During the last few years, China has modernized its domestic air, train, and highway systems to meet the influx and demands of foreign travelers. There has been a vast improvement in ease of travel throughout the country.

Air

Virtually all of China is linked by one of the new domestic airlines since the de-regulation of the national carrier system, and the creation of these new regional carriers has greatly improved domestic airline service. Modernization of the airlines and airport facilities is a boon for travelers, creating a more efficient and competitive airline system. New Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and Airbus aircraft are used on almost all routes within the country.

Passengers flying from the US(or other countries) to China via Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern (or other international carriers) may book flights online through ChinaTravel.com before departure. You can also make domestic flight reservations through our Web site. Some routes are heavily trafficked, so it is wise to book as far in advance as possible. All flights are nonsmoking.

Trains

Travel by rail is an enjoyable, relaxing, and inexpensive way to see China's countryside. New or modernized equipment has replaced the old train systems in most areas. Travelers who lack the time to cover vast distances by train can still get a delightful taste of rail travel by journeying on popular short distance routes from Shanghai to the nearby cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, or Hangzhou; or from Beijing to Tianjin. Amenities have been added to first-class train travel (known as "soft seat"), including comfortable waiting lounges at some train stations. Tardy travelers should note that the trains are consistently punctual.

Trains are generally convenient in China. However, if you're traveling from a large city you may have trouble buying tickets. Thus you should purchase your tickets two or three days ahead of time. If you are traveling from a smaller city or town you will often not be assigned a seat. If all the seats on the train are already full you'll have to stand or sit on the floor, which can be inconvenient if you're in the aisle because you will need to move out of the way frequently to let people and food carts gets by.

Chinese trains have three classes of seating. The lowest class is known as yingzuo, “hard seat”. Most seats available on a train are of this type. Despite the name the seats aren't hard or especially uncomfortable. The seatbacks don't recline though, which usually makes it hard to sleep unless you have a window seat and a pillow.

The international railway through special expresses shuttle between Beijing, Ulan Bator, and Moscow, and Beijing, Manzhouli, and Moscow; Beijing and Pyongyang; Urumqi and Alma Ata; Beijing and Hanoi; and Beijing and Ulan Bator. It takes six to seven days from Moscow to Ulan Bator and from Manzhouli to Beijing.

Highways

The highways in China have a total mileage of 1.18 million kilometers.

These include 70 national highways and 1,600 provincial highways. Great efforts are being made to construct more expressways and Class I and Class II highways for motor traffic. The following expressways and Class I and Class II motor highways are convenient for tourists:

Shenyang- Dalian, Beijing-Tanggu, Nanjing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Hangzhou-Ningbo, Xi'an-Lintong, Xi'an-Baoji, Guiyang-Huangguoshu, Beijing-Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan-Shijiazhuang, Yichang-Huangshi, Jinan-Qingdao, Guangzhou-Shenzhen, Guangzhou-Foshan, Chengdu-Chongqing, Fuzhou-Xiamen, Hainan Island Ring Road, Guilin-Liuzhou, Guangzhou-Shantou, and Luoyang-Kaifeng.

The expressway transportation is featured by high grade, quality service, high speed, and simple procedure. Most coaches for this transport are comfortable, well equipped, either imported or jointly made with foreign companies. The average speed is 100 km/h.

Taxi

Taking a taxi is very convenient in major tourist cities. You can take a taxi at a hotel or along the street.

Subway

Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have modern subways for fast travel around the cities. If you're in a hurry, this is the way to go. Signs and schedules are in English, and transfers between lines are free. A subway ticket costs 2.00 - 5.00 yuan.

Bicycles

In many tourist cities, such as Beijing, bicycles are for rent in hotels. People can also look around in Beijing by a three-wheeled vehicle driven by man. Bicycling is an excellent way to see the countryside and get the maximum smiles per mile.

Backpacking

Traveling on foot is one of the best ways to see China. When you're walking you can have interesting interactions with the people you meet along the way, assuming your Chinese is good enough or if you have an English-speaking Chinese friend traveling with you. Since China is so highly populated your chance of running into other people is good. However, there are also plenty of unpopulated areas in China, so be sure to come prepared when backpacking.

Water Transportation

China has a vast sea area with the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the south. The latter three border the Pacific Ocean. China's long coastline has ports in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Yantai, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Dalian, Beihai, and Hong Kong. These ports are vast and deep, with beautiful surroundings, making them another choice for sightseeing in China.