My First Train Across China’s Interior

Shanghai Honqiao Railway Station

Boarding the first train.

Like an airplane, but more comfortable.

Flying along at 300km/hour

One of many stations we passed through on our 1500km journey to Guilin

Top speed!

Rural Station

Massive manufacturing city in the interior of China.

Beautiful farmland, the majority of what we saw on the trip.

The colour of the dirt changed to a bright red, reminding me of Colorado.

Nachangxi, a city of 5 million

Country houses

Coming mountains

Ripe rice fields

Not sure which of China’s giant rivers this is….

Many people are building new houses or expanding theirs in the countryside.

Large, empty main raods characterised many of the cities.

Train cars.

Large Cathedral on a hill.

Many people keep ducks, and they are all outside with fresh water and food.

That seems a simplified transition!

Beautiful countryside, and impressive building projects. 1500km travelled over eight hours on the first leg of our journey.

I have to say that the sheer size of the country impressed me, even as someone from the USA. It was obvious that we passed through many cultures, and the overall impression I got was one of a largely rural country rapidly pulling itself into the 21st century. The houses that are under construction in the countryside are huge and look like they can hold several generations of the same family. I liked that a lot!

Construction, too. Everywhere. Largescale and small. Brand new highways and factories interspersed with wide open rice fields and rolling mountains. The train was so convenient and comfortable, and I can’t wait for our next journey!