Archive for the ‘Shanghai Transportation’ Category

Beijing Shanghai high speed rail

Monday, January 24th, 2022
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Yesterday afternoon, nearly off work time around 6:00pm, I decided to go to Shanghai for urgent family matters the next day. The normal reaction was to book a flight from Beijing to Shanghai. But the high speed rail Beijing Shanghai changed my mind set. I would like to try the newly opened Beijing Shanghai High Speed Train.

I logged on to www.12306.cn for online ticket booking. After registration, then I got an email to reconfirm the registration, and began to book the train ticket I preferred. Everything went smoothly except the way of payment. I have credit cards and an paypal account, but all didn’t work. It requests me to have an online account at a bank, Bank of China etc. I was confused.

I had to give up online booking. At present, www.12306.cn is not very convenient for locals, even more difficult for foreigners. I had to go to the nearest train station – Beijing Railway Station. Though the high speed trains don’t start from Beijing Railway Station, it does have two windows selling high speed train tickets.

It was a long queue, taking me about 40 minutes to get a ticket, and I chose a second class seat ticket for G11 Beijing Shanghai starting the next day 8:00am, July 05, 2011 – that’s today.

Around 7:00am this morning, I take a taxi from my residental area to Beijing South Railway Station. The traffic is slim and I get to Departure Hall of Beijing South Railway Station shortly.

Entering the east entrance and getting through the security check, I raise my head and look at the huge timetable board and get to know my check-in gate is Gate 15.

My check-in gate is Gate 15

My check-in gate is Gate 15  

Passengers are insertng their tickets into the slots and go down to the platform

Passengers are insertng their tickets into the slots and go down to the platform

Passengers are insertng their tickets into the slots and go down to the platform  

Following the queue, I move on to the entrance. Inserting my computerized ticket into the slot, the door opened and I go down steps to the platform 15.

I go down steps to the platform 15.

I go down steps to the platform 15.  

The Coach 11 is my temporary home. 80 paasengers in one second class coach with 16 rows of 5 seats abreast ( 2 + 3 ). I’m lucky to have a 2 set window seat

The Coach 11 is my temporary home

The Coach 11 is my temporary home

Overhead Luggage rack

Overhead Luggage rack

Overhead Luggage rack

A plug under the seats for powering laptops

A plug under the seats for powering laptops

A plug under the seats for powering laptops


Internet on Beijing Shanghai high speed trains is available, but its signal is too weak to be able to connect any laptops online. I have to give up and you are supposed to use your own wireless wan card.

Its signal is too weak to connect any laptops online

Its signal is too weak to connect any laptops online Lavatory at the end of each coach

Lavatory at the end of each coach

Lavatory at the end of each coach  

Luggage area both at the end and in the front of each coach

Luggage area both at the end and in the front of each coach

Luggage area both at the end and in the front of each coach  

Trolley food cart

Trolley food cart

Trolley food cart

Box meals at the price RMB37 per set

Box meals at the price RMB37 per set

Box meals at the price RMB37 per set

Hot drinking water

Hot drinking water

ot drinking water  

G11 Beijing Shanghai high speed train has three stops: Jinnan West 9:35am, Tengzhou 10:15am and 11:49am  Nanjing South and arriving at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station at 12:55.

Further Readings


Top 10 Places to Visit in China
How to Pack for your China Trip
Plugs and Sockets in China
China Tour Packages
Learning Useful Chinese Phrases for Travellers 
How to Recognise Chinese Currency

Top 10 Travel Experiences in China
10 Most Scenic Drives in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Grasslands in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Rivers in China
Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in China
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful old towns in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Museums in China
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
Top 10 Souvenirs in China

Ferry from the Bund to Pudong

Monday, January 17th, 2022
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Standing on the promenade of the Bund,  you are hooked by the magnificent Pudong Skyline ( also known as “Lujiazui Skyline“).  The temptation is so great that you are eager to explore further the forest of the avant-garde megatall buildings in Pudong.

You may wonder if there is a ferry taking you from the Bund across to the east side of the river while having wider views of the riverside buildings in the course of ferry – old art deco buildings on the Bund and futuristic on Pudong. The answer is yes!

It is said that there are totally 18 ferry lines on the both sides of Huangpu River and all of them are operated by the state-run Shanghai Ferry Company. Don’t be scared by the numerous ferry points. There is only one ferry wharf on the Bund, namely Dongjin Line.

So the ferry line on the Bund is officially known as “Dongjin Line”. The ferry starts from the Dongchang Road on Pudong to Jinling Road on the Bund, hence “Dongjin Line”.  Still sounds too complicated to you? Then just remember “The Bund Ferry”, forget the so-called “Dongjin Line”. That’s okay!

How to get to the Bund Ferry ( Dongjin Ferry Line) ? 东金线轮渡

Just keep walking on the Bund to the south and soon you will find a pier home to two ferry boats shown on the picture below, then you have hit the  Bund Ferry Wharf ( or Dongjin Ferry Line Pier )

The Bund Ferry Wharf
The Bund Ferry Wharf

Where is the ticketing office?

When you see the wharf above, then you try to find a passage down from the elevated promenade to the road on your right side. Below the promenade and on the left side of the road, you can find the English characters – Tickets – that’s the ticketing office for the ferry line.

You wait in line and only need to pay 2 yuan for the ticket.

The Box Office "English"
The Box Office “Tickets”

Important Notice:
If you keep on walking in the south direction, you will soon get to the box office for cruising on Huangpu River. Check out the link “How to Book Huangpu River Cruise Tickets” for more information.

After purchasing your ferry ticket, walk ahead to the place with iron handrails where you enter by through your ticket ( a plastic coin ). The condition of the waiting hall is very basic with very few seats available for passengers. In most cases you have to wait for your ferry.

Wait for getting onto the ferry baot.
Wait for getting onto the ferry boat.

The ferry is air-conditioned, two-deck, upper and lower. If you prefer to take pictures, you’d  better go up to the upper deck.The upper deck is covered on the top, but open-air above the one-meter high fence surrounding the edge of the boat.

Try to grab a space next the fence and take clear pictures of the views on both sides of the river.

The picture taken from the ferry boat.
The picture taken from the ferry-boat.

Below is the ferry timetable:
From the Bund: 07:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15; 15:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15, 17:45, 18:15, 18:45

From Pudong: 07:00, 7:30, 8:00 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00; 15:00, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00

In 5 minutes, your ferry-boat will bring you to the east side of Huangpu River – Pudong. Get off the ferry, and don’t forget your mission – to explore Lujiazui ( the core of Pudong ).

Disembark from the ferry
Disembark from the ferry

How to explore the amazing megatall buildings?

From the pier you need to get to Lujiazui.  Lujiazui is rife with the futuristic, avant-garde buildings – Shanghai Tower (632 m),  Shanghai World Financial Center (492 m ), Oriental Pearl Tower (467.9 m), Jin Mao Building (421 m) and other over 30 buildings with 25 stories.

Over 500 domestic and overseas financial and insurance corporations are located in Lujiazui.

Lujiazui
Lujiazui

Basically you have two options of going from the wharf to Lujiazui – Walking ( 1000 meters ) or take the double-deck bus ( 30 yuan ).  If you have healthy legs, you just keep walk on the left side for 15 minutes, you will reach the core area of Lujiazui.

If you purchase the ticket for the double-deck bus, you can use the day pass for the rest of the day including the bus tour around Pudong area. The bus will take you to the stop near Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

For more information on Lujiazui, check out the link” How to Visit Lujiazui “.

Add-on

How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong
Ferry from the Bund to Pudong
How to Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
How to Visit Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai Tower
How to Visit the Bund in Shanghai
Historic Buildings on the Bund in Shanghai
Foggy Pudong Skyline at Sunrise, Shanghai
The Bund and Small Pool of Rainwater
Evening View of the Bund and Pudong Skyline Shanghai
The Bund at Night pictures
Huangpu River Cruise Ticket Booking
Ferry from the Bund to Pudong

Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:

Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings


Top 10 Attraction in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai

Any questions, just drop a line.

Huangpu River Cruise Ticket Booking (Tickets, Photos and Map)

Monday, January 17th, 2022
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Plan your Shanghai Tour? If you visit London, one thing you must do is to cruise on Thames River. It is same as in Shanghai. It is said that no Shanghai tour is perfect without cruising on Shanghai Huangpu River.

Huangpu River in Shanghai VS River Thames in London tells the similarity of the importance of the two rivers for the two world famous cities.

Cruising on Shanghai Huangpu River

Cruise Routes

At present, the most popular cruise schedule is the one hour Highlight Cruise.

Starting from the Shiliupu Wharf (十六铺码头), passing by the Bund, Binjiang Avenue, Shangri-la, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yangpu River Bridge.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Then “U” turn back to Waibaitu Bridge, the colonial buildings and back to the pier. This is a highlight of the cruise trip on Huangpu River.

You are able to enjoy the mixed view of the concession-era buildings on the west of Huangpu River and the futuristic and trendy skyscrapers on the east.

The concession-era buildings on the west of Huangpu River

Operating hours: 11:00 – 21:30

Cruising Time: 50 minutes

Cruising Schedule:

11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 18:45, 19:00, 19:15, 19:30, 19:45, 20:00, 20:15, 20:30,20:45, 21:00, 21:15. 21:30.

Cruise boats to be used:

Depending on the cruise boat schedule

Prices: RMB 120

Note:

1) Children under 1.3 meters high: free of charge.

Note: One adult only can take one child free of charge

2) Children above 1.3 meters high: charged as an adult.

Cruise Boats

At present, 19 cruise boats of different sizes are available cruising on Huangpu River. The largest cruise ship (Huangpu River Cruise No.01) holds as many as one thousand passengers with the smallest boat carrying 80 people.

Some boats are built with traditional Chinese culture elements; some look much trendy and brilliant. Choose your own favorite boat!

some look much trendy and brilliant

Where is the Cruise Wharf and how to get there?

The cruise pier is located on Shiliupu Wharf No.01 ( also known as Shiliupu Tourism Wharf Area 1), just south of the Bund, and its address is 481 East 2nd Road, Zhongshan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai (上海市黄浦区中山东二路481号).

The Cruise Wharf and Ticket Office

The embarking dock is Gate 3, Shiliupu Wharf Tourism Center. There are two embarking areas along the long Shiliupu Wharf. Either areas are all right as long as you come the right dock for your boating.

Take the subway line 2 and get off at Nanjing Dongl Lu (Nanjing East Road), then walk along the Bund to the Shiliupu Wharf. If you have a hop on and hop off ticket, you can easily get to the wharf since the double decker bus route has a stop at Shiliupu Wharf.

Take bus 33, 55, 65, 305, 868, 910, 928 and get off at the bus stop of Shiliupu.

The cruise pier is located on Shiliupu Wharf

How to book the Huangpu River Cruise Tickets

Basically there should be no problem purchasing your tickets on site if you are not pressed for time. Just try to go there a bit earlier to secure the seats. The Shiliupu Wharf Tourism Center has two ticket booking offices, which are both located on the underground floor.

You are required to take an escalator to the ticket booking counter. Line up and purchase your tickets. It’s better to book your cruise tickets before 17:00. You also can buy your tickets online or through ticketing agents.

The Shiliupu Wharf Tourism Center has two ticket booking offices

Night Cruise on Huangpu River

Cruising on Huang River at night is highly recommended with the lit brilliantly skyline of Pudong rife with skyscrapers and the lit Bund with beautiful colonial buildings.

Night Cruise on Huangpu River

Add-on

How to Visit the Bund in Shanghai
The Historic Buildings on the Bund in Shanghai
Evening View of the Bund and Pudong Skyline Shanghai
How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong
How to Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
How to Visit Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai Tower

Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:

Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai

Any questions, just drop a line.