Stand users crashed their plane, so they had to go another path, and they didn't have enough money for other planes. Yes they could have used a helicopter, but GEB said no to that.

China is boring. Just ask my grandma. My grandma was born in China, then went to live in Honk Kong 'cause Mao was a downer. Then, 50 years later went on vacation to China and thought it was boring, as aforementioned. (Jesus, that took forever. XD )