• High-speed trains

  Not every city has an airport, so taking the train is often more practical.

  China has an extensive high-speed rail network connecting most cities. Train travel is a normal part of life in China and is often more convenient than flying.

  Train stations are usually closer to city centers than airports, and you don’t need to arrive as early. You can also enjoy the scenery along the way and move around more easily.

  One of my students told me she preferred taking trains in China because the journey itself became part of the travel experience. She had the chance to chat with other passengers, shared snacks with them, and even made friends on the train.

Getting around within cities

Once you’re in the city, you’ll have several convenient options:

• Subway: fast, affordable, and usually the easiest way to travel around big cities

• Bus: very inexpensive and useful for areas not covered by the subway

• Ride-hailing (DiDi): convenient and usually much cheaper than in western cities

• Shared bikes: easy to find in many cities and useful for short distances

These services are all available through mini programs inside WeChat or Alipay, so you don’t need a separate app for everything.

For the subway and buses, open Transport in Alipay, select your city and get a QR code. Scan it at the subway gate or when you board the bus.

To book a DiDi, open the mini program inside WeChat or Alipay, enter your destination and wait for the driver to arrive. When you get in, give the driver the last four digits of your phone number to confirm the ride.

For shared bikes, two common options are the blue Hello Bike in Alipay and the green DiDi bike in WeChat. Simply scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it.

For directions, use AMap instead of Google Maps. It’s much more accurate in China. See my list of recommended apps here.