China can pride itself on having established a very complete and adapted transportation system for all, whether by plane, train, bus or even maritime routes.
Indeed, the population of certain cities being greater than or equal to that of some countries, the means of getting around must be up to the task. This is a windfall for tourists who have a wealth of options to travel according to their budget, but beyond flight comparison websites it is sometimes difficult to find your way. This is what we are going to try to detail here !

Airplane

Flights are obviously the fastest way to travel between major cities in China. The country indeed has an extensive air network, spread across over 200 airports. It is also worth noting that at the time of writing, 18 cities in China offer a 72-hour visa-free transit, allowing travelers to discover them in a short time.
Opting for the airplane will thus allow you to save hours or even days of travel time, but above all to conserve your energy to enjoy your stay to the fullest. Prices are often very competitive provided you plan ahead, and we recommend using a flight comparison website such as Alibabuy to choose from several airlines at the best price. Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines... there is no shortage of options and the services are generally of good quality.

Train

This is the solution to prioritize if you wish to visit virtually all cities and regions, including the most remote ones. China indeed has the longest railway network in the world, extending over 16,000 km and serving 28 of the 34 provinces in the country.
If you are in a hurry, we cannot recommend enough opting for high-speed trains (G, D and C types). Fast, safe, reliable, comfortable and environmentally friendly, high-speed trains now rival air transportation in terms of efficiency for long distances. Most tourist cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Huangshan, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Luoyang, Guilin, Chengdu, Guiyang, Guangzhou and many others are served by this type of train, making it a transportation of choice for foreign travelers.
If you would like information on slower trains and particularly overnight trains, do not hesitate to consult our dedicated article: Overnight Train in China

Long-Distance Bus

Traveling on the highway is admittedly not as comfortable as traveling by plane or high-speed train. But you may find yourself needing to use the bus to reach isolated regions such as the Yuanyang rice terraces, the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, the Huitengxile grasslands in Inner Mongolia, etc...
While it is true that stops are written in Chinese (except in Beijing and Shanghai where stops are also displayed in English), if you travel with a destination clearly written in characters, you will always be able to find someone to help you. To do this, search your route on Google Maps (you will need a VPN) or ask your hotel or guide for advice.

Taxi

Many travelers prefer to avoid taking taxis at all costs, as they generally do not come with a safety guarantee, with seatbelts often going missing!
Moreover, taxi prices change constantly. A few years ago, the starting fare in Beijing was 4 RMB, whereas it is now 13 RMB. In Shanghai and Hangzhou, starting fares are 14 RMB and 8 RMB in Chengdu.
Make sure above all that the meter is turned on before you leave. If you are traveling a long distance or if you wish to hire a taxi for half a day or more, you may need to negotiate a price. Make sure you agree on it before you leave!
For more information on traveling by taxi in China, check out this detailed article: Essential Phrases for Taking a Taxi in China