Why take the bus?
While the train network in China is expansive, the bus network is even more so. Trains connect larger cities and of course have stops along the way. But there are hundreds of cities and towns where trains do not go and these are connected by bus. If you’re really playing and seeing the China countryside, then you probably find yourself taking a bus or two.
Considering bus or train?
If you have the option to choose between the bus and the train, it is worth comparing prices and also comfort. On the train you can get up, move around and use the bathroom. On the bus, you are practically stuck and also subject to traffic on the roads that can get stuck with traffic. However, the bus can take you where you need to go, where there are no train connections. And generally, bus routes are less expensive than train routes.
Find out the bus
To find out the bus connections, you can search for them online, but the information online may not be reliable. Local travel agencies should have the most up-to-date information and might even be able to help you buy tickets in advance. If this is not an option, ask someone at your hotel to help you know the bus schedules and if they can’t (or they won’t, although I can’t imagine the hotel or inn staff not helping you), the most reliable way directly to the bus terminal itself. Tickets are usually purchased on the day of travel, often on the bus itself.
Different types of buses
Buses may differ depending on the route and proximity to large cities. Generally speaking, buses in big cities, on the Shanghai – Hangzhou route, for example, are new and clean. You can find buses on more remote, less new, and less clean routes.
Buses on smaller routes can be more like minibuses that don’t run unless they’re full. Better to be patient on these little routes.
On longer routes, there are night buses that travel overnight. Each passenger gets a sleeping berth to spend the night in relative comfort on the overnight journey.
Roads and Paths
Roads are constantly being improved and new highways are being built throughout China. For example, work on the G6, a highway that will connect Beijing with Lhasa, is in progress (currently ending in Xining). But as fast as the roads are improving, people are buying cars and the roads can be extremely crowded, especially in high travel seasons like the October holidays and Chinese New Year. The most horrific was a sixty-mile traffic jam in Beijing in 2010 that lasted for weeks.
Hopefully you and your bus don’t get caught up in something so dramatic, but don’t be surprised if you hit a certain amount of traffic along the roads.
Road stops
On any public bus, especially long-distance service, there will be scheduled rest stops. As you exit the bus, the driver will likely tell you how many minutes you have. If not, try to find out to find out how much time you have.
Don’t expect too much from these roadside service stands. There will be a small shop that sells basic supplies like dry snacks and drinks. There will be bathrooms that will hopefully be relatively clean, if not comfortable. The stops along the way generally only have squat-style toilet facilities.
Take the opportunity to use the facilities and stretch your legs. But make sure you remember where your bus is parked so you don’t miss the rest of the trip!
Preparing for a bus trip
If your trip is short, then you probably don’t need much more than something to read and a bottle of water. However, if you are on a longer trip, you should bring some snacks. You will find that the locals have an endless supply of snacks and drinks during the trip. I have found that tangerines and sunflower seeds seem to be some of the most popular local snacks. Also bring a plastic bag to store the garbage.
Expert feedback
Although I have lived and traveled quite a bit in China, I have not taken many public buses. The few experiences I’ve had have been from Shanghai to smaller outlying cities like Nanxun and Hangzhou.
The trip to Hangzhou was fine, but on our return one Sunday night, we got stuck in traffic and what should have been a two-hour drive was a six-hour drive. You can never be sure of avoiding traffic jams, but if you avoid rush hour and rush hour, you may have better luck.
