How do I get from Beijing airport to the city center?

Fastest: Airport Express train (¥25, 30 min to Dongzhimen). Cheapest: Subway line, varies by terminal. Most convenient: DiDi (Chinese Uber), bookable via app, ¥100-200 to central Beijing. Taxis are flat-fare but slower due to traffic. See /articles/china-airport-transfer-guide/.

Can foreigners buy high-speed train tickets in China?

Yes. Foreign passport holders can buy tickets at any station ticket window, 12306.cn (with passport upload), or via Trip.com with no passport upload needed. Real-name registration is required for all bookings. See /articles/china-metro-guide-english/.

How do I use DiDi as a foreigner?

Download the international DiDi app, register with your foreign phone number, add a Visa or Mastercard, and request rides in English. Works in 50+ Chinese cities. Local Chinese DiDi requires a Chinese phone number. See /articles/using-didi-foreigners/.

Is the China metro in English?

Major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an) have full English signage, announcements, and ticket machines. Single-ride tickets and reloadable transport cards work for foreigners. See /articles/china-metro-guide-english/.

How fast is China high-speed rail?

Up to 350 km/h on newer lines. Beijing to Shanghai takes 4-5 hours, Beijing to Xi'an 4-6 hours, Shanghai to Hangzhou 1 hour. Trains depart every 10-30 minutes on most major routes. See /articles/china-metro-guide-english/.

Transport | TravelHubChina

100% Free New tool

Build a custom itinerary for any China city in 30 seconds

Pick your city, days, pace, and must-visit attractions. Get a day-by-day plan with timings, transport, and lunch spots — no signup, no email required.

Open builder

China Airports

Interior of a modern Chinese airport terminal with Chinese characters on a large information display board and travelers with luggage

China Airport Transfer Guide 2026: PEK, PKX, PVG, SHA, CAN, CTU, XIY

The complete 2026 guide to getting from China's 7 major international airports to city center: official taxis, DiDi, airport express trains, Maglev, shuttle buses, and pre-booked private cars. Includes price ranges, hours of operation, which scams to avoid at the airport, and the 3 must-do things before you board.

12 min · Aug 2026

Didi

Didi vs Uber in China 2026: How Foreigners Ride-Hail (Step-by-Step)

No Uber in China — and no Uber-DiDi partnership to book through (the only link is Uber's 2016 stake in DiDi). DiDi is the app that actually dispatches cars for foreigners: English UI, foreign Visa/Mastercard, airport pickups. 2026 setup, fares, and the Hong Kong exception.

9 min · Sep 2026

Domestic Flights

Domestic Flights in China: When Cheaper Than Train

When to fly vs. take the train in China 2026: route distance, time-vs-price, booking platforms, airport experience, baggage rules, and the cheapest airlines.

7 min · Aug 2026

High Speed Rail

China High-Speed Rail 2026: The Foreigner's Complete Guide to 12306, HSR, and Sleeper Trains

China has the world's largest HSR network (50,000+ km, 11,000+ trains/day). The 12306 official booking site is now foreigner-friendly. This guide covers: how to register on 12306 with a foreign passport, buy tickets, ride 350 km/h HSR, sleeper trains, station navigation, food, and the 2026 mobile app changes. Save 30-50% vs domestic flights on most routes under 1,500 km.

13 min · Aug 2026

China High-Speed Rail: How to Book, Board, Survive

Book China high-speed rail (HSR) tickets in 2026: 12306 vs Trip.com, seat classes, popular routes, station tips, and the exact boarding process for foreigners.

9 min · Aug 2026

Metro

China Metro in English: 10 Cities with English Signs

Navigate Chinese metros in English in 2026: 10 cities with full English signage, how to pay (Alipay scan or Visa tap), line maps, hours, and tips for first-timers.

7 min · Aug 2026

Transport

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station high-speed train platform with CRH bullet train

Save Money on China Transport 2026: HSR vs Flight

Verified 2026 HSR vs flight cost table for 8 routes, 12306 vs Trip.com trade-off, 4 city-transport modes, and 4 money-saving tricks.

10 min · Sep 2026