Getting Around Pizhou: An Overview
Pizhou is a county-level city in Jiangsu province, administered by Xuzhou. It sits at the intersection of the Grand Canal and the Longhai Railway, northeast of Xuzhou City and close to the Shandong border. For a visitor, the practical reality is that Pizhou is a compact, walkable town centre served by local buses, taxis and ride-hailing, while longer journeys in and out of the area usually route through the larger hubs of Xuzhou, Lianyungang or Linyi. English is not widely spoken, so a translation app and offline maps are worth having on your phone.
Arriving by Rail
Pizhou Railway Station (邳州站) is the main rail hub for the city, handling both conventional trains and CRH/EMU services. Short regional hops are quick and cheap — a trip from Xuzhou to Pizhou, for example, typically takes under an hour. Longer journeys, such as from Nanjing, generally require a transfer at Xuzhou and take several hours, with prices varying by seat class.
Tickets can be booked through the official 12306 system or bought at the station. If you are coming from a major city, plan on connecting through Xuzhou, which is the region's principal high-speed rail hub; Linyi and Lianyungang are alternatives. At station exits you will usually find buses and taxis waiting to take you onward.
Long-Distance Coaches
Pizhou's long-distance coach station links the city with Xuzhou, Lianyungang, Linyi and nearby counties. Coaches are the budget-friendly option, but they are slower than high-speed rail and subject to traffic. Frequency varies by route, so it is worth checking departure times in advance. Carry some cash, as not every coach service takes mobile payment.
Local Buses
Local buses are the cheapest way to move around Pizhou, covering residential areas, markets and industrial zones. They can get crowded at peak times, and signage is primarily in Chinese, so having your destination written down in Chinese characters will help. Fares are small change, and cash is useful to have on hand.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Didi are the most convenient way to travel within the city, especially for door-to-door trips, odd hours or when you have luggage. Short in-city rides are inexpensive. For longer transfers — say, from Xuzhou's airport or railway station into Pizhou — expect to pay considerably more, so insist on the meter or agree on a price in advance. Having your hotel address written in Chinese characters is essential, since drivers are unlikely to read English.
Shared Bikes and E-Scooters
Shared bicycles and electric scooters are available in many parts of Jiangsu, including Pizhou, and are handy for short hops, market runs and last-mile connections. Rides are cheap, but availability fluctuates, so have a backup plan for rain or late evenings.
Walking
The town centre and markets are compact and walkable, and many sights, shops and restaurants are best reached on foot. Do take care on busy roads and at night, and keep a map app handy to navigate the smaller streets.
Getting There from the Airport
Pizhou has no airport of its own. The nearest commercial option is Xuzhou Guanyin Airport (XUZ), the closest and best-connected of the regional hubs, with flights from major Chinese cities. From XUZ you can take an airport shuttle into Xuzhou city centre and then continue by train or coach to Pizhou, or arrange a direct taxi or car-with-driver transfer straight to Pizhou, which is the simplest option if you have luggage.
Lianyungang (LYG) and Linyi (LYI) are alternative airports, both a bit further away, and both connected to Pizhou by intercity coach or car. If you are arriving on a long-haul international flight, Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) is a larger hub: take the airport express or bus to Nanjing South or Nanjing railway station, then a high-speed train toward Xuzhou and transfer onward to Pizhou. That rail journey takes several hours in total, so plan air arrivals with transfers via Xuzhou where possible.
Practical Tips
- Contactless payment via WeChat Pay and Alipay dominates; cash is accepted but change for large bills can be difficult, and international Visa/Mastercard work only at major hotels and ATMs.
- Carry cash for village markets and some coach services.
- Tap water is not potable — drink bottled water only.
- English is rarely spoken; use gestures or a translation app, and keep offline maps and an offline translator on your phone.
- The city is considered very safe.
- Greetings are a slight nod or handshake; avoid loud speech in public and show respect for elders.
- Avoid political discussions and unlicensed carriers at airports and train stations.
- The climate is strongly seasonal: light natural-fabric clothing in summer, a warm jacket in winter, when humidity makes it feel colder.
- Local specialty: dishes made from ginkgo nuts — the city is known for its ancient ginkgo groves.