Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Expect rigorous ID and bag checks at Chinese train stations for security, similar to airport procedures. (0:07)
- Tip 2When booking train tickets, destinations are in Chinese, but knowing your train number is key. (2:04)
- Tip 3Try the Rou Jia Mo, a 2000-year-old Chinese 'hamburger' with crispy bread and savory meat filling, a Xi'an specialty. (4:23)
- Tip 4High-speed trains significantly reduce travel time; Xi'an to Chengdu takes about 3.5 hours by train versus over 24 hours by car. (10:15)
- Tip 5First-class train seats offer ample legroom and comfort, comparable to airplane first-class. (10:41)
- Tip 6Utilize navigation apps like Baidu Maps or Amap for easy directions from train stations to your hotel or other destinations. (14:27)
- Tip 7Don't miss trying Dan Dan noodles in Chengdu, a legendary local dish with a unique sauce and texture. (15:19)
That Evan Guy embarks on an eye-opening journey from Xi'an to Chengdu, experiencing China's impressive high-speed rail system. He's initially struck by the stringent yet efficient security at Xi'an North Railway Station, noting its airport-like scale and cleanliness, a stark contrast to his perceptions of Western infrastructure and economic struggles. The video highlights the sheer volume of travelers and the advanced nature of Chinese public transport, with trains reaching incredible speeds. Evan also delves into the local cuisine, savoring the authentic Rou Jia Mo and the legendary Dan Dan noodles in Chengdu, describing them as a unique and delicious culinary experience that far surpasses anything found in instant or generic noodle shops. The journey underscores China's rapid development and advanced amenities, prompting reflection on the economic disparities and infrastructure challenges faced in the West.
Next travel video: ( 15 / 19 )
More about the current video:( 14 / 19 )
That Evan Guy's journey from Xi'an to Chengdu reveals a China that significantly impressed him, particularly its high-speed rail system and infrastructure. He begins by detailing the intense security at Xi'an North Railway Station, noting the thorough ID and bag checks, and the pervasive surveillance, yet also commends the friendly staff. The station itself is described as vast, clean, and futuristic, comparable to a major international airport, with multiple levels offering dining and waiting areas. Evan contrasts this with his perception of economic struggles in the US, where people are living in cars and facing student loan debt, while China appears to be thriving with advanced public transportation.
The train journey itself is a highlight. He boards a high-speed train, noting the efficiency and comfort, comparing first-class to an airplane's first-class. The speed and smoothness of the ride are astonishing, covering the distance from Xi'an to Chengdu in just over three hours, a trip that would take over 24 hours by car. He expresses surprise at the modern amenities and the overall quality of the train, questioning why the US, despite being wealthier, lacks similar infrastructure.
Upon arriving in Chengdu, the focus shifts to the culinary scene. Evan seeks out and thoroughly enjoys the local specialty, Dan Dan noodles. He describes the preparation, the rich chili oil sauce, and the unique texture and flavor of the noodles, emphasizing that this authentic experience is far superior to anything he's had elsewhere. He finds the noodles to be a perfect blend of chewy, wheaty taste with a pleasant tingly heat from the chili oil, rating it a minimum of nine out of ten and calling it a unique regional delicacy.
Throughout the video, Evan consistently marvels at the scale, cleanliness, and modernity of China's infrastructure, from the train stations to the trains themselves, and contrasts it with his observations of societal and economic challenges in the United States. He finds traveling in China to be remarkably easy and convenient due to integrated transport options like metro access from railway stations.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the security like at the train station?
- A: It was crazy! You need to ID yourself first, then go through a bag check. There are cameras everywhere.
- Q: How did the train station compare to an airport?
- A: It was literally like an airport, with high-speed rails and an impressive scale. The second floor had places like KFC and other food options.
- Q: What was the Rou Jia Mo like?
- A: It's like a Chinese hamburger. The bread was crispy on the outside, soft inside, and absorbed all the juice from the pork. It was delicious and satisfying.
- Q: How was the train journey from Xi'an to Chengdu?
- A: It was amazing! The train was new, comfortable, and we went so fast. It only took about three hours, compared to over 24 hours by car.
- Q: What were the Dan Dan noodles like?
- A: They were incredible! The noodles were chewy and wheaty, and the chili oil sauce provided a tingly, pleasurable heat. It's a unique Chengdu specialty.
