Convenient Beijing transportation makes your Beijing tour smooth and pleasant.Beijing transportation is a complete system of the subway and buses, etc. Beijing had a bad reputation for its crowded traffics. Its traffic jams always makes the inner ring roads and highways paralyzed during the day. It can clear only after the evening rush hour around 8: 00 p.m. This often makes the subway the best choice, but it is even more crowed during the peak time than the above-ground transports. The trains are usually packed, but the system is efficient and quick. Now, in Beijing, most main roads have divided into automobile lanes and bike lanes. Therefore, travelers can explore the heart of the city on two wheels with safety. Following is about the information of the means of transportations in Beijing:

 

Subway

Beijing subway is the most popular means of transportation in this city. As of 2007, the system only included Lines 1, 2, 5, 13 (light rail) and the Badong Line. In 2008, Lines 8, 9 and 10 were also completed. Line 1 (the east-west line) runs past Tiananmen Square from the West Pingguoyuan Station to Sihui Station in the east; Line 2 (the circle line) runs around the center of the city with a Beijing Railway Station stop at its southeast corner. Subways run from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. As of 2008, all fares are RMB 2 throughout the system. The system has undergone upgrades to accommodate a new yikatong (a "one card pass" smart card) system—buy a card for a RMB 20 deposit and add value in RMB 10 increments. Some taxis now also accept yikatong payment.

 

Taxi

Taking a taxi in Beijing, please notice that it is a metered cab and do not accept negotiated fares. Fares start at RMB 10 during the day and RMB 11 after 10 p.m. After the first three kilometers (about 1.7 miles), each additional kilometer is between RMB 1.20 and 1.60, depending on the make of the taxi.

 

Pedicab (San Lun Che)

Pedicab drivers congregate along busy intersections and tourist areas, offering weary pedestrians a respite from walking. Scenery passes by pleasantly in a pedicab. Please remember to bargain before boarding.

 

Bicycle

Bike-riding in Beijing offers a wonderful perspective of the capital. Rent a bike at one of the city's hotels or hostels. Rates range from RMB 20-30/day plus a refundable RMB 100-200 deposit.

 

Air

Beijing's Capital International Airport lies 30 km (18.6 miles) northeast of the city center (a 45 minute car ride without much traffic). Reach the airport by taxi or airport bus (RMB 16) from the Xidan Civil Aviation Mansion, the Art Gallery, the entrance of Beijing Railway Station and the Princess Tomb. The trip from airport to the center runs about RMB 100.

 

Train

As a transport hub, Beijing railways are highly developed.Beijing has two main train stations: Beijing Railway Station (Beijing Zhan) and Beijing West Station (Beijing Xi Zhan). Double check the ticket to make sure you know the correct departure station. Beijing Railway Station serves major destinations including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Harbin as well as Russia. Beijing West Station connects to long-distance destinations to the south and west including Vietnam and Hong Kong. Six smaller stations provide additional regional service. Travelers can purchase tickets at the foreign passenger ticket office in the main station's soft-seat waiting room. The other way is to ask your hotel or travel agent to arrange train travel for you.

 

Bus

Beijing buses can carry you nearly everywhere of the city. Beijing's 12 long-distance bus stations provide numerous options for travel to cities around China; however bus travel can be quite tricky if you don't speak some Mandarin. The main bus stations include Xizhimen, Dongzhimen and Zhaogongkou. Local buses are cheap but often slow because of traffic and almost always crowded.Beijing's 12 long-distance bus stations provide numerous options for travel to cities around China; however bus travel can be quite tricky if you don't speak some Mandarin. The main bus stations include Xizhimen, Dongzhimen and Zhaogongkou. Local buses are cheap but often slow because of traffic and almost always crowded.

 

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