China Guide
Getting around
City transport
All Chinese cities have some form of public transit system. An increasing number have (or are building) light-rail systems and underground metros; elsewhere, the city bus is the transport focus. These are cheap and run from around 6am to 9pm or later, but – Hong Kong's apart – are usually slow and crowded. Pricier private minibuses often run the same routes in similar comfort but at greater speed; they're either numbered or have their destination written up at the front.
Taxis are always available in larger towns and cities; main roads, transit points and tourist hotels are good places to find them. They either cost a fixed rate within certain limits – ¥5 seems normal – or about ¥8 to hire and then ¥1–3 per kilometre. You'll also find (motorized- or cycle-) rickshaws and motorbike taxis outside just about every mainland bus and train station, whose highly erratic rates are set by bargaining beforehand.