Traveling through China in modern times and you would be confused for thinking modern train stations were either air, or space ports. There are though a few historic exceptions, such as Beijing Railway Station.
This was and is a place that both me and my company have used for many years, specifically for travel to North Korea. The Beijing Railway Station was and indeed is the train station for international routes in and our of China.
So, what the Beijing Railway Station?
The first railways station of the region was located near to Tiananmen Square in 1901 – this is so old it was built by the Imperial Railways of North China company.
This was closed in 1959 when it was replaced by the Communist built Beijing Railway Station. It was built to celebrate 10 years of the Peoples Republic of China with the two iconic turrets being signed off by no other than Zhou Enlai.
Originally this was THE Beijing Railway station and was indeed the final point for the Red Guards who would descend on the city during the extremes of the Cultural Revolution. This is in part due to its extreme closeness to the centers of power of the PRC.
Since the opening up of China and more recently the economic boom other futuristic stations have taken precedence, but Beijing Railway Station still has important tasks, such as being THE international station.
International trains from Beijing Railway Station
Beijing Railway station was the starting, or end point for both the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Trans-Mongolian Railway. These were the two key routes to Russia and continued despite the Sino-Soviet split. It was also the start and end point for trains to Vietnam, although none of these are currently operating post Covid
Most importantly though, well for me at least is that Beijing Railway Station has the K27 and K28 international trains to and from Pyongyang! Not to mention the trains to Dandong that connect to Sinuiju and Pyongyang.
North Korea also further links to Rason and the train all the way to Moscow again showing how important this route is.
What is Beijing Railway Station like
By far the most retro of stations within China it boasts a 1950’s Chinese communist design as well as Stalinist architectural influences. The Chairman personally did the calligraphy of the station.
In total it covers 46,700 square meters with there also being a huge meeting area outside. It is connected to the Beijing Metro system and use to the location is surrounded by designer shops and high end hotels. There are also shops and restaurants before you get in which includes Dicos and KFC, but also slightly more traditional Chinese restaurants.
The interior of Beijing Railway Station
First you have ticket check and security which aside from being pointless and annoying are at least in line with other trains stations with the mainland.
You then have quite a small station compared to others within the country which includes around 8 waiting rooms, some of which are VIP! As well as small shops selling drinks, Chinese snacks and the like.
You then wait patiently for your train before going onto the equally retro train tracks, tracks though that also include the trains from the high-speed CRH network. This site is not just surreal, but amusingly most similar to what you see at old Japanese railway stations.
And then all you have to do is enjoy your next train journey be it to other cities in China, or even internationally. Overall Beijing Railway Station truly is one of the most iconic old buildings within Communist era China.
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