By Plane Generally there is not much variation in air fare prices from the main European cities. The major airlines and travel agents usually have a number of deals on offer, so shop around. Return fares to Běijīng from major Western European cities start at around €900 with Lufthansa, Air France and KLM. Flights to Hong Kong are slightly more expensive, with return fares starting from around €1000 to €1100. Air fares to China peak between June and September.
Recommended agencies: Expedia (www.expedia.de) Just Travel (089-747 3330; www.justtravel.de) An English-language travel agency. Lastminute (01805-284 366; www.lastminute.de) STA Travel (0697-4303 292; www.statravel.de) For travellers under the age of 26; branches in major cities.
By Boat Hong Kong Some ships still ply the waters betweenHong Kongand the mainland, but numbers and destinations have been cut back and largely travel to destinations in Guǎngdōng.
Incheon to Wēihǎi There are three boat services a week between Incheon and Wēihǎi (2nd/1st class Y750/1370, 15 hours, departs Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7pm from Wēihǎi). Check Weidong Ferry (www.weidong.com) for an updated schedule.
Incheon to Qīngdǎo There are three boats a week between Qīngdǎo and Incheon (Y750 to Y1370, 15 hours, departs Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Phone or consult the website of Weidong Ferry (0532-8280 3574; www.weidong.com; 4 Xinjiang Lu) in Qīngdǎo to confirm days.
Incheon to Tiānjīn There are two boats a week between Tiānjīn and Incheon (from Y1000, 25 hours). Boats from Incheon depart at 1pm and 9pm on Tuesday, and boats leave Tiānjīn at 11am on Thursday and Sunday. As with boats from Japan, the boat does not dock at Tiānjīn proper, but rather at the nearby port of Tánggū, where there are buses to speed you to either Tiānjīn or Běijīng. Boats to Tiānjīn are run by the Jinchon Ferry Company Seoul (822-517 8671); Incheon (8232-777 8260); Tiānjīn (022-2331 1657).
Incheon to Dàlián A boat leaves for Incheon in South Korea at 3.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Y850 to Y1469, 18 hours) from Dàlián; tickets can be bought at the ferry terminal. Boats leave Incheon for Dàlián at 4.30pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Contact Da-In Ferry Seoul (822-3218 6551); Incheon (8232-891 7100); Dàlián (0411-8270 5082).
Incheon to Dāndōng Three boats a week run between Dāndōng and Incheon in South Korea. Boats leave for Incheon at 3pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (Y1000 to Y1900, 15 hours). Boats leave Incheon for Dāndōng at 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Contact Dandong Ferry Incheon (8232-891 3322); Dāndōng (0415-317 0081).