China, getting there and around

Travelers who wish to go to China need a visa, costing approximately 20 € . Western tourists normally do not have difficulties getting one. Usually, China gives out single-entry visa which can be used for up to thirty days which should be used within three months after its issuance. Tourists may also opt to obtain a visa on arrival.

Travelers can reach China by plane. The Beijing Capital International Airport is located 17 miles north of Beijing. It houses banks, ATM, tourist information centers, duty free shops, and Internet-equipped business centers. The Shang Hong Qiao Airport (SHA) can be found eight miles southwest of Shanghai central. Travelers coming from this airport may opt to ride the taxicabs outside the airport, although most drivers do not understand and do not know how to speak English. The Pudong International Airport (PVG) can be found 19 miles from Shanghai central, and is linked by the Magley, a magnetic train, to Shanghai metro.

China can be reached by train. The Trans-Siberian railway coming from Russia (Moscow) arrives in Beijing, and has stopovers in Mongolia and several other Russian cities. Travelers may opt to use the train from Kazahkstan to Xinjiang, from Hongkong to mainland China, and from Vietnam to China.

Travelers can also ride the ferries traveling from mainland China to Hongkong and Macao.

There are many domestic flights from China to various tourist destinations. Long-distance travel by train within China is very popular, with five classes of travel such as hard seats, soft seats, hard sleepers, soft sleepers, and standing. Bus and coach transportation is fairly inexpensive and popular within city and traveling within short distances. Taxicabs are also cheap.