Buses 
Bus
Beijing's bus network covers the entire urban area comprehensively and is very cheap. Buses can be very crowded and often move slowly due to traffic congestion. On average, buses arrive once every five or ten minutes on main routes. A few routes have all-night services. There is a complex fare system based on the number of stops you pass; just ask the attendant what your fare is. Take some small change with you, and watch out for pickpockets. There are also minibuses which follow the standard bus routes and will pick up and drop off passengers anywhere. Buses equipped with or without air-conditioning use the same rate based on distance, starting at RMB1. If you have a Student Public Transportation Card, the ticket price could be cut by 80%. If you have a common Public Transportation Card, the price is 60% off. Most of the bus stations are convenient for you to get the card. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subway 
Subway
Traveling via the subway is quick and clean. If it goes where you want to go, definitely try it. It costs RMB 3 for however far you are going. There are two main lines, "1" is the horizontal line and "2" is the loop line that follows the inner ring road. You may need to transfer between line 1 and 2 but this is quick and easy. Stations are announced over the train's speaker system, in Chinese and English, but, as it is often difficult to hear, it is better to count the number of stations until you reach your destination. The names of stations are displayed in Chinese characters and pinyin. If unfortunately you fail to get off at the right station in the Circle Line, you can take the next train back without buying another ticket. But, if this mistake happens in other lines, such as No. 13, you must buy another ticket to go back. The Beijing Subway is another transportation alternative. The Beijing Subway currently has 4 lines:
· Line 1, 38km long, from Pingguoyuan Sihui East
· Line 2, (loop line), 16km long, part of which is beneath the 2nd Ring Road
· Line 13, 40.8km long, from Xizhimen to Dongzhimen
· Batong Line, 18.9km long, extends from Sihui to Tuqiao --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taxi 
Taxi
Beijing's Taxi drivers generally do not speak any English, so unless your Mandarin is excellent, be sure to have your destination and its address written in Chinese. Collect business cards from any place you think you might want to frequent. The information desks at all the large hotels are helpful. Tell them where you want to go and they will write it on a card for you in Chinese. Write the name in English on the same card and keep it for future use. Taxis are available at all the hotels and are also easy to flag down on the street. The rate is posted on the window of each taxi. The fare rate is RMB2.0 Yuan per kilometer. If you are stopping for only a minute at a store, take your belongings with you and ask the driver to wait - they generally will if it is OK to park. |
