Getting Around Cixi
Cixi is a city in Zhejiang Province, China, within the Ningbo metropolitan area. This guide covers the practical options for a visitor: how to move around town, the public transport available, and how to reach Cixi from the airports that serve the region.
Arriving by Air
Cixi does not have its own commercial airport. Three major cities with airports surround the city: Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Ningbo. Which one you fly into will shape your onward journey.
- From Shanghai: A bus service runs from Shanghai's South Station (南站 Nánzhàn). The journey takes approximately two hours and cost ¥82 as of November 2009. Note that this fare is dated, so treat it as a rough indication of cost rather than a current price.
- From Hangzhou and Ningbo: These cities also have airports serving the region, making them viable arrival points for reaching Cixi.
Whichever airport you use, plan to complete the final leg of your journey by road, since Cixi itself is not served by air.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are a straightforward way to get around Cixi, and the city has a useful dispatch system if you have trouble finding one.
- Fares: Taxis start at ¥7 and up.
- Safety and tracking: All licensed taxis are equipped with GPS locators.
- If you can't find a cab: Dial (0574) 63981234 and the dispatcher will locate a cab in your vicinity and send it your way.
- Three-wheel coaches: These are also available as an alternative for short trips.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Public buses form part of the local transport picture, and long-distance bus services connect Cixi with other cities in the region — the Shanghai South Station service described above is one example. For travel within the city, buses and taxis are the main options a visitor is likely to use.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Cixi sits within the Ningbo area, which is served by rail connections to the wider region, including the major cities of Hangzhou and Shanghai. If you are arriving by air and continuing by train, you would typically travel into Ningbo or another nearby city first and then continue onward to Cixi by road. As with any trip, it is worth confirming current schedules and connections locally before you travel, since services and routes change over time.
Walkability
Walking is a reasonable option for getting around specific neighbourhoods and for short errands, but Cixi is a spread-out city, so you should not expect to cover the whole city on foot. For longer journeys, combine walking with taxis, three-wheel coaches, or buses.
Practical Tips
- Keep the taxi dispatch number — (0574) 63981234 — saved in your phone in case you cannot flag a cab on the street.
- Licensed taxis carry GPS locators, so you can feel confident using them, including when dispatched by phone.
- If you are arriving from Shanghai, the bus from South Station (南站 Nánzhàn) is a direct option into the city.
- Fares and schedules quoted here may be out of date; confirm current prices and timings when you arrive.