For visiting any city for the first time, I suggest taking the taxi directly to the hotel, and then using public transport once you get acclimated to the layout of the place. Speaking for myself, I usually use the airport bus that takes me to the closest point to my hotel, and then take a taxi or minicab. I just dislike the idea of occupying a vehicle for myself to travel over a long distance when a bus or train is going the same way. I must say, however, that I often approach visiting a new Chinese city with tremendous trepidation. Even though I read and speak the language, there are plenty pitfalls and annoyances associated with traveling within China such that a seemingly simple itinerary often ends up being an arduous task.

Public transport, for instance, is not convenient for those of us in the West who expect planners to design systems that are as seamless and stress-free as possible. Despite often having the latest technological hardware, including high speed rail, Chinese transport networks are not fully integrated. After many frustrating encounters with them, I’ve come to accept the reality that the obstacles are deliberately set in place in order to control and monitor the flow of the people.

Taking the bus from Bailuzhou Park to the international pier, for example, bus lines B3 and 87 can take you directly without changing. However, the buses do not leave from the same bus stop, and might not arrive at the same stop as well (although they do in this case).