China: Getting Around (3)

In this third episode of the China: Getting Around mini series I'm going to share tips about long(er) distance travel in China. So far we have already covered passports, eSIM data in part 1 and translation apps, mobile payments, WeChat and DiDi in part 2.

Airlines.

There is not much special about how airlines work in China. Buy tickets online, show up for check-in etc. There are some differences related to items allowed in a carry-on bag. For example foldable walking poles are not allowed. So are not multi-tools designed as so called "TSA-safe" (from my experience, they are not in Mexico either). As they say "a tool is a tool and tools are not allowed". Period. Cigarette lighters are prohibited too, and there is an interesting solution - you drop the lighter before security in a box and that box then goes to the security exit door where disembarking passengers can grab lighters. 

Trains.

High speed trains are what China is really famous for. The network is incredible. they run on elevated ramps or through tunnels, for thousands kilometers. The "older" generation averages 250km/h while the newer "Fuxing" trains operate up to 350km/h.

Surprisingly the trains can be fully booked and it makes sense buying tickets in advance. The official Railway12306 app is difficult - requires a registration with a Chinese mobile number (+86) and the English interface is far from perfect. But you can use the Trip.com app to search for connections and book tickets. When booked, you get a confirmation number, which then must be "exchanged" for a ticket. Make sure you enter the passport data correctly, as the passport really IS your ticket. Chinese nationals enter the platform by presenting their IDs to NFC readers. Foreigners use passports in passport readers. But before you get there, go to a ticket collection counter with your online reservation. They will issue you a paper ticket which really only shows you the train number and the car/seat numbers. But to enter you use the passport. Then go to the mark on the platform indicating your car. when the train arrives the car will stop just in front of you.

The rides are super smooth and the trains are very clean. There is a beverage / food service, complimentary in higher classes and paid in lower. That really depends on a train and which classes it runs.

Bonus: the Hong Kong Airport - Shenzhen ferry.

Doing business in China, Shenzhen may be a frequent destination. But it does not offer as many international flight connections as Hong Kong. There are many ways to get from Shenzhen to the Hong Kong airport (you can even ride a metro), but my absolutely preferred way is the ferry. It operates between the Shekou port (a district of Shenzhen) and the HKG airport terminal. The ferry operates every full hour and the ride takes 30 minutes and the best part is how well it is integrated with the airline system: it operates within the international transfers area of the HKG airport. So essentially you go from the disembarking airline gate to the ferry gate - follow the Mainland / Macao signs (you buy a ticket on the way). And if you have checked luggage, they will transfer it for you. Going from Shenzhen, you check your luggage in the ferry terminal, then it gets transferred to your flight. Immigration (entry / exit) is in Shenzhen and you do not enter the Hong Kong administrative area (it is as if you fly directly in/out Mainland China).