Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND BĚIJĪNG
Bicycle
Cycling is the most enjoyable way of getting round Běijīng. The city is as flat as a mah
jong table and almost every road has a bike lane. The quiet, tree-lined
hútòng
(alleys) are
particularly conducive to cycling.
Bike Rental
The following are good options for renting bicycles (
zū zìxíngchē
):
Bike Běijīng
( Kāngduō Zìxíngchē Zūlìn;
Nanjie,
9am-7pm;
China Museum of Art)
10am-7pm;
Yonghegong-
Lama Temple)
Bike repair stands around the Hòuhái lakes also rent bikes (per hour ¥10). Hostels typic-
ally charge ¥30 per day for a standard town bike.
Buying a Bike
Giant
( Jié'āntè; 77 Jiaodaokoudong Dajie,
Beixinqiao)
For new bikes and equipment.
9am-7pm;
JH 2nd-hand Bike Shop
( Jīndiǎn Xīnqiáo Xìntuō Shàngháng; 43 Dongsibei Dajie,
9am-5pm;
Beixin-
qiao)
For classic old bone-rattlers.
Bike-Sharing Scheme
Běijīng's new bike-sharing scheme was just being unveiled at the time of research. Initially
open only to Chinese nationals, there were plans to open it to foreigners at a later date, so
check once you arrive here. To use the bikes, you must have an ordinary Běijīng
travel
card
( jiāotōng yīkǎtōng; refundable deposit ¥20)
that is activated for bike-rental use.
At the time of research the two most convenient places in which to get your travel card
activated were at subway stations. One was by Exit A2 of Tiantan Dongmen subway sta-
tion. The other was by Exit A of Dongzhimen subway station. Both desks were only open
