China has many international ports; choosing the right one shapes your trip. Main flight arrivals: Beijing (Capital, Daxing), Shanghai (Pudong, Hongqiao), Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming and more.
First-tier ports: Beijing and Shanghai have the most flights and mature facilities, but queues can be long at peak hours. Western ports like Chengdu and Kunming are quieter and handy for Tibet and Yunnan trips.
Land crossings: high-speed rail and metro from Hong Kong into Shenzhen, Macau into Zhuhai, or overland from Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and neighbours - great for regional travellers.
Transfers: visa-free transit (e.g. 144 hours) lets you stay in designated cities before flying on; confirm luggage transfer and allow 2-3 hours minimum connection.
Peak seasons: winter/summer holidays and National Day (Oct 1-7) bring crowds - travel off-peak; morning arrivals clear customs faster.
Reminders: fill the arrival card (electronic declaration at some ports) and declare goods honestly; passport must be valid 6+ months with visa details matching your itinerary.
