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What are the primary modes of transportation in China?

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What are the primary modes of transportation in China?

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With over a billion people on the move, it's no wonder China has a wide selection of transportation options.

Air travel is becoming more and more popular with shorter legs now taking travelers from one domestic destination to the next quickly and cheaply. China is adding hundreds of planes and dozens of airports to its system every year. This is the most convenient way to get from one big city to the next, especially if you're in a hurry.

Still, the preferred mode of long-distance travel in China is by train and if you want a memorable Chinese experience, ride the train. Overnight trains have four options for accommodation: hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper and soft sleeper. "Hard" isn't as hard as it sounds but it's often less comfortable in other ways. Hard sleeper cabins have smaller beds (three bunks rather than the two in soft sleepers) and no doors, so you'll be more likely to mingle with the locals (and their cigarette smoke and card games). Travel by train accross the entire country is possible, but not recommended in one stint (the trip from Shanghai to Lhasa for instance takes 53 hours). It's best to get off every 24 hours or so and see what's going on outside.

Buses are also popular for travel under 12 hours and within cities. Chinese buses run the gamut in terms of safety, comfort, speed and price, so be ready for anything. On city buses, there is often a conductor who can provide change for tickets, but on more modern buses in big cities you will need exact change (usually in coins).

Within city limits cabs are usually cheap, abundant and convenient, but they are not always cars. Taxis can be minibuses, cars, motorcycles, three-wheeled bikes or occasionally horse-, mule- or human-drawn carts. For most of these hired modes of transportation, fees should be decided upon ahead of time and bargaining always applies.

Of course most of those millions of Chinese are getting around on bicycles and if you have the opportunity, you should do the same. Even the big cities have large bike lanes separating the pedalers from the motorized vehicles. Biking is usually the perfect pace for exploring a new place-fast and efficient, but not closed off from the sounds, sights and smells that make China China.

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