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Backpacker Ben and Katerina take an 18-hour first-class sleeper train from Chongqing to Beijing. Their tickets do not lead to the private room they expected: two other passengers share the cabin. They inspect the beds, slippers and toilets, buy a spicy meal in the restaurant car and note how quiet the train is. After a good night's sleep, helped by the departure of a snoring roommate, they arrive in Beijing and visit the Great Wall, including a toboggan ride, before checking into a clean, basic hostel.
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An overnight sleeper from Chongqing
Backpacker Ben and Katerina begin their 18-hour trip at Chongqing's large train station, which they compare in scale to an airport. The first-class tickets lead them to expect a private cabin, but they find two other passengers sharing the room. The unexpected arrangement changes the feel of the journey, although the beds are comfortable and the train provides clean amenities and complimentary slippers.
They look around the cabin and use the train's restrooms, which include Western-style and traditional squat toilets. At the restaurant car they buy a spicy Chinese meal. The car offers another place to get food during the ride, though its prices may be higher than local establishments. The travelers describe the train as calm and quiet, especially compared with sleeper trains Backpacker Ben has experienced before. They also comment on its punctual departure and the quiet behavior of fellow passengers.
Arrival in Beijing and the Great Wall
One roommate snores at first, but leaves later, and Ben says he and Katerina manage to sleep well. They arrive in Beijing refreshed and set out for the Great Wall. The video shows their visit and a toboggan ride down from the wall; the travelers compare it with other Wonders of the World they have visited. They then check in at a budget-friendly hostel that is basic but clean.
For travelers considering a similar trip, the account highlights checking ticket and cabin details before boarding, since their first-class room was shared. It also shows what they found on board, from beds and slippers to toilet options and the restaurant car. The Great Wall visit follows the train journey, so the episode covers both the overnight route from Chongqing and the first Beijing excursion.
The restaurant car provides an option for buying food during the ride, though the source notes that prices may be higher than at local restaurants. The advice to check ticket details, compare classes by cost and comfort, and book seats together when possible follows from their experience with the shared cabin and the different space available in first and second class.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the cabin arrangement on the first-class train?
- A: Ben and Katerina expected a private room, but two other passengers shared their cabin. The beds were comfortable, and they also found clean restrooms and complimentary slippers.
- Q: Could they sleep on the train?
- A: They had a good night's sleep after the initial snoring roommate left. Ben describes the train as quieter than other sleeper trains he has experienced.
- Q: What did they do after reaching Beijing?
- A: They visited the Great Wall, took a toboggan ride down, and later checked into a budget-friendly hostel that was basic but clean.
