Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around
Subway
Best for...
getting around the city quickly and safely.
›
Beijing's subway system is massive, modern, easy to use, efficient, safe and ever-expand-
ing. There are currently 15 lines, all numbered.
›
Trains run from 6am to 11pm, tickets cost ¥2 for a single journey anywhere on the net-
work.
›
To recognise a subway station (
地铁站
;
ditie zhan
) look for the subway symbol: a blue
English capital 'D' with a circle around it.
Bicycle
Best for...
exploring the
hutong
and central Beijing.
›
Renting a bike (
租自行车
;
zuzixingche
) is a great way to get around traffic-clogged
Beijing, especially the
hutong
. Be aware that cars will not give way for bikes.
›
Most hostels rent bikes, typically for ¥30 a day for a standard town bike. Bike Beijing (
Click here
)
is a good place to rent better-quality bikes and helmets. Many places around
the Houhai lakes (
Click here
) rent bikes for ¥10 an hour, ¥200 deposit.
›
By the time you read this, Beijing's new bike-sharing scheme should be in operation:
20,000 bikes available at 500 kiosks around town, with a ¥200 deposit; first 30 minutes
free, after that a bargain ¥1 per hour.
