Travel by Train

Since its birth in Britain, train has been a fashionable travel tool carrying numerous people’s travel dreams. For Luo Chunxiao, a train expert, and Zhong Hui, a travel expert, train travel can satisfy people’s dream of traveling freely for they can go on any train and get off at any station.

European railways – a luxury travel mode

According to Luo, European trains are luxury where the upper classes gather together.

In Europe, the only access to many charming towns is by train. European railway has a history of over one hundred years, and where there is a railway there are travelers. The European people built towns and hotels along railways. It can be said that railways were the pioneers of European tourism. Train travel has become a unique tourism product attracting travelers from all over the world in some European countries like Swiss.

The Bergen Railway linking Norway’s capital with its second largest city, namely Oslo and Bergen, has been selected as one of the most beautiful railways in the world for the splendid scenery. Both of the two termini are cities by the sea and the railway crosses the central plateau at about 1,500 meters above sea level. Looking out of the window, one can see red and yellow wooden houses, picturesque mountain lakes and green mountain grassland as if they are heavenly places on earth.

Taiwan railways – a travel mode fit for mainland tourists

Zhong believes Taiwan is a tourist destination fit for traveling by train to explore. Taiwan railways connecting many important cities have witnessed the historical changes occurred in Taiwan. Whether a modern transport hub, a small station or a slow train, they are giving off a romantic air particular to Taiwan.

Alishan Forest Railway has impressed Zhong deeply. Though it lasts for only 72 km, the railway rises from 30 meters to 2450 meters above sea level. The train starts from the foot of the mountain and winds its way up to the top slowly. On the way, tourists can find large and straight old tropical plants like eucalyptus and coconut palm, subtropical broadleaf evergreens like camphor and phoebe trees, lush conifer trees in temperate zone and frigid zone forest. The unique vegetation distribution forms a wonderful view of Alishan.

Jingzhang railway – good choice for short trips in Beijing’s suburb

Following the old Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, Line S2 specializes in transporting tourists from downtown Beijing to Badaling in Yanqing County. In over one hour’s train trip, you can appreciate the magnificent rolling mountains, steep cliffs, and the ruins of the Great Wall.

(Author: Pei Shi   Picture Credit: Chunxiao Luo)