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Key facts, verified

What you can bring on China's trains
Free allowanceAdults 20 kg · children 10 kg (one piece up to 20 kg)
Size per pieceL+W+H ≤ 130 cm on high-speed trains (160 cm on other trains); rod-shaped items ≤ 200 cm
Power banks / lithium batteriesEach unit ≤ 100 Wh (no CCC mark required, unlike flights)
Alcohol (24–70% ABV)Up to 3000 mL in total, sealed retail packaging
Aerosols / sprays≤ 150 mL per can, ≤ 600 mL in total
Lighters / matches2 lighters, 2 boxes of safety matches
Source: kyfw.12306.cn · Verified: 2026-08-30
China domestic flights: liquids, alcohol and power banks
ItemCarry-onCheckedRule
LiquidsNoYesExceptions for personal use only: cosmetics (1 of each kind, container ≤100 mL, opened for inspection), toothpaste and shaving cream (1 each, ≤100 g/mL)
AlcoholNoYesSealed 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 batteriesYesNo≤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 markYesNoSince 2025-06-28: domestic flights only accept power banks with a clear CCC (3C) mark; recalled models and batches are banned
Source: caac.gov.cn · Verified: 2026-08-30

Common questions

Train or plane: which should I take between Chinese cities?

If a high-speed train covers the route in a morning, take the train. Stations are in the city centre, security is quicker than at an airport, and the luggage rules are simpler. Fly for the long distances where the train needs most of a day. The high-speed train guide explains how the rail system works, and the domestic flights guide covers what changes when you fly.

Can I book train tickets and flights with a foreign passport?

Yes. The official 12306 app and website accept passport registration, and Trip.com sells train tickets and domestic flights in English. Your passport is your ticket at the station gate, so book under the exact name and passport number printed in it. Step by step: How to book China train tickets with a foreign passport.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

The big airports have a rail or metro link into town, plus taxis and ride-hailing at a signed rank. The catch is timing: the last train can leave before a late flight lands. The airport-to-city guide lists the rail options and last departures at ten major airports, and there are dedicated pages for Shanghai and Beijing.

What is the easiest way to get around inside a city?

The metro. Signs and announcements are in English, and you pay by scanning a QR code in Alipay or WeChat or by tapping a card, so there is no ticket queue. Taxis and Didi fill the gaps late at night and when you have luggage. The metro guide walks through the entry process, and the taxi and ride-hailing guide covers the rest.