What can you tell me about taking the train from Shanghai to Beijing?
Getting to Beijing from Shanghai is least an overnight trip. I haven't done this, but have heard it takes 18 to 24 hours. The cost is quite reasonable, depending on what sort of seating arrangements you want. Take a hard sleeper at the very least, or a soft sleeper if you have a bit more cash to spare. It WILL be worth it. If you want to get a taste of "the real China" or are just a complete masochist, you could try the hard seat, which you will likely ultimately regret.
Safety is not a problem in general. China is a very law-abiding country, and noted for the quality of its trains. If you don't speak any Chinese, it may be very frustrating, but never underestimate the goodwill and understanding a game of charades can make.
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