We arrived in Hohhot after 2,5 hours on the bullet train, arriving at a huge rail station (the new one). And we where met by our travel-company-guy just outside. He had gotten a bit nervous that we would not be able to get from the new station to the old one (10 km), so he had gone and got his car after work – so he could drive us there. What a nice guy! ( He had been to Senja in Norway )
The new station above, the old one below.
We even had a bit of time sampling the local cuisine, a mcdonalds… Nice to have a regular burger again.
So one more security check – all good, no meat scissors. And then just wait for boarding
When we finaly got to walk out on the platform we did feel a bit excited and curious about or seats. There are different options, and we would be fine with most..but sharing a 6 person coupe with plywood beds would not be ideal..
Luckily we had gotten the correct tickets, and ended up in a 4 bed soft sleeper, and probably because the train was not full we got moved to one we could have all for our selves….the luxury!!
Now its 36 hours ride to Ulanbatar, with a 6 hour wait in Erlian where they change the wheel sets on the train. Beds where fine, im not sure SOFT is the word I would use, but at least they where to meters long. No charging in the room, we found one outlet in the hallway that worked.
If we have understood it correctly we should be in Erlian at 0530, there we just have to see what we do during the 5-6 hour wait.