Tips for using Beijing's taxis

2004/06/23

There are more than 70,000 taxis in Beijing.

All taxis, beginning at 10 yuan, can be divided into three: 2 yuan for 1.2 - 1.6 kms. From 11pm to 5am, prices are subject to 20% service charge. You are within your rights to select any vehicle you wish from the rank - unlike many Western countries, you are not compelled to take the taxi at the front.

Taxi Survival Skills

It would be very difficult to find a foreigner in Beijing who doesn't use the taxi system, so our top five survival skills for the non-Chinese speaker are:

Try to know where you're going - a map or a card with your destination is extremely helpful to the driver.
Carry small change - your driver may not be able to change a 100-yuan note.
Sit in the front seat to make hand gestures more visible, being aware of the seat belt. Zuo guai is a left turn, you guai right.
Say ting xia to stop.
Ask for your receipt by saying fa piao.

Beijing Taxi Commission Hotline: 96103



	Article featured in Beijing Official Guide, BOG2004 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism