Buses in China

The Bus Network in China

Long-distance buses (changtu qiche) link cities, county towns and rural areas across China. They are most useful where the rail network does not reach, for example in the mountains of Yunnan and Sichuan, and for short hops between a high-speed rail station and a nearby town.

Large cities usually have several bus stations, often named after the direction they serve. A South Bus Station, for instance, typically handles routes to the south. Bus lines are sorted into four classes by distance: class 1 crosses provincial borders, class 2 links cities within one province, and classes 3 and 4 are shorter county and local lines.^[1]

Classes and Comfort Levels

Comfort varies a lot between routes. Coaches on class 1 and class 2 lines must meet at least the "medium" vehicle grade, while buses on short and rural routes can be much simpler. Inside the coach, the operator must display the driver's name and licence number, the complaint hotline, the fare and the distance.^[1]

Booking and Tickets

Class 1 and class 2 bus lines use real-name ticketing. Foreign travelers buy tickets and travel with their own valid passport.^[1][2]

If you buy at the bus station (qiche zhan), show your original passport at the counter. Tickets bought online or by phone also need your passport details, and you show the original passport when you collect the ticket. Before boarding, the operator checks that ticket, person and passport match, and can refuse boarding if they do not.^[1] Have your destination written in Chinese characters or a screenshot of the route ready for the counter staff.

To compare routes, check availability and book a seat before you arrive at the station, you can use GoAsia.cc. Around major public holidays such as the Spring Festival and the National Day holiday, demand is high, so book early.

What to Expect on Board

At the station, passengers and their luggage go through a security check, and prohibited items may not be taken on board. Before departure the crew must remind passengers to fasten their seat belts, and passengers are required to use them. Operators must also prevent drivers from driving more than 4 hours at a stretch, so long journeys include breaks.^[1]

Luggage goes into the compartment under the bus, so keep your valuables and documents in a small bag at your seat. The temperature on board can swing between cold and warm, so dressing in layers is wise.

Tips for Bus Travel in China

• Bring your passport: You need the original for buying the ticket and again for boarding on real-name lines.
• Bring tissues: Toilet paper and soap are not guaranteed at rest stops.
• Download offline maps: A GPS-enabled map helps you track your progress and know when your stop is approaching, especially if announcements are only in Mandarin.
• Arrive early: Leave enough time for the security check and the ID check, especially in large multi-level terminals.
• Pack snacks and water: Rest stops are not always where you need them, and traffic can cause delays.
• Bring a power bank: Not every bus has charging sockets.
• Mind the motion: Mountain roads in provinces such as Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan are winding. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare accordingly.
• Language assistance: A translation app that works offline helps with questions like "Is this the bus to...?"