Bus travel in China

Bus travel in China is quite an adventure!

China has an extensive bus system. Buses travel long and short distance routes.

They can be an alternative to train travel and used by many Chinese because they are cheaper.

Also, they go to places where there is no rail or air service available.

There is an extensive public network but also private operators, such as hotels that run services.

Once again, unless you speak and read Chinese, you will need help to get on the buses.

A Chinese friend of mine took me to the bus station when I was travelling from Chongqing to Chengdu. He bought me the ticket and put me on the right bus.

Most likely you will use the buses when you want to visit a place near the city or town you are staying in.

For example, Leshan (Giant Buddha) is about an hour by bus from Chengdu. Buses leave from the Chengdu Tourist Bus Station every hour.

I travelled a lot on public buses in Chongqing and Chengdu - like the one in the picture.

The buses have numbers and so I learnt which numbers went where.

The buses in Chongqing were crowded but cheap. The fare cost one or two yuan.

If I wasn't sure of the fare, I would give the conductor 5 yuan and they would give me change.

Overall I found the buses quite okay. Also, sometimes I could not get a taxi when I wanted one so I caught the bus. I prefer trains to buses for longer distance travel – they are more comfortable.

In Chongqing I used the local buses all the time for short journeys across the city. I did not mind putting up with the discomfort as it was only a short trip.

But for longer trips - the trains are more comfortable.