Transportation in China

Complete Guide to Getting Around - From Bullet Trains to Bike Sharing

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🚀 Quick Start Guide

1️⃣ Set up digital payments firstAlipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card works for 90% of transport options
2️⃣ Choose your transportation mode – 6 ways to get you around, choose and view complete guide below
3️⃣ Plan by distance – High-speed rail for 100+ km, metro for city center, DiDi for door-to-door, bikes for short trips
4️⃣ Safety first – All transport modes are generally very safe; follow local traffic rules, especially for bikes and e-scooters

Choose Your Transportation Mode

High-Speed Railway

High-Speed Rail

Inter-city Travel

• 350 km/h bullet trains
• 12306 app with English UI
• Foreign card payments accepted
¥50-800 per trip

Best for distances 100-1500km. Fastest way between major cities.

View Complete Guide →

Metro System

City Transport

• QR codes via Alipay/WeChat
• 40+ cities covered
• Contactless payments rolling out
¥2-10 per ride

Fastest way around major cities. Clean, efficient, and foreigner-friendly.

View Complete Guide →
DiDi

DiDi Ride-Hailing

Door-to-Door

• English app interface
• Foreign card payments
• Available nationwide
¥8-50 per trip

Most convenient for door-to-door travel. Works like Uber but better in China.

View Complete Guide →

Bus System

Budget Travel

• City buses + long-distance coaches
• QR payments in 180+ cities
• Cheapest option available
¥1-100 per trip

Most economical option. Great for budget travelers and local experiences.

View Complete Guide →

Bike Sharing

Short Distance

• HelloBike, Meituan, Qingju
• E-bikes available
• Perfect for short trips
¥1-3 per 30min

Eco-friendly and fun for short distances. Great for exploring neighborhoods.

View Complete Guide →

Motobike Taxi

Quick & Agile

• Available in southern China
• Faster than cars in traffic
• Helmet provided
¥3-15 per trip

Fast option in traffic-heavy areas. Popular in Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangxi.

View Complete Guide →

Quick Decision Guide

🎯 By Distance

0-2 km Walk / Bike Sharing
2-10 km Metro / DiDi
10-50 km DiDi / Bus
50+ km High-Speed Rail

💰 By Budget

Ultra Budget Bike Sharing
Budget Bus / Metro
Comfort DiDi / High-Speed Rail
Premium Business Class Rail

🛡️ Universal Safety Tips

ID Requirements

Always carry your passport. Required for train tickets, helpful for ride-hailing verification.

Phone & Internet

Download offline maps and transport apps. Keep your phone charged for QR code payments.

Traffic Rules

Follow local traffic rules, especially when using bikes or e-scooters. Wear helmets when provided.