China's transportation network is mainly composed of air transportation, railway transportation, road transportation and port transportation. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in infrastructure, especially in transportation construction.


Air transport

By the end of 2018, there were over 200 civil aviation airports in China, with regular flights connecting more than 200 cities. The mileage of regular flight routes was nearly 7 million kilometers, and civil aviation services covered about 90% of prefecture-level cities and 80% of counties across the country. There are nearly 800 international routes and regular flights to over 60 countries. Tickets can be purchased through the official websites of major airlines, or through ticket agencies or related travel websites and apps.


Railway transportation

In recent years, the operating mileage of China's railways has continued to increase. By the end of 2018, the operating mileage of railways across the country had reached over 131,000 kilometers, among which the mileage of high-speed railways exceeded 29,000 kilometers. In terms of railway passenger volume, with the rapid development of high-speed railways, the railway passenger volume increased from 1.89 billion person-times in 2012 to 3.37 billion person-times in 2018, an increase of 78%. China's railway passenger turnover volume ranks first in the world.


China's railway network is well-connected, and the continuous growth of high-speed railways has brought a qualitative improvement to passengers' travel experience. You can book tickets by phone, through the aforementioned various travel websites, or on the official website and APP of China Railway. You can also purchase them directly at local railway stations. Booking hotline: 95105105 (please add the area code) Booking website and APP: www.12306.cn and high-speed rail manager


Road transportation

As of 2019, the total mileage of highways in China had reached 4.8465 million kilometers, with 142,600 kilometers of expressways, ranking first in the world. Road tickets can be booked through the aforementioned travel websites and travel apps, or through the following website: www.bus365.com


Waterway transportation

Compared with railway, road and air transportation, waterway transportation in China is mainly freight transportation, while passenger transportation mainly takes place along the eastern coast and some inland rivers and canals.


Urban intra-city transportation

The main means of transportation within Chinese cities are very diverse. Buses, subways, taxis, bicycles, etc. are very convenient. International students can choose the mode of transportation that suits them according to their own needs.


Public transportation: The Chinese government encourages residents to travel by bus. Many cities offer discounts to passengers who take public transportation. Buses in big cities have short intervals, many routes and low fares, making it one of the best ways to travel. Bus tickets can be purchased on board or the local travel APP can be downloaded in advance and recharged.


More and more Chinese cities have opened subways. The subway transportation networks in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Nanjing are getting denser and denser. Compared with ground transportation, subways are fast and have a high punctuality rate, and are deeply loved by local residents. Subway tickets can be purchased at subway stations or the local travel APP can be downloaded in advance and recharged.


In China, taxis stop as soon as you wave your hand. You can also make a reservation in advance by phone or through various ride-hailing apps. Taxi fares are relatively higher than public transportation fees, but compared with countries like Europe and America, taking a taxi in China is also relatively inexpensive.


Bicycles: China is renowned as a major country for bicycles. Shared bikes, which have quietly emerged and rapidly gained popularity in recent years, have been well-received by people from all walks of life. For international students, buying a second-hand bicycle or directly downloading a shared bike APP is both economical and convenient.