I did a search, I understand the D train is the fast train that takes about 1.5 hr.

Two more questions:
1) People say tickets should be purchased in advance because it sells out often. Really? It seems that there are many trains everyday, do everything sell out, or is there 1st class tickets or something that's usually available?

2) Which arrival station is close to Hangzhou city center? Hangzhou or Hangzhou South? I am staying right by the West Lake, I assume Hangzhou South??

To Hangzhou station (Xi Hu located with in 1.5 km from there).

And what a fine example of Social Realist architecture it is.

Fer'what it's werf Fwerrf, the first-class tix tend to sell out before the hoi polloi seats. This is because the price differential is not very great. And yes, these trains do often sell out altogether. You can take a chance and queue up at Shanghai South for a ticket, but I'd get there an hour or two early if you plan to do it that way.

When you're on the train, you'll be able to see the elevated track for the new very fast trains being built alongside the track you are travelling on.

Does anyone know when the fast track from Shanghai to Hang Zhou will become operational? Where in Shanghai does it leave from (Shanghai nan?)? thanks

Does anyone know how far is MixC from West Lake?

Mixc is about 15-20 minutes drive by car (10 km) from Westlake.

The departure station is Shanghai South Station, right? The one in Xu Jia Hui?

fWerrF wrote:The departure station is Shanghai South Station, right? The one in Xu Jia Hui?

i think so, but not sure which one is the fastest train available right now

Yes, it is Shanghai South Station

Definitely Shanghai South. However, I believe the new "very fast" trains will leave from the Hongqiao Transport Hub (at the airport) once that service becomes operational.

I will recommend you buy your tickets in advance since sometimes it can be really crazy around the train stations... as everything in China. Whenever I want to buy tickets I usually visit a website where they got really good prices in planes, hotels or event train... (http://www.aquiyenchina.com) they have helped me a lot other times and I hope they do the same with you

Why to go to suzhou you go to the other station? isnt hangzhou one/two stops after suzhou?

Buy a ticket in advance at one of the many, many small train tickets sales offices around the city (they even have signs up in English although typically no one speaks English inside). For an extra 5 rmb per ticket, its fast, simple, near you, and you don't have to go all the way to the train station to stand in line.

But buying a ticket in advance is usually a must. Otherwise you will get to the station and they will have no more tickets for the day, or, worse, they only have something available in 3rd class, which you will be tempted to buy so you can sit between the guy who is picking his nose, and the lady who is chewing on her yummy chicken feet snack, across from the guy who is smoking under the "no smoking" sign (and slowly, but regularly hacking and spitting into a paper box).

My favorite part was when I became so disgusted that I moved to the restaurant wagon, paid 20 rmb for a "Special" cup of tea, and, because we were approaching the end station, was then rewarded with a view of the train personnel stripping down to their boxers, and then dressing into their "trendy" street clothes.

Ugh.

traveler2 wrote:Why to go to suzhou you go to the other station? isnt hangzhou one/two stops after suzhou?

Think you need a map, pal

Misteral wrote:

traveler2 wrote:Why to go to suzhou you go to the other station? isnt hangzhou one/two stops after suzhou?

Think you need a map, pal

doh my fault, mixing up with wuxi, thanks anyway

Thanks all for the input, just a quick update from Hangzhou.

So, I didn't buy a tix in advance, since it was last min plan.
Took a cab at 4pm from Xin Tian Di and it took 50 mins to arrive at the South station, due to insane traffic. Went to the ticketing window, was told all the D train sold out, only availability is on a T train that takes 2 hrs 38 mins, no choice but to take that.
it was supposed to leave at 6:03, btw the waiting area was a ZOO, delayed until 6:48 departure, the ride itself was quite alright, 2 seater on each side of the cart, you get your private space.

Got in Hangzhou a quarter past 9pm, raining, was a b1tch to get a taxi.
Anyways, had a decent meal at their food street, hit up G+(yep affiliated to the XTD one in shanghai) for a bit.

Next time I know better ...

whats the name of the food street fwerrf? and why didnt you take the metro instead of taxi?

Take a look at this short guide to Hangzhou before leaving:
http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/ ... -part-one/
Hope you found it useful!

Just a question, is hangzhou near suzhou?

I just went this weekend. Here's 2 sites with train schedule and price:
http://www.shanghaihighlights.com/shang ... -schedule/
http://www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/

Like a previous poster said, you can go a any ticket office to buy the tickets, you don't have to buy them at the train station. I know one in Xujiahui (yishan lu near hongqiao lu) and one in Jing'an (wanhangdu lu near beijing lu).

I went there Friday morning 9:30 to buy a round trip ticket for Saturday morning to Saturday evening. I got the one I wanted for the morning but not the one I wanted for the evening so I took one that was one hour later. Ticket to Hanghzhou was from Shanghai South station while ticket back to Shanghai was to Shanghai North station.

traveler2 wrote:whats the name of the food street fwerrf? and why didnt you take the metro instead of taxi?

Forgot the name, it was few streets behind Sofitel Hotel.
We just hopped in a taxi at 11pm, and asked the driver where do local people eat late at night, he took us there.

shanghai south station = subway station too?
Also, do i have to get off train at the first stop in hangzhou or second? (if theres any 2nd stop thats it)

traveler2 wrote:shanghai south station = subway station too?
Also, do i have to get off train at the first stop in hangzhou or second? (if theres any 2nd stop thats it)

shanghai south station = Shanghai South Railway subway station
shanghai north station = Shanghai Railway subway Station

On the ticket, for south station, it's explicitly written Shanghai South "上海南" but for north station, it's only written Shanghai "上海". I don't remember for the English, but I'm sure for the Chinese characters that's it's written that way.

As for getting off the train, I don't think the same train stops at both Hangzhou station but I'm not sure.

dongxi wrote:

traveler2 wrote:shanghai south station = subway station too?
Also, do i have to get off train at the first stop in hangzhou or second? (if theres any 2nd stop thats it)

shanghai south station = Shanghai South Railway subway station
shanghai north station = Shanghai Railway subway Station

On the ticket, for south station, it's explicitly written Shanghai South "上海南" but for north station, it's only written Shanghai "上海". I don't remember for the English, but I'm sure for the Chinese characters that's it's written that way.

As for getting off the train, I don't think the same train stops at both Hangzhou station but I'm not sure.

spot on, just checked the characters and you right, its south. i guess ill just get off at the first stop and try to find the way to westlake

traveler2 wrote:spot on, just checked the characters and you right, its south. i guess ill just get off at the first stop and try to find the way to westlake

depends on the train, there are possibly stops before hangzhou.
i took the K train and it stopped like 3 times.
they will announce it on the speaker, also there is a display you can look.

^ All trains, even D train has at least 1 stop before HangZhou. D train stops in JiaXing. Others have additional stops.

the new G trains to HangZhou (same class as NanJing) will start service on Oct 1.
speeds will reach 350 km/hr.

i know this might sound dangerously like I believe i'm living in a developed country, and not china... but is there any way to buy advance tickets online and have them posted to my home address? I plan to go to Hangzhou, not this wkd, but the weekend after...

Actually i think home delivery is more developed here than in lots of developed countries but sadly you need your passport to book a ticket so unless you want to risk handing that over to a stranger you will need to go the train ticket office yourself. There are some scattered around town and few ques. Only way to do it I think but maybe others have ideas.

Adrienne

Adrienne wrote:Actually i think home delivery is more developed here than in lots of developed countries but sadly you need your passport to book a ticket so unless you want to risk handing that over to a stranger

How do you mean you need a passport to buy a trainticket?? You mean when its being delivered?
I personally never ever had to show my passport for any traintickets. Not for any city near Shanghai, not even the nighttrain to Beijing.

It would be nice to have delivery service for traintickets, unfortunately I have never found any. Luckily they are tickets sales office scattered over the city like Adrienne said. I always buy mine near my office.

Which area are you in westpa?

By the way, Hangzhou is relatively nearby. So there will be numerous trains leaving throughout the day and several times every hour. Eventhough it might be a bit busier during the weekend, you could just go straight to the trainstation and buy them there. In the worst case you'd have to wait for about an hour before your train departs..