Just wondering what exactly is a sleeper on the bus from
Golmud?
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Hi, a sleeper bus is a bus with beds-- either in two rows of
two, or three seperate rows of one(with two isles). They
are almost always fully horizontal, sometimes they are just
a soft incline. They usually have blankets. The beds are
small-- both narrow and a little short for a westerner, but
they are a lot better than a seat! I would recomend one
that isn't near the window if you use one to go to Lhasa--
the window seat is damm cold on those passes(even though the
bus does have heating). Overall, a very neat invention.
Part of what makes China a very amazing place-- I recommend
it wholeheartedly
... that is not located over the back wheels to avoid being
bumped around. Roads are bad and suspension is good.
Just be aware that if you're by yourself on a bus with two
beds together, you will be up close and personal with your
seatmate. Sometimes there is only 1 blanket for both of
you. They'll look at you a little strangely at the station
if you're a single foreigner (where's the other one?), I've
never seen them pair up people with the opposite sex unless
they came that way though, if this is a concern.
I find it quite possible to sleep on these buses, although
bumpy and not as comfortable as a train, but a friend of
mine dreads them. Also, unlike trains and Western long-haul
buses, there is no bathroom, so you are at the mercy of the
driver and (given road conditions) strongly advised to find
a toilet before you leave!
I have just gone overland from Dehli/Nepal/Tibet and am in
Western China. Well, a "sleeper" from Lahsa/Golmud is
actually a contradiction. Good luck if you think you can
sleep on the bus! The road are ....well lets just say at
some points in the journey you will be singing "the people
on the bus go UP and DOWN" :)
p.s try and get the single sleepers, unless you enjoy
sharing your bed with total strangers, some of whom haven't
bathed in the last year... I'm not joking!
Good Luck and Happy Travels!