Bullet train to Beijing

We decided to join the China Teachers from BYU to celebrate Thanksgiving in Beijing.

Step #1: Ride the bullet train from Jinan, Shandong to Beijing.
Distance: 500 km, or 300 miles
Cost: $306 RMB, or USD 45 round trip
Speed: up to 160 miles/hour
Ride: very smooth and w/ lots of leg room

The train stations in both Jinan and Beijing are very nice. They are almost like airports, with some security check, but not so many rules. You are allow to take as many bags as you can carry, arrive only 30 minutes before departure, and yes, you can carry water bottles, liquids.

We stopped at 3 small stations on the way, but the bullet train only stopped for 4 minutes. You don't get on fast, you miss the train. But, at Jinan and Beijing, they checked us in half an hour before it took off. It was very nice and pleasant. The tickets only go on sale 15 days before departure, but first class only go on sale 3 days before departure. In order to insure that we got on the train, our agent purchased second class seats for us. It was good enough.