Riding a Sleeper Train to Kunming, China

July and August are the months for many Chinese people to travel around, therefore we could not get a ticket to Dali, Yunnan, directly. However, J. was able to solve the problem by buying more expensive sleeper tickets for the three of us from Guiyang to Kunming and from there we could take the fast train to Dali. We got up early for an early train at the Guiyang train station for a ride to Kunming. We got to the station a little before 8am and bought some snacks at the train Station - a huge, clean and modern station. There were many shops open where travellers could buy what they needed. I was surprised to see many special massage chairs on the main level of the train station where travellers could have a massage while waiitng. The self check in system for boarding was efficicent too. Since J. typed in 1 number wrong when purchasing the train tickets online, we could not use that automatic check in system and must go to the in person check in for assistance. The train personnel was efficient and we got on with no problem at all.

This was the first time we ever rode on a sleeper train. All of us were in the same sleeper cabin. It had 2 bunk beds and could sleep 4 people comfortably. There were the three of us and no one else was in the same cabin. We had total privacy and no one bothered us at all except for the conductor checking our tickets. It was quiet, private and comfortable. One could easily has a good sleep here. The scenery on the train was spectacular as the fast train speeded past mountains after strangely shaped mountains!

J. went to sleep while I caught up with my blogging notes. We were on the train for about 2 ½ hours and arrived at Kunming. Again, we saw a huge, modern and efficient train station. We were able to take the subway directly from the train station, a 40 km distance for a few yuens in a modern, clean and comfortable train. We got to our destination in less than an hour. Amazing! Kumming is a city with about 8 million people. From what we observed - the streets were clean, many of which were lined with colourful flowers growing from planters hanging on both sides of the road. It was about noon when we checked into our hotel room which came with two beds and a nice sitting area.( 260 yuens) This hotel was not renovated as nicely as the one we stayed in Gui Yang, for 560 yuens, double the amount we paid. However, it was centrally located and we were able to get to the old street shopping area conveniently. We had fresh fish hotpot for lunch in a restaurant in the shopping centre. It was a good fish meal served with pork belly, lunch meat, beef and veggies. (197 yuens, good price for a freshly made fish lunch for 3!) After lunch, we strolled in the old street shopping area and went in a tea shop for a latte. This used to be an old shop belonging to a merchant who had a packaging business. The place was over a hundred years old with beautiful wood cravings all around. It was a busy cafe but with a tranquil setting tucked away in the middle of the Kunming shopping district. We enjoyed the latte, the chic decor, and nice ambience. We could have easily spent the whole afternoon reading a book and just relaxing there. After the coffee break, we went shopping in a mall called Joy CITY. I bought a fresh durian ( 180 Y) but later found out from the bus tour guide that it should had been only about 80 -100 yuens. My family always teases me that I am a sucker always falling for the tourist trap things.

Since we had quite a big lunch, we didn’t want to have another heavy dinner. I ate a lot of the durian for dinner while S.and J. had some tofu and potatoes. We sat outside of the mall where there was a big stage set up for a music festival. I had never been to an open concert in China, therefore it was quite a treat for me enjoying the music with the locals while sipping the local beer. I was happy to see so many local Chinese able to enjoy a free open concert just like us in North America. They did even better than us as the Chinese were allowed to sit where the beer drinkers were drinking without having to buy a drink from the beer company sponsoring the show. Very nice indeed for those who didn’t drink or for those who could’t afford it. We sat in the square, enjoying the breezes, nice fine weather and a free musical performance, a far cry from the hot weather in Guangzhou. It was another fun day! RT Kunming, China 31072023