Flights & Airports

Flying inside China is straightforward once you know the two things that differ from home. Security rules are stricter than most travellers expect — power banks and liquids catch people out every day — and the airports sit far from the city, so the transfer deserves a plan before you land. The guides below cover booking and baggage for domestic flights, what to expect at security and when flights are delayed, and airport-by-airport transfer options for Shanghai, Beijing and other major hubs. The carry-on table is rendered from our verified records of the aviation rules.

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Travelers with carry-on bags walking toward a gate in a Chinese domestic terminal, with an airliner at the window

Flights & Airports

Domestic Flights in China: Booking, Baggage, Security Rules and Delays

Flying inside China with a foreign passport: how to book, the weight-based baggage rules, why liquids and unmarked...

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A traveler with a suitcase at the transport signs outside a Chinese airport arrivals hall, with the terminal behind

Flights & Airports

Airport to City in China: Trains, Taxis and Last Departures at 10 Major Airports

How to get from China's ten busiest airports into the city: the rail link from each terminal, published fares, the...

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The Shanghai maglev train on its elevated track leaving Pudong Airport with the city skyline in the distance

Flights & Airports

Shanghai Airports Guide: Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) to the City

Pudong or Hongqiao, and how to get into Shanghai from each: the maglev and its discounts, Metro Line 2, the Airport...

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A Beijing Airport Express train pulling into the elevated station beside the airport terminal

Flights & Airports

Beijing Airports Guide: Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) to the City

Capital or Daxing, and how to get into Beijing from each: the two Airport Express lines with fares and last trains,...

10 min read

Key facts, verified

China domestic flights: liquids, alcohol and power banks

Item	Carry-on	Checked	Rule
Liquids	No	Yes	Exceptions for personal use only: cosmetics (1 of each kind, container ≤100 mL, opened for inspection), toothpaste and shaving cream (1 each, ≤100 g/mL)
Alcohol	No	Yes	Sealed retail packaging, container ≤5 L: ≤24% ABV unlimited; 24–70% up to 5 L per passenger; over 70% not allowed at all
Power banks / lithium batteries	Yes	No	≤100 Wh allowed; 100–160 Wh only with airline approval (max 2); over 160 Wh not allowed; cannot be used in flight
Power banks – CCC mark	Yes	No	Since 2025-06-28: domestic flights only accept power banks with a clear CCC (3C) mark; recalled models and batches are banned

Common questions

What can't I take on a domestic flight in China?

The rules that catch visitors: power banks go in your carry-on only and must carry a proper capacity marking, liquids in the cabin are limited to small containers, and alcohol travels in checked baggage. The table above has the current limits. The domestic flights guide explains what happens at security and how the baggage allowance works.

How early should I be at the airport?

Earlier than at home. Check-in closes well before departure and online check-in does not extend that deadline; the exact cutoff is on your booking. Add time for the ID check at security, which is done for every passenger. The domestic flights guide covers the full sequence from check-in to boarding.

How do I get from the airport into the city?

Every major airport has a rail or metro link plus a signed taxi rank, and the choice usually comes down to when you land: the last train can leave before a late flight arrives. The airport-to-city guide compares the options and last departures at ten airports; Shanghai and Beijing have their own pages.

Which airport will I use in Shanghai or Beijing?

Both cities have two. In Shanghai, most international flights use Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) is mainly domestic; in Beijing, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) split the traffic by airline, so check the code on your ticket before you plan the transfer. The Shanghai and Beijing airport guides cover both airports in each city.

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