Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
meaning “off”). Swipe your travel card as you get on or pay the ticket seller on the bus.
Sometimes you need to swipe when you get off the bus, but not always. Typically, buses
numbered 1-599 need swiping when you get on only, and buses numbered 600 or higher
require swiping when you get on and off. Basically, if there is a card reader at both the entry
door and exit door then swipe at both; if the card reader is just at the entry door, then swipe
once.
Finding Your Bus Route Online
Various websites can help you track down bus routes. These include Beijing Bus website
(
www.bjbus.com
)
, Mapbar (
www.mapbar.com
)
, and the map function on Baidu
(
www.baidu.com
)
, which works pretty much like the map function on Google. You can
search by route number, destination, and by general location, and when a bus route is iden-
tified it will be highlighted on a map. Unfortunately all three sites are in Chinese. The good
news is that they all work pretty well when viewed through Google Chrome and translated.
It might take experimentation, but with a bit of trial and error, you might discover some
handy information and open up more travel possibilities for yourself.
Various forms of private transport run around the city, many of dubious quality. These in-
clude black cabs,
bèngbèngch
ē
or
mód
ī
,
rickshaws, and
miànb
ā
och
ē
(translated directly as
“bread car,” meaning “minivan”). All forms are illegal, and by riding in one, you risk being
pulled over by police. It's rare, but not unheard of. If you experience any problems you'll
also have no legal backup and zero sympathy from the authorities.
It's definitely not recommended you use these vehicles, but if you do, just take a few
precautions, such as never getting into one unless you've agreed on a price first, never pay-
ing until you get to your final destination, and avoiding them if you're by yourself. If pos-
sible, try to use drivers that you are familiar with or that other people have recommended.
Black Cabs
Black cabs are everywhere in the city. They are unmarked and rarely actually black, but
quite often have a sort of look about them that you get to know. They're typically older,
cheaper cars, driven by a middle-aged driver who slowly cruises past you like a creepy
stalker, leans over, and screams at you through his open window,
“D
ǎ
ch
ē
?”
(“Need a
ride?”). Others base themselves around specific apartment complexes, especially in the
mornings. When it rains, many opportunistic car-owners will hit the streets and try to charge
you extortionate prices.
