Travel tips

Beijing Capital Airport

Beijing Capital Airport is 25 kms (16 miles) northeast of the city centre. 

Airport-to-city taxi fare should cost 85-100 yuan, which includes the 5 yuan freeway toll. Shuttle buses run every 30 minutes from 5.30am-8pm between China Aviation Building and Capital Airport. Expect a fare of 16 yuan.

Customer Complaints: (010) 6457-1666

Air China Inquiry: (010) 6459-9567

Lost and Found: (010) 6456-4119, 6459-8333

Medical Service: (010) 6459-1919

Website: www.bcia.com.cn

Taxis

In abundant supply everywhere, the average Beijing taxi is cheap and efficient but as anywhere, be aware. Demand the meter be started and check the driver's ID which will be prominently displayed. Show the driver your destination in Chinese. Three prices, displayed on side windows, indicate the "quality" of the taxi: 1.20 yuan, 1.60 yuan, 2.00 yuan per km. All have a 10 yuan flag-fall.

Subway

The best and usually the fastest way to travel round the city. Check the Business Beijing map. It runs from 5am to 11pm and tickets cost 3 yuan for any combination of lines 1 (red) and 2 (blue), 4 yuan if your journey includes line 8 (red, east beyond Sihui Dong), and 5 yuan if your journey includes line 13 (orange). Stations are announced in English and the subway can be identified with a blue and white neon sigh (D for ditie) with a circle around it. Platform maps show the exit system with major buildings or attractions listed in English.

Visas

For visa extensions, call the Foreign Section of the Public Security Bureau at 2, Andingmen Dajie, Tel: (010) 8401 5292. It is worth noting visa expiry dates accurately, as fines are a hefty 500 yuan per day.

Currency 

Known as Renminbi (RMB) or 'the People's money', the basic unit of currency is yuan (or kuai). There are ten jiao (or mao) to one yuan, ten fen to one jiao. The red 100 yuan note is the largest denomination.

Currency Converter

country     unit        yuan

Australia AUD1  =  5.81

Canada CAD1  =  5.97

Euro  EUR1  =  9.84

Hong Kong HKD1  =  1.06 

Japan JPY100   =  7.37

Russia RUR1  =  0.28

UK GBP1  =  12.61

US USD1  =  8.27

               ^{Rate as at Saturday, May 8, 2004}

ATM's provide international services for Visa and Mastercard etc. Credit cards are accepted but it's worth checking with the establishment first.

Telephone

International and domestic calls can be made from hotels and hostels. IP phone cards are available from hotels, kiosks and Internet cafes in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 yuan.

Dialling Codes

International Access Codes   00

China's Country Code  86

Beijing Area Code  010

• Use "010" if phoning from your mobile

Internet/Email

Internet cafes are in many locations around the city and cost from 1-6 yuan per hour.

Post Services

Letters and postcards can be mailed from hotels. Parcel post needs to be inspected and sent from International Post Offices, available in all prime city locations. Convenient office: Yabao Lu, open 8am-6.30pm, Tel: (010) 6512 8132.

Tourist Information

General tourist information from BTIC:

(010) 6512-3043, 9am-5pm

Domestic travel arrangements from CTS: 

(010) 6461-2577

Air and train tickets from BTA:

(010) 6515-8565