Getting around China: high-speed rail, metro, taxis and flights

High-speed rail — the best way to travel

China's high-speed network is the fastest, cheapest reliable way to move between cities. Beijing to Shanghai is about 4.5 hours; Beijing to Xi'an about 4.5; Chengdu to Chongqing about 1.5.

Booking: tickets go on sale around 15 days ahead. Use Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or the official 12306 app (Chinese, fiddly).
Your passport is your ticket. At the gate you scan your passport at the automatic barrier and walk through. No paper ticket needed.
Arrive 45 minutes early at big stations; security plus a very long walk to the platform.
Classes: second class is comfortable; first class is wider; business class is a lie-flat seat worth it only on the longest routes.
Seat letters: A and F are window, C and D are aisle. Book A/F for views.
Luggage: there is real luggage space at the end of each carriage. No strict weight limit for normal tourism luggage.
Food: bring it. Onboard meals are limited and expensive; every station has a snack shop.

Sold out?Chinese rail releases seats in waves and holds back inventory. Refresh repeatedly in the 24 hours before departure, or take a slower train with a different departure time.

Metro — how cities actually move

Every major Chinese city has a clean, cheap, English-signed metro. Fares are ¥3–10 per trip.

Payment: open Alipay → Transport → the city's metro code, or buy a single-journey token from the machine (touchscreen, English available, coins and notes).
Security: bag scan at every entrance. It takes ten seconds, but budget for it.
Rush hour: 07:30–09:30 and 18:00–19:30. Trains run every 2–4 minutes and are still full.
Priority seats: the coloured seats at the end of each carriage are for elderly, pregnant and disabled passengers — they are genuinely enforced by social pressure.
Lines close around 22:30–23:00. After that it is taxis only.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Didi is the Uber of China. The Alipay mini-program has an English interface — you enter your destination in English and it handles the rest.
Street taxis are metered and honest in most cities. Hold your hand out at the kerb or use a rank. Show the destination in Chinese characters.
Always check the plate in the app before getting in.
Refusing the meter means walk away. It happens near stations and tourist sites.
Receipts: ask for one (发票 fāpiào) if you need it for expenses.

The classic scamUnlicensed drivers at train stations and airports offer a "cheap ride" and then add mysterious fees. Use the official rank or Didi, always.

Domestic flights

Book with yourpassport as ID — the number must match exactly.
Arrivetwo hours before domestic departures; security is thorough and gates close early.
Delays are common in summer and around holidays. Build a buffer if you have an international connection.
For distances under about 800 km, high-speed rail usually wins door-to-door. For Beijing–Urumqi or Shanghai–Kunming, fly.
Power banks over 100 Wh need airline approval; over 160 Wh are banned.

Bikes, buses, ferries and walking

Shared bikes (Hellobike, Meituan, DiDi Bike) are everywhere and cost about ¥1.5–3 per 15 minutes. Unlock them in Alipay by scanning the QR. Helmets are not provided.
City buses are ¥1–2 and accept QR payment, but routes are hard to read without Chinese.
Walking is underrated. Chinese cities are dense and interesting; 30 minutes on foot often beats 30 minutes underground.
Ferries in Hong Kong, Macao, Xiamen and Shanghai are cheap, scenic and occasionally the fastest option.
Long-distance buses exist but are the least comfortable option — take the train.

Driving and the licence question

Do not plan to drive.China does not recognise the International Driving Permit. To drive legally you need a Chinese driving licence, which requires a conversion process, a medical check and a written test. E-scooters and mopeds have their own local rules and helmet laws. Hire a car with a driver instead — it is inexpensive and removes the entire problem.

Hiring a driver for a day typically costs ¥400–800 plus fuel and tolls, and is the standard way visitors reach places like the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the terraces outside Guilin, or Tibetan areas where public transport is thin.

Accessibility and small practicalities

Metro stations have lifts and tactile paving; wheelchair accessibility is good in newer lines and patchy in older ones.
High-speed rail has accessible spaces and staff will help if you ask at the ticket office in advance.
Old towns, temples and viewing platforms often involve stairs with no alternative route — check ahead if mobility is limited.
Save your destination in Chinese on your phone's home screen as a screenshot; showing it to a driver is faster than explaining it.