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.
45 answers
What should I do if I encounter an MTR service disruption in Hong Kong?
Open the MTR Mobile app first — it pushes English service updates faster than the platform PA, which lags 30 to 60 seconds.
What is the best transportation route from Wangxian Valley to Suzhou?
Ride the Ganyuexing shuttle bus from Wangxian Valley to Shangrao East Bus Station for ¥30; runs 7:40 am to 3:30 pm, takes 1 hour.
What are the typical daily rates for hiring a private driver with English-speaking capabilities in Guilin?
Budget ¥600–800 (US$85–110) per 8-hour day for a 5-seater sedan with an English-speaking driver in Guilin.
When flying into China internationally and connecting to a domestic flight, do I clear immigration at the first airport and does my luggage check through?
Clear immigration at your first China airport (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou), not the final domestic destination city.
Which iPhone mapping apps work in China and Hong Kong, and do they display English street names?
Use Apple Maps in mainland China; it pulls AutoNavi data and shows Pinyin street names when iOS language is English.
What is the best itinerary and transport advice for visiting major sights like the Giant Buddha and Victoria Peak in Hong Kong during the May holiday?
Ride MTR Tung Chung Line to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for Tian Tan Buddha; HK$235 return, 25 minutes each way.
What are the options for public transportation from Tashkurgan to Kashgar, and do I need to book tickets in advance?
Catch the 8 AM or 3 PM Tashkurgan–Kashgar bus for ¥51, a six-hour run along the Karakoram Highway.
What are the recommended time allocations for immigration and transport when leaving Hong Kong Airport during a layover?
Allow 5 hours minimum for a city visit; 7 hours is the safer threshold once immigration and Airport Express times stack up.
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.
If Zhangjiajie to Shanghai flights are awkward, should I route through Changsha?
Zhangjiajie has only one or two daily direct flights to Shanghai, often late in the day.
How can a wheelchair user book assistance or wheelchair space on Chinese high-speed trains?
Each high-speed train reserves accessible spaces for disabled passengers, sold from pre-sale until 24 hours before departure.
How do I order food or delivery to my seat on a Chinese high-speed train?
Scan the seat QR code with WeChat, or use the 12306 app's dining section, to order to your seat.