Beijing Transportation Tips by mafi_moya

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Thousands of public buses cover the whole city and are cheap at mostly 1 Yuan per journey. The vehicles are modern and well designed but can get extremely full at peak times. Unless you know what you're doing they're quite difficult to use. The routes are at times mind-bogglingly complicated, so make sure you grab hold of a bus map from your hotel. There are long distances between stops and don't bank on just getting on and asking where to get off - few of the conductors speak English. The destination signs are mostly in Chinese (although this is slowly changing). Most tourist sites are located in a reasonably central area of Beijing and the buses serving the centre have one or two digit numbers. Routes 1-6 are particularly useful for tourists. Triple digit numbers are generally heading for the suburbs and of less use to visitors.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: A far easier alternative to the bus is the subway. Beijing has two underground lines: East-West and Circle. In early 2003 a third overground route was introduced to the north, and more are planned before the 2008 Olympics. At present though, the reach of the subway is far more limited than the buses - although it does cover most major tourist sites. Much quicker than buses, which can take an age in the Beijing traffic, the subway makes the city seem a much more manageable size. It costs 2 Yuan per journey, which can involve a change of lines and unlimited travel until you come back overground. You have to pay another 2 Yuan to use the third line. Trains are frequent and in reasonable condition. Locals complain that it's slow and crowded but if you're used to the London Underground then it's heaven! There are about 40 stations on the main two lines and they display a blue D sign. Another advantage over the buses is that station names and train announcements are in English - it's virtually impossible to get lost! Most major tourist areas are near subway stations and wherever possible I'd recommend it over the bus.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: There are three classes of taxi - each displaying their pricing scheme on a sticker in the window. The prices are Y1.2, Y1.6 and Y2 per kilometre and the amount you pay is relative to the comfort of the car. The cheapest are small and cramped, the more expensive have ample leg room and even seat belts! As usual, few drivers will speak English so it's useful to have a map with you to point at. All taxis are metered, and there is an added charge after midnight. If you want a bit of personal space then use a taxi, but in the chaotic daytime traffic it's often quicker (and much cheaper) to use the subway.

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