Road Tour in China

Bus

Bus tickets are often easier to purchase than train tickets, for buses are plenty and they are not in such high demand among Chinese travelers. Bus travel is often cheaper than train travel of the same distance.

Almost all major cities and towns have long distant bus stations and tickets are sold at the bus station itself and need not to be booked in advance. Unlike trains, Chinese long distant bus does not sell tickets for different classes within a single vehicle. However, tickets prices vary according to the condition of the bus. Going between the following destinations are recommended for a bus tour.

Shenyang-Dalian, Beijing-Tanggu, Nanjing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Hangzhou-Ningbo, Xi'an-Lintong, Xi'an-Baoji, Guiyang-Huangguoshu, Beijing-Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan-Shijiazhuang, Yichang-Huangshi, Jinan-Qingdao, Guangzhou-Shenzhen, Guangzhou-Foshan, Chengdu-Chongqing, Fuzhou-Xiamen, Hainan Island Ring Road, Guilin-Liuzhou, Guangzhou-Shantou, and Luoyang-Kaifeng.

Taxi
Taking a taxi is very convenient in major tourist cities. You can take a taxi at a hotel or along the street. Taking a taxi is very convenient in major tourist cities. You can take a taxi at a hotel or along the street. Metered taxis are readily available at all hotels and shopping districts, and are permitted to stop at your signal. Travelers may find it convenient to hire a taxi for a whole or half day, but be sure to agree on a price first.

All taxis have a sign that says "TAXI" on the top. In most cities, the taxi tends to be a small local-made car painted in either red or yellow. In large cities, there are luxurious sedans at a higher rate. Taxi fares vary from city to city, usually starts at RMB 10 in large cities and RMB 8 in small cities as always clearly marked on the taxi window. A ride costs 1.00 or 2.80 Yuan per kilometer.

A reminder that Some taxi drivers speak English but most taxi drivers do not understand much English, although those in tourist cities are encouraged to learn and speak some simple English. Non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to take along written directions and a map to point to the location of your destination.

Travel on Foot
Backpacking - Traveling on foot is one of the best ways to see China. When you're walking you can have interesting interactions with the people you meet along the way, assuming your Chinese is good enough or if you have an English-speaking Chinese friend traveling with you. Since China is so highly populated your chance of running into other people is good. However, there are also plenty of unpopulated areas in China, so be sure to come prepared when backpacking.