Hard Sleeper: These carriages contain open (no door) compartments each of which contain 6 berths - 2 lower, 2 middle and 2 upper. These are the most common carriages on Chinese trains and are a very good way to meet local Chinese people. However, they do tend to be noisy and so are not ideal for light sleepers. Shared toilet facilities exist at the end of each carriage. Boiled water is available from samovars opposite the conductors cabin. We do not normally book this class.

Soft Sleeper: Our preferred carriage class, soft sleeper cabins have four berths - two upper and two lower - and a lockable door. There is plenty of luggage space and a table in each cabin. Newer trains may also have flat screen televisions and power outlets for laptop and camera charging. Toilet facilities are at each end of the carriage and there is usually an open public washroom with several sinks. As with hard sleeper, boiled water is available from samovars opposite the conductors cabin.

Deluxe: This class of carriage is only available on certain routes between major cities such as Beijing to Shanghai and Beijing to Xian. Cabins are two berth with either one upper and lower berth or two lower berths. Flat screen TVs and even DVD players are available. Unfortunately tickets are very limited and have a habit of being requisitioned by officials making them hard to obtain. Consequently we do not offer this class as standard but do ask about upgrading to it.

The Dining Car: Most Chinese sleeper trains will have a dining car although there are exceptions and when trains do not have them a trolley service selling basic food, drinks and snacks will repeatedly pass down the train. The food is nothing to get excited about but is relatively cheap at around £3 to £5 for a meal with a drink. Note that dining cars operate opening and closing times and the beer is rarely cold! They can also get very busy at peak times so you may have to wait for a table.