subject: China Study Abroad: Travel Basics [print this page] Moving to China is likely to mean you are moving to somewhere bigger and more populated than your home country. Although your China study abroad program is likely to be based in one location for most of the time, some travelling is encouraged. Navigating such a large country can prove difficult, and so it is important to know the different options available for travelling across China. Whether you are on a budget or wanting to treat yourself after working hard on your Chinese language lessons, there are a variety of travel basics that can help you efficiently get around China.
If you need to travel very long distances in the shortest amount of time, then certainly the best option is to fly. China has been developing its air routes for many years, and airports like Beijing Capital Airport are amongst the biggest in the world and still growing. If you fancy a weekend away from your Chinese language study, then hopping on a plane from Beijing all the way to Southern China only takes 2-3 hours. However, you must remember that flying is one of the more expensive ways to travel, particularly during busy holiday periods. Furthermore, many airports are still underequipped to deal with demand, and any problems or bad weather can lead to severe delays.
If you want to explore a bit more of China but have a little more time to enjoy the culture, then taking the train in China is a good option. There are usually three types of seat on long distance journeys, ranging from the cheapest hard seats to soft sleeper tickets that are similarly priced to some airline tickets. China has also rapidly developed a high speed train system, meaning that a trip from Beijing to Qingdao on the cost takes just over 4 hours. Overnight trains on older lines are also a good option as they allow you to sleep and then wake up refreshed the next day, which saves time.
In some regions, buses might be the only option. Unless there really is no other option, long-distance bus travel is to be avoided as it is often cramped, and is probably the most dangerous of the major types of transport given the rate of accidents on the roads in China and the poor maintenance of some buses. Although it is certainly not all like this, and buses do give you the opportunity to add some real Chinese culture and sightseeing in remote places to your Chinese language lessons, you are likely to be more comfortable on a train or plane. The major benefit of buses though is that they are usually quite cheap, and allow access to some areas that may be hard to reach otherwise by train or plane. These areas will certainly give you an opportunity to practice what you have learnt in Chinese language lessons.
Travelling in China can be a lot of fun and can add a lot to the value of your China study abroad. However, making sure you choose the right method of travel for your needs and budget is important.
by: Maureen Hayes
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