Transportation

Please note that the information provided here is for reference purposes only. Ensure you verify any related information directly from the official resource to avoid any misinformation or understandings: https://www.mct.gov.cn/

Air:

China’s principal international airports are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xi’an and Kunming. There are direct flights between these cities and major British airports such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Some major airlines flying to China:

China has an extensive domestic flight network with direct connections between the main tourist cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guilin and Guangzhou. Other regions including Xinjiang, Gansu, Yunnan and Guizhou also have flights to major transportation hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai.

For medium- and long-distance travel in China (i.e. where the distance between the two places exceeds 1,000 km), tourists are recommended to travel by plane, which is comfortable and fast. Tickets can be booked on the airlines’ websites. Some major domestic airlines include:

• Air China http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/index.shtml
• China Eastern Airlines http://www.ceair.com/
• China Southern Airlines https://www.csair.com/en/index.shtml
• Hainan Airlines http://www.hainanairlines.com/US/US/Home

Tips:

• In general, each passenger on a domestic flight enjoys a free checked baggage allowance of 20 kg in economy class, 30 kg in business class, and 40 kg in first class.
• Some cities have two airports, and each airport normally operates both domestic and international flights. Pay attention to which airport you will be using when purchasing tickets.

• Beijing: Beijing Capital International Airport http://en.bcia.com.cn/

Beijing Daxing International Airport https://www.bdia.com.cn/#/

• Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

https://www.shanghaiairport.com/index_enhqjc.html

Shanghai Pudong International Airport https://www.shanghaiairport.com/index_enpdjc.html

• Chengdu: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport http://www.cdairport.com/en/

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (website not yet available)

High-speed train:

China’s high-speed trains, also known as bullet trains, are popular for their punctuality, comfort and safety. High speed train is one of the most convenient ways to travel around China.

Types of High-speed Trains in China:

Type of Train	In Chinese	Top Speed
C/G class	城际/高铁	350km/h
D class	动车	250km/h

Popular Train Routes in China:

Route	Distance (km)	Type (class)	Duration (hours)
Beijing – Shanghai	1,318	G	4.5-6
Beijing – Xi’an	1,075	G	4.5-6
Xi’an – Chengdu	700	G	3-4
Shanghai – Hangzhou	169	G	1-1.5
Guangzhou – Hong Kong	142	G	1

Seat Classes:

• Business Class: Business class is the most luxurious class on high-speed trains in China, and as you would expect, it costs the most. Each row has three seats (2+1), all of which can recline to a horizontal position.
• First Class: With four seats in a row (2+2), first class seats are more spacious and comfortable than second class, but the price is higher.
• Second Class: Second class seats are the most affordable seats on high-speed trains. Each row has 5 seats (2+3) and there is less leg room.

Tips:

• Train tickets should normally be booked 15 days in advance. Passengers can purchase tickets through the official China railway website 12306.cn (in English: https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html). It is recommended to take the train rather than fly for most journeys under 1,000 km.
• Baggage allowance for high-speed trains: The maximum carry-on baggage allowance for each passenger is 20 kg, and the total dimensions (length + width + height) of each item must not exceed 130 cm. Carry-on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be checked in.

Ordinary trains:

Ordinary trains have a much longer history in China than high-speed trains. As a result, the facilities are more basic, and the tickets are cheaper. These trains are suitable for budget travellers, especially those who would like to save on the cost of accommodation by taking an overnight sleeper train.

Types of Ordinary Trains in China:

Type of Train	In Chinese	Top Speed
Z class (express)	直达	160km/h
T class	特快	140km/h
K class	快速	120km/h

Popular Overnight Train Routes in China:

Route	Distance (km)	Type (class)	Duration (hours)
Beijing – Xi’an	1,075	Z	12
Beijing – Shanghai	1,318	Z	14.5
		D	12.5
Beijing – Guangzhou	2,300	Z	21.5
		D	10.5
Xining – Lhasa	1,960	Z	21

Seat Classes:

Soft sleepers and deluxe soft sleepers are recommended for overnight trains.

• Soft Sleeper: Each soft sleeper compartment has 4 berths (two on each side). Soft sleeper class is comfortable and prices are reasonable.
• Deluxe Soft Sleeper: This is the highest-class sleeper train ticket and it comes at the highest price. Each enclosed compartment contains two berths and a private seating area.

Tips:

• Baggage allowance for ordinary trains: The maximum carry-on baggage allowance for each passenger is 20 kg, and the total dimensions (length + width + height) of each item must not exceed 160 cm. Carry-on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be checked in.
• Most cities in China have more than one train station and each station normally has both ordinary trains and high-speed trains. Please pay attention to the specific name of the train station on your ticket and make sure you are going to the right one before setting out. Some of the main stations in major cities are listed below:

– Beijing: Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing North Railway Station

– Xi’an: Xi’an Railway Station, Xi’an North Railway Station

– Shanghai: Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

– Hangzhou: Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station

– Chengdu: Chengdu Railway Station, Chengdu East Railway Station

– Guangzhou: Guangzhou Railway Station, Guangzhou South Railway Station

– Hong Kong: Hung Hom Railway Station, West Kowloon Railway Station

Yangtze River Cruise:

A Yangtze River cruise between Chongqing and Yichang is a popular way to discover China and travel at a slower, more relaxed pace. International-standard cruises offer English-speaking guides and all cabins are equipped with private balconies that allow guests to enjoy the breath-taking river scenery. A variety of cultural activities are offered during the trip, such as morning tai-chi and onshore excursions such as the Three Gorges Dam tour.

• Cruise Highlights: The natural scenery of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges Dam
• Duration: 4 days for the downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang, 5 days for the upstream cruise from Yichang to Chongqing
• Best time: April to October

Beijing becomes the first city on the Chinese mainland supporting contactless fare payments in rail transit for foreign MasterCard and Visa card holders.

Starting Friday, international visitors can use MasterCard and Visa cards issued overseas to take rides on the city’s entire rail transit network, and pay automatically according to the same billing rules as the local residents.

Beijing has upgraded more than 20,000 sets of facilities at subway stations of its rail transit system to facilitate the new payment initiative, which supplements current payment methods such as UnionPay cards and QR codes, to further improve the experience of international visitors for rail transit, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport announced at the ongoing 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services.

The service is comprehensively available at all gates across 490 stations along 27 subway lines (including two airport lines, Xijiao Line and Yizhuang T1 Line), covering a total length of 836 km. Additionally, the Suburban Railway Line S2 is also part of this scheme.

“Compared with previous situations where foreign visitors had to buy tickets with cash or use their cards at manual ticket counters, the new access helps save time and avoid the hassle of purchasing tickets for them,” said Zhao Zilong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.

Beijing will also launch an international version of the “Yitongxing” app, which supports registration of foreign phone numbers and identity verification for foreign nationals, allowing them to use QR codes for travel purposes.

Optimizing the payment service highlights Beijing’s determination to continue to expand its high-level opening up as an international exchange center, said Wang Ying, an official with the financial office of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Data shows that Beijing now has nearly 18,000 businesses that accept foreign cards, and all hotels rated four stars and above, as well as major cultural and tourism sites, are equipped with foreign currency exchange facilities.

From January to July this year, Beijing saw 1.995 million inbound tourists, an increase of 227.9 percent year on year. By streamlining business processes and adjusting payment limits, the number and value of mobile payments made by foreigners in Beijing in the second quarter have doubled that in the first quarter of this year.