Traveling by air is perhaps the most convenient and the fastest way to travel around China. China's civil aviation began in 1949, with the founding of the People's Republic of China. Presently, most major cities in China feature large, state of the art airports that provide travelers with modern facilities and word-class aircrafts. These airports are under the supervision of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).

   Currently Chinese airports service about 1,279 regular air routes. 1,035 of these are are domestic flights (including the routes to Hong Kong and Macau), while 244 are international. Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou handle the majority of China's air traffic, while more than 200 Chinese airports (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), connect 127 domestic cities and 80 international cities (in 38 countries). These airports are equipped to efficiently handle the ever increasing volume of air transportation.

   The four largest Chinese airlines are Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines. There are a number of other local airlines, including a civilian-run airline, Spring Airlines. These offer quality service in advanced, world-class aircrafts.

   It is very easy to book flights while in China. You can purchase tickets directly at the airport, or book them through hotels, ticket-booking offices or travel agencies. It is also possible to reserve your tickets on-line. As you compare ticket prices, remember that an additional airport tax is charged, for both domestic and international flights. Additionally, foreign passengers must provide a valid passport and ID card when purchasing air tickets.