In 2010, construction was completed on the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub. Currently integrating the airport, railway station and long-distance bus station with inter-city bus lines and subways, the hub is also rumoured to potentially include an expanding Maglev line that will traverse the city before heading to the suburbs and neighbouring provinces. Labelling itself the ‘most complicated transportation hub in the world’, Hongqiao’s new facility is designed to be within an hour’s reach for 90 million people. But what does it all mean for you? There’s never been a better time to travel domestically!

Train to Beijing

The Hongqiao Railway Station currently sees 160,000 passengers pass through its halls daily, and services only high-speed trains. With its own dedicated subway station just one stop from the airport on Lines 2 and 10, hopping on the rails is a cinch. Fast routes to Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing have departures every few minutes, and there’s no sign of slowing. By the end of 2015 the entire high-speed rail network is predicted to cover a staggering 25,000km, but the real excitement for the moment has been reserved for the trip to Beijing.

The new bullet train between China’s two most important cities will cut travel down to a day-trip friendly four hours. Slated to open by the end of the month, the new line will make Beijing a viable destination for a relaxing weekend spent soaking up the capital culture and Olympic architecture. Dine on authentic Peking Duck, get lost exploring the remaining hutongs, or enjoy a lazy paddle around the Imperial Summer Palace.

Plane to Kunming

With the opening of Terminal 2 in March 2010, Hongqiao International Airport scored itself the title of ‘Most Improved Airport in the World’ according to Skytrax this year. Over 90 per cent of the airport’s traffic now leaves from Terminal 2 (conveniently smack dab in the middle of the hub), so you can find a ticket to just about anywhere in China on 12 domestic airlines.

With eight daily flights out of Hongqiao to Kunming, you can ensure your trip to China’s Wild West fits your schedule. More than 25 of the country’s ethnic minorities live in Yunnan, making it the most diverse province by far – but cultures aren’t the only departure here. From the capital city of Kunming, you can head north to the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range to trek Tiger Leaping Gorge or travel south to Xishuangbanna and mingle with Asian elephants in the lush rain forest that borders Laos and Myanmar.

Bus to Wenzhou

The Shanghai West Bus Station has been in operation for years in name, but recently the depot moved to its new home inside the hub. With well over 100 long distance routes departing daily, buses head to neighbouring Jiangsu and Zhejiang practically by the minute. There are also trips to provinces further afield, including Anhui, Guangdong, Henan, Hunan and Shandong.

The coastal city of Wenzhou, known for its business prowess and profusion of flashy Ferraris, is located just a six hour bus ride from Shanghai. A short drive from the city centre is Yandang Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005 famous for its craggy waterfalls. The precipice had its heyday during the Song Dynasty, and the historic remains of the era’s temples and pagodas dot its five peaks. Jiangxin Island, located in the middle of the Ouyang River that bisects Wenzhou, is one of China’s four famous islands and juxtaposes ancient banyan trees with a spanking new theme park.

Additional reporting by Coco Shen and Alex Charnaud