Chapter 3
Get around
China's metros and high-speed trains are fast, clean and easy once you know how to get in. Here's how.
- 1 Metro: scan to enterIn many cities you can open a metro QR code in Alipay or WeChat and walk straight through the gate. Checked 25 Oct 2026
- 2 Taxis & ride-hailing: DiDi and street taxisBook a car in English with DiDi, or hail a street taxi. Either way, have the address in Chinese. Checked 25 Oct 2026
- 3 High-speed rail: buy tickets on 12306 with your passportRegister your passport on China Railway's official app or website, buy a ticket, and board by scanning your passport. Checked 25 Oct 2026
- 4 Airport to cityHow to get from the airport into town in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. Checked 25 Oct 2026
- 5 Show this to the driver or staffSave your hotel's address in Chinese once, and show it full screen whenever you need it. Checked 25 Oct 2026