Getting Around
Getting Around China
Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai are China’s main international airports and there are many domestic flights to all major cities and tourist destinations. Domestic travel is cheap in China and it is best to purchase tickets once in the country. Overseas vendors will often charge much higher rates. Be prepared for flight delays and cancellations so always check the flights status a day before you fly. Like other countries food at the airports is vastly inflated so be prepared for this. On regularly travelled air routes most planes are Boeing or Airbus but less travelled routes are often serviced by Soviet-built passenger jets. You may get a meal or a small snack, and on-board announcements are delivered in Chinese and English.
Train travel is the major mode of transportation with extensive routes covering the entire country. During busy times tickets sell out quickly at the train stations so it would be recommended to buy tickets in advance through an agent. On the regular trains the five classes of travel are hard seats, soft seats, hard sleepers, soft sleepers and standing. Bus travel is inexpensive and great for short distances however during peak hour these can be extremely crowded.
Generally foreigners are not permitted to drive in China without a Chinese license therefore rented cars often come with a driver. Driving in China is not recommended as the driving conditions are chaotic. Traffic moves on the right but as a pedestrian always look both ways when crossing a street as bicycles, motorbikes and cars may come from all directions!
Taxis are abundant and very cheap although during peak times they are a little difficult to find. Sitting in the front of taxis is acceptable and adds to an exciting ride and don’t be alarmed if drivers start smoking without asking. Drivers may also pick up multiple passengers if travelling in the same direction, each passenger still pays full fare but it saves waiting in peak hour for a cab. It is advised to always have your directions for your destination written in Chinese as nearly all drivers will not speak English. In most major cities taxi companies use a star rating system for drivers ranging from 0 to 5. Try to use taxis with a rating of at least 3. Be prepared to grab your cab as quickly as possible as the Chinese can be quite assertive when it comes to finding a taxi. Don’t presume just because you flagged it down that it is yours. Finally always wear your seatbelt even if your driver insists it is not necessary.
