Getting around
Getting around Beijing can be an adventure, especially when you can’t speak the language or read the street signs. But, it can be done. The first rule is to never leave your hotel without its business card that you can show to taxi drivers to bring you back. The second rule is to have someone at your hotel’s front desk write your destination in characters to show to taxi or bus drivers.
Traffic is horrendous in Beijing and getting worse all the time. When I lived there, I used to be able to bike the nine kilometers to Wangfujing quicker than I could get there in a taxi or bus. Traffic is so bad now I wouldn’t even think of biking there. We mostly get around by subway and bus when we return for visits. We take taxis sometimes, if we’re really tired, but they can get expensive, though fares are still cheap compared to other international cities. What makes them expensive is the traffic jam surcharge. Fares take a big leap if the taxi idles or runs in first gear for 10 minutes. Sometimes, at rush hour especially, the surcharge starts before you’ve even gone two blocks. Subways Subways are convenient to use. When I lived in Beijing, there were only two lines. Now there are lines criss-crossing the city, making it very convenient and cheap to get around quickly and efficiently. Subway stops are announced in Chinese and English. Each ride costs 2 rmb. If you’ll be doing a lot of riding on buses and subways, consider buying a refillable yikatong or pass. It offers reduced fares on buses and admission to some parks, but is full-fare on subways. The subway is known as ditie in China. If Look for signs which have a big white D in a blue circcle. A map of the subway system is a must if you plan to travel that way. Click here for a good subway map of Beijing. Buses Hundreds of buses roam Beijing’s streets, moving people efficiently, though sometimes, like at rush hour, not too quickly. Buses are slightly more difficult to use than subways, because you need to know your stop. If you have it written in characters, however, you can show the paper to fellow passengers and they’ll tell you where to get off. Most buses charge a flat 1 yuan fare per passenger, but some buses charge based on distance. It’s most important then to know your stop, as you pay when you get on the bus. A bus map is a must if you’ll be doing much travel this way around Beijing. Your hotel should have free maps of central Beijing available, but it may not show all the bus routes. Get a detailed map at a Beijing Tourist Office. Hawkers sell bus route maps around popular tourist attractions, but they’ll be in Chinese characters. Taxis Taxis are a convenient way to get around Beijing, especially if public transportation options will require several changes of bus and subway. They’re also good if you want to go out of town for the day. If you’re traveling as a group, the cost will be much cheaper than combined tickets for a day bus tour. Taxis usually won’t carry any more than three passengers: one person in the front passenger seat and two in the back seat. A bigger taxi may allow four people, but don’t count on it. If your group is larger, count on taking at least two taxis. Consider hiring a van and driver for day trips out of Beijing. Seatbelts may not be available for all passengers. Tip: Flag down a taxi that is going in the direction that you want to go, even if it means you have to cross the street to do this. |
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Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.