Just Before Departure Inside the Train
It was a few more minutes before our high speed train to Hangzhou departed. The train area was not really very interesting but there were a few people taking photos of the famed train. Amusingly, there was this group of Chinese who were smoking outside the train, apparently it was not allowed, since security personnel advised them against smoking in the area which they willingly complied. I really don’t get it how compulsive smoking here is. Anyway, there was a row of high-tech trains waiting to go to their respective destinations. I had no idea how advanced their railway system has gone.
No Smoking Please
It was time to depart and we all moved in to the cabin. Confusingly, my ticket said 无坐 or “no seat”. I didn’t really know what that meant since I never had problems when I purchased high speed train tickets from Beijin to Tai’an City. I just took a window seat until an auntie asked me to have a look a my ticket. Apparently, I was taking her seat but she said she didn’t mind. Apparently, those without seats have to wait until the train departs before sitting. I guess they have no idea how many will be riding so they just said “no seat”. This probably has something to do with my purchasing the ticket at the kiosk, maybe if I purchase from the counter it will be different.
Now, That's Fast
Anyway, it was definitely exciting to ride what was the fast commercial train in China. The ride was extremely smooth and it really feels like flying on the ground. There were no bumps as you watch the countryside pass by. The trip to Hangzhou will take only 45 minutes to complete. Which means to say that it doesn’t really travel top speed most of the time. By the time it reaches the top speed, it is time to slow down. Anyway, the ride was definitely worth it, having cost only CNY 89. So how fast was fast? An LED display on top shows 339km/hr, now that is fast.
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