With over 52800 km of tracks, the train is one of China's main means of transportation . However, most of these tracks operate with diesel or coal, only 5700 km are electrified. Soft sleepers are four bed compartments with nice sheets and generally good comfort.
Hard sleepers are open six bed niches with no door towards the corridor.
Soft seaters are very comfortable. Hard seaters are the lowest class of them all, but also the cheapest. In contrast to the other classes, there is no limit on how many people will travel. Even though there are reservations one is supposed to move together, so that as many people as possible are able to sit. A good way to spend time on the train is to go to the dining car.