Ctrip says several trains to Beijing take about 44 hours, but Z162, leaving a little after 9PM, is supposed to take only 33 hours.

Anybody know if this is true?

It's possible. The Z trains might have fewer stops, so check the stop list. They tend to run slightly faster. I took one from Nanchang to Beijing and it took the 14 hours as stated. But on any 20+ hour train, the chance it arrives on time isn't high. Also, there is severe flooding in central China right now.

Very true

Wuhan is now a giant lake, many trains end up passing through there as it has many junctions. Any journey from Kunming would likely stop there.

Earlier this week I saw the video with the fish swimming up the high street in Wuhan. I would imagine train schedules will not be to plan while they take alternative routes.

@Alien

You have a strange fascination with taking the most ridiculously long, arduous journeys. When it's time to head back to your home country do you plan on walking?

.

I recommend you call the train station and ask all the relevant questions. This forum is a source of information but it is not a train ticket office nor is it a transportation hub information center.

Same goes for buses.

Hmm we're going Xian->wuhan->yichang on the fast trains next week, that might be interesting

good luck calling the train station... it'll ring 568 times and still nobody

huoche.911cha.com/Z162.html

Its a Miracle. The website works and when my wife called they answered the phone and answered all her questions. Let your fingers do the walking - I thought the internet replaced the yellow pages.

So Sad - Eleanor Rigby.

Miracles DO happen.

You seem to blow hot and cold HFCAMPO. One minute you're posting really useful advice or reviving your own advice topics from years ago with updates The next minute, like here, you're basically telling posters to go find out for themselves. Slight split personality issue maybe?