NOTES ON CHINA: TRANSPORT

Transport in China can be fascinating. When I first visited in 1997 cars were quite rare and Chinese locals moved house on a bike! Most cars that you did see were either limos or taxis. Now cars are everywhere. Here are a few notes based on my experience so far:

AIR: International flights are the same as to any other major country and I've experienced few problems if any. Internal flights however, I've avoided as they are by reputation chaotic and I'm unsure about how safe they are. No-one's told me any particular horror stories, but there is a reputation of repeated delays.

RAIL: By far the best and most popular way to get around mainland China. Trains are fast, relatively inexpensive, highly punctual and reliable, comfortable and safe. The bad news is, China has the busiest rail network in the world so you have to book your tickets as soon as you can!

(Next year hoping to go to Guilin and Yangshuo)

SUBWAY: These exist only in major cities at present, but again are cheap, fast, reliable, easy to use and safe. However most of the time they are hopelessly overcrowded, so don't expect a seat! Pushing in to get on board is customary so just join in the throng!

BUS: Like the subway, cheap and reliable but again expect to be crammed in like sardines! Bus drivers rarely refuse to take passengers even when the bus has them pressing against the windows!

CAR: Chinese drivers hover precariously between caution and irresponsibility. They often drive very large motors and tend to drive along crowded hutong expecting the throngs to part like the Red Sea, which they never do. Leaning on the horn is constant, so you tend to hear the kind of noise that previously you only heard in disaster films! Road rules are confusing, for example a red light only covers half the street, so you may find yourself crossing when the green WALK light is on only to find yourself dodging trucks, taxis and bikes!

TAXI: Taxis are everywhere, and easy to flag down. Make sure they use the meter however. In big cities this is not a problem, in more provincial areas use your judgement carefully!

MINI-TAXIS (Bun-Bun) These little red 3-wheeled carts can be fun and cheap for short journeys, the drivers are usually very courteous. (Like most Chinese people) However they can be a bit slow. They are great for getting around the hutong, but don't attempt a cross-city drive in one. You sometimes find people will wave at you on the street as well!

ELECTRIC BIKE: The most dangerous things on Chinese roads! These little scooters are fast, silent and driven with utter recklessness bordering on Death-Race 2000-esque perverseness. Keep your wits about you when on the road, as they don't always use their horns so you need 360-degree vision. These are a menace so when you see them be extra cautious!

BICYCLE: A bit like walking a tightrope without a safety net. Bikes are still extremely popular in China. You can ride quite safely however as long as you take your time, maintain caution, (if in doubt, wait) and develop the habit of regularly looking behind you to see what's coming!

WALKING: The safest way to get around except when you cross the road, which requires military precision! Tips:

• Always wait until the walk sign (an image of a walking man) is green.
• Be cautious, the turning lane will still be open so it is NEVER completely safe!
• Cross a lane at a time
• Take your time.
• Watch the counter on the walk sign, it will tell you how many seconds you have!
• Always keep looking around you!