How to travel around China

For the uninitiated, getting around the vast Chinese Mainland may be daunting, especially when many of your usual navigational apps are off-limits. But thanks to China’s extensive and robust transportation network, travelling around China can be a seamless and hassle-free experience as long as you have the right tools to access local services.  

Getting to the Chinese Mainland

Flying is the easiest way to travel to the Chinese Mainland. If a direct flight is not an option, Hong Kong can be an ideal transit point. Apart from the vast network of Cathay Pacific flights that run between Hong Kong and cities across the Chinese Mainland, you can also book our Direct Air+Land and Direct Air+Sea tickets to enjoy seamless coach and high-speed ferry transfers to major ports in the Greater Bay Area. From there, you can explore all that the GBA has to offer or easily connect to other parts of China. 

Before setting off, make sure you have the correct travel documents and visa to enter the Chinese Mainland; and don’t forget to buy a mobile data plan so that you can stay online during your travels. 

Still have questions? Check out our guide on how to prepare before travelling to China. 

Travelling between cities 

With such diverse cultures and landscapes across the Chinese Mainland, a multi-city trip can help you make the most of your time in the country. If you’re travelling long distances, domestic flights are the quickest way to get around. Otherwise, high-speed trains are a popular option for convenient and economical travel. China’s comprehensive high-speed railway network connects nearly all the country’s provinces. These bullet trains run at impressive speeds of between 200 and 350 km per hour, taking you from Beijing to Shanghai in roughly four and a half hours. From Hong Kong, the high-speed rail connects to 93 stations in the Chinese Mainland. 

To buy train tickets, visit China Railway’s official online website Railway 12306 or download the app, then register for an account with your passport or a valid personal identification document. Train tickets can be purchased up to 15 days in advance.

Travelling around the city 

Metro

Explore over 50 cities in the Chinese Mainland by metro, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Chongqing. 

You can buy tickets using the self-service ticket vending machines inside metro stations or purchase the public transport smart card of the city that you’re in – the latter often offers discounts on metro and bus rides.  

If you’re travelling to multiple cities, consider getting a China T-Union card, the national transport card that’s supported in over 300 cities . For travellers who prefer mobile payment, AliPay, the WeChat miniapp or – if available – your city’s local public transport app will enable you to generate a QR code that can be scanned for payment at the metro turnstile. 

Buses

Buses remain an important part of China’s public transport system, serving routes in areas that are not covered by the metro. City buses typically accept payment by cash, AliPay, WeChat, or with a public transport card. 

Keep in mind that signs and information boards at bus stops – including bus stop names – are often displayed only in Chinese, so it’s advisable to have your destination written down in Chinese characters to help you get around.

Ride-hailing services

While traditional taxis still serve urban areas, it can be challenging to hail one from the street or communicate your destination with the driver if you don’t speak Putonghua.

Online ride-hailing services are a much easier and more affordable alternative for point-to-point journeys. DiDi is by far the most widely used ride-hailing service platform in the Chinese Mainland, and its services can also be accessed via the AliPay, WeChat or Gaode apps. To get started, simply register an account with your mobile number (international phone numbers are accepted), then link it to your WeChat Pay, AliPay or international credit card for payment.

Useful apps to download

While Google Maps is unavailable in the Chinese Mainland, Baidu Maps and Gaode Maps are great alternatives for accurate navigation – whether you’re finding the best route to your destination via public transport or exploring on foot. However, given that the interface and results for these local apps will be in Simplified Chinese, Apple Maps or Maps.Me for android users may also come in handy. 

In China’s cashless society, AliPay and WeChat are essential apps for seamless day-to-day transactions, including booking and paying for transport. It’s a good idea to download these apps and set up your account before arriving in the Chinese Mainland, as you will need a phone number that can receive an SMS code for verification. Both AliPay and WeChat Pay accept international credit cards.

A translation app is also helpful for overcoming language barriers. Baidu Translate works well for quick, on-the-spot translations. If you’re conversing by text, WeChat has a handy function that translates messages into the language you’ve chosen for the app – simply tap and hold the message you’d like to translate, then select the “Translate” option.