When you arrive in Beijing after a very long Air China Flight, your Beijing Hotels may have organized transport to pick you up from the Airport, however, during your holiday you should experience more forms of transport in Beijing. It truly is a unique experience. Having travelled around Beijing for a month now, I feel it is fair to say that I have no doubts that there are 20 million people living in this city. The main modes of transport are: bus, subway or taxi, all very different. Some have found it easy and convenient to commute in a scooter, moped or bicycle. I personally find the roads rather dangerous out here, but if you’re the adventurous type, I’d suggest renting or buying one of these vehicles during your stay in Beijing.
Lets start with the Subway. Getting aboard the subway during rush hour is the most chaotic things you will ever encounter, especially if your commute involves transferring at stations. Never underestimate how hectic it is. There are many positives however. Most of the lines (14 in total), are fully air conditioned and the Beijing subway is one of the few underground travel systems in the world where one can use their mobile phone. Thus, during non-rush hour times, it can be very comfortable.
Never forget how cheap it is to ride the subway. A single journey is 2RMB (20 pence or 30 pence). It is still a very young transport service (opened in 1969) so as it continues to develop, it will get better. The subway is probably the quickest way to get around Beijing, as it is difficult to find taxis, as a tourist. As chaotic and busy as it sounds, it is still a fun and worthwhile experience.
If you are trying to get home past 11:30pm (when the subway closes), a taxi will probably be your best bet. This is also, a very cheap and easy form of transport, maybe not during rush hour. The fare starts at 10RMB for the first 3km and goes up by 2RMB per extra km. After 10:00pm however, the base fare goes up to about 11RMB. A lot of the taxi drivers will not be able to speak English. They are nonetheless, willing to take you despite the language barrier. Thus, I would strongly recommend that you take your hotel’s business card with you at all times. Or, alternatively, kindly ask your hotel’s concierge to write down a few frequent destinations of yours during your time in Beijing, sort of like a ‘Rescue Card’ to show to taxi drivers when you get in a cab.
Lastly, the bus, the only mode of public transport I have yet to come across during my travels. A bus ticket is even cheaper with a flat rate of 1RMB for a journey. It can take you throughout the city centre and the outskirts, so if you feel like riding around all day and witnessing the hustle and bustle this city has to offer, buy a ticket and cruise away.
Beijing is a huge city and sometimes it’s worth trying all forms of transport, even a rickshaw. It adds cultural excitement to your vacation, so when you are on your china travel, I wish you the best of luck!
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