So, onward to Datong from Beijing, a six hour train ride on a hard seat. When they say the class is hard seat they mean it, three people on a seat designed for two. But for 2 pounds it's not so bad. There are a few different classes to choose from; Hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper (6 bunks, 3 each side, about 90 people per train carriage in compartments open to the aisle) which is the most popular with tourists and pretty good value, you can get 10 hours on a hard sleeper for about 7 pounds. Then there's soft sleeper (4 bunks in closed compartments) and deluxe soft sleeper (2 bunks, closed compartment, private toilet!) A soft 4 berth ticket for 16 hours will set you back around 35 pounds. Datong, as promised by
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