Guangzhou Travel Forum

i am trying to find out which station in Guangzhou i need to go to to catch the train to Zhanjiang. i believe the train number is K511 that ends up in Sanya. i would also like to know of a reasonably priced hotel near the station since i'll have just arrived from the US via HK. thanks a bunch.

Trains go only from Guangzhou main train station to Zhanjiang West train station.

K511 (0718--1413) 6h55min
T201/T204 (1511--2115) 6h04min
K407 (2125--0412) 6h47min

Trains from Hong Kong arrive at Guangzhou East train station. So which one do you want to stay near to? Both are connected by metro although you'll need to change lines at Gongyuanqian to travel between the two: http://www.gzmtr.com/en/

What's your definition of "reasonably priced"? How many of you are there? Are you looking for dorm bed(s) or private room? When are you staying?

You could also take a bus - provincial bus station is next to the railway station. Take exit F from metro.

Plenty of hotels in immediate vicinity of railway station, at all prices. plenty of touts too. Expect to pay about 250RMB for a three-star (US$35). Liuhua (where McDonalds is) has a cheaper annexe - main block is at leat 4-*

thanks for the reply! i love this site and the people that make it tick. i guess i would like to be staying nearest the station i would be leaving from. it will only be me traveling so reasonable could be anything that doesn't charge by the hour. thanks for the link i will check it out. i have never been to Asia before so if you have any other tips for riding the trains in China i would love to have them.

There's that Guangzhou IYH (hostel) near the Guangzhou main train station, try that.
http://www.yhachina.com/ls.php?id=54

Train journeys can be very slow. Take a towel, and a basin plug - there is cold water only in the washroom, but you can take the thermos from where you're sitting. People take tea (and cups), and instant noodle, but you can buy those on the train.

For long journeys I recommend sleeper accommodation; however I can't tell any difference in comfort between hard sleeper and soft sleeper. Soft sleeper is more private. Sleeper prices vary with height from the floor - lower berth is more expensive (and as more headroom), middle berth less so, and top bunk is cheapest but claustrophobically less headroom.

Hotels near GZ main railway station - left out of station is China Southern Aviation hotel. Opposite station (take metro subway exit D4 then footbridge) is Liuhua hotel. There are several other hotels down the road past that. Touts will take you too.

thanks for the help and the tips. i am somewhat nervous about this trip but i feel better with the info i've gotten from you guys. muchos gracias