Hong Kong photo

Hong Kong photo

 

The Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway is a 1,318 km long high-speed railway that connects two major economic zones in China. Construction began in April 2008 and the line opened to the public in June 2011. This rail line is the world’s longest high-speed line ever constructed in a single phase. The railway line was the first one designed for 380 km/h commercial running.

 
From Beijing – Shanghai

When the temperature is rising Chinese men like to cool down by raising their shirts and exposing bellies.

 

Chinese producers introduced hybrid and electric cars.

 

My last flight with China Southern from Hong Kong to Beijing took 23 hours instead of 3.

Scheduled departure was 13:20. 3 hours later, still waiting at the airport, the flight CZ309 was transferred to another gate. After another 4 hours passengers were told that instead of direct flight stopover in Changsha is necessary to replace the crew because the crew was tired. Some passengers did not agree with this change and they asked to fly next day so their luggage had to be unloaded from the plane which took another 2 hours. When we finally landed in Changsha the replacement crew did not board the plane. The flight was changed from international to domestic and passengers were asked to go through Chinese immigration control and pick up their luggage which took 2 hours. After bus transfer to another terminal at Changsha airport passengers checked in to flight CZ309 again and passed another security check. At 10 AM, after 8 hours waiting on board, other passengers boarded the plane to fly to Beijing. The flight CZ309 landed in Beijing after 23 hours of scheduled departure.

Other airlines landed at Beijing airport and also other flights departed from Changsha to Beijing ahead of flight CZ309.

According to Chinese law passengers are supposed to receive 300 RMB compensation if the flight delay is 6 hours. Some of the passengers missed their flights from Beijing because of this delay. China Southern neither provided help at that time to those passengers nor has offered any compensation. Because of luggage unload in Hong Kong some of the passengers missed their luggage in Beijing.

China Southern, member of Sky Team alliance, is the biggest airline company in Asia with 422 airplanes and 121 destinations. It is also airline with probably not the best customer service.

 

Awarded “Photo of the issue” by City weekend Beijing magazine

 

Chinese kid

Chinese kid eating sunflower seeds with grandma

 

The World Travel Trends Report released at the ITB says the number of Chinese travellers taking outbound trips could reach 79 million by 2015, making China the largest outbound travel market.

 

Flight from Budapest to Beijing via Vienna – from 512 EUR, 4882 miles
BUD – VIE flight OS 71x
VIE – PEK flight OS 63

Flight from Vienna to Beijing – from 708 EUR, 4632 miles
VIE – PEK flight OS 63

It means that Austrian Airlines charges 196 EUR more for flight from Vienna even though flight from Budapest connects to the same direct flight to Beijing from Vienna. Is it only taxes and airport fees which makes the difference of 38% or is it Austrian pricing policy?

Fares
Vienna: 378 EUR
Budapest: 180 EUR

Taxes / Surcharges
Vienna: 320 EUR
Budapest: 325 EUR

Ticket service charge
Vienna: 10 EUR
Budapest: 7,5 EUR

Taxes and surcharges are the same so it is only fare which makes the difference. Austrian charges 198 EUR more in fares for the same destination (Beijing) from Vienna, even though it is 250 miles shorter as from Budapest.

 

Train is the safest and most comfortable transport from Beijing to The Great Wall. It is fast, clean, not crowded and offers nice views. Travelling by car or bus can take longer when you get stuck in traffic jam.

Trains to The Great Wall (Badaling station) depart from Beijing North Railway Station, which is located next to the subway station Xizhimen on Beijing subway line 2, exit A. Ticket offices are located at the right side of the building and in the basement (less crowded). Ask for ticket to Badaling station. One way ticket costs 19 RMB for the second class and 23 RMB for the first class.


Beijing North Railway Station

Choose one of these air conditioned trains from Beijing North to Badaling:
Y563 Beijing North 07:26 Badaling 08:25
Y567 Beijing North 09:33 Badaling 10:42
Y571 Beijing North 11:08 Badaling 12:15
Y575 Beijing North 13:19 Badaling 14:28
Y579 Beijing North 15:01 Badaling 16:10

And back from Badaling to Beijing North:
Y572 Badaling 11:42 Beijing North 12:59
Y580 Badaling 15:22 Beijing North 16:28
Y588 Badaling 19:40 Beijing North 20:57

Badaling station looks like this so be sure to get off at the right station. Trains in China are on time so get off according to the schedule. When you exit the gate of Badaling station turn left and walk 1000 meters. Entrance to The Great Wall costs 45 RMB. Opening Hours are 06:30-19:00 in summer and 07:00-18:00 in winter.

Badaling Station


The Great Wall

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