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Beijing, Beijing, China
Sunday was my big day of travel: walk, taxi, fast train, metro, metro, maglev, plane, taxi, walk! Yes, made it to Beijing in one piece and without drama. Of highlight were the super-fast trains. Fast train from Suzhuo to Shanghai central, took less than 30mins to travel – a third of the time of that by bus, and at 3 times the speed – yes 336 km/hr of super-smooth travel, for less than AUD 8. Passed through several stations that have yet to be opened – amazing the speed at which China is building its infrastructure. You look out the window and can see massive long scars of rubble and buildings cut in half, as progress ploughs through cities – where freeways and more train lines soon to be built.
Arrived at Shanghai train Station to be greeted by a blue sky and fluffy white clouds! After a dash across the city by metro, I boarded the maglev train for the airport – Shanghai’s latest toy! Only clocked a slow 302 km/hr – so slower than the fast train – but at certain times of the day I believe it runs much, much faster. It banks quite steeply when going round corners, and is quite a shaky ride, though in a smooth hovering, not jerky way. An 8 minute journey to the airport is much preferable than a 45 min+ one!
Caught my plane to Beijing, and it was then I finally realised I was in China! Yes finally the thick brown smog, which I was expecting, but surprised not to be greeted by in Shanghai. Beijing – a very different city, to the technology-crazy Shanghai. I must admit I got a little culture shock, travelling from one to the other. After a long taxi-ride into town (would have caught the metro, if I had known), I found my hutong, and meandered through the back-streets and lanes to find my hostel – a beautiful old courtyard mansion – and as I soon discovered, a must-see stop on all the hutong rickshaw tours!
from: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/serialtraveler/1/1280443277/tpod.html
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