Getting Around China
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use high-speed trains for Beijing and Shanghai connections. Rural: Rent a car for countryside exploration. Coast: Domestic flights and buses. For convenience, book airport transfers from major hubs to your destination.
Train Travel
China Railway High-Speed (CRH)
World's largest high-speed network connecting major cities with speeds up to 350 km/h and frequent services.
Cost: Beijing to Shanghai ¥550-600 (2nd class), journeys 4-8 hours between most cities.
Tickets: Buy via Trip.com app, 12306 website, or station machines. ID required for foreigners.
Peak Times: Avoid Chinese New Year and Golden Week for better prices and availability.
Rail Passes
China Rail Pass offers unlimited high-speed travel for 5-15 days from ¥800 (2nd class), ideal for multi-city trips.
Best For: Extensive itineraries covering 3+ provinces, significant savings for frequent travelers.
Where to Buy: Official CRH offices, Trip.com, or authorized agents with passport verification.
High-Speed Options
CRH lines connect to Hong Kong, Macau, and international borders; sleeper trains for long distances.
Booking: Reserve seats 30 days in advance for best prices, discounts up to 20% off-peak.
Major Stations: Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, with seamless connections to urban metros.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Useful for rural areas like Yunnan, but requires Chinese license or IDP. Compare rental prices from ¥200-400/day at Beijing Airport and major cities.
Requirements: International Driving Permit (IDP), passport, minimum age 18, deposit ¥500-1000.
Insurance: Full coverage mandatory, includes collision and theft; verify with rental company.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 60 km/h urban, 100 km/h rural, 120 km/h highways.
Tolls: Expressways require ETC card or cash (¥0.4-0.6/km), no vignettes needed.
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and cyclists, zero tolerance for alcohol (BAC 0.02%).
Parking: Urban lots ¥10-20/hour, apps like ETCP for easy payment and finding spots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations abundant at ¥7-8/liter for petrol, ¥6.5-7.5 for diesel.
Apps: Use Baidu Maps or Amap for navigation, support English and offline modes.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Beijing and Shanghai during rush hours and holidays.
Urban Transport
Metro Systems
Extensive networks in Beijing (20+ lines), Shanghai, single ticket ¥3-10, day pass ¥18, reloadable cards available.
Validation: Tap card or phone at gates, security checks common at stations.
Apps: Official metro apps or Alipay for routes, real-time updates, and mobile payments.
Bike Rentals
Mobike and HelloBike sharing in most cities, ¥1-2/unlock + ¥0.5/km with QR code scanning.
Routes: Bike lanes in urban areas, especially along rivers and parks in cities like Hangzhou.
Tours: E-bike options for longer distances, guided tours in historic districts.
Buses & Local Services
City buses cover extensive routes, ¥1-2/ride, use WeChat or Alipay for contactless payment.
Tickets: Flat fare or distance-based, English signage in major cities.
High-Speed Bus: Intercity options like Beijing to Tianjin, ¥50-100 for 1-2 hours.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro stations in cities for easy access, central Beijing or Shanghai Bund for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for peak seasons (Oct Golden Week) and major festivals.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for holiday travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, English-speaking staff, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 5G in cities, 4G in most rural areas, with near-total coverage nationwide.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from ¥30 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before arrival, activate on landing, works with unlocked phones.
Local SIM Cards
China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom offer prepaid SIMs from ¥50-100 with broad coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, convenience stores, or official shops with passport registration.
Data Plans: 5GB for ¥100, 10GB for ¥150, unlimited for ¥200/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, malls, and tourist sites, but VPN required for global access due to Great Firewall.
Public Hotspots: High-speed in train stations and airports, password-protected often.
Speed: Fast (50-200 Mbps) in urban areas, suitable for streaming and navigation.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: China Standard Time (CST), UTC+8, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Beijing Capital (PEK) 30km from city, subway ¥25 (45 min), taxi ¥100, or book private transfer for ¥200-300.
- Luggage Storage: Available at train stations (¥10-20/day) and airport services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Modern metros and trains wheelchair-friendly, but ancient sites like Great Wall have steps.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with quarantine certificate, check hotel policies in advance.
- Bike Transport: Bikes foldable on metros free, full bikes ¥10-20 on trains off-peak.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to China
Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) are main international hubs. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Beijing Capital (PEK): Primary international gateway, 30km northeast of city with subway links.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG): Major hub 50km east, maglev train to city ¥50 (8 min).
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): Southern gateway with domestic connections, convenient for Guangdong.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for peak travel (summer and holidays) to save 30-50% on fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tue-Thu) often cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Fly into Hong Kong or Seoul and take high-speed train for savings.
Budget Airlines
Spring Airlines, AirAsia, and Scoot serve domestic and regional routes from secondary airports.
Important: Include baggage and transfer fees in cost comparisons.
Check-in: Online 24-48 hours prior, face recognition at some Chinese airports.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Ubiquitous, fees ¥10-20/withdrawal, use Bank of China to minimize charges.
- Credit Cards: UnionPay dominant, Visa/Mastercard accepted in cities, less in rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay essential, link foreign cards for QR payments.
- Cash: Needed for small vendors and countryside, carry ¥200-500 in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary, but small gratuities appreciated in high-end services.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport kiosks with high fees.