Getting There
Flying
Hong Kong is a hub of travel throughout Asia and the easiest and best place to start a trip to China. Organising a stopover in Hong Kong while flying between Europe and Australia/New Zealand is straightforward but these days there’s also plenty of flights in and out of Shanghai and Beijing.
Overland
An overland trip from China to Vietnam (or vice versa) is easily doable and will take you through China’s interesting southern provinces, including sub-tropical Yunnan.
Train
Taking the train from Moscow to Beijing is a better trip even than the Trans-Siberian railway. The Trans-Manchurian goes from Moscow to Beijing via the region of Manchuria in far nothern China, while the Trans-Mongolian goes via the Mongolian capital Ulaan Baatar. You can stay on board for the full six days or (and this is recommended) get off along the way.
Getting Around
A big country with a complex, non-western language sounds like a recipe for disaster for the backpacker. But it’s not. The train network is awesome, and there’s almost always English speaking signs and staff at stations.
Train
China is a big, big country, so if you want to get from A to B train is the way to go. Tickets are reasonably priced and you can usually get a ticket at the station (there’ll often be a foreigners ticket window and/or English speaking staff) or at a hostel/hotel for a small extra fee (recommended). If it’s a long journey get a hard sleeper (a bed with a reasonably soft mattress). Soft sleeper is posh and expensive, while opting for a seat is only for the masochistic or seriously broke.
Flying
There’s plenty of internal flights. They’re not super cheap, but are the best way to get across the country quickly to start or end a long-distance journey out west.
Driving
Don’t.
Bicycle
Traffic is chaotic, but so many Chinese ride bikes you’ll have plenty of company alongside to guide the way (basically, just follow the crowd) and shield you from the traffic. Exploring Beijing on bike — especially the narrow, traditional laneways and low-rise houses, known as hutongs —- is highly recommended.
