How to get around in Beijing?

Getting around in Beijing is very easy and cheap. There are many fast and easy ways to move around in Beijing . Here is an overview of different transportations used to get around in Beijing. 

Public Transportation: Beijing Subway and Bus

In China, many people don’t have a car. It is hard to accept as true but car ownership is still in its start. Beijing has superb public transportation with a wide network of buses and subways. You will see choking traffic in every place in Beijing. It is very easy to use subways and bus transportation services in Beijing. 

In local transportation, there is no multi-day ticket or monthly pass offer. If you have to use local transportation on daily basis you should buy a rechargeable IC card that is called Yikatong 一卡通. You can use this card both for busses and subways. It is available at bigger subway stations. 

Taxi

Taxis are also very common in Beijing. It is an easy and cheap form of transportation. You can easily found taxis on every street corner. 

Sanlunche and Pedi cabs

Sanlunche is a three-wheel car that is also called Boing Boing as the ride can be a little rough. It is usually a shiny silver box run by a moped. It is a Chinese form of a Moto rickshaw or TukTuk that is very common all over Asia. 

Their fare is similar to taxis fare. They are faster ride as they can run between cars, on the sidewalk, and opposite lanes. Therefore they are more dangerous than any transport. 

Pedicabs and bicycle rickshaws are very common in tourist and expat areas. They are good for a short trip and can be run through the streets. Pedicabs and bicycle rickshaws are found everywhere in Beijing. They are very cheap and you can bargain on the fare openly. 

However, in the rush areas, drivers tend to have the fixed fare. So reducing fare can be a little tough for you. 

Keep in mind that you have to tell your driver your destination, and you have to speak Chinese. Make sure that you know the Chinese name or show him the written character. You can use different apps for translating English into Chinese. 

Cars

Using a car for getting around in Beijing is the easiest way, but not the fastest and cheapest way. If your company provides you a vehicle for transport it would be quite beneficial for you. However, driving your own car is not an instant option for foreigners. You will need a foreign residing to get a Chinese driver’s license. Obtaining your license plates for your car can be challenging. So renting a car will be an easy option.  

Bike and Scooter

In Beijing, bikes are very common on roads, sidewalks, and streets. There are several companies offering bikes on rent like Mobike or OFO. You can easily rent a bike from anywhere in the Beijing. 

Most people use electric bikes and small scooters. The scooters are usually battery-run. Small size scooters can be gas-powered. Real motorcycles are not common in China. 

In China, I witness that you don’t need a license for a scooter. Wearing a helmet is not very common. Many people won’t take safety precautions. 

Walk

Walking on foot is the most common form of transportation. If you are using local transportation you have to walk a lot. The distance can be huge, be prepared to walk in changing subway lines. You may have to walk for several minutes. 

Keep in mind that the roads are often dusty, and some streets are areas that are not clean, so your heels may gather a lot of dust. If you have to walk a lot, you should try to wear comfortable shoes.