China's Transport Revolution
China has built the world's most extensive high-speed rail network and some of the biggest metro systems on the planet. Getting around is fast, affordable, and increasingly foreigner-friendly. Here's everything you need to know to navigate China like a pro.
High-Speed Trains (高铁 G / 动车 D)
China's high-speed rail network spans over 45,000 km — more than the rest of the world combined. Trains are punctual, clean, and surprisingly affordable.
Popular Routes & Times
| Route | Distance | Time | 2nd Class (Apx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing → Shanghai | 1,318 km | 4h 18m | ¥553 ($76) |
| Shanghai → Hangzhou | 170 km | 45m | ¥73 ($10) |
| Beijing → Xi'an | 1,100 km | 4h 20m | ¥515 ($71) |
| Guangzhou → Shenzhen | 140 km | 29m | ¥74 ($10) |
| Chengdu → Chongqing | 310 km | 1h 02m | ¥154 ($21) |
| Shanghai → Nanjing | 310 km | 1h 01m | ¥134 ($18) |
| Beijing → Chengdu | 1,800 km | 7h 30m | ¥778 ($107) |
| Kunming → Dali | 330 km | 2h | ¥145 ($20) |
How to Book
- 12306 App (Official): China's official railway app. Now has an English interface. Requires Chinese phone number for registration.
- Trip.com (formerly Ctrip): Best for foreigners — English interface, accepts international credit cards. Small service fee applies.
- At the station: Bring your passport. Tickets are released 15 days in advance. During holidays (Spring Festival, National Day), book 2-3 weeks ahead.
Train Classes
- Second Class (二等座): 3+2 seating. Comfortable, clean. ¥0.42/km avg.
- First Class (一等座): 2+2 seating. More legroom, quieter. ~50% more expensive.
- Business Class (商务座): 2+1 or 1+1 lie-flat seats. Lounge access. ~3× Second Class.
- Soft Sleeper (软卧): 4-berth compartments on overnight trains. Lockable door, clean sheets.
Domestic Flights
China has over 240 civil airports. For longer distances (Beijing to Guangzhou, Shanghai to Kunming), flights compete with high-speed rail on price.
- Major airlines: Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines
- Booking: Trip.com, Fliggy, or airline apps. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for best prices.
- Typical prices: Beijing → Shanghai ¥500-800 ($70-110), Shanghai → Chengdu ¥600-1000 ($80-140)
- Delays: Common during summer thunderstorms. Build buffer into your schedule.
Pro tip: For routes under 1,000 km, high-speed rail is usually faster door-to-door than flying (no airport transfers, security lines, or baggage wait). For Beijing-Shanghai (1,300 km), train and plane are neck-and-neck on total travel time.
Urban Transport: Metro Systems
China's metro systems are world-class — clean, efficient, and cheap. Every major city has one, and coverage is expanding rapidly.
| City | Lines | Stations | Length (km) | Base Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 20 | 508 | 831 | ¥3 |
| Beijing | 27 | 490 | 836 | ¥3 |
| Guangzhou | 18 | 320 | 653 | ¥2 |
| Shenzhen | 17 | 307 | 555 | ¥2 |
| Chengdu | 15 | 383 | 634 | ¥2 |
| Hangzhou | 14 | 308 | 516 | ¥2 |
All metro systems support QR code payment via Alipay (Transport section) or WeChat. Search the city name in the app to activate the local transit card. Signs and announcements are bilingual (Chinese + English) in most cities.
Ride-Hailing & Taxis
Didi (滴滴出行) is China's Uber — affordable, ubiquitous, and available in English through the Didi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat.
- Didi Express: Standard car. ~¥2/km. Most trips ¥15-50 within a city.
- Didi Premier: Nicer cars. ~50% more.
- Payment: Linked to Alipay/WeChat Pay. Cash is accepted but change is rarely available.
- Tip: Have your destination written in Chinese to show drivers who don't speak English.
Traditional taxis are metered and widely available. Use Didi to hail one if street-hailing. Starting fare ¥10-14 in most cities. Airport taxis may attempt to overcharge tourists — insist on the meter (打表 dǎbiǎo).
Buses & Long-Distance Coaches
City buses cost ¥1-2 per ride. Useful for short trips but can be confusing without Chinese. Long-distance coaches connect smaller towns not served by high-speed rail. Book through 12306 or at bus stations.
Bike Sharing
China pioneered dockless bike sharing. Mobike (美团单车), Hello Bike (哈啰), and Qingju (青桔) are everywhere. Scan the QR code with Alipay or WeChat to unlock. ¥1-3 per 30 minutes. Perfect for short trips and exploring neighborhoods.
Essential Apps: Install Alipay (for metro QR codes, Didi, bike sharing, and payments), Trip.com (for train and flight bookings in English), and Metroman (offline metro maps for 200+ cities). These three apps cover 90% of your transport needs.
Practical Tips
- Always carry your passport — required for train ticket collection, flight check-in, and hotel registration.
- Arrive early: 45 min before high-speed trains (security + ticket collection), 60-90 min for flights.
- Food on trains: Hot meals (¥15-60) available on G-class trains. Instant noodles are a Chinese train tradition — hot water dispensers at every carriage end.
- Luggage: Overhead racks on trains. Large suitcases go at carriage ends. No formal weight limit but be reasonable.
- Etiquette: Queueing is taken seriously for trains. No eating strong-smelling food in enclosed spaces. Phone calls at low volume.