Transport setup path
China Transport Setup
Use this order to move from airport arrival to metro, taxis, ride-hailing, stations, trains, and intercity travel without guessing at each step.
Follow this transport order
- 1 Metro First city day Learn metro basics
Understand city-by-city payment methods, station entry, transfers, and backup ticket options.
- 2 Ride When public transit is hard Use Didi or taxis calmly
Prepare ride-hailing and taxi choices before luggage, rain, late arrivals, or fatigue raise the stakes.
- 3 City Between cities Compare the full travel day
Choose rail, flights, or road by door-to-door friction, not just vehicle speed.
- 4 Rail Before booking trains Understand high-speed rail basics
Know booking, passport checks, station timing, seat classes, and boarding flow before a long travel day.
Use these when movement gets complicated
Daily city movement
- Taxi Street or rank rides Taxis in China
Use official taxis, confirm the route, and understand payment expectations.
- Maps Before leaving the hotel Navigation, maps, and translation
Save Chinese addresses, map pins, station exits, and return details.
- Lost If the route breaks Getting lost: what to do
Stop, confirm your location, and choose one clear next move.
Stations, tickets, and documents
- Tickets Before intercity rail Buying train tickets
Know the booking routes, passport name matching, and pickup or boarding expectations.
- Passport For rail, hotels, and flights Passport needed for travel
Carry the original passport when identity checks may matter.
- Security At stations and airports Security checks
Plan for identity checks, baggage screening, and station entry flow.
- Flights Long routes Domestic flights basics
Use flights when the full door-to-door day works better than rail.
Special situations
- Luggage On travel days Luggage and baggage rules
Keep luggage realistic for stations, stairs, taxis, trains, and airport transfers.
- Night Late arrivals Night travel safety
Use simpler routes, official channels, and backup plans when arrival time gets late.
- Kids Family travel Traveling with kids
Plan transfers, waiting time, bathrooms, snacks, and calmer transport choices.