort and smooth ride of the train, and the convenience of amenities like Starbucks on board. Despite some challenges with seat assignments and language barriers, the overall experience showcases China's advanced rail network, which is the largest in the world with 40,000 km of track. The video ends with the traveler's arrival in Beijing, setting the stage for further exploration in the capital city.

Takeaways

🚄 China's High-Speed Rail (HSR) network is the largest in the world, with over 40,000 km of track, significantly more than Japan's.
🌐 The experience of traveling on a Chinese bullet train is smooth and fast, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h.
💺 Despite being assigned seats apart, the streamlined design of the train cars offers some storage space for bags and a comfortable ride.
☕ Onboard amenities include Starbucks coffee and snacks, available for purchase from attendants moving through the train.
🚾 Train stations and the train itself are very clean, with the train even featuring a relatively spacious bathroom.
📍 Navigating train stations in China can be challenging due to the lack of English signage and information.
💰 The cost of high-speed rail tickets in China is comparable to flights for similar routes, but offers a unique travel experience.
🏙️ Upon arrival in Beijing, the city feels more like a bustling yet approachable metropolis compared to other mega-cities.
🛏️ Staying at a hotel with a good metro connection can save money and offer a comfortable stay, even when not located in the city center.
🌐 WeChat is a valuable tool for ordering food and services in China, but can be difficult for foreigners to access without an invitation from a Chinese resident.
🌟 Overall, the high-speed rail experience in China is efficient, fast, and offers a world-class transportation option for travelers.

Q & A

What does HSR stand for?
-HSR stands for High-Speed Rail, which refers to the world's fastest commercial bullet trains operated by China.
How does the amount of high-speed rail track in China compare to Japan?
-China has over 10 times the amount of high-speed rail track compared to Japan, showcasing its extensive and advanced rail network.
What was the main challenge faced by the travelers at the train station?
-The main challenge faced by the travelers was the lack of information in English, which made navigation and finding the correct platform difficult.
How long did it take for the travelers to get a coffee at Starbucks?
-It took the travelers 40 minutes to get a coffee at Starbucks due to the large number of people present.
What was notable about the seats on the high-speed train?
-The seats on the high-speed train were noted to be smaller and more narrow compared to other trains the travelers had experienced in countries like Indonesia.
What was the top speed of the high-speed train the travelers were on?
-The high-speed train the travelers were on could reach a top speed of 350 km per hour.
How much did the travelers pay for their high-speed rail seats?
-The travelers paid about 110 USD, which was roughly equivalent to 170 AUD, for their high-speed rail seats.
What was the travelers' overall impression of the high-speed rail experience?
-The travelers were impressed by the high-speed rail experience, noting the smooth ride, cleanliness, and the convenience of being able to purchase Starbucks on the train.
What was the issue with the bathroom on the train?
-While the bathroom was quite spacious, it had an unpleasant smell, which discouraged the traveler from using it.
How did the travelers find the process of navigating China without WeChat?
-The travelers found it quite difficult to navigate China without WeChat, as it is widely used for various services, including ordering food and selecting seats on trains.
What was the travelers' strategy for finding a hotel room in Beijing?
-The travelers used the Metro system to find a hotel room in a location that was not in the middle of the city, saving money while still having easy access to the city center.

Outlines

00:00

🚄 Experience on China's High-Speed Rail

The paragraph describes the author's first-hand experience with China's High-Speed Rail (HSR), known for being the fastest in the world. The author highlights the vast network of high-speed rail in China, which surpasses Japan's by ten times. The journey begins at a bustling train station, where the author encounters challenges with seating assignments and long waits for coffee. Despite the crowded conditions, the train's streamlined design and impressive speed are noted, reaching up to 350 km/h. The author also mentions the convenience of purchasing Starbucks on board and the smooth, comfortable ride, comparing it favorably to other train experiences in Asia.

05:03

🍽️ Dining and Comfort on the Train

This paragraph focuses on the amenities and services available on the high-speed train, including the dining cart and the option to order Starbucks to one's seat using WeChat. The author narrates their experience with the train's cleanliness, the availability of food and beverages, and the impressive size of the train's bathroom compared to airport facilities. The narrative also touches on the difficulty of navigating without WeChat in China and the author's amazement at being able to purchase Starbucks on a train.

10:04

📍Arrival and Exploration in Beijing

The author recounts their arrival in Beijing and the initial impressions of the city. After disembarking from the high-speed train, they navigate the busy train station and discuss the challenges of finding local food options. The paragraph also includes advice for travelers on seat selection and the importance of obtaining tickets in advance to ensure better seating arrangements. The author expresses their excitement about exploring Beijing and shares their plans to use the city's efficient metro system to travel and save on accommodation costs.

15:16

🏨 Check-in and Initial Impressions of Beijing

In this paragraph, the author describes their check-in process at the hotel and shares their initial impressions of Beijing as a city. They mention the convenience of their hotel location, the use of Hilton membership points for the stay, and the excitement of watching the Women's World Cup with the local staff. The author also talks about the city's vibrant atmosphere and the ease of getting around using the metro system. The paragraph concludes with the author's anticipation of exploring Beijing and a brief mention of their plans to eat local food.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡High-Speed Rail (HSR)

High-Speed Rail, often abbreviated as HSR, refers to a category of rail transport that is significantly faster than conventional rail traffic. In the context of the video, it is the mode of transportation the travelers are using to navigate within China. The script highlights China's impressive HSR network, which is noted for its extensive coverage and speed, setting it apart from other countries' rail systems.

💡Bullet Trains

Bullet trains are a type of high-speed train, known for their aerodynamic design and high speeds. The term originates from the Japanese 'Shinkansen,' but in this video, it is used to describe the fast trains in China. The travelers are experiencing the speed and comfort of these trains firsthand, comparing them to other countries' systems and noting the unique aspects of the Chinese bullet trains.

💡Train Station

A train station is a central location where trains stop to pick up and drop off passengers. In the video, the travelers encounter a particularly busy and complex train station, which they describe as the 'craziest' they have ever seen. The station's size and the bustling crowd of commuters and travelers reflect the scale and efficiency of China's rail network.

💡Starbucks

Starbucks is an American multinational coffee company and coffeehouse chain, known for its widespread presence in many countries, including China. In the video, Starbucks serves as an example of global brands integrated into local settings, and the travelers' experience of purchasing Starbucks on a high-speed train highlights the convenience and familiarity of international brands during their journey.

💡Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and a major global city. It is the destination of the travelers in the video, who discuss their arrival and initial impressions of the city. Beijing is noted for its rich history, cultural landmarks, and as a hub for China's political and cultural activities.

💡Travel

Travel refers to the act of moving from one place to another, typically for purposes such as tourism, business, or visiting family and friends. In the video, travel is the central theme as the travelers share their experiences navigating through China's high-speed rail system and arriving in Beijing for further exploration.

💡China

China is the world's most populous country and one of the largest by land area. It has a rich cultural history and is known for its rapid economic growth and modern infrastructure. The video focuses on the travelers' experience within China, particularly their use of the high-speed rail system and their arrival in Beijing.

💡Seating Arrangement

Seating arrangement refers to how seats are assigned or organized, especially on public transportation like trains. In the video, the travelers discuss their seating arrangement on the high-speed train, which happened to be separated, affecting their travel experience.

💡Smooth Ride

A smooth ride refers to a comfortable and stable journey without significant bumps or jolts. In the context of the video, the travelers comment on the high-speed train's smooth ride, emphasizing the stability and comfort of the journey despite the train's high speed.

💡WeChat

WeChat is a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. In the video, WeChat is mentioned as a tool that could enhance the travel experience by allowing passengers to order food and drinks directly to their seats on the train, but the travelers faced challenges in accessing it due to the need for a Chinese mobile number.

💡Hotel

A hotel is a place that provides lodging paid on a short-term basis. In the video, the travelers discuss their accommodation in Beijing, mentioning the use of Hilton membership points to secure a room, which reflects strategies for saving costs while traveling.

Highlights

China's high-speed rail system, known as HSR, is the fastest in the world, with trains that are incredibly streamlined.

China has over 10 times the amount of high-speed rail track compared to Japan, making it the largest network globally.

The experience of catching a high-speed train in China is marked by impressive and vast train stations filled with commuters and travelers.

Despite the language barrier, with information not always being available in English, the process of finding the correct platform and boarding the train is an adventure.

The high-speed rail trains in China are designed with a focus on aerodynamics, contributing to their record-breaking speeds.

Seats on the high-speed trains may be narrower than those in other countries, but they offer a smooth and comfortable ride, even at top speeds of 350 km/h.

The high-speed rail network in China connects major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, making travel efficient and convenient.

Onboard amenities such as Starbucks and a variety of food options are available, enhancing the passenger experience on these high-speed trains.

The cleanliness and orderliness of the train stations and the trains themselves are notable features of China's high-speed rail system.

The bathrooms on the high-speed trains are surprisingly spacious and well-equipped, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.

China's high-speed rail system offers a smooth ride, allowing passengers to stand and move around with ease, even at high speeds.

The cost of traveling on the high-speed rail is comparable to that of a flight, but it provides a unique and enjoyable travel experience.

Arriving in Beijing, the travelers found a bustling city with a different vibe compared to Shanghai, marking the beginning of a new exploration.

The use of technology like WeChat for ordering food and services on the train highlights the integration of digital platforms in daily life in China.

The experience of traveling on China's high-speed rail provides insights into the country's technological advancements and infrastructure development.

The high-speed rail journey from Shanghai to Beijing, covering 1200 km in just 4 hours, showcases the efficiency and reach of China's rail network.

Despite the challenges of navigating in a country with limited English, the high-speed rail experience in China is memorable and impressive.