I was wondering if anyone has been to Yiwu? I am going there in Dec for a business trip and I was wondering how much does the taxi cost from Shanghai to Yiwu or if the trains are convenient enough if I have two huge suitcases..

Here's the link to the Shanghai-Yiwu train timetable

http://www.chinatravelguide.com/ctgw...t1_Ajax=submit

You probably want to go for a "D" prefix which are the fast trains that are usually more comfortable (but are more expensive)

If you are able bodied then the train will be fine, you might want to use the services of a porter to shift your luggage around.

Not sure what the taxi would cost but obviously considerably more than the train (and not as pleasant a journey IMO)

nickyboy

thanks nickyboy. I will be carrying two big suitcases, and I was wondering if that will fit in the luggage compartment?

Veeeerrrrryyy good question......

On the modern "D" trains there is a luggage compartment close to the entrance to each carriage but it fills up quickly. Make sure you get on promptly to secure a place

If they are full then there is often space behind the first seats in the carriage that you can use. What you can't do is put them in the overhead luggage racks - the train staff are super-vigilant re risk of luggage falling off these and won't allow any "overhang"

The older, slower trains are rather more a free for all re luggage but in all honesty I couldn't recommend travelling on them unless there isn't another option

Make sure you are organised re buying the train ticket. It is very risky to just turn up at the station to get a ticket, I usually get the concierge to get the exact train ticket I want a couple of days before I need it - they charge about RMB20 for this service, well worth it

nickyboy

2 big suitcases can be a pain on even the best trains in China.

You'll just have to fight for space in the small luggage area or wedge them in behind the seats as suggested upthread. I second the vote on the porter, unless you enjoy carrying two suitcases up and down sets of stairs!

How long are you in staying in Yiwu? If not for too long, definitely better to keep the 2nd bag checked back in Shanghai, unless it is critical.


Also, Hangzhou could be a better base of operations than Shanghai, depending on where you are exactly in Yiwu

ah thank you, it's a little tricky. I'm in Shanghai for about 5 days, then I have to get to Yiwu for two-three nights and then back to Hangzhou to catch a flight to HK. Quite a busy week to say the least, so I want to plan ahead and make sure things go smoothly.

Also I've been looking around the net for taxi cost between the cities, and it seems like the only thing I can find is about 120USD, but that was in 2007..

You should really take the train (and try to figure out a graceful solution to the luggage problem; maybe ship the things you don't need in Yiwu to your hotel in Hangzhou?) because it is much, much faster.

thank you for the advice! what is this porter service you guys are talking about?

I've never used a porter service, but I have shipped luggage on numerous occasions. In both cases, a quick call to the concierge of your hotel in SH should result in useful information.

The porters I was referring to were the railway porters. They will help you haul your luggage through the stations. Most of the stations don't have escalators, so to get from the station itself to a middle platform, you might need to go down a set of stairs, through a tunnel to cross under the tracks, and then up a set of stairs to the platform.

With 1 piece of luggage its a minor annoyance (assuming you are able bodied), with 2 or more it will be brutal.

At most stations, the official porters usually have redcaps and uniforms and stand out pretty well. They can also be helpful in securing good luggage spaces on crowded trains. If there are no red hats around, I'm sure an unofficial porter/beggar will notice you and offer their services.