Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around
Beijing is a vast, sprawling city and an increasingly traffic-clogged one. The ever-expand-
ing subway system, though, will take you to almost everywhere you need to go. It's effi-
cient, safe, very cheap and much quicker than sitting in a taxi most of the time. Another al-
ternative is to do as the locals do and get on your bike.
Subway
Beijing's subway system gets bigger every year and is by far the best way to get around the
capital. Tickets cost ¥2 for a single journey and trains run from 6am to 11pm.
Cycling
Beijing is as flat as a mah jong table, which makes cycling easy. Bikes can be hired at nu-
merous places around town and are especially good for exploring the
hutong,
where traffic
is far more manageable than on the main roads.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful in Beijing and almost all taxi drivers are honest and will use their
meters. Very few, though, can speak any English and journeys can be slow because of
heavy traffic. Taxi flagfall is ¥10.
Bus
Beijing's buses are numerous, go everywhere and are dirt cheap: ¥1 for a ticket. But they
are always packed, move slowly and can be a challenge for non-Mandarin speakers.
For more information, see Survival Guide (
Click here
)
