China

China has the world's second-largest aviation market, with over 250 airports and rapidly expanding infrastructure. The country serves as a major transit hub between Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, with three airline groups operating extensive domestic and international networks.

Beijing has two major airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), the traditional gateway, and Beijing Daxing (PKX), a massive new airport opened in 2019 located 46km south of the city. Shanghai similarly has two airports—Pudong (PVG) for international and Hongqiao (SHA) primarily for domestic flights.

Chinese aviation has grown dramatically, with the "Big Three" carriers—Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern—competing domestically while expanding long-haul routes. The country's high-speed rail network also competes effectively with domestic flights on many routes.

Beijing Area

Beijing has two airports—choosing correctly is important for both international connections and city access:

Airport	Code	Distance to City Center	Best For
Beijing Capital	PEK	25 km (16 miles)	Air China hub, established international routes
Beijing Daxing	PKX	46 km (29 miles)	China Southern/Eastern, newer facility

Beijing Capital (PEK) — China's second-busiest airport and Air China's primary hub. Three terminals: T1 (domestic), T2 (domestic and some international), T3 (Star Alliance/international). Connected to city via Airport Express (25 min to Dongzhimen).

Beijing Daxing (PKX) — Opened in 2019, designed by Zaha Hadid. Hub for China Southern and China Eastern. Starfish-shaped terminal with impressive architecture. Daxing Airport Express connects to the city (19 min to Caoqiao).

Pro tip: Check which airport your airline uses—Air China operates primarily from PEK, while China Southern and China Eastern have shifted operations to PKX.

Shanghai Area

Airport	Code	Serves	Notes
Pudong	PVG	International, long-haul	Major international hub
Hongqiao	SHA	Domestic, regional Asia	Closer to city center, high-speed rail

Shanghai Pudong (PVG) — Shanghai's main international gateway, located 30km east of the city. Hub for China Eastern. Connected by Maglev (8 min to Longyang Road, 430 km/h) and Metro Line 2 (60+ min to city center).

Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) — Primarily domestic, with some regional Asian routes. Integrated with Hongqiao Railway Station (high-speed rail). More convenient for city access (Metro 40 min to center).

Southern China

Airport	City	Role
CAN	Guangzhou (Baiyun)	China Southern hub, Pearl River Delta gateway
SZX	Shenzhen (Bao'an)	Tech hub, growing international
HKG	Hong Kong	Separate SAR, major international hub

Guangzhou (CAN) — China Southern's home base and third-busiest airport in China. Major hub for connections to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Shenzhen (SZX) — Serves the tech manufacturing hub. Modern terminal, growing international routes. Alternative to Hong Kong for southern China access.

Other Major Airports

Airport	City	Role
CTU	Chengdu (Shuangliu)	Western China hub, gateway to Tibet
TFU	Chengdu (Tianfu)	New airport opened 2021
KMG	Kunming	Southwest China, Southeast Asia connections
XIY	Xi'an	Central China, Silk Road gateway
HGH	Hangzhou	Eastern China, tech hub
WUH	Wuhan	Central China hub
CKG	Chongqing	Southwest China mega-city
NKG	Nanjing	Eastern China

Chengdu — Now has two airports: Shuangliu (CTU) and the new Tianfu (TFU). Air China and Sichuan Airlines hub. Gateway to western China and Tibet.

The "Big Three"

China's aviation is dominated by three state-owned carrier groups:

Air China (CA) — The official flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Primary hub at Beijing Capital (PEK). Strongest long-haul network to Europe and North America. Premium service on international routes.

China Eastern (MU) — SkyTeam member, hub at Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Daxing (PKX). Strong network to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Americas. Merged with Shanghai Airlines.

China Southern (CZ) — China's largest airline by fleet and passengers. Hub at Guangzhou (CAN) and Beijing Daxing (PKX). Extensive domestic network and growing international routes, particularly to Australia and Southeast Asia. Left SkyTeam in 2019.

Other Chinese Carriers

• Hainan Airlines (HU) — Privately owned, Skytrax 5-star. Hubs at Beijing, Haikou. Strong international network.
• Xiamen Airlines (MF) — SkyTeam member, hub at Xiamen. Regional and international.
• Sichuan Airlines (3U) — Chengdu hub, domestic and regional.
• Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) — Star Alliance connecting partner, Shenzhen hub.
• Juneyao Airlines (HO) — Shanghai-based, Star Alliance connecting partner.
• Spring Airlines (9C) — China's largest low-cost carrier. Shanghai base.

Low-Cost Carriers

• Spring Airlines (9C) — Domestic and regional Asia routes from Shanghai.
• 9 Air (AQ) — Guangzhou-based LCC.
• West Air (PN) — Chongqing-based budget carrier.
• Lucky Air (8L) — Kunming-based, Southwest China focus.

International Airlines

Major foreign carriers serving China:

• Cathay Pacific — Hong Kong hub, extensive China routes
• United, American, Delta — US gateway cities
• Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways — European connections
• Emirates, Qatar — Middle East hubs
• Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines — Asian connections

Visa Required

Most nationalities require a visa to enter mainland China. The visa application process is more complex than many countries:

• Tourist visa (L): Single/double/multiple entry available
• Application: Submit at Chinese embassy/consulate or visa application center
• Processing: 4-5 business days (standard), 2-3 days (express)
• Requirements: Passport, completed form, photo, itinerary, hotel bookings, proof of funds
• Cost: Varies by nationality ($140 USD for US citizens, fees vary)

144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption

Citizens of 54 countries can transit visa-free for up to 144 hours (6 days) at select airports:

Eligible cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang, Qingdao, Xiamen, Wuhan, and others.

Requirements:

• Must have confirmed onward ticket to third country (not returning to origin)
• Stay within designated transit area (city/region)
• Passport valid 6+ months
• Completed arrival card

Example: Fly London → Beijing → Tokyo. Transit in Beijing visa-free for up to 144 hours.

72-Hour Transit Exemption

Available at additional airports with 72-hour (3-day) limit and more restricted areas.

Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong (HKG) and Macau (MFM) are Special Administrative Regions with separate immigration:

• Many nationalities visa-free for 7-180 days
• Separate visa/entry permit needed to enter mainland China from HK/Macau
• Hong Kong does not count as "third country" for transit exemption

Passport Requirements

• Valid for 6+ months beyond planned stay
• At least 2 blank pages for visa and stamps

Official visa information: visaforchina.cn

Domestic Flights vs. High-Speed Rail

China's high-speed rail (CRH/CR) network is the world's largest and often competes with flights:

Route	Flight	High-Speed Rail	Recommendation
Beijing ↔ Shanghai	2h 10m + airport time	4h 30m (G trains)	Close—train often more convenient
Beijing ↔ Xi'an	2h 00m	4h 30m	Depends on priorities
Shanghai ↔ Hangzhou	1h + airport time	45 min	Train much faster
Beijing ↔ Guangzhou	3h 10m	8h 00m	Flight saves time
Shanghai ↔ Hong Kong	2h 30m	8h 00m	Flight preferred
Beijing ↔ Chengdu	2h 40m	7h 30m	Flight for most

High-Speed Rail (CRH)

China's extensive bullet train network connects major cities:

• Beijing-Shanghai: G trains (350 km/h), 4h 18m
• Beijing-Guangzhou: 8h via Wuhan
• Shanghai-Hong Kong: Via Shenzhen, connections to West Kowloon

G trains: Fastest (300-350 km/h) D trains: Fast (200-250 km/h) C trains: Intercity high-speed

Booking: Book via 12306.cn (Chinese ID required for online booking) or at station ticket offices. Foreign passport holders often need to book at stations or through travel agents. Trip.com accepts foreign cards.

Domestic Flights

Extensive domestic network with competitive pricing:

• Book through Trip.com (Ctrip), Fliggy, or airline websites
• Domestic delays common—build buffer time for connections
• Spring Airlines and other LCCs offer budget options

Local Transport

• Metro: Excellent systems in major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu). Requires ID check at security.
• Didi: China's Uber equivalent. App available in English.
• Taxis: Metered, affordable. Drivers rarely speak English—have destination written in Chinese.
• Bike sharing: Ubiquitous in cities (Hello, Meituan bikes).

Peak Season (April-May, September-October)

Spring and autumn offer the best weather across most of China. Pleasant temperatures, less pollution than winter. Golden Week holidays (early October, early May) are extremely crowded and expensive—avoid if possible.

Summer (June-August)

• June-July: Rainy season in southern China
• July-August: Hot and humid throughout. 35°C+ in many cities
• Good for: Tibet (dry season), Inner Mongolia, northern regions
• Avoid: Southeast China typhoon season

Winter (November-February)

• Cold in northern China (Beijing: -5 to 5°C)
• Milder in south (Guangzhou, Hong Kong)
• Heavy pollution possible in northern cities
• Good for: Harbin Ice Festival (January), Hong Kong
• Chinese New Year (late Jan/early Feb): Massive domestic travel, limited services, high prices

Regional Timing

Region	Best Time	Notes
Beijing	Apr-May, Sep-Oct	Avoid winter pollution, summer heat
Shanghai	Apr-May, Oct-Nov	Avoid summer humidity
Hong Kong	Oct-Dec	Avoid summer typhoons, humidity
Tibet	May-Oct	Permits required, altitude acclimatization needed
Yunnan	Year-round	Eternal spring climate in Kunming
Guilin	Apr-Oct	Scenic karst landscapes

Cities

City	Nearest Airport	Known For
Beijing	PEK, PKX	Great Wall, Forbidden City, history
Shanghai	PVG, SHA	Modern skyline, Bund, business
Hong Kong	HKG	Shopping, food, Victoria Harbour
Xi'an	XIY	Terracotta Warriors, ancient capital
Guilin	KWL	Karst mountains, Li River
Chengdu	CTU, TFU	Pandas, Sichuan cuisine
Hangzhou	HGH	West Lake, tea culture
Guangzhou	CAN	Cantonese food, trading history

Regions

• Yangtze River: Three Gorges cruise, Chongqing to Yichang
• Yunnan: Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La—fly to KMG (Kunming)
• Tibet: Fly to LXA (Lhasa). Permit required, book through tour agency.
• Silk Road: Xi'an (XIY) to Dunhuang (DNH), Kashgar (KHG)
• Zhangjiajie: Avatar mountains—fly to DYG
• Inner Mongolia: Hohhot (HET) for grasslands

Day Trips from Beijing

• Great Wall: Mutianyu or Jinshanling (2-3 hours by car)
• Ming Tombs: Combined with Great Wall visit
• Chengde: 4 hours by train, imperial summer resort

Money

• Currency: Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (CNY, ¥)
• Cash: Still widely used, especially outside major cities
• Cards: International cards have limited acceptance. Visa/Mastercard work at upscale hotels and some restaurants.
• Mobile payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate. Tourists can link international cards to Alipay (limited functionality).
• ATMs: ICBC, Bank of China ATMs accept foreign cards. Withdrawal limits apply.
• Tipping: Not customary. Service charges included at upscale hotels.

Internet & Connectivity

Important: China blocks Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and many Western websites.

• VPN: Required to access blocked services. Set up before arriving.
• Mobile: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
• SIM: Available at airports with passport. Data-only SIMs common.
• Alternatives: Use WeChat for messaging, Baidu Maps for navigation, Bing for search.

Electrical

• Voltage: 220V / 50 Hz
• Plug types: A (two flat pins), C (two round pins), I (Australian-style)
• Adapters: Universal adapters recommended as socket types vary
• Note: Most phone chargers and laptops are dual-voltage (100-240V)

Language

• English signage at major airports, high-speed rail stations, tourist sites
• Limited English spoken outside tourist areas
• Download offline Chinese for Google Translate (before arriving)
• WeChat translation feature works without VPN
• Learn basics: ni hao (hello), xie xie (thank you), duo shao qian (how much?)
• Have hotel address written in Chinese characters

Cultural Notes

• Bargaining expected at markets, not at fixed-price shops
• Business cards exchanged with both hands
• Remove shoes when entering homes
• Avoid sensitive political topics (Taiwan, Tibet, Tiananmen)
• Photography restricted at some sites

Useful Apps

• WeChat: Essential for communication, payments, translation
• Alipay: Mobile payments
• Baidu Maps: Navigation (works without VPN)
• Didi: Ride-hailing
• Trip.com (Ctrip): Flights, trains, hotels
• Pleco: Offline Chinese dictionary

• Tourism: Travel China Guide
• Visa: Chinese Visa Application Service Center
• Transit Exemption: 144-hour policy
• Train Booking: 12306.cn (official), Trip.com (English)
• Beijing Capital Airport: bcia.com.cn
• Shanghai Pudong Airport: shanghaiairport.com
• Hong Kong (SAR): discoverhongkong.com