Arriving in China: airport guides
Verified 2026-10-26 · Entry rules change — check the National Immigration Administration before you fly
The short answer
Landing in China is easier than its reputation. Every guide below covers the same five things in the same order: what happens at immigration, how to get connected, how to get paid, the best way into town, and where to sleep if you land late.
-
Beijing — Capital Airport
Beijing's original international gateway: 3 terminals, Airport Express into town in about 25 minutes, and the widest choice of late-night flights of any China hub.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Shanghai — Pudong Airport
Shanghai's main international airport: the 8-minute Maglev to Longyang Road, easy metro Line 2 access, and the most common first landing for first-time visitors.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Guangzhou — Baiyun Airport
Southern China's mega-hub and the natural gateway for Canton Fair trips and Hong Kong-bound overland routes: since May 2026 all flights operate from Terminal 2 (China Southern/SkyTeam) and the new Terminal 3, with metro Line 3 into the city in about 45 minutes.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Chengdu — Tianfu Airport
Chengdu's new giant: Metro Lines 18/19 into the city in 40-50 minutes, late-running trains, and the arrival point for panda-and-Sichuan-food first trips.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Xi'an — Xianyang Airport
Xi'an's single international gateway, 30-40 km northwest of the city: since February 2025 every international and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan flight uses the new Terminal 5, with metro Line 14 into town.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Chongqing — Jiangbei Airport
Chongqing's gateway above the Yangtze: metro Lines 3 and 10 into town in 40-50 minutes, a huge new satellite concourse, and a 23:49 last train that beats almost every other China airport metro.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Hangzhou — Xiaoshan Airport
Hangzhou's single airport, 27 km from West Lake: the Line 19 airport express reaches Hangzhou East railway station in about 35 minutes, with metro Lines 1 and 7 as slower alternates.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Xiamen — Gaoqi Airport
One of China's rare on-island airports, 20-30 minutes from the old town: metro Line 3 serves the terminals, a 10-yuan airport bus drops at the Gulangyu ferry piers, and a new airport across the bay is slated to take over around the end of 2026.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Shenzhen — Bao'an Airport
Shenzhen's single airport on the Pearl River shore: metro Line 11 into Futian in 30-45 minutes, airport buses running to 04:00 on some routes, and the Shekou ferries to Hong Kong airport a short bus ride away.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Kunming — Changshui Airport
Yunnan's high-plateau gateway, 25-30 km from town: metro Line 6 runs direct toward the city in 20-30 minutes, airport buses fill the gaps, and most Dali/Lijiang trips start here or at Kunming South railway station.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
-
Guilin — Liangjiang Airport
The gateway for the Li River, Yangshuo and Longji rice terraces: a 240-hour-transit port with no rail link into town - shuttle bus or taxi over 28 km of road, so plan the last mile before you land.
Read arrival guide → Late arrival? Find nearby hotels →
More China arrival guides are being added — start with the airport on your booking confirmation.