Transportation is of particular importance in China, as it covers such vast territory and is home to such a large population. In 1876, the first railway was built in China, and in 1906 the first highway was constructed. In 1929, the government began work on civil aviation. The following decades saw tremendous developments within the transportation industry.

In 1999, the total length of the national transportation line in China was about 3,073,200 kilometers (1,909,598 miles). In 2004, the number of passengers transported reached 1, 761, 453. As the transportation industry continues to expand in both quality and scale, it significantly contributes to the advancement of society as well as the national economy.

China currently has a comprehensive system of modern transportation, which includes civil aviation, railway, road traffic, and water transportation. As transportation in China becomes more accessible and more reliable, it is also becoming more technologically advanced. Modern modes of transportation such as express highways, electrified railroads, metros, light railways, and maglev railways are becoming increasingly common, especially in larger cities.

At the same time, because of China's large population, sometimes the current numbers of vehicles cannot meet every person's needs. Especially during the public holidays, most people choose to travel. Some of them take excursions, whilst other people go to their hometown to see their families. During peak holiday times the transportation system may be stretched too the limit. Additionally, as many shopping malls or shops often provide discounted goods at festivals and many people prefer to go shopping at that time. As a result, streets as well as many vehicles become very crowded. As a traveler, you'd better avoid going to China during Chinese festivals like the Spring Festival and National Day. Additionally, as the Chinese urban population is getting larger and larger, some big cities are facing very severe transportation stress.

Tip: If you would like more information about your destination city of China, you can visit our website's City Guide column. In it, you can find the very practical transportation tips and many other aspects of traveling, including dining, shopping, nightlife and so on.