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34-Hour Train Journey: Chongqing to Ürümqi

34 Hours on China's LOWEST CLASS Train 🇨🇳 (STANDING TICKET to Xinjiang)

Destination:ChinaProvince:XinjiangCity:Urumqi
34 Hours on China's LOWEST CLASS Train 🇨🇳 (STANDING TICKET to Xinjiang)
Jack Aynsley Travel58 min

34 Hours on China's LOWEST CLASS Train 🇨🇳. This was filmed by Jack Aynsley Travel. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Join us on an unforgettable journey as we embark on the 34-hour standing train journey across China. We start as always by collecting a coffee and snack before heading down Chongqing station to our train. Trouble strikes early as we are faced with difficult train guards who move us to temporary seats, again and again. We sit in amongst the busiest train of our lives, making new friends, interacting with Chinese Police questioning our motives and more. We keep things light hearted with a European picnic and some fine wines before dancing on the platform before bed, and by bed we mean more chair. Waking up groggy to face the harsh reality of another 10 hours, we begin our countdown but not without unexpected issues. During the night our train ran out of drinking water, leaving us dehydrated and being assisted by the police. After what feels like forever we arrive in Ürümqi in the Xinjiang province victorious. The end of the line marks the beginning of our new adventure.

--- Jack Aynsley Travel
May 31, 2024, Spring in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Jack and Paige document a 34-hour journey on China's lowest-class train from Chongqing to Ürümqi. Train guards repeatedly move them from temporary seats, and the train runs out of drinking water. They share a European picnic with fellow passengers, navigate brief police interactions and pass rural landscapes. The trip includes an overnight stretch and ends with their arrival in Xinjiang, where a new adventure awaits. The couple's route includes a designated temporary seat, repeated moves by train guards, a picnic, a look around the train's facilities and dinner service. They prepare for a cozy night, wake with ten hours remaining and keep adapting as the trip continues. The arrival in Ürümqi closes the long ride and begins their next stage in Xinjiang.

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34 Hours on China's LOWEST CLASS Train 🇨🇳 (STANDING TICKET to Xinjiang)

Boarding and finding a place to sit

Jack and Paige begin their 34-hour journey at Chongqing Railway Station with standing tickets for a train to Ürümqi in Xinjiang. They buy coffee and breakfast before boarding. Train guards move them from one temporary seat to another, disrupting their plans and making it hard to settle in. They try to stay lighthearted while adapting to the crowded conditions.

The couple share snacks and wine with other passengers, including a European picnic with cheese, ham and crisps. They explore the train's facilities, meet people along the way and observe the daily routines of Chinese commuters. The journey includes stops where they briefly get fresh air, and one platform moment turns into a spontaneous dance.

Overnight travel and arrival

As the trip continues, Jack and Paige prepare for a night on the train and wake with ten hours still to go. The train runs out of drinking water, leaving them dehydrated until police help them resolve the situation. The police also ask about their reasons for travel, adding an unexpected interaction. The couple recommend carrying extra water because train services can be unreliable.

The final stretch brings more difficult logistics as they try to leave the train, but they eventually arrive in Ürümqi. Through the window, they see rural landscapes and changing scenery. Their account combines the discomfort of a standing ticket and repeated seat changes with generous moments from fellow passengers. The 34-hour ride becomes a story about adapting to unexpected problems, making connections and reaching their destination in Xinjiang.

The chapter sequence follows them from arrival at Chongqing Railway Station through boarding, seat changes and the hours on board. They share a European-style picnic with fellow travelers and look around the facilities, including places to make drinks. Trying to leave the train becomes another challenge before they settle down for the night. When they wake, ten hours remain. The lack of water is one of the journey's most difficult moments, and asking police for assistance helps resolve it. In spite of the crowding and repeated changes, Jack and Paige describe friendly interactions with passengers. Their arrival at Ürümqi marks the end of a 34-hour ride and the start of their time in Xinjiang.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was hardest about the train ride?
A: Jack and Paige say the lack of a seat and repeated moves by train guards were exhausting during the crowded trip.
Q: What food did they have on the train?
A: They ate instant noodles and shared a European picnic with cheese, ham and crisps as a treat.
Q: What happened when the train ran out of water?
A: The couple became dehydrated and asked the police for help, which helped them resolve the situation.
Q: What advice do they give for the journey?
A: They suggest bringing snacks, water and entertainment and learning basic Mandarin phrases in case communication is difficult.
Q: How did people on the train treat them?
A: They describe most passengers as kind and friendly despite the crowded conditions, and they share food and conversations.

Previous travel video:

34-Hour Train Journey: Chongqing to Ürümqi

Jack's epic 34-hour train ride across China from Chongqing to Ürümqi was full of unexpected twists, new friends, and a surprising lack of water!

China Train Journey: 34-Hour Standing Ticket Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable 34-hour train journey across China, starting from Chongqing Railway Station. The trip is filled with unexpected challenges, from encounters with strict train guards to navigating the busiest train imaginable. The travelers make new friends, share a European picnic, and even dance on the train platform. Despite a night with limited water and a long countdown to arrival, they reach Ürümqi in Xinjiang province, ready for their next adventure. This is a story of resilience, unexpected encounters, and the spirit of adventure.