How to Book Train Travel From Nanjing to Shanghai

Shanghai, the eighth largest city in the world, is one of China's most important portal cities along the Yangtzee River. While considered the epitome of modern China, Shanghai retains its cultural and historical heritage in its people, language and traditional art forms.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport and appropriate visa
• Computer with Internet access to book train travel reservations

Book Your Train Travel From Nanjing to Shanghai

1. Visit the Web site for the China National Tourist Office (see Resources below). Move your mouse pointer to the ''Trains Depart and Arrive Shanghai'' section located in the middle of the page until you see the link for ''Nanjing--Shanghai.'' Go ahead and open the link.

2. Direct your attention to the second schedule set which lists daily trains leaving Nanjing for Shanghai. Make a note of which train(s) leaves at the time(s) you most wish to travel. Ticket prices, which are moderate, are also listed here.

3. Close the China National Tourist Office Web site and open a new window for the China Trip Advisor Web site (see Resources below). This is where you will actually book your train travel. You may also call 011 (+86) [phone].

4. Click on the ''Help Desk'' link from the top right of the China Trip Advisor home page. This will open an inquiry form which you will use to request train reservations.

5. Enter your name, email address, and use ''Train Tickets'' from the available choices as the subject of your message. In the body of your message, include the numbers of the trains you viewed on the China National Tourist Office Web site as the trains you prefer to book reservations for. Also include the number of passengers and the date you would like to travel.

6. Watch your email over the next 24 hours for a response from a China Trip Advisor agent and follow the directions contained therein to complete your train reservations.

Tips & Warnings

• Booking tickets through Web sites is the easiest way to arrange travel in Asia.
• Ask your agent to clarify which station in Nanjing your reserved train is leaving from. There are four passenger stations in Nanjing, but you'll likely be departing from the main rail station or the Nanjing West station. The total length of the trip should take from 3 to 4 hours, depending on which station you're leaving from.
• Bring a packet of tissues or wipes along for the ride. Most public bathrooms in China, including those on trains, do not provide toilet paper.