Transportation in China has been greatly expanded in recent years to meet the growing Chinese tourism industry, and China’s transportation system has modernized as a result. The major transportation systems in China includes aviation, railway, highway, water transportation, and so on.
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Trains are the best and most often utilized means to transport people and goods in China at reasonable price and speed. The railway lines covers every province, except Hainan, and the link to Lhasa was completed in 2006.
The major national arteries include Jingguang (Beijing to Guangzhou), Jingjiu (Beijing to Kowllon), Jinghu (Beijing to Shanghai), Jingha (Beijing to Harbin), and Longhai (Lanzhou to Liangyungang) lines. International railway lines have routes to Ulan Boator (Mongolian), Pyongyang (North Korea), Moscow (Russia), and Hanoi (Vietnam), Alma-ata (Kazakhstan).
The national railways are always very busy especially during certain times like Spring Festival. Most trains have dining cars and the food is generally quite good.
In 2007, the high-speed rail service was introduced to China. The high-speed train is faster, more punctual and more comfortable and convenient than normal ones.
China is a large country, slightly larger than the continental US, so it is often easier to travel around China by air. The air transportation network in China is extensive, and the civil aviation fleet is predicted to triple in size over the next two decades.
The four largest Chinese airlines – Air China, Southern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines with over 2,000 airliners. Today, Chinese airports have 1,279 regular air routes among which 1,035 are domestic flights and 224 are international (including Hong Kong and Macau). The international and domestic timetable in English and Chinese comes out in every April and November and visitors can get it at some airports and the office of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
As for baggage, the free baggage allowance for an adult is 20kg in economy class and 30kg in first class. And it is free for 5kg hand luggage. The charge for excess baggage is 1% of the full fare for each kilogram. Keep your baggage receipt label on your ticket when you take back your luggage. Compensation for lost baggage is 40rmb per kilogram.
There are a series of trunk routes connecting all of China. Nearly all cities, villages, and counties are interconnected by these highways. Bridges and tunnels have gone a long way towards unifying China. For example, Runyang and Jiangyin Suspension Bridges over the Yangtze River span about 1,385 and 1,490 meters respectively and are the third and fourth biggest highway bridges in the world.
Waterway transportation is common in coastal and river areas such as Putuoshan, Hainan and the islands off Hong Kong, the Yangtze River area, Yangshuo and Guilin, etc. Hong Kong uses a veritable navy of vessels to stay connected with the territory’s islands, and many boats run between the territory and other parts of China like Macau, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Zhongshan.
The Yangtze and Li rivers are most visited because of splendid natural views. Our 14-day Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang is the perfect way to experience the natural beauty of the river and surrounding environs. Our Li River boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo is also very popular.