We expect the majority of users reading this AsiaExplorers page to be entering China by flight. The main gateways are the airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Urumqi and Xi'an. Details on the airlines flying into each of these destinations are provided in their respective pages. Arriving passengers must fill out the arrival cards, customs and health declarations. On departure, passengers must pay a 90-yuan airport tax. For domestic flights, the airport tax is 50 yuan.
Entering China by Rail
Information on China Railway Timetable is available at http://www.china-train-ticket.com/
Moscow: The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the world's great train journeys. It passes Beijing on its way to Moscow. This line, also called the Trans-Manchurian and Trans-Mongolian, actually has its terminus in Siberia's Pacific coast, not China. If you're taking this train into Beijing, the same health and customs procedures apply to those arriving on international flights. The Trans-Mongolian line links Beijing to Moscow via Ulan Bator (@Ulaanbaatar), a 5-day trip. The Trans-Manchurian line takes 6 days; it enters China at Manzhouli. Both lines leave Moscow once a week. Information on how to book the Trans-Siberian Railway: http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm
Vietnam: There's a twice-weekly train service linking Hanoi with Beijing. Stops include Nanning, Changsha and Guilin.
Entering China by Road
Overland routes are available for you to enter China at several international border crossings. Here are a few:
Myanmar (@ Burma): A border crossing between Yunnan in China and Myanmar was open since 1996, but foreigners are discouraged from using it.
Nepal: The international border crossing with Nepal has been open since 1985. It is possible to book a tour in Kathmandu to tour Tibet, in which case the tour agency in Kathmandu will help you arrange the visa. Otherwise, get your visa outside Nepal. Also note that travel between Kathmandu and Lhasa involves considerable time, for travel as well as for bureaucracy.
Laos: Travellers can enter Mengla County in China from Boten in Luang Narn Tha Province, Laos. This is irregular and discouraged.
Pakistan: A route between Kashi, China, and Islamabad, Pakistan, has been open since 1986 on the Karakorum Highway. This border crossing is open only between April and October, if weather permits. Visa is not available on the border; you need to get it before starting the trip. From Kashi, buses are available to Taxkorgan (5 hours), the last outpost in China where immigration and customs formalities are performed. From Taxkorgan, buses are available to Pirali (2 hours), from where you can catch the Pakistani buses. Some times the road linking Pakistan and China may be cut by landslides, so expect to carry your luggage a fair distance. Accommodation is spartan.
By Boat
Korea: A ferry service is available linking Inchon, South Korea with Weihai (18 hours, 2x weekly), Qingdao (24 hours, 1x weekly), Tianjin (30 hours, once every 5 days), Dalian (18 hours, 2x weekly) and Shanghai (40 hours, 1x weekly) in China. Contact Weidong Ferry Service: http://www.weidong.com/
Japan: A ship service is available linking Osaka, Japan, with Shanghai, China. A less regular service exists to Kobe. Contact: Shanghai Ferry Co.: http://www.shanghai-ferry.co.jp/, email: pax@shanghai-ferry.co.jp in Osaka and sfco@shanghai.cngb.com in Shanghai.
About the Author: AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. We take reasonable care to check and verify the accuracy of the content. However, we disclaim any responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the advice provided directly or indirectly by AsiaExplorers and the comments on its pages. All the photographs in AsiaExplorers are available for publication. Please contact AsiaExplorers at the following email address for your enquiries:
