Getting Around China
Every mode of transportation and how to pay for it.
China's transportation system is world-class — high-speed rail connects every major city, metro systems are expanding rapidly, and ride-hailing is cheap and ubiquitous. The good news: mobile payment works everywhere. This section covers every transport option and exactly how to pay for each one.
1DiDi (Ride-Hailing)
DiDi is China's Uber equivalent and it's how most locals get around cities. You can access it through the standalone DiDi app or via the Alipay mini-program (recommended for foreigners — English interface, automatic payment).
How to Request a Ride (Step-by-Step)
Open Alipay
Tap the search bar at the top and type "DiDi" or find it in the "Transport" section.
Enter your destination
Type the address or select it on the map. The interface is in English. Paste your hotel address in Chinese for best results.
Choose your car type
Express (cheapest, regular car), Premier (nicer car, English-speaking driver more likely), or Carpool (shared ride, lowest price).
Confirm the ride
You'll see the estimated price and wait time. Tap "Call" to request. A driver will be matched within seconds.
Wait for your driver
The app shows the driver's name, car model, license plate, and real-time location on the map. Go to the pickup point.
Pay automatically
When you arrive, the fare is charged automatically to your linked Alipay card. No cash needed, no QR code needed. You can rate the driver afterward.
Price Estimates & Car Types
Most affordable option. Standard sedan. Typical city ride: ¥15–40. Wait time: 2–5 minutes.
Nicer vehicles, more professional drivers. About 1.5–2x Express pricing. Good for airport runs or business meetings.
Shared with other passengers going the same direction. 30–50% cheaper than Express. Longer travel time.
Useful Chinese Phrases for Drivers
2Street Taxis
Street taxis are still common in every Chinese city. They're a reliable fallback when DiDi surge pricing is high or when you're in an area with poor phone signal.
How to Hail a Taxi
- Look for the green light on the dashboard — this means the taxi is available. Red light = occupied.
- Raise your hand to flag it down. Taxis cruise major roads and stop at taxi stands near malls and hotels.
- Show your destination address in Chinese (have it ready on your phone).
Payment
- When you arrive, open Alipay → "Pay/Collect" and show the QR code to the driver.
- Most taxis have a scanner on the dashboard. The driver will scan your code.
- Alternatively, the driver may show you their QR code for you to scan.
- Cash is still accepted — this is your backup if mobile payment fails.
Insist on the meter (打表 dǎ biǎo). Some drivers near tourist areas or airports may try to negotiate a flat fare instead of using the meter. This is almost always a scam — the negotiated price will be 2–3x the metered fare. Point at the meter and say "dǎ biǎo." If the driver refuses, get out and find another taxi.
Ask for a receipt (发票 fâ piào). Chinese taxi receipts are official tax invoices. You may them for expense reports. The driver prints it from a machine in the car. Just say "fâ piào" and they'll understand.
3Metro / Subway
China's metro systems are modern, clean, fast, and incredibly affordable. Most major cities have extensive networks. Riding the metro is the best way to navigate a Chinese city.
How to Pay
Alipay Transport QR Code
Open Alipay → "Transport" (or search "Metro" in search) → Activate your city's metro pass. A QR code appears that you scan at the turnstile to enter and exit. Fare is deducted automatically. This is the easiest method.
WeChat Metro Mini-Programs
Some cities have WeChat mini-programs for metro entry. Search for your city's metro pass in WeChat. Setup varies by city but generally involves identity verification.
Physical Tickets at Vending Machines
Every metro station has ticket vending machines. Select your destination on the touchscreen, pay with cash or Alipay, and receive a single-use card or token. Fares typically range from ¥2–8 depending on distance.
Supported Cities
Alipay Transport QR codes for metro entry are available in 20+ cities including: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Nanjing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Tianjin, Suzhou, Zhengzhou, Changsha, Kunming, and more. The list expands regularly.
Operating hours: Most metro systems run from approximately 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Last trains depart around 10:30–11:00 PM. Plan accordingly — after midnight, you'll need a taxi or DiDi.
4Buses
Buses cover areas the metro doesn't reach and are extremely cheap (¥1–2 per ride). They're a good option for short trips and scenic routes.
QR Code Payment
Same system as the metro in many cities. Open Alipay Transport, show the bus QR code to the scanner near the entrance door. One scan per boarding.
Cash Backup
Bring exact change — ¥1 or ¥2 coins/bills. Buses don't give change. Drop the money in the fare box near the driver.
Real-Time Tracking
Use Amap or Baidu Maps to see bus routes, stop locations, and real-time arrival predictions. Both apps show which bus to take and when the next one arrives.
5High-Speed Rail
China's high-speed rail network is the largest in the world — over 40,000 km of track connecting every major city. Trains run at 250–350 km/h and are punctual, comfortable, and affordable. A Beijing-Shanghai ticket (1,318 km, ~4.5 hours) costs around ¥553 for second class.
Booking Options
The official China Railway app. Available in English. Free to download. Book tickets, check schedules, and manage reservations. Requires passport registration.
International travel platform with excellent English support. Charges a small booking fee (¥10–30) but offers a smoother experience for non-Chinese speakers.
Your hotel front desk can book train tickets for you. Useful for complex routes or if you're uncomfortable navigating Chinese apps. May charge a small service fee.
Boarding with Passport
China has eliminated paper train tickets. Your passport IS your ticket:
- At the station, go to the manual lane (人工通道) — not the automatic gates (which require a Chinese ID card).
- Hand your passport to the staff member. They scan it and verify your ticket in the system.
- Walk through to the platform. Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure for international passport holders.
Train Classes
Fully reclining seats, complimentary meals, privacy screens. Most expensive — roughly 3x second class price. Available on most G-trains.
2+2 seating, more legroom, power outlets at every seat. About 1.5x second class price. Comfortable for longer journeys.
3+2 seating, standard legroom. The most common and economical choice. Still very comfortable by international standards.
No reserved seat. You stand in the aisles or between cars. Same price as second class. Only choose this when sold out — which happens during holidays.
Book early for holidays. During Chinese New Year (Jan–Feb), National Day (Oct 1), and summer vacation (Jul–Aug), tickets sell out within minutes of going on sale (15 days before departure). Book exactly when the window opens, or use Trip.com's auto-booking feature.
Onboard Food Ordering
Most high-speed trains have a dining car, but you can also order food delivered to your seat via the 12306 app or WeChat mini-program. Scan the QR code on the armrest, browse menus from partner restaurants at each station stop, and have meals delivered when the train stops. Payment via Alipay or WeChat Pay.
6Shared Bikes & E-Bikes
Shared bikes and e-bikes are everywhere in Chinese cities. They're perfect for short trips (1–3 km) and exploring neighborhoods at your own pace.
Find a bike
Look for bikes parked on sidewalks. Major brands: Hello Bike (blue, Alipay-linked), Meituan Bike (yellow), DiDi Bike (orange). Hello Bike is easiest — unlock directly from Alipay.
Scan the QR code
Open Alipay (for Hello Bike) or the relevant app, scan the QR code on the bike's handlebar or lock. The lock clicks open automatically.
Ride and park
Ride to your destination. Park in a designated parking area (marked with white lines on the sidewalk). Lock the bike manually or tap "End Ride" in the app.
Auto-charge
The fare is charged automatically to your Alipay account. Pricing: approximately ¥1–2 per 30 minutes for regular bikes, ¥2–4 for e-bikes.
Park in designated areas only. Chinese cities enforce strict bike parking rules. If you park outside marked zones, the bike company may charge a penalty fee (¥5–20) or the city may impound the bike. Look for white-painted rectangles on the sidewalk.
7Airport Transportation
Getting to and from the airport is straightforward with multiple options depending on your budget and timing.
Available at PVG, PEK, and other major airports. Tickets ¥25–50 at vending machines (cash or Alipay). Takes 30–60 minutes to reach city center. Most reliable option — no traffic delays.
Multiple routes to different parts of the city. Tickets ¥15–30, purchased at the bus counter or with Alipay. Subject to traffic. Departs every 15–30 minutes.
¥100–300 depending on distance and traffic. Most convenient if you have heavy luggage or are traveling to a location far from train/bus stops. Book via DiDi for price transparency.
Major airports have long-distance bus stations connecting to nearby cities (e.g., PVG to Hangzhou, Suzhou). Tickets ¥50–150. Buy at the counter with cash or Alipay. Good option if your final destination is not in the airport's city.