Listen to this articleChina is a country with the largest population and the third largest area in the world. It has 34 provincial regions and 660 cities, thus travelling in such a vast country requires different kinds of transportations for different travelling distances. If you are planning to study in China in the future, you must be really familiar with the various public transportations in China, and this article will introduce the most typical and common public transportations in China.
• Subways – Subways now have become one of the most popular public transportation in most cities in China. Many large Chinese cities have metro systems that provide fast and efficient urban transit. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other major cities have extensive subway networks with multiple lines and hundreds of stations. Subways are especially useful for avoiding traffic congestion on the streets.
• Buses – Buses are one of the earliest form of public transportations, and the most widely used form of public transport in Chinese cities. They operate on fixed routes and schedules. Both ordinary buses and air-conditioned buses (冷气) are available. Buses tend to be affordable but can get crowded during rush hours and rainy days.
• Intercity buses – China has a large network of intercity bus routes connecting major cities and towns. They provide an inexpensive option for medium- and long-distance travel between places without rail service. Commuter buses to nearby towns and satellite cities also operate from major cities. Intercity bus is one of the most common tools to travel between cities at short distance.
• High speed rail – China’s high speed rail network is the largest in the world, spanning over 35,000 kilometers. An extensive set of high speed rail lines connect major and mid-sized Chinese cities. They offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between places a few hundred kilometers apart, typically at speeds of 250 to 350 kilometers per hour. High speed rail is now one of the symbols of China’s fast-developed transportation systems.
• Air travel – China has over 220 airports, among which about 50 are international airports. Air travel links major cities within China as well as to places abroad. Flights between major Chinese cities are often as quick as high speed rail. However, they tend to be more expensive compared other normal transportations.
• Ferries and water buses – Ferries operate on rivers and across bodies of water between some cities, providing scenic routes for travelers. Many cities also have water bus systems alongside the subways for rapid transit along river channels. However, ferry and water bus services in China are mostly local in scope.
• Taxis – Taxis provide a convenient mode of transportation within cities. They tend to be affordable compared to Western countries. However, taxis can be hard to find and lines can be long in major Chinese cities due to high demand. Ride-hailing apps like Didi have become widely used alternatives.
China boasts a comprehensive and extensive network of public transportation systems, ranging from affordable buses and subways to the world’s largest high speed rail service. The systems facilitate travel and commuting for work and leisure within and between cities. During your study-in-China journey, these transportations can make it more convenient for you to your destination, and enjoy and the wonderful view and tourist attractions of this beautiful country.
