China |
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| Getting There |
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Air China operates twice-weekly direct service from New York, and Los Angeles, and three times weekly from San Francisco to Shanghai and Beijing. China Eastern Airlines operates daily service to Shanghai and Beijing from Los Angeles, and twice-weekly service from San Francisco. China Southern operates service between Los Angeles and Guangzhou three times a week. Northwest Airlines operates daily service between Detroit and Beijing, and United Airlines offers frequent flights to Hong Kong from Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Other international carriers connect the US with China, operating primarily through Hong Kong (plus an additional stop at their gateway). Or, if you are traveling from another Asian destination, many of these international carriers have convenient connections via Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, Manila, Rangoon, Sydney, Melbourne, and Moscow, plus dozens of other points from Europe and the Middle East. Check with your travel agent when planning your trip, since airlines tailor their service to meet seasonal demands.
Travelers from Hong Kong may reach Guangzhou (Canton) by first-class rail service in less than two hours. The Trans-Siberian Railway connects China to Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, North Korea, and Vietnam, as well as Eastern and Western Europe (about a 6-day trip).
For visitors who wish to travel by sea, there are cruise lines operating seasonal 1st class service that enter China via ports of Hong Kong or Shanghai from other Asian port cities. Check with your travel agent for schedules and itineraries.
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Getting Around |
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By Rail : Rail is an enjoyable, relaxing, and inexpensive way to see China's countryside. New or modernized equipment has replaced the old train systems in most areas. Travelers who lack the time to cover vast distances by train can still get a delightful taste of rail travel by journeying on popular short-distance routes from Shanghai to the nearby cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, or Hangzhou; or from Beijing to Tianjin. Amenities have been added to first-class train travel (known as "soft seat"), including comfortable waiting lounges at some train stations. Tardy travelers should note that the trains are consistently punctual.
By Road : freeway systems have been built (and many more are under construction), making it easy to travel around and explore the metropolitan areas of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong quickly and inexpensively. Traffic is quite light on some highways. Metered taxis are readily available at all hotels and shop- ping 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. Some taxi drivers speak English, but most don't. Always take along written directions and a map to point to the location of your destination). Beijing and Shanghai have modern subways for fast travel around the cities. If you're in a hurry, this is the way to go. Signs and schedules are in English, and transfers between lines are free. If you prefer a slower pace, bicycles are available to rent everywhere in China. Bicycling is an excellent way to see the countryside and get the maximum smiles per mile.
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FAQs 
