Getting Around Baicheng
Baicheng is a relatively small city, and while it does see occasional traffic jams, visitors will find multiple forms of transportation available. The city is compact enough that getting from place to place is rarely a major undertaking, and once you know your immediate surroundings, you'll find that Baicheng isn't such a huge place to navigate.
Rail Connections
Baicheng's role as a regional transportation hub in western Jilin province dates back to the early twentieth century, when railways were built through the city connecting it to Qiqihar, Siping, Ulanhot, the mines at Arxan, and Changchun. These historic rail links remain the backbone of long-distance travel to and from the city today.
For visitors arriving by train, Baicheng has direct connections to several major cities in the region:
- Trains from Beijing leave from Beijing North and take 16–18 hours.
- Connections from Harbin take about 7 hours.
- Trains from Changchun take about 5 hours.
- Trains from Dalian take about 15 hours.
- Trains from Shenyang take about 7 hours.
Note that the source material does not mention a metro or tram network in Baicheng, so visitors should plan around rail, bus, taxi, and walking options.
Buses
Most buses in Baicheng are convenient, and you can usually expect to wait only a little time for one to arrive. The exception is buses serving villages or areas far from the city center, which are not very convenient and can involve long waits.
Fares are inexpensive. Some buses charge only ¥1 or ¥2, and the more expensive fares are just over ¥5. The fare covers the trip from the starting point to the end point.
As for payment, you can pay by cash on every bus, but on some buses you can also use a swipe card.
Taxis
There are many taxis in Baicheng, and you can take a taxi just about everywhere. Taxis are painted in a color between white and green, and the environment inside is commonly comfortable. Fares are cheap:
- Within 2.5 km, the fare is ¥5.
- Beyond 2.5 km, you pay ¥1 for every additional 100 m.
- If your taxi ride exceeds 5 minutes, you also pay ¥1 for every additional 5 minutes.
Because the city is not very big, you normally won't have to pay much for a taxi ride.
Bicycle and Walking
Baicheng's roads are accommodating to cyclists and pedestrians — as the saying goes, "All roads lead to Rome," and you can take a bicycle or go on foot anywhere you want if you enjoy doing so. Once you know your immediate surroundings, the pedestrian approach can be an enriching experience. Using GPS to find or reach your destination is also a convenient option.
One practical caveat: if you want to go shopping, amuse yourself, and so on, you may need a Chinese-speaking friend to help you with registration or troubleshooting.
Getting from the Airport
The nearest airport to Baicheng is in Changchun. From Changchun, you can reach Baicheng by train (about 5 hours) or by bus (3–4 hours).