China > Travel Day to Yangshuo

This morning the bathroom is also a water ballet. After having breakfast in my room, I pack my things and head to the bus. Today is a long travel day. First, we take the bus to the station in Dali, then travel by high-speed train to Guilin. After that, it’s still a bit of a bus ride to Yangshuo. I have a bag with food and drinks for the nine-hour train journey. Yangshuo is about 1,500 kilometers further east. Since it is still the Chinese May holiday, Frank has built in some extra time. It would be annoying if we missed the train in Dali. Luckily, traffic is surprisingly light, so we arrive well ahead of time at the station building. At the entrance, luggage is checked. Do I have scissors in my luggage? Yes, of course. The scissors have to be checked because the blade may not be longer than six centimeters. The scissors are approved. Funny that all previous security checks didn’t mind the scissors. In the departure hall, I order coffee. Strangely, there is no cappuccino or café latte. Only flavored café lattes are available. I choose coconut. At quarter to eleven, the bullet train arrives. When we are allowed onto the platform, a man with a megaphone tells everyone to wait. The train moves away in the opposite direction again because all the seats still need to be turned around. Then I board. I store my luggage in the luggage rack. It quickly fills up. Not only are we traveling with luggage, but many Chinese are traveling as well. Fortunately, much luggage can also be placed on racks above the seats. When the train leaves the station, the journey of more than nine hours begins.

China - The high-speed train to Guilin

The train reaches a maximum speed of 250 km/h. In more urban areas, it travels slower. After passing Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, there are longer stretches, and the speed picks up. I try to pass the time with some games on my iPad. I also start reading about Yangshuo and Hong Kong in the travel guide, the last two destinations of the trip. The landscape changes. The rolling hills give way to a more mountainous terrain. The train frequently enters tunnels through the mountains, some very long. Hot water is available on the train. I open my instant noodle soup and add the hot water. A decent meal on the train. Outside it is getting dark. Around half past eight, the train slows down for the Guilin station. I quickly grab my luggage and get off. The train stops for only three minutes, and it seems everyone is traveling with luggage today. Luckily, everyone in our group gets off on time. The bus driver is already waiting outside the station. He drives us in the dark to Yangshuo. Frank explains the excursions planned for the coming days. Most of it goes over my head after a day of traveling. Luckily, he also posts the important times in the chat. Around half past ten, we arrive at the New West Street Hotel on the edge of the center. I quickly put my luggage in the room. With a few travel companions, we head to the West Street pedestrian promenade for a bit. The street is crowded, very crowded. Fortunately, we find a free table to have a beer. Just after midnight, I’m back at the hotel.