China’s major cities can feel overwhelming at first—but they don’t have to! With the right tools and knowledge, you can learn to navigate them like a local. Whether you’re exploring Beijing, wandering around Chengdu, or spending some time in Shanghai, this guide will help you get around China’s bustling cities with ease, so that you can focus on enjoying every moment of the journey.
Public Transportation Essentials
One of the best ways to get around China’s cities is to use public transportation. Public transport in China is affordable, and relatively easy to navigate. Many of the major cities have advanced metro systems, efficient bus routes, and you’ll always find plenty of taxis driving around. These methods of transport are usually clean, and may become your go-to for getting from place to place.
There are some important things to know about using China’s public transportation systems. The first thing is that you want to try and avoid traveling during rush hour, as trains and buses could be very crowded, and it may be difficult to hail a taxi during this time. If you’ll be traveling throughout China often during your stay, you may also want to consider getting a reloadable metro card. Lastly, when taking a taxi, use a translation app so that you can communicate your destination to your driver.
Must-Have Apps
There are some helpful apps that we recommend you download before embarking on your trip to China. If you need help getting around by foot, bike, or car, we suggest using AutoNavi. Simply enter any destination, and AutoNavi will tell you exactly how to get there. Another app that you’ll find to be very useful is Baidu Maps, which allows you to track bus routes.
Besides using apps for transportation purposes, there are plenty of other mobile apps that you can use for communicating with the locals and purchasing items. With Google Translate, you can translate your conversations from Chinese to your native language, so that you can understand what people around you are saying. Just be aware that you may have to use Google Translate offline as it could be restricted in parts of China. You should also download Alipay. Alipay is widely accepted across China, and lets you easily pay for things throughout the country.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
You want to make sure that you are aware of some common pitfalls that tourists can fall into while visiting China. Understanding what to look out for ahead of time can help you stay safe. With that said, here are some common pitfalls to avoid while navigating China’s cities:
- Don’t Rely on American-Based Apps: You cannot always rely on using American-based apps or websites, as they may be inaccessible. If you do need to access them for some reason, you could try using a VPN, but this may not always work either.
- Avoid Getting Into Unlicensed Taxis: Another thing to be aware of is that there are licensed and unlicensed taxis. Unlicensed taxis often charge higher rates, and may take you on long detours. Before getting into a taxi, always double check that they are licensed.
- Have Your Hotel’s Information Written Down in Chinese: If you don’t speak any Chinese, it could be difficult to communicate with the locals, especially if you’re trying to return to your hotel. Ensure that you have your hotel’s information written down in Chinese, so that you can show it to your driver, and they know where they need to go.
Understanding Local Etiquette
Knowing some of the local etiquette can go a long way, and be a big help when it comes to getting around China. When it comes to navigating public transportation, there are some basic rules that you should follow in order to blend in and be as respectful as possible. When waiting for a train, stand in line at the marked waiting areas, let people exit the train before entering, and don’t cut in line. Additionally, while on a train or bus, it’s common practice to be quiet, so do your best to avoid any loud conversations.
Getting a Passport For Your Trip to China
Traveling internationally requires that you have a valid passport. If you need a new passport or passport renewal for your trip to China, we’d be happy to help. Applying for a passport online is simple when you choose to work with a company like Swift. We make the process easy from start to finish, so that you can focus on getting ready for your upcoming travel plans. All you have to do is visit our website to get your passport application started, complete the checkout process, and send in all of the required documentation. Then, once your passport has been processed, we will send it directly to you.
Obtaining a China Visa
Your trip to China may require that you get a visa beforehand. If you find that this is the case, obtaining your China visa with Swift is a quick and easy process. No matter if you need a tourist visa, business visa, or work visa, we’d be happy to assist you. To get started, on your visa application, visit the Expedited China Visa Service page located on our website. Once our team of travel experts has reviewed your application, we will process your visa, and let you know when it’s ready. Wishing you safe travels to China!
