Getting around in Beijing
Expats will find getting around in Beijing cheap and convenient in the best of times and claustrophobic and death-defying in the worst of times.
Many expats find that their definition of what is within "walking distance" changes dramatically upon moving to the city. Suddenly, a couple kilometres is not a long walk. Getting places on foot - or with a combination of walking, busing, and riding the subway - is not only possible but is quite common and is generally safe.
Regardless though, plenty of public transport options are readily available for those averse to life as a pedestrian, and for the very brave, it's also possible to drive a car.
The city is built around five “ring roads,” highways which make basic circles around the city centre, each farther out than the last. Currently, most things outside of Fifth Ring are considered quite far from the actual centre, though they are technically still a part of Beijing. As expected in a city of 22 million, heavy traffic is commonplace throughout, but new governmental regulations have been working to curb congestion.
Subway and bus lines are the primary modes of public transit and run throughout the city and into the outskirts of town. The standard of these systems is high, and the are constantly being improved.
The subways are quite easy to use, with clear maps (in Chinese) and signs in English and Pinyin (Chinese characters written out phonetically). The biggest difficulty for expats on the subway tends to be the crowded cars, especially during rush hour. You will get used to this, though, or at least learn to avoid it most of the time. One ticket for the subway costs 2 RMB.
Buses can be slightly intimidating, the routes are more complicated and less clearly marked; but more and more have signs in Pinyin as well as in Chinese characters. If you have a metro card you don't even need to shoulder the stress of conversing; simply swipe your card and watch for your stop. Learning the bus system will involve a bit more trial and error than learning the subway or taxi systems, but the price makes it a worthwhile adventure. Buses cost from 1 RMB to 10 RMB, depending on the distance you travel, but you can get discounted rates with a metro card, available at most subway stations and some bus stations.
Taxis are also readily available in most areas, rides starting at 10 RMB (11 RMB after 11pm) and increasing by 2 RMB every kilometre after your first three. Taxis are quite easy to use as long as you know where you're going (or have it written down), though a driver will occasionally get lost and/or try to pull something over on you.
Cabs are also the only form of public transportation available at any time of the day or night in Beijing, but be aware that the number of cabs on duty decreases at night unless you happen to be in close proximity to a well-known late-night hot spot.
Note: there is a 2 RMB surcharge for every cab ride priced above the initial 10 RMB due to rising gas prices.
At various places, you will also find peddle cabs (which are basically boxes on wheels, sometimes gas-powered and sometimes simply human-powered) or rickshaws (seats behind a bike). Be absolutely sure to negotiate your price before riding in these, especially if you happen to be at a tourist venue. In non-tourist areas, these can be as much as half the price of a short-distance cab.
Driving in China may be more aptly described as a carnal blood-sport than a method of moving around. To put it lightly, there is a rhythm to the driving in Beijing, and those who venture to get behind a wheel of any sort will need to learn the rhythm.
It is recommended that expats take a bit of time to learn the traffic patterns before deciding to drive for themselves. If you do decide to pursue a Chinese driver’s license, you will need to navigate through a fair bit of bureaucracy and pass a test that is relatively simple, but that can be quite odd in translation.
Most expats do not require a car, but some choose to get one for more independence and the ease of transporting groceries, children, etc. New regulations make getting a license plate difficult because there is now a lottery system for all prospective car owners.
Many expats chose to own bikes, be it a pedal bicycle, electric bike, or a gas-powered scooter. There’s a great variety and many do not require a license, but you will definitely want to invest in a good lock. Also, be sure to lock your bike to something immovable; theft is rampant, and nice bikes are often thrown right into a truck to have the lock dealt with later.
Many expats find that their definition of what is within "walking distance" changes dramatically upon moving to the city. Suddenly, a couple kilometres is not a long walk. Getting places on foot - or with a combination of walking, busing, and riding the subway - is not only possible but is quite common and is generally safe. Regardless though, plenty of public transport options are readily available for those averse to life as a pedestrian, and for the very brave, it's also possible to drive a car.
The city is built around five “ring roads,” highways which make basic circles around the city centre, each farther out than the last. Currently, most things outside of Fifth Ring are considered quite far from the actual centre, though they are technically still a part of Beijing. As expected in a city of 22 million, heavy traffic is commonplace throughout, but new governmental regulations have been working to curb congestion.
Public Transportation in Beijing
Subway and bus lines are the primary modes of public transit and run throughout the city and into the outskirts of town. The standard of these systems is high, and the are constantly being improved.
Subways in Beijing
The subways are quite easy to use, with clear maps (in Chinese) and signs in English and Pinyin (Chinese characters written out phonetically). The biggest difficulty for expats on the subway tends to be the crowded cars, especially during rush hour. You will get used to this, though, or at least learn to avoid it most of the time. One ticket for the subway costs 2 RMB.
Buses in Beijing
Taxis in Beijing
Taxis are also readily available in most areas, rides starting at 10 RMB (11 RMB after 11pm) and increasing by 2 RMB every kilometre after your first three. Taxis are quite easy to use as long as you know where you're going (or have it written down), though a driver will occasionally get lost and/or try to pull something over on you.
Cabs are also the only form of public transportation available at any time of the day or night in Beijing, but be aware that the number of cabs on duty decreases at night unless you happen to be in close proximity to a well-known late-night hot spot.
Note: there is a 2 RMB surcharge for every cab ride priced above the initial 10 RMB due to rising gas prices.
Peddle cabs in Beijing
At various places, you will also find peddle cabs (which are basically boxes on wheels, sometimes gas-powered and sometimes simply human-powered) or rickshaws (seats behind a bike). Be absolutely sure to negotiate your price before riding in these, especially if you happen to be at a tourist venue. In non-tourist areas, these can be as much as half the price of a short-distance cab.
Driving in Beijing
Driving in China may be more aptly described as a carnal blood-sport than a method of moving around. To put it lightly, there is a rhythm to the driving in Beijing, and those who venture to get behind a wheel of any sort will need to learn the rhythm.
It is recommended that expats take a bit of time to learn the traffic patterns before deciding to drive for themselves. If you do decide to pursue a Chinese driver’s license, you will need to navigate through a fair bit of bureaucracy and pass a test that is relatively simple, but that can be quite odd in translation.
Most expats do not require a car, but some choose to get one for more independence and the ease of transporting groceries, children, etc. New regulations make getting a license plate difficult because there is now a lottery system for all prospective car owners.
Many expats chose to own bikes, be it a pedal bicycle, electric bike, or a gas-powered scooter. There’s a great variety and many do not require a license, but you will definitely want to invest in a good lock. Also, be sure to lock your bike to something immovable; theft is rampant, and nice bikes are often thrown right into a truck to have the lock dealt with later.
