Better to travel by train or bus in Hubei?
WINDENERGY | Mar 9, 2007 01:27
I am writing about a recent round trip 1-day holiday I took from Wuhan to Yichang. I walked to a nearby bus station in Wuhan and requested a ticket, via bus, to Yichang. The woman at the ticket counter responded that they didn't have bus tickets, but I could by a train ticket. I thought the price was good (54 RMB), so I bought the train ticket.
The train station in Wuhan was crowded with travelers when I arrived. Because I already had the ticket, I looked for the train number on the red-lit bulletin board. I found the entrance and proceeded to board the train. The personnel standing outside the train directed me to cab #6,saying that this is where I must go. When I stepped aboard cab #6, there was standing-room only on this cab. Since it was a 5+plus hour train ride, I didn't like this arrangement. So, I headed to another cab, where I found a spacious dining room with sleeper cabs on both sides.
I met many friendly Chinese people, none of which spoke english, who talked with me during the entire trip. It was a good chance to learn more Chinese. They all were very helpful in telling me about my whereabouts. The train arrived in Yichang on schedule and the entire trip took 5 hours and 10 minutes.
After I arrived in Yichang, I located the bus station and purchased a ticket for my return to Wuhan.The bus fare was considerably more money (120 RMB), but thought it would be safer and faster.
Although the bus was scheduled to get into Wuhan bus station at 5:00 p.m., it actually didn't arrive at the bus station until 6:15 p.m. It wound up being 5 hours and 15 minutes, slower than the train ride.
All this said, if I travel cross-Province again in Hubei Province, I will definately take the train. It was far more spacious and friendly than riding in the bus. Plus the price was less than half on the train.
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