Train stations around China are as varied as chinese dishes. From the Qing dynasty-style to the space-age. The one thing that they do all have in common is that they operate smoothly and with the precision of a Swiss watch. There are plenty of helpful staff and there is always a crush to board the train first.

Whenever I arrive in a place in China and walk out of the train station, it is here that my gut feelings tell me if I'm going to like the place or not. To date, those feelings have been spot on.