I’ve put together some practical information based on my experience using transportation in China.
China’s transportation network is actually pretty well-developed. In major cities like Beijing (北京) and Shanghai (上海), you can get almost anywhere using just the subway (地铁), and even in smaller cities, there are plenty of buses (公交车) and taxis (出租车) so getting around isn’t too much trouble. The system is just a bit different at first, so it’s good to know what to expect.
1. Overview and Features of China’s Transportation
Using transportation in China, I noticed quite a few differences from what I was used to. Within cities, I mainly took subways (地铁) and buses (公交车), and when I was in a hurry, I’d call a taxi (出租车). For traveling between cities, I used high-speed rail (高速铁路) a lot – it’s surprisingly fast and convenient.
What struck me most was the mobile payment system (移动支付). It’s actually harder to find places that accept cash (现金) than those that use Alipay (支付宝, Zhifubao) or WeChat Pay (微信支付, Weixinzhifu). Fortunately, foreigners can also link overseas cards to use these systems, and once you get the hang of it, it’s actually more convenient.
The subway security checks (安检) are also unique. At first I thought I was at an airport (机场), but every subway station has X-ray machines where you need to put your bags through security. After doing it a few times, you get used to it pretty quickly.
2. Using the Subway (地铁)
How Much Do Fares (票价) Cost?
Subway fares in China vary slightly by city, but they’re generally cheaper than what I’m used to.
Major Cities Subway Fare Comparison
| City | Base Fare | Maximum Fare | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing (北京) | 3 yuan (556 won) | 6 yuan (1,111 won) | Distance-based pricing (距离制价), Yikatong (一卡通) discount |
| Shanghai (上海) | 3 yuan (556 won) | – | Line 5 is 2 yuan, transport card (交通卡) 10% discount |
| Guangzhou (广州) | 2 yuan (370 won) | 5 yuan (926 won) | Distance-based pricing (距离制价) |
| Shenzhen (深圳) | 2 yuan (370 won) | 9 yuan (1,667 won) | Connected to Hong Kong |
Shanghai Airport Line (机场线) Fares
- Regular seat (普通座): 50 yuan (9,259 won)
- Business seat (商务座): 100 yuan (18,519 won)
- 20% discount for same-day round trip
How to Actually Ride the Subway
The sequence can be a bit confusing at first, so here’s what I figured out:
- Security check (安检): Put your bag through the machine at the station entrance
- Buy tickets (买票): Use ticket machines (自动售票机) or ticket counters (售票处)
- Mobile payment (移动支付): You can also use Alipay (支付宝) or WeChat Pay (微信支付) QR codes
- Transport cards (交通卡): Each city has its own transport card
In Beijing, using the ‘Yikatong (一卡通)’ card gets you discounts and is convenient. Shanghai has the ‘Shanghai Public Transport Card (上海公共交通卡)’, and using it gives you a 10% discount on subway rides.
Things to Know When Taking the Subway
- Rush hours (上下班时间) (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) are really crowded
- Station announcements are in Chinese and English
- Some stations only have Chinese characters, so it’s good to check beforehand
- In Shanghai, people over 70 can ride for free
3. Taking the Bus (公交车)
How Much Do Bus Fares (票价) Cost?
Buses are even cheaper than subways. While it varies a bit by distance and route, here’s what you can generally expect:
Beijing Bus (北京公交)
- Base fare: 2 yuan cash (现金), 1 yuan with Yikatong (一卡通) card (half price!)
- Base 10km, additional charges every 5km for longer distances
General Bus Fares
- City buses (市内公交): 1-3 yuan
- Air-conditioned buses (空调车): 2-5 yuan (these are nice in summer)
- Intercity buses (城际客车): Varies by distance
How to Take the Bus
Taking the bus was a bit confusing at first, but once you get used to it, it’s fine.
- Board (上车): Get on through the front door
- Pay fare (付费):
- Cash (现金): Put money in the fare box (投币箱) (no change given!)
- Mobile payment (移动支付): Scan Alipay (支付宝) QR code
- Transport card (交通卡): Tap on the reader
- Get off (下车): Press the stop button (下车铃) and exit through the back door
Understanding Bus Numbers
Beijing bus numbers might look complicated, but once you know the system, it’s easy:
- 1-122: City buses (市内线路)
- 200s: Night buses (夜班车)
- 300s, 700s: City-suburban connecting buses (城郊线)
- 500s: Suburban buses (郊区线)
- 800s: Air-conditioned buses (空调车)
- 900s: Tourist routes (旅游专线)
When you want to know when the bus is coming, you can use Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Gaode Maps (高德地图) apps to see real-time locations. It’s pretty cool watching the bus move on the map.
4. Taxis (出租车) and Ride-Hailing Apps
Regular Taxi Fares (出租车费)
Taxis in China are really cheap compared to what I’m used to. Prices vary a bit depending on city size.
City-by-City Taxi Fare Comparison
| City | Base Fare (起步价) | Additional Fee | Night Surcharge (夜间加价) | vs Home Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing (北京) | 13 yuan (3km) | 2.3 yuan per km | 23:00-06:00 20% | 1/3 the price |
| Shanghai (上海) | 11 yuan (3km) | 2.4 yuan per km | 23:00-05:00 30% | 1/3 the price |
| Guangzhou (广州) | 10 yuan (2.5km) | 2.6 yuan per km | None | 1/2 the price |
| Shenzhen (深圳) | 10 yuan (2km) | 2.4 yuan per km | 23:00-06:00 20% | 1/2 the price |
Real Usage Example (Beijing)
- Distance: 12.3km (about 20 minutes)
- Fare: 38 yuan (about 7,200 won)
- Same distance back home: About 25,000 won
Using DiDi (滴滴出行)
Since hailing taxis on the street was harder than I expected in China, I tried using DiDi, and it works great for foreigners too.
Why DiDi is Great
- Available in English
- Accepts Korean credit cards
- You can set your destination (目的地) in advance so no need to explain to the driver
- Price is shown upfront so no worries about being overcharged
How I Actually Used It
- Download the app and sign up with a Korean phone number
- Register a Korean card (Visa, Mastercard both work)
- Set pickup location (出发地) and destination (目的地)
- Choose car type (usually just regular taxi)
- Call (叫车) and the driver comes
Sometimes the app doesn’t work though. When that happened, I asked hotel staff for help or used the taxi function in Alipay (支付宝).
Calling Taxis with Alipay
Alipay also has a taxi-calling feature built in, so you don’t need to download DiDi separately. I used this as a backup when DiDi wasn’t working and it was fine.
5. High-Speed Rail (高速铁路/CRH/CR)
Types of Chinese High-Speed Rail
Chinese trains are categorized by the letter prefix. It was confusing at first, but after taking them a few times, I got the hang of it.
Chinese High-Speed Rail Comparison
| Grade | Max Speed | Features | Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G Grade (高速) | 350km/h | Major stations only, fastest | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (time-sensitive) |
| D Grade (动车) | 250km/h | Moderate stops, good value | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (general recommendation) |
| C Grade (城际) | 200km/h | Short intercity routes | Low | ⭐⭐⭐ (specific routes only) |
| M Grade (磁悬浮) | 430km/h | Maglev (Shanghai Airport Line) | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (experience) |
Seat Class Price Differences (Beijing-Shanghai route)
- Second class (二等座): Around 550 yuan (102,000 won)
- First class (一等座): Around 930 yuan (172,000 won)
- Business class (商务座): Around 1,750 yuan (324,000 won)
Seat Types (座位类型)
- Second class (二等座): Most basic and affordable
- First class (一等座): More spacious and comfortable
- Business class (商务座): Fully reclining seats, great for long distances
How to Buy Tickets and Useful Websites
Buying in Advance from Abroad
- Trip.com – Korean language support, discount codes available
- Klook – Specializes in Hong Kong-China routes
- Make sure passport number (护照号码) is correct or you can’t board
- Look for discount codes to save money
Buying Locally
- 12306 Official App (Chinese only)
- Train station ticket counters (售票处)
- Must bring passport (护照)
Official High-Speed Rail Information
Things to Remember When Taking High-Speed Rail
- Arrive 1 hour before departure (because of security checks)
- Passport check (护照检查) and bag X-ray screening
- No paper tickets – board with passport
- Hot water (热水) available on trains for instant noodles (方便面)
6. Transport Cards (交通卡) and Mobile Payment (移动支付)
Setting Up Alipay (支付宝)
Alipay is essential for daily life in China. Setting it up is a bit complicated at first, but once you do, it’s really convenient.
Basic Setup Steps
- Download app and sign up with Korean phone number
- Change language to Korean (available in settings)
- Link Korean card (travel cards work well)
- Top up with yuan (人民币)
Using Transport Card Features
- Go to Transport menu to set up city-specific transport cards
- Use the QR code to tap in/out on subways and buses
- Call taxis and pay – all through Alipay
Official Transport Card Websites
- Beijing Yikatong (一卡通) Official Site
- Shanghai Transport Card (上海交通卡) Official Info
- Guangzhou Subway Official Site
Where to Buy Transport Cards
- Subway station ticket counters (地铁站售票处)
- Airport high-speed rail ticket counters (机场高铁售票处)
- Convenience stores (便利店) (some areas)
- Digital cards in Alipay app (数字卡)
7. Tips from Real Experience
Solving Language Problems
I had some trouble with Chinese at first, but found a few methods that worked pretty well.
Useful Translation Tools (翻译工具)
- Google Translate – Must download offline
- Naver Papago – High accuracy for Korean-Chinese
- Baidu Translate (百度翻译) – Good for local Chinese expressions
Transportation-Related Chinese Expressions
| English | Chinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | 地铁 (dìtiě) | dee-tyeh |
| Bus | 公交车 (gōngjiāochē) | gong-jiao-chuh |
| Taxi | 出租车 (chūzūchē) | chu-zu-chuh |
| Train station | 火车站 (huǒchēzhàn) | huo-chuh-jan |
| Airport | 机场 (jīchǎng) | jee-chang |
| How much? | 多少钱? (duōshǎo qián?) | duo-shao-chyen? |
| Please stop here | 在这里下车 (zài zhèlǐ xiàchē) | zai-juh-lee-shya-chuh |
Practical Tips
- Write down destinations in Chinese beforehand (hotels can help write them)
- Screenshot destinations (目的地) in map apps to show drivers
- Always carry hotel business cards (酒店名片) (show when returning)
Must-Have Apps with Download Links
| App Name | Purpose | Importance | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay (支付宝) | Payment, transport cards, taxis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | iOS | Android |
| DiDi (滴滴出行) | Taxi calling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | iOS | Android |
| Baidu Maps | Navigation, bus info | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Official Site |
| Gaode Maps (高德地图) | Navigation (English support) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | iOS | Android |
| WeChat (微信) | Local communication, payment | ⭐⭐⭐ | iOS | Android |
App Setup Related Useful Sites
Money-Saving Tips
- Transport cards give lots of discounts
- Avoid rush hours (上下班时间) for less crowding
- Use shared bikes (Hellobike) for short distances
- Buy high-speed rail tickets in advance for better prices
Staying Safe
Emergency Contact Numbers (紧急联系方式)
| Situation | Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General Emergency (综合紧急情况) | 110 | Police (警察), Fire (火灾), Medical Emergency (医疗急救) combined |
| Medical Emergency (医疗急救) | 120 | Ambulance (救护车) |
| Fire (火灾) | 119 | Fire Department (消防队) |
| Korean Consulate (韩国领事馆) | Varies by region | Passport loss (护照丢失), accidents |
Major Cities Korean Consulate Contacts
- Korean Embassy in Beijing (驻北京大韩民国大使馆): +86-10-8532-0404
- Korean Consulate General in Shanghai (驻上海大韩民国总领事馆): +86-21-6295-5000
- Korean Consulate General in Guangzhou (驻广州大韩民国总领事馆): +86-20-2919-2999
Useful Travel Information Sites
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Travel – China travel precautions
- Korea Tourism Organization China Info – China travel tips
- China National Tourism Administration – Official China tourism info
Safety Rules (安全守则)
- Only use officially registered taxis (正规出租车) or vehicles
- Split valuables across different bags
- Don’t travel alone late at night (深夜)
- Save emergency contact numbers (紧急联系方式) in advance
China’s transportation might look complicated at first, but once you get used to it, it’s actually pretty convenient. The mobile payment system is well-developed, so with just a smartphone you can get almost anywhere. It might seem a bit complex initially, but with this guide you should have a much easier time getting around.
If you’re planning to visit China, I recommend downloading Alipay (支付宝) and DiDi (滴滴出行) apps and registering your cards beforehand. Being able to use them right when you arrive makes everything much more convenient.
Pre-Departure Preparation Checklist (出发前准备清单)
- [ ] Install Alipay app (支付宝) and register card
- [ ] Install DiDi app (滴滴出行) and create account
- [ ] Download Google Translate Chinese offline
- [ ] Research destination (目的地) Chinese characters in advance
- [ ] Save emergency contact numbers (紧急联系方式) in phone
- [ ] Prepare passport (护照) copies and ID photos
More China Travel Information
- China Visa-Free Entry Info (中国免签入境信息)
- China Currency Exchange and Payment Guide
- China Major Cities Transportation Network Maps
Additional Tip: Google services are blocked in China, so you might need a VPN. However, for transportation, local apps are more accurate and convenient anyway, so I recommend using those.