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How To Reach China
China is well connected to major countries and cities around the world with a chain of airports in its major cities. Some of the major airports in the country are the Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Xian Xianyang International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Hong Kong International Airport is however deemed to be the most frequented and well connected to other parts of the country and international airports. This airport connects you to approximately 180 destinations by more than 100 airlines. A variety of options are available for you to reach your destination from the airport. You will find a number of public buses lined outside the airport that services all of Hong Kong. The Airport Express facilitates easy travel between the Central and airport in approximately 24 minutes. If you are a traveller with mobility difficulties, you can avail transport for special needs via advance booking.
Some of the airlines flying from India to China are Air China, Shandong Airlines, Air India, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates. If you are taking a connecting flight, remember that major places for stopovers are Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and so on. Note that the flying time from New Delhi to Shanghai is 5 hours and 20 minutes (non-stop) offered via China Eastern Airlines and Air India. It would be advisable to book your tickets well in advance, especially if you are travelling in the peak season.
Reaching China by rail from India is impossible for known reasons. However, if you are a train enthusiast, it would be advisable to head to Kazakhstan and take a train from there. Russian Trans-Siberian Express goes through China and is a one-week-long journey. Also, if you are travelling from Vietnam, you could take the daily overnight train between Hanoi and Beijing. If you are in Hong Kong, you could avail the train service from Hong Kong to Guangzhou that operates on a daily basis.
It is possible to reach China by road since it shares its borders with many countries. You could either hop on to a bus or use a hired vehicle to do so. However, the border crossing between India and China may be closed due to political unrest. If you are still adamant on making your journey worthwhile by embarking on a road trip to China, we advise you to head to Pakistan. From there you could make your way to China via the Karakoram Highway running from Nepal through Tibet or Vietnam. Another way to reach China by road is through Laos and Myanmar.
Even though it is not possible to reach China from India by sea, note that ferry services are available from Japan and Korea to enter China. If you want the ultimate cruise experience and are a water baby; you must fly to these places and then take the cruise from there.
China has a wide range of transportation means as well as a plethora of well-connected transportation routes to enable locals and tourists as they get around the country and its various cities and villages. From local bus services to subways and metros, city-suburban rail services, buses to taxis and cabs, one has many options after stepping out of the airport.
By boat
Though not used very often, boats are rather common in coastal areas. You can reach offshore islands like Hainan, Putuoshan or the islands off Hong Kong. If you wish to take a river trip, opt for the Li River boat trip that travels from Guilin to Yangshuo. Note that boats travel within the territory from Macau, Zhuhai, Shekou and Zhongshan.
By Taxi
Taxis are a reasonable mode of transport and rather easy to find. Note that taxi rates are marked on a sticker on the rear side window of the taxi. Rates depend on which city you are in and the distance that you are covering. Taxis running in big cities do have meters, otherwise it would be advisable to negotiate a price before you set off. If not cash, it is possible to pay the driver via WeChat or Alipay. Didi Chuxing is a popular cab aggregator in the China market.
By Subway and Metro
Going underground or hopping into one of the light rails is a cheap mode of transport. You will find these networks in cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Shanghai. You can avail transport cards on metro systems in cities such as Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Note that you can also use WeChat and Alipay.
By Bus
This mode of transport is also a rather inexpensive way of traversing around China’s major towns. However, you will not find many tourists aboard these buses since travellers hardly use them. As you board the bus, point towards your desired destination on a map and the bus conductor will let you know once the station has arrived after selling you the ticket. Though the fares are rather cheap, note that these buses may be crowded. Non-Chinese speakers need not worry as tourist cities such as Shanghai and Beijing comprise announcements of stops in the English language.
By Train
If you are looking to cover long distances around China in a certain amount of time and reasonable speed; trains are your best bet. This mode of transport proves to be quite pocket-friendly along with being practical, efficient and adventurous. China’s intricate train network is where you will find the locals at their most relaxed and ready for a conversation. China’s high-speed rail network has made its way to most of its cities except Tibet, Ningxia and Macau. If you are planning to traverse around China by train, you will have to choose between Trans-Mongolian and the Trans-Manchurian railway lines. The former takes you from Beijing to Moscow whereas the latter route is longer. It is advisable to book your tickets well in advance especially in the summer season. Make sure that you carry your passports while entering a station.
The most luxurious and fastest trains are the high-speed D, G and C trains traversing between major cities.
When you’re contemplating how to travel in China, all the above options should be considered before you take your pick!
So, if you’re planning your engaging adventure, check out our amazing China Tour Packages. You can arrange for your flights and tickets to visit the Land of The Rising Sun at Thomas Cook!
