As the nation's capital, getting to Beijing is very easy and straightforward. Rail and air connections link the capital to virtually every point in China, and fleets of buses head to abundant destinations from Beijing.
Train/Coach
Beijing is easily accessible by train from all parts of China. Please remember though that China is a very large country and that train travel is much slower than air. Please ask about travel times when you consider train travel.
Air
Beijing Capital Airport is the largest airport in China. It is located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of downtown Beijing. Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd has 38 major foreign cooperative airline companies, 21 domestic airlines, 1 Hong Kong airline and 1 Macao airline using the airport. It is one of the major gateways for foreign travelers to enter mainland China.
Beijing Subway
During the build up to the 2008 Olympics, Beijing's Subway has been extensively developed from 2 lines to 10 lines.
By Bicycle
China used to be called the sea of bicycles and in Beijing today the bike is still a convenient vehicle for most people. Renting a bike may be a better way for you to see this city at your own pace. You can rent a better bike in your hotel and pay 20-30 CNY for a day's rent. A deposit will be required. You can also rent bikes at some bicycle shops for repairing bikes and inflating tires. Their charge for renting bikes there is lower as the bikes are not as new. When needed, you park your bike in a bike park, which can be easily identified by the large amount of bikes on roadsides. The charge is less than 1CNY.
By Pedi-cab
Pedi-cab is a good choice for sightseeing, especially for visiting Hutongs on your own. You will find Pedi-cabs on the street. You should agree on a price with the driver before starting the journey. Payment in CNY or US$ will be acceptable. The legally registered Pedi-cab can be identified by a certificate attached to the cab and the driver has a card hanging around his neck.
By Bus
City public buses run from 5:30 till 23:00 daily. Taking buses in Beijing is quite inexpensive but less comfortable than a taxi or the subway. The flat rate for an electric car and ordinary public car is 1CNY. Buses equipped with air-conditioning or of special line are charged according to the distance. Few foreigners like getting around by bus, because it is always crowded, especially during rush hours (6:30-9:00 and 17:00-19:00). Some conductors give the stop's name in English but they can’t speak any more English. Write down some commonly used sentences in Chinese is quite helpful. Minibuses, serving from 7:00 to 19:00, charge the flat rate of 2CNY guaranteeing a seat. They are faster and more comfortable.
