🚇Getting Around

Within Cities

All major cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu — have excellent public transit options.

Metro (Subway)

All major cities have metro systems with English signage and announcements.

Buy single-journey tickets at machines (English option available)
Or use Alipay/WeChat Pay to tap in/out directly (no card needed)
Metro apps: local city apps or use Google Maps for route planning (VPN needed)

Download the metro map screenshot before going underground — no signal.

DiDi (Ride-hailing)

China's equivalent of Uber.

Download DiDi and set language to English
Enter pickup and destination in English — it auto-translates for the driver
Driver sees your location on their map. You don't need to speak Chinese.
Pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay in-app.

If the driver calls you and you can't communicate, use WeChat's real-time translation feature or stay on the pin location.

Taxis

Less common in cities now but still exist. Show the driver your destination written in Chinese (use WeChat Translation or prepare a card). Taxis are metered — avoid unmarked "black cabs."

Between Cities — High-Speed Trains (Recommended)

China's high-speed rail (HSR) network is world-class. Beijing to Shanghai in 4.5 hours.

Book on Trip.com (English, accepts foreign cards)
Or at station ticket windows — show your passport, destination written in Chinese helps
Arrive 30 min early for security checks
Seat classes: Business (商务), First (一等), Second (二等). Second class is comfortable and affordable.

Long-Distance Flights

Domestic flights are cheap. Book on Trip.com or Ctrip. Airports have English signage.