Beijing Transportation

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Beijing Subway Map

The city's subway and light rail cars are easier for foreigners to use since notices are translated into English and stations signs are written in pinyin.

Beijing Bus

At present, there are two subway lines: the first runs east to west along C hang'an jie, the second is a loop line that goes under the second ring road, the two lines connect at two stations. Beijing 's elevated light rail line goes from Xizhimen subway station to Dongzhimen subway station through the northern suburbs. Work on new lines, including a subway that will link the Olympic Park with the city center,is underway and should be completed before the opening ceremony in 2008.Subway and light rail tickets each cost RMB 3,and joint tickets that allow transfers between the light rail and subway cost RMB 5.

Beijing Taxi

Taxies in Beijing are readily available.Most taxies are red, though some companies have fleets in a variety of colors. Licensed taxies have signs on their roofs and a laminated card on the dashboard with the driver's photograph, service number and　name. When cabs are for hire, a red illuminated medallion will be visible in the front window. Don't accept a ride in a car that lacks any of these identifying signs.

Beijing Subway

At the time of writing, there were three different fare categories,based on the size of the taxi.The smallest taxis ate cramped cars called xiali,which costs RMB 10 for the first 3km,and then RMB 1.2 for each subsequent kilometer. Mid-size taxies,which tend to have smoother ride,start at the same rate but then cost RMB 1.6 after 3km, The largest taxies have a RMB 12 flag-fall and charge RMB 2 per kilometer after the first 3km. Note that taxi fares rise slightly after 11pm and the passenger is charged for time spent in traffic.

The vast majority of drivers are honest and friendly. However, few of them speak English and won't understand directions in English. It's advisable to get addresses written for you in Chinese. Some hotels print useful cards that list the names and addresses of popular destinations,and the hotel, in English and Chinese.

Beijing Travel Guide