China's transport system is genuinely world-class — fast, cheap, easy. The trick is knowing which two apps you actually need, and which six to ignore.
This page is a reference for getting around: in cities, between cities, and from the airport.
⚠️
Two apps cover everything
A separate Trip.com, 12306, DiDi, or city metro app isn’t needed for most trips. Alipay (payments + DiDi + trains via Transport tab + flights via TripAir mini-program + metro QR) and Amap (maps) cover everything.
60-second answer
The whole transport stack, in 4 lines
Within a city → Metro (Alipay QR) or DiDi (inside Alipay)
Between cities under 5 hours → High-speed rail (Alipay → Transport → 12306)
Between cities over 5 hours → Domestic flight (Alipay → search “TripAir” — cheaper)
Maps for all of it → Amap, with offline maps saved before you fly
🗺️ The Map App
Amap — install this first
Google Maps technically works in China. Its data does not.
Why Amap (高德地图)
FREE · WORKS IN ENGLISH · NO VPN NEEDED
Amap is China’s most accurate map app. Walking, driving, transit and cycling routes are all reliable. You can search in English and get results pinned in the right location — Google Maps will send you to a side alley two blocks away.
One thing to do before you fly: open Amap → settings → offline maps → download every city you’re visiting. Metro stations have weak signal. Offline maps mean you’re never stuck.
Bao’s tip
Amap shows the exact metro exit number for every transit route. This sounds tiny but saves the “which way is north” disorientation when you surface from underground in an unfamiliar city.
🚇 Within a city
Metro, DiDi, taxi — all through Alipay
No separate metro card, no separate DiDi app, no second registration.
Metro · the fastest and cheapest way to cross a city
¥3–9 PER RIDE · ENGLISH SIGNAGE · AIR-CONDITIONED
Every major Chinese city has a metro that’s clean, fast and well-signposted in English. Three ways to pay:
OPTION 1
Alipay QR
Open Alipay → Transport → enable QR → scan at gate. 20 seconds setup. Works in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, more.
OPTION 2
City metro app
Each city has its own (Shanghai DaDuHui, Beijing Yitongxing). Works fine but it’s an extra download. Skip unless you live in one city for weeks.
OPTION 3
Physical card
¥20 deposit at station service desk. Top up with cash. Backup option if your phone dies.
Bao’s tip
Avoid 8–9 AM and 5–7 PM. Chinese rush hour is dense — Shanghai Line 2 at peak hours gets very crowded. If your schedule allows, ride outside those windows.
DiDi & street taxis
DIDI ≈ $3–8 ACROSS DOWNTOWN · NO SEPARATE APP NEEDED
Do not download DiDi as a standalone app. Open Alipay → search “DiDi” in mini-programs → the DiDi interface opens inside Alipay → type destination in English → book. Same payment you’ve already set up.
For street taxis: they’re metered and aren’t going anywhere, but most drivers speak minimal English. Screenshot your destination’s Chinese name in Amap before you go and show the driver the screen. That’s the whole interaction.
Bao’s tip
If a DiDi driver calls after accepting, don’t panic — they usually want clearer pickup directions. Drop a location pin in the app’s chat; it auto-translates and most drivers understand it instantly.
🚄 Between cities
High-speed rail, flights, Maglev
Pick by distance and time. All booked through Alipay — no extra apps.
Mode
Best for
Speed
Book via
High-speed rail
Best for:Cities < 5h apart
Speed:300–350 km/h
Book via:Alipay → Transport → 12306
Domestic flight
Best for:Cities > 5h apart
Speed:1–4h flight time
Book via:Alipay → search “TripAir”
Shanghai Maglev
Best for:PVG airport → Shanghai (fun)
Speed:430 km/h, 8 min
Book via:Buy at station counter
High-speed rail · the best thing in Chinese transport
Western visitors consistently underestimate this. Trains run at 300–350 km/h, depart on time, the seats are wide, ride is smooth enough to balance coffee on the tray, power at every seat. First-time visitors often list the high-speed train as a trip highlight.
Book inside Alipay, no extra app. Open Alipay → Transport → 12306 tab → route → search → pay. Saves your passport number after the first booking.
At the station: arrive 30 min early. Look for the “Foreign Passport” lane at ticket collection. Security is airport-style. Seats are assigned — no rush to board.
Bao’s tip
Book second class (二等座) unless you specifically want to splurge. It’s clean, comfortable and significantly cheaper than first. The experience difference is not proportional to the price difference — first class is a wider seat. That’s it.
Domestic flights · for distances trains can’t cover well
SHANGHAI ↔ CHENGDU · BEIJING ↔ KUNMING · USE TRIPAIR FOR BEST PRICES
Use Alipay’s TripAir mini-program — it’s typically 10–30% cheaper than booking through Alipay’s Transport tab for the same flight. Both are inside Alipay, both accept the payment you’ve already set up.
How to book — recommended: Open Alipay → search “TripAir” → tap “Flights” → enter cities and date → search → pay.
Backup option: Open Alipay → Transport → Flight → enter route → search → pay. Same coverage, slightly higher prices.
What you need: Your passport details (name exactly as it appears in your passport). TripAir saves it after the first booking.
At the airport: check in at least 45 minutes before departure (an hour is safer). Domestic ID checks use your passport — keep it accessible. Security follows international standards. Most major airports have English signage.
Bao’s tip
Check baggage allowance before you pack. Domestic economy fares often include only 20kg checked. Some budget carriers (9 Air, Ruili Airlines) charge extra for luggage the way Ryanair does in Europe — read the fare details before assuming.
Shanghai Maglev · 430 km/h, worth doing once
PUDONG AIRPORT (PVG) ↔ LONGYANG ROAD STATION · 8 MINUTES
The world’s fastest commercial train in regular operation. Pudong airport to Longyang Road in 8 minutes flat, top speed 430 km/h. You feel the acceleration press you into your seat, glance at the speed display showing 431, then you’re there.
It doesn’t reach central Shanghai directly — you transfer to the metro at Longyang Road — so total time ends up similar to taking the metro the whole way. It’s not the practical choice. It’s the fun choice.
PRICE
¥50 / ¥80
Single / return. Metro is ~¥8 by comparison.
FREQUENCY
Every 15–20 min
Approx 6:45 AM – 9:40 PM operating hours.
JOURNEY
8 min flat
Buy tickets at the station counter, no booking needed.
Bao’s tip
Sit on the right side facing direction of travel toward the city. The opposing Maglev passes at a combined 860 km/h closing speed. It happens in a fraction of a second. You’ll miss it if you blink.
❌ Don’t download
Apps Alipay already covers
All of these run as mini-programs inside Alipay — no separate install needed.
DiDiAlready inside Alipay as a mini-program. No second registration.
Trip.com appYou don’t need it. Alipay’s TripAir mini-program books flights more cheaply, and Transport → 12306 books trains. Trip.com on a laptop still works for big-screen planning.
12306The official train app requires a Chinese phone number to register. Alipay’s Transport → 12306 uses the same backend without the headache.
Shanghai DaDuHuiMetro app. Alipay’s QR works the same gates. Skip unless you live in Shanghai.
Beijing YitongxingSame story for Beijing metro. Alipay QR works.
Maps.me / Google MapsMaps.me’s China data is sparse. Google Maps’ China data is frequently off-position due to a known GPS offset. Use Amap.
⚠️ Common traps
Things that trip people up
TRAP 01
Showing up at a train station 10 minutes early
Chinese stations are large. Allow 30 min minimum, more during holidays. Find the “Foreign Passport” lane at ticket collection — it’s faster than the regular queue.
TRAP 02
Trying to type “Forbidden City” to a taxi driver
English destination names don’t help. Always screenshot the Chinese name from Amap and show the screen. Taxi interaction = 0 words.
TRAP 03
Booking the cheapest domestic flight without checking baggage
Some Chinese budget carriers charge for checked luggage Ryanair-style. Read the fare details before you assume 20kg is included.
TRAP 04
Riding the metro at 8:30 AM with a backpack
Rush hour 8–9 AM and 5–7 PM is genuinely brutal. If your schedule allows, push your sightseeing window past 10 AM.
