How to Travel to and Around China

China is a land of mystery and wonder, with rituals and history many foreigners have never even fathomed. It is also a lush country with hiking and biking trails that can span for hundreds of miles through mountains and jungles. Exploring the country of China is only a boarding pass or train ticket away.

Travel to China

Apply for or renew your passport if you do not already have a valid one. If there is less than six months on your valid passport you will need to renew it.

Apply for a travel visa for China. This can be done via any Chinese embassy or consulate. A Chinese visa must be used within three months of the day it's issued. The visa will begin starting the first day you enter the country. The price of a 30-day visa for U.S. citizens is $50, while citizens of most other countries are charged $30. Citizens of Japan, Singapore and Brunei do not need a Visa.

Purchase your airfare to China. Airlines that usually offer the best deals to China are Air France, Malaysian Airlines, Air China and China Eastern.

Purchase a train ticket if you are in Europe or other locations throughout Asia. You can take the Trans-Siberian Railway, which originates in Moscow and ends in Beijing, or the Silk Route train, which also starts in Moscow but travels through Kazakhstan and other countries on its way to China. Trains from as far south as Singapore are also available.

Take a boat if you are residing in Tokyo. There is a ferry which starts here and docks in Shanghai.

Travel in China

Rent a bicycle in China. This is the best way to get around in smaller cities. You will generally be able to find a place that rents out bikes for only a few U.S. dollars a day. This is only recommended in smaller cities, because the traffic in places like Beijing and Shanghai can be dangerous for individuals not accustomed to it.

Walking is the best way to get around. You will be able to take in more of the scenery, as well as the noises and smells of the country.

Take a ride in a rickshaw. This is a carriage pulled by a person. Make sure you agree on a price before you depart. If you don't, you may find yourself paying way more than you expected.

Riding in a taxi cab is always a good way to travel through the bustling streets of a Chinese city. However, try to find a cab that uses a meter and not a flat fee. These taxis will be far cheaper and you won't have to mess with haggling over a price.