The Next Station: China project was launched on 18 April 2017 from Beijing South railway station. Originally a one-off, rail-only project intended to go to every single railway station by early 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic threw the project off the tracks, literally speaking. When the pandemic was over, the project was revived, and has now been converted to a permanent project covering not just national railways, but also city metro and tram networks, and incorporating railway halts as well.
China is home to the world’s biggest HSR network and fastest conventionally-wheeled trains in commercial service (Indonesia’s Whoosh HSR service, operating at the same speed, was built with Chinese involvement). Yet as crucial as the lines are, the stations are where people get on and off, and connect to or from urban centres.
No two stations are exactly the same. The Next Station: China project takes a look at the relevant stations, and progressively heads into town, taking a look at the railway network fitting into the urban centres. It also takes a close look at culture and arts, as these are reflected with some station designs. Next Station: China is a unique way to explore China — from the railway lines and stations…
Next Station: China has been featured extensively in international media, including China’s People’s Railway Daily and Central TV, Switzerland’s Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Italy’s La Repubblica, and documentaries on Tencent Video and The Discovery Channel.
Stations As They Really Are
No flashy drone pics. No impressive fly-overs. With Next Station: China, you see the stations exactly as you would find them (on the day pictures and videos were taken).
The project is committed to facts and reality and maintains editorial independence whilst following laws and regulations especially concerning railway safety. It’s also shot from the perspective of the most important person — the passenger.
Much of the project is either self-funded or funded through enroute projects. At no time is any funding used to do bidding for any alien power, especially not in a way that causes the importance of the ridership to fade out.
What’s Used to Shoot?
A wide range of Apple-branded mobile devices are used, with pictures and videos taken from anything from iPhone 8 to the newest iPhone 16 Plus devices.
With more recent videos, to give viewers a better viewing experience, externally plugged-in handheld microphones (including the one with the legendary huge foam cover!) are used for the recording of human voices, and to block out (or reduce) background noise — anything from station announcements or intercom noise to the sound of a train thundering through at 350 km/h.
Also, with recently-visited stations, especially since Station 500 (Liaocheng, Shandong), portrait-orientation videos are now part of the Next Station: China videos, reflecting the increased viewership in these brief clips. They usually last about 45 seconds or so.
Just Pop In and Shoot?
Yes! In many cases, David just buys a ticket as a normal, paying passenger, hops onboard a train, and, along the way, shoots pictures and videos!
On some occasions, however, the railways will lend a hand. These can include a number of reasons, including filming as part of Rail English engagements, for historical purposes, or when introducing new lines or stations.
Nothing in current Chinese legislation forbids filming or taking pictures at railway stations as long as safety rules are followed. As examples, flash or other assistive lighting will always be off, drones are never used, selfie sticks are not used on the platform, and the privacy of others, including riders and staff, are respected. Pictures and videos are taken well inside the white safety line away from the tracks. Handheld devices are always used when filming or taking pictures, without the use of bulky equipment. On occasion, when directed by crew on certain events, more visible clothing is worn to keep the railways safe. (Also occasionally, during publicity events, tripods are only used in stations with special permission, and then only in clearly-marked locations.) The use of the platform is done only when waiting for trains or leaving from an arriving train, or by other arrangements with safety first and foremost in mind.
Swiss norms of privacy (and editorial/content management) are in use, which is why sometimes you might see rather more empty stations — it’s a Swiss privacy thing!
Help Us Help You
Next Station: China is a permanent project, but is also made with you — the rider — in mind. If you like what you’re seeing — and this is totally optional — make a donation if you wish. Thank you in advance!
When you give from here, the entirety of what you give goes directly to David Feng to pay for railway tickets and meals for his journeys — and nothing else!
