City-to-city transport confirmed
High-speed train / flight / private car
TRANSPORT & TICKETS
Figure out city transport, high-speed trains, and attraction reservations so your first trip to China is smooth and easy.
For first-time visitors, the most common problems are not “no transport”, but wrong stations, passport mistakes, missed reservations, and forgetting your passport on the day of travel. This page helps you prepare transport and tickets with confidence.
1. BEFORE YOU GO — CONFIRM THESE 6 THINGS
Exact station / airport / entrance confirmed
Don’t just look at the city name
Passport name & number match tickets
Identity information must match
Train / flight order saved
Double-check before departure
Attraction reservations confirmed
Some attractions need advance booking
Passport original ready
Required for entry and ticket checks
2. GETTING AROUND THE CITY
Subway
Best for: Big cities, between attractions, avoiding traffic
Pros: Clear routes, affordable, not affected by traffic jams
Notes: Crowded at rush hour, transfers may need long walks, not convenient with large luggage
Tip: Great for short distances in downtown areas.
Taxi / DiDi
Best for: Airport / train station to hotel, with luggage, early or late trips, tight-schedule day tours
Pros: Door-to-door, convenient, good for first-time visitors
Notes: Traffic jams possible, some drivers may not speak English
Tip: Save your destination’s Chinese address.
Walking
Best for: Old towns, streets, night markets, around attractions, short distances in city center
Pros: Flexible, great for photos, discover nearby spots
Notes: Distances may be longer than expected, hot in summer, cold in winter, scenic areas require lots of walking
Tip: Keep energy for each day, don’t overplan.
Bus
Best for: Budget travelers, short routes, areas without subway access
Pros: Cheap, wide coverage
Notes: Routes and stops are not very intuitive for first-time visitors
Tip: Use as a backup option, not the main choice.
3. TRAVELING BETWEEN CITIES
High-Speed Train
Best for: 2–6 hours between major cities
Pros: Many trains, on time, stations close to city centers
Notes: Real-name tickets, passport needed for purchase and entry
Tip: Book early on holidays, bring your passport on travel day.
Flight
Best for: Long distance, no good train options, cross-regional travel
Pros: Saves long travel time
Notes: Far from city, need extra time for check-in and security, higher delay risk
Tip: If train is under 5–6 hours, compare first; choose flight for longer distances.
Private Car / Transfer
Best for: Great Wall, rural areas, scenic spots, late-night airport arrival, families
Pros: Convenient, no transfers
Notes: More expensive, confirm price, vehicle, waiting time, and pickup point in advance
Tip: Good for solving complex routes, not recommended for every trip.
4. HIGH-SPEED TRAIN TICKETS — WHAT TO KNOW
How to Buy
- 12306 Official Website / App
- Train Station Ticket Window
- Self-service Ticket Machines
- Authorized Ticket Agents
- Trusted Travel Platforms
First-time visitors can use official channels or major travel platforms.
What to Confirm When Buying
- Departure City
- Arrival City
- Exact Station Name
- Date & Time
- Passenger Name
- Passport Number
- Document Type
- Seat Class
- Change & Refund Rules
Always confirm the exact station. Don’t just look at “Beijing” or “Shanghai”.
On the Day of Travel
- Passport original
- Ticket order info
- Train number and seat
- Departure station name
- Waiting area and gate
- Enough arrival time
E-tickets are widely used on Chinese trains. Keep your order info and passport ready.
5. ATTRACTION TICKETS & BOOKING
What May Need Advance Booking
- Palace museums, popular historical sites
- Popular shows
- Panda bases, popular natural scenic areas
- Cableways, elevators, boats
- Holiday popular attractions
- Real-name entry places
Rules vary. Some support passport booking, others need official platforms, travel platforms, or on-site purchase.
What to Confirm Before Booking
- Need advance booking?
- Need passport number?
- Need real name?
- Date or time slot?
- Closed days?
- Last entry time?
- Need internal transport, cableway, boat, show tickets?
Don’t just buy the “entrance ticket”. Scenic areas often have extra internal transport.
What to Bring on Entry Day
- Passport original
- Ticket order screenshot
- Reservation QR code
- Entry time info
- Entrance name
- Chinese attraction name
- Booking platform order no.
If booked with passport, bring the same passport original, not just a photo.
6. SIMPLE BOOKING STRATEGY
7–14 Days Before Departure
- Confirm intercity transport
- Confirm popular attraction booking
- Check Chinese holidays
- Adjust route order
3–7 Days Before Departure
- Buy or confirm train tickets
- Book attractions
- Confirm shows, cableways, boats or park transport
- Save order screenshots
The Night Before
- Confirm tomorrow’s first stop
- Confirm departure time and transport
- Save ticket QR codes
- Passport with you
- Save destination address
- Check weather and opening hours
The Morning of Travel
- Phone battery
- Power bank
- Passport
- Ticket screenshots
- Train / flight orders
- Hotel address
- Backup transport plan
7. COMMON PROBLEMS
Problem 1: Bought the wrong train station ticket
Check if change is possible; confirm correct station; if not enough time, take a taxi / DiDi to the right station; always use the full station name when booking.
Problem 2: Passport number entered wrong
Contact the booking platform ASAP; follow platform rules to fix or rebook; don’t wait until entry day; confirm name and passport number before booking again.
Problem 3: Attraction fully booked
Change date or time slot; choose another attraction; ask hotel if any official channels are available; don’t buy from unreliable sellers.
Problem 4: Can’t catch the train on the day
Check if change is possible; if not, buy the next train; adjust hotel and attraction bookings; plan intercity transfers with more time.
Problem 5: Can’t find the attraction entrance
Open the Chinese attraction name; search the exact entrance; show Chinese address to staff; confirm “Visitor Center”, “South Gate”, “East Gate” in advance.