Talk Less, Do More...

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The Chinese maintain their rollin stock well. The stations are simply spotless. Every time a train pulls into station after a long journey, it gets a quick wash.

High-speed rail tracks are without ballast, and the rail itself is continuously welded. The construction tolerance must be within 1/10 of a millimeter even for the concrete ties.

 

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These new railway stations in China are simply amazing. They are bigger and more modern than most large American airports.

 

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Tracks are fully grade separated. Large portions are elevated on viaducts, which allow both land and water traffic to pass under unimpeded.

 

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The new Tianjin West Railway Station:

Even older stations in China have undergone considerable modernization. This is the Qingdao railway station, which is lilliputian compared to the new goliath stations; but it has plenty of charm.

 

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This is the Wuhan Railway Station. Again, modern and China-sized. It's larger than Boston's Logan International Airport!

 

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Shijiazhuang Railway Station. Surprisingly large for a city I had never heard of, until I looked up its population: three million.

 

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Beijing South Railway Station

 

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Hangzhou East Railway Station. Opened last month.

 

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Guangzhou South Railway Station

 

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Suzhou Railway Station

This to me is the most architecturally interesting station. It's a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese architectural style, scaled up to monumental proportions. Yet, it remains personal and intimate in its use of space.

 

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Suzhou Railway Station Part II

The station plaza doubles as a public space.

Here you see a miniature rock band bamboo garden next to an escalator.

There is even a sculpture park at the station.

 

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Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

The Hongqiao Railway Station is component of the much larger 'Hongqiao Transport Hub', which is made up of Hongqiao International Airport Terminal 2, Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Metro Line 2 and Line 10, and the Honqiao West Bus Station.

All of these components are located in one building, under one roof.

I will only walk you through the railway station.


Map of the 'Hongqiao Transport Hub'. Open in new window or tab to see full details.

Station plaza and entrance. Note the glass pyramid. Someone must have been channeling I.M. Pei.

A train departing the station

 

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Hongqiao station platforms

Station concourse

 

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Hongqiao Station departure/boarding hall

A departure/boarding gate

Ticket counters

Bus station departure lounge

Hongqiao metro stations for line 2 and line 10

 

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Nanjing South Station