China has built one of the world's most impressive transportation networks in just two decades. Here's a breakdown of every option available to travelers — from bullet trains that cross entire provinces in hours to shared bikes you unlock with a phone scan.
🚄 High-Speed Rail (高铁 Gāotiě)
China's crown jewel. The world's largest high-speed rail network — over 40,000 km of track connecting every major city. Beijing to Shanghai in 4.5 hours. Trains run at 300–350 km/h, are almost always on time (average delay: under 1 minute), and are cleaner and more comfortable than most airlines. How to book: Use Trip.com (English, foreign cards accepted) or the 12306 app. Bring your passport and or use the foreigner e-ticket gate. Tip: Book 1–2 weeks ahead for popular routes like Beijing–Shanghai or during holidays. See the full High-Speed Train Guide →
🚇 Metro (地铁 Dìtiě)
Every major city has a modern metro system — Beijing alone has 27 lines. Most ticket machines have English. You can also scan your Alipay or WeChat transport QR code directly at the gate (much faster). Fares are absurdly cheap: ¥3–15 per ride. Rush hours (7:30–9am and 5:30–7pm) get extremely crowded — avoid if possible. Stations are clean, well-signed, and have staff at 客服中心 (Customer Service) for questions. Tip: Use Amap to guide you between stations. See the full Metro Guide →
🚗 Didi (滴滴) — China's Uber
Works in English. Set your pickup and destination in the app — it's about half the price of taxis in most Western countries. Most city rides cost ¥20–40 (~$3–6 USD). Send your driver a photo of your exact location if you're on a busy street. Copy-paste this to them: "我是外国人，不会讲中文" (I'm a foreigner, I can't speak Mandarin). Cheaper alternatives once you're comfortable: 曹操出行 and 花小猪. Avoid street taxis at airports and train stations — they often overcharge foreigners. See the full Didi Guide →
🚌 Public Bus (公交车 Gōngjiāochē)
The cheapest way to get around — fares are ¥1–2 per ride. Buses cover areas the metro doesn't reach and are found in every Chinese city, from mega-cities to small towns. Pay with your Alipay or WeChat transport QR code, or get a physical bus card at any metro station. Use Amap(高德地图) to find routes — it shows real-time bus locations and estimated arrival times. Most big cities announce stops in both Chinese and English.See the full Bus Guide →
🚲 Shared Bikes (共享单车 Gòngxiǎng Dānchē)
China's streets are filled with dockless bikes — you'll see blue (Hellobike 哈啰单车), yellow (Meituan Bike 美团单车), and green (Didi Bike) ones everywhere. Scan the QR code on the bike with Alipay or WeChat to unlock — no separate app needed. Cost: ¥1–3 per 30 minutes. Best for short trips under 3km, exploring neighborhoods, or getting from the metro to your final destination. Important: You must park in designated zones (look for painted rectangles on the pavement) or face a ¥5–20 fine. The app will show you where the nearest parking zone is.See the full Bike Guide →
✈️ Domestic Flights
Best for very long distances (e.g., Beijing → Yunnan, Shanghai → Xinjiang). Book on Trip.com for English interface and foreign card support. Budget airlines include Xiamen Air, Shenzhen Airlines, and Juneyao Air. Arrive at least 2 hours before departure — security is thorough. Luggage: typically 20kg checked, 5kg carry-on. For distances under 1,000 km, the high-speed train is usually more worthy door-to-door when you factor in airport transfers and security.
🚕 Regular Taxis (出租车 Chūzūchē)
Available everywhere but not recommended for foreigners unless you speak some Mandarin. Drivers rarely speak English, meters can be "broken" for tourists, and Didi is cheaper anyway. If you must take one, have your destination written in Chinese on your phone, insist on the meter (打表 dǎ biǎo), and take a photo of the license plate before getting in.