Local Transport

IC Cards

Beijing Subway

Taxi

Bus

Bicycle

Pedicab

Map of Beijing

IC Cards (Yikatong)

In May 2006, Beijing made life easier for its millions of commuters by allowing the use of pre-paid transportation IC cards (Shizheng jiaotong yikatong, or yikatong for short). These smart-cards can be used to pay for buses and subway rides and some taxis. The cards can be purchased and topped up at some of the subway stations and bus stations. Travellers must pay a 20 yuan deposit for the card and can put as much as 1,000 yuan on it. The fare is deducted automatically with a simple swipe of the card over a machine.

Beijing Subway

More Convenience, Greater Courtesy

During the summer of 2008, especially during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the best way to get around Beijing for most people is going to be via the Beijing Subway.

Few cities in the world have taken action to upgrade and transform their public transportation systems in the manner of Beijing, but what visitors to Beijing will see in 2008, while a vast improvement over the past with the additions of Beijing Subway lines Nos. 5, 10 and the Olympic Branch line and the Airport Line that connects Central Beijing to the Beijing Capital International Airport at the Dongzhimen Station and Terminal 3 at the airport, is just the beginning phase of a subway/light-rail network that will reach every populated corner of the municipality and that will connect with airport, train and bus stations with even wider transportation networks and still more travel options.

Visitors can easily use the subway by purchasing magnetic “tickets” at subway stations; long-stay visitors should consider purchasing an yikatong card that allows entry to the subway with just a swipe. Just 2 yuan will take you to any place within Beijing where the rail networks run; since 2007, there are no transfer fees.

While the subway is convenient, it can get crowded, especially on holidays and during rush hours, and while the system is more accessible than ever and people will yield to the elderly and people with a disability, it is better avoided by those who have difficulty climbing stairs or who have difficulties coping with crowded conditions. Take a taxi or bus instead.

Olympic visitors, however, can expect an easier go of it. The city has stepped up its efforts to eradicate queue-jumping (line-breaking) since early 2007, and even local people become indignant now when people do it. Still, if it happens, do not get surprised or angry; in the past, such behaviour was “normal.”

When waiting on a train, stand on the oblique arrows on the floor that point toward the rail line; when train doors open, wait for a moment for people to exit the train, but go ahead and get on the train when possible to do so; the trains run faster these days and do not tarry at subway stops. Do not stick your hand or an object like an umbrella in the door to get it to reopen: it won’t. When on a crowded train, be sure to know when you are approaching your stop and begin working your way toward the door. People will let you by when you say “xia che,” unless they, too, intend to disembark at your station.

If you have any problem whatsoever, contact the subway staff on the station platform. All have been trained to assist travellers: they have “seen it all” and know what to do.

The Olympics will be a big test for the city’s public transport system, especially its subway/light-rail network, but Olympic visitors should know that local people will be adjusting to the new system too and that more improvements are on the way in the post-Games era.

Highlights along the Beijing Subway

Line 1

Military Museum

Exit A leads to the Military Museum, on the west side of which you can also find the Millennium Monument. This is also the closest the subway comes to Beijing West Railway Station, a 10-minute walk to the south.

Muxidi

Take Exit B to reach Chang’an Market and Exit C for Capital Museum.

Fuxingmen (Interchange Station with Line 2)

Seasons Place is 300 metres north of Exits A and B. Exit B leads to the Parkson Department Store.

Xidan

Take Exit A for a selection of big shopping malls, fast-food outlets and the Marco Polo Hotel (get film and slide film developed at the north end of the hotel); Exit B leads to the Beijing Books Building, the biggest book retailer in China (a wide range of foreign-language titles is in the basement). Exit D leads to Beijing Concert Hall and Exit E leads to Maison Mode, another high-class shopping mall.

Tian’anmen Xi (West)

Exit B leads to Zhongshan Park and Exit C leads to the National Grand Theatre and the Great Hall of the People. Walk south alongside or across the square to get to Qianmen.

Tian’anmen Dong (East)

Take Exit A for the Working People’s Cultural Palace (Imperial Ancestral Temple); Exit D leads to Tian’anmen Square, Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and to the Monument to the People’s Heroes. Walk south past the mausoleum to Qianmen.

Wangfujing

Take Exit A for Oriental Plaza and Wangfujing Shopping Street. Here you will find bookstores with foreign-language titles, Chinese-language learning materials, children’s books, music and videos; Time Honoured Brand (Laozihao) stores selling the “best” that China has to offer alongside the latest in products and fashions from capitals around the world; the Gongmei Emporium that is chock full of traditional Chinese art, crafts and collectibles from all over China; good food, including the fabulous and exciting “Eat Street” (on Donghuamen Dajie just north of the Foreign Languages Bookstore) and an Outback steak restaurant; cinemas in Beijing apm and in Oriental Plaza; and the Church of St. Joseph (Wangfujing Tianzhutang) that was first established in 1655 and much more. A great place for people-watching.

Dongdan (Interchange Station with Line 5)

Take Exit A for the Oriental Pioneer Theatre, the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (excellent treatment here for foreigners), Goldfish Hutong and Exit D for the Dongdan Sports Centre and Dongdan Park.

Jianguomen (Interchange Station with Line 2)

Exit A leads to the Chang’an Grand Theatre; Exit C leads to the Ancient Observatory; Exit B is just south of the China Post international post office, where you can ship small packages to loved ones back home, and adjacent to the Jianwai Diplomatic Compound and numerous western restaurants and shopping centres, including the famed Beijing Friendship Store and SCITECH Plaza. Also nearby are the SCITECH Hotel and Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong.

Dawang Lu

Take Exit A for Shin Kong Place, Wanda Plaza, New World Department Store and Wal-Mart Supercentre, cinemas and many non-traditional and western places to eat. Take Exit B for Beijing ALSA Bawangfen Bus Station.

Line 2

Jishuitan

Take Exit A and go east for 600 metres to reach the Deshengmen Gate and the Deshengmen Long Distance Bus Station, from where bus 919 leaves for the Great Wall at Badaling.

Gulou Dajie

This is the nearest subway station to Shichahai and to Beijing’s famed Drum and Bell Towers that were used to regulate daily life in ancient Beijing. Here you will find great bars and restaurants, shops to purchase gifts, nightclubs offering live and canned music, balmy nights and colourful night views.

Yonghegong (Interchange Station with Line 5)

Exit C leads to the Yonghegong (Lama Temple) and the Imperial College and Confucius Temple. Small shops in the area offer collectibles related to the various schools of Buddhism.

Dongzhimen

Use Exit A and walk along Dongzhimennei Dajie to reach the 24-hour restaurant strip known as Guijie (Ghost Street).

Use Exit B and walk 500 metres east to the Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station to get buses that will take you to scenic spots in northern rural Beijing, including the Great Wall.

Exit C leads to the embassy area; closest to the station are the Australian, Canadian and German embassies.

Dongsishitiao

Take Exit C and walk one kilometre east to reach the Workers’ Stadium, now a gathering point for popular restaurants and clubs.

Use Exit D to visit the Nanxincang (contemporary and traditional Chinese art, Kunqu Opera, restaurants, cultural establishments) or the New Poly Plaza.

Beijing Railway Station

Take Exit C or D for Beijing Railway Station.

Chongwenmen (Interchange Station with Line 5)

Exit B leads to the Ming Dynasty City Wall Relics Park and Exit C leads to the Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant.

Qianmen

Take Exit C and walk south to Dashilan Street, home to several famous Chinese brands such as Tongrentang (for traditional Chinese medicine) and Ruifuxiang (for pure silk).

Take Exit C and walk west 300 metres for the Laoshe Tea House.

Hepingmen

Take Exit C and walk south for one kilometre to Liulichang for antiques and artefacts.

Xuanwumen

Exit B2 leads to the Church of the Immaculate Conception (also known as Nantang).

Take Exit C2 and walk 300 metres south for the SOGO Department Store and Wal-Mart.

Xizhimen

Take Exit A to transfer to bus 360 to Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan). Also nearby is the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Exhibition Hall and numerous wholesale outlets for Chinese clothing brands.

Line 5

Huixinxijie Nankou

Go south 200 metres to the Yuan Dynasty Wall Relics Park, the biggest free park in town and a good place to take a walk. Numerous restaurants and bars can be found in this area.

Tiantan Dongmen

Take Exit A for the Hongqiao Pearl Market, Hongqiao Tianya Shichang and the Tianle Toy Market. Use Exit ??? to enter the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven.

Go east from Exit ?? on Tiyuguan Lu to reach the China National Sports Training, where China’s Olympians train.

　

Line 13

Wudaokou

The nearest station to Tsinghua University and Peking University

Batong Line

Gaobeidian

Exit A leads to the China Red Sandalwood Museum. Go south from Exit C to reach the Gaobeidian Classic Furniture Market.

Taxi

There are more than 67,000 taxis in Beijing. All the taxis in Beijing are equipped with meters. Flagfall is 10 yuan (for 3 kilometres) during the day and 11 yuan from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. The cost of a ride is 2 yuan per kilometre, 3 yuan after 15 kilometres. From 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., the cost of a ride is 2.4 yuan per kilometre and 3.4 yuan after 15 kilometres. Have your destination written down in Chinese. Say ting che to stop. Ask for your receipt by saying fapiao. Look to the rear of the taxi, especially in bicycle lanes, before opening your door to avoid be struck by a cyclist.

Bus

There are more than 24,000 buses running on 750 routes in Beijing, and some 40 percent of them are new and cleaner models. Most buses numbered between 1 and 100 operate within the Third Ring Road. Buses numbered 200—212 provide only night services. Buses with 9 as the first number run between suburban and urban areas. Using IC cards to pay on buses brings discounts of up to 60 percent for adults and 80 percent for students.

Bike

Getting around by bike is convenient and pleasant in Beijing, where there are around 10 million bicycles. Most streets have wide, well-defined bike lanes and bikes can be rented at many hotels and bicycle-renting spots. Watch what the locals do, and in a few minutes you can begin travelling the city safely in a more independent way. Bicycle Rental provides dozens of spots for bike renting in town, dial 800 810 5917 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) for details.

Pedicab

Pedicabs are a great way to get a comfortable quick look at the hutong around Shichahai, where licensed services are available. Know where you want to go and negotiate fees before mounting the pedicab.