The only two UK train stations that have tannoy announcements in Mandarin… and the reason why
NEXT time you’re on the train, you might be left slightly confused by the train announcements.
Two stations in the UK have an English announcement confirming the next stop – followed by an announcement in Mandarin.
London Marylebone became the first train station in the UK to launch the Mandarin announcements.
Launched back in 2017, it was thought to be the first non-European language used by rail services (with French used on some Eurostar services).
This was due to the surge in Chinese tourists that use the station.
The reason for them using the station is to visit Bicester Village, a famous shopping outlet.
This station also has announcements in Mandarin, for passengers trying to get off at the shopping village.
According to the BBC, the attraction is the second-most visited hotspot by Chinese tourists, just behind Buckingham Palace.
One tourist explained it was because the “tax is higher in China” and had been planning her trip for two months.
And adverts for the discount outlet are often spotted on Chinese social media such as Weibo and WeChat.
Both stations also have announcements in Arabic as well.
And train operator Northern confirmed that British Sign Language was being rolled out on all of their trains.
But its not just Bicester Village popular with Chinese tourists.
Stratford-Upon-Avon – the birthplace of Shakespeare – is so popular it has been recreated in a theme park in China.
Sewang in the city of Fuzhou – six hours from Shanghai – also celebrates two other writes along with Shakespeare.
Miguel de Cervantes from Spain and Tang Xianzu from China are also part of the theme park.
And if you fancy going to China yourself, it is getting even easier from the UK.
TUI opened its first three hotels in China last year, including TUI Blue Wusongkou Cruise Port, TUI BLUE Yangshuo Xiangheli and TUI Blue Taicang.
Artur Gerber, managing director of TUI Blue Hotels & Resorts, said: “Our rapid expansion in China and South-east Asia underscores the strong demand for the TUI Blue brand in these fast-growing travel markets.”
And privately-owned Chinese carrier Juneyao Air launched direct flights from Manchester to Shanghai last year, which operate three times a week.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Just don’t expect to be able to fly with BA as easily, with the airline scrapping its Beijing route last year.
And Virgin Atlantic scrapped flights from the UK to Shanghai just weeks before.