How to get a Transport Card in Hangzhou.

22 February, 2014

¥30.00      Breakfast
¥120.00    Transport Card
¥2.00        Lunch (Bao)
¥26.00      Dinner
¥20.00      Two Pairs of Long Socks
¥12.00      Dessert (Green Tea Cream Puff)

Total: ¥210.00 ($40.00)

Weekly Total: ¥3685.70

Total Spend: ¥3685.70 ($702.00 AUD)

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The main forms of transport that I have been using in Hangzhou are taxis, buses and metros.

Taxis

Taxi fares start at 11.00 RMB and the price jumps up pretty slowly. They're all over the streets so it's pretty easy to get one, but the only issue is there aren't really taxi stands and there isn't a courtesy system, so half the time someone will walk a bit further up the street from you to hail a taxi first. 

Apparently around 3:30pm taxi drivers change shifts, so it becomes quite difficult to get a taxi around that time. They'll ask you where you are going, and if it's on the way with their destination they'll take you, otherwise they'll just speed off.

Buses

Buses are the main transport network throughout the city, but they are a bit difficult to understand if you don't know any Chinese. I'm only familiar with one route at the moment: K21 from Zheda Road which takes you to Wulin Square. From there, you can catch metros down Yan'an Road (or even walk) to the main shopping strips. 

Buses announce each stop in Chinese. The route diagrams are all in Chinese too. Some stops have a little 'm' metro sign above them which means they'll stop near a metro stop.

The cost of a ride is 1RMB in Summer, and 2RMB in Winter (because they turn on heating)

(Will update with photos)

Metros

Metro prices vary depending on the distance you are travelling, but generally for 1-2 stops it's 2RMB, and it increases by 1RMB every 3-5 stops away. There is only one line, so you can't really get lost since you'll only go back and forth. 

Longxianqiao station takes you out into a giant shopping district. There are luxury and international brands next to smaller plazas (e.g.Gonglian) selling more local clothing. It takes about 25 minutes to get here from Zheda Yuquan Campus.

Transport Card

After a while you'll notice the locals using a transport card (like London's Oyster or HK's Octopus). You can buy one of these quite close by to Zheda at the bus station off Xixi Lu (It is literally full of buses, you can't miss it).

Location of the bus depot off Xixi Rd.

When you ask to sign up, they'll give you a sheet to write down your basic details (name, phone, address). You'll also need a copy of your passport handy. Ask for the 'T' Card, which allows you to use the card on all public transport in Hangzhou. The cost is 20RMB for the start up fee, then you can add how much you want (min. 50RMB).

Hangzhou Universal Transport Card

Then they'll hand you one of these! You get it pretty much on the spot.