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Travel to China
Flying to China
China is well connected to the rest of the world by an extensive network of international flights, with numerous major gateways spread across the country. The busiest and most commonly used entry points include Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Other important international airports include Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX), and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which serves as a major regional hub with frequent onward connections into mainland China.
A wide range of international airlines operate direct and connecting services to China from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Major Chinese carriers such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines offer extensive global networks and serve many of the country's main cities. Other Chinese airlines, including Hainan Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, also operate international routes, particularly within Asia and to selected long-haul destinations.
International carriers provide strong connectivity as well, with airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific offering regular services to major Chinese cities. From Southeast Asia, there are frequent connections from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Singapore, often with competitive fares and multiple daily departures.
Upon arrival, most major airports are modern and well-equipped, with efficient transport links into city centres via metro systems, airport express trains, buses, and taxis. Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in particular have fast and reliable rail connections linking the airports with central districts, making onward travel straightforward for visitors.
Flight times:
From London to Beijing: 10h (direct).
From London to Shanghai: 11h 35m (direct).
Airport guides
Airport Code: PVG. Location: Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located about 40km (25 miles) southeast of the city's... Money: ATMs are available. Foreign exchange counters are available. However, foreigners arriving in... Read more
Airport Code: TPE. Location: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is about 40km (25 miles) west of Taipei 101, the tallest... Money: ATMs are available throughout the airport for convenience. Cash is commonly used for transactions... Read more
Airport Code: PEK. Location: Beijing Capital International Airport is situated about 32km (20mi) northeast of Tiananmen Square. Money: ATMs and currency exchange counters are available in all three terminals. In T1, exchange services... Read more
Airport Code: HKG. Location: Hong Kong International Airport is located 34km (21 miles) northwest of Hong Kong Island. Money: There is a bank in Terminal 2 and several bureaux de change counters and ATMs throughout both... Read more
Airport Code: SHA. Location: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is about 20km (12 miles) west of Yu Garden, a hugely... Money: ATMs are available. There is a currency exchange counter near Gate 4, Arrivals Hall, in Terminal 2... Read more
Airport Code: CAN. Location: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located 28km (17 miles) north of Guangzhou city centre.... Money: ATMs, a bank, and a foreign currency exchange service are all located in the terminal buildings. Read more
Airport Code: KMG. Location: Kunming Changshui International Airport is located 25km (16 miles) from the city centre. Money: There are five ATMs available in the arrivals hall (level B1) and departures hall (levels 1F and 3F... Read more
Airport Code: CTU. Location: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located 16km (10 miles) from the city centre. Money: There are two currency exchange counters and several ATMs in each terminal respectively. Read more
Airport Code: XMN. Location: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is located 12km (7 miles) from the city centre. Money: There are two currency exchange counters and several ATMs in each terminal respectively. Bank of... Read more
Travel by rail
International rail travel to China is possible on several routes, though it is less commonly used than air travel. The most notable connections form part of the historic rail links between China and Europe and neighbouring countries.
The Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Siberian railways provide routes linking Beijing with cities such as Ulaanbaatar and Moscow. These journeys are typically multi-day trips and are often undertaken as travel experiences rather than practical transport.
There are also cross-border rail services connecting China with countries such as Vietnam, North Korea and Kazakhstan, though availability and frequency can vary. Routes from Hong Kong into mainland China are well developed, with high-speed rail services linking Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to major cities including Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Driving to China
China shares land borders with 14 countries, including Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, with a number of official border crossings linking it to neighbouring regions. However, overland travel into China is less common for most international visitors and can involve complex visa and permit requirements depending on the route.
Some of the more frequently used crossings include those between Vietnam and southern China (such as the Hekou–Lào Cai crossing), and between Mongolia and China at Erenhot–Zamyn-Üüd, which connects to routes towards Beijing. Crossings from Central Asia, including those at Khorgos and Irkeshtam, are also used, particularly by overland travellers following historic Silk Road routes.
Road conditions on major highways within China are good, with an extensive expressway network linking major cities and border regions. However, border procedures can be time-consuming, and regulations for foreign vehicles are strict. In many cases, foreign drivers are not permitted to drive independently in China and must arrange special permits and, in some cases, a local guide.
Travellers entering China overland should ensure they have the correct visa, and where required, additional permits for specific regions such as Tibet or border areas.
Getting to China by boat
China has an extensive coastline along the East China Sea, South China Sea and Yellow Sea.
Regular ferry services operate between mainland China and nearby regions. Frequent connections link cities such as Hong Kong and Macau with ports in Guangdong Province, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai. There are also ferry routes between coastal cities and nearby islands, as well as limited international services to destinations such as South Korea and Japan, though schedules and availability can vary.
Cruise ships:
China is an important destination for cruise tourism, with major ports including Shanghai, Tianjin (serving Beijing), Guangzhou and Shenzhen handling international cruise liners. These ports are commonly included in regional cruise itineraries across East Asia.
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