Transport & Getting Around
Getting around China: high-speed rail (CR400, 350 km/h between Beijing-Shanghai in 4.5 hours), Didi (Chinese Uber, in-app English support), Beijing/Shanghai metros (use Alipay or WeChat ride codes), airport transfers, and how to book trains as a foreigner using your passport. Also which Chinese taxi apps actually accept overseas cards.
7 answers
Does Beijing Subway extend operating hours during Spring Festival travel peak?
Nine lines run past midnight on Spring Festival peak nights; lines 2, 4, 7, 14 ran until 02:00 from 22 to 24 Feb 2026.
What is the best way to travel between Beijing and the Mutianyu Great Wall, and how do I handle transport on the return trip?
Book Didi via Alipay; ¥200 to ¥300 one way from central Beijing, 1.5 to 2 hours, fixed price before confirm.
Is it possible to visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City during a 10-hour layover in Beijing, and what is the best way to arrange transportation?
Pick one site, not both; 10 hours leaves only 6 usable hours after immigration, security, and the airline's 90-minute buffer.
Is it better to book a shared Klook tour or hire a private driver for visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing?
Hire a private sedan via Trip.com or DiDi for ¥600-800 round trip; saves 2-3 hours over shared tours and lets you leave by 6:30 AM.
Which section of the Great Wall did you visit near Beijing, and what was the most convenient transportation method to get there?
Book the Mubus shuttle from Dongzhimen for ¥40 one-way through the 慕巴士 WeChat account; departures at 9 AM and 10 AM.
Can a family choose seats in advance on West Air or China Southern when booked through Trip.com?
On China Southern, standard economy advance seat selection is free on domestic flights, so open the seat map early.
After landing in Beijing, should I take Didi, a taxi, metro, or pre-booked airport transfer to my hotel?
For most first arrivals, the official taxi queue is simplest: metered, about RMB 100 to 150 plus tolls into central Beijing, door to door.