Train travel is an interesting, inexpensive and safe way of getting around China. It offers you more chances to get to know Chinese people.

In China, the accommodations on the train are divided into four categories: soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper, soft-seat and hard-seat.
a) Soft-sleeper - private compartments in the soft sleeper carriages which are fitted out to a higher standard. Each compartment has four bunks, two upper and two lower.
b) Hard-sleeper - less comfortable than the soft-sleeper. The open compartment comprise six bunks, fixed as an upper, middle and lower on either side.
c) Soft-seat - a nice, comfortable cushioned seat, but not all trains have the soft-seat carriages.
d) Hard-seat - the seating is not upholstered and the carriage tend to be not very clean. It is always noisy and crowded with people especially during peak times or the high travel season on the most popular railway routes.