Arriving In Beijing
Beijing can be reached by plane, train, bus, car or a mbination of a ship and train, but most travellers coming from overseas fly into the city, arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport. The only trains from overseas to Beijing come from Mongolia, North Korea Russia and Vietnam. as wel as Hong Kong and Lhasa in Tibet. It is ible to drive to Beijing from other countries, either by car or motorbike,but it requires permits that take a couple of months to arrange and travel by car or motorbike comes with many conditions. The nearest major port is at Tianjin,a 30-minute train ride from Beijing. At the time of research, the only international route by ship to Tianjin was from Incheon in South Korea. There are no international bus routes to Beijing, but the city can be accessed from many Chinese cities by bus, as well as by train and plane from all major cities Flights, cars and tours can be booked online at WestChinaTour. com.
Air System
1. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and plays the main role in the air transportation of Beijing. It is located in Shunyi District, about 30 km northeast of the city center. There are international flights to major cities in other countries and domestic flights to every province in China. The flights to Tianjin were cancelled when the bullet trains came into use.
Overseas travelers can apply for 144-hour visa-free transit at Beijing Capital International Airport since December 28, 2017. See more detailed information in Visa-Free Transit in Beijing for Up to 144 Hours.
Tips: Airport shuttle buses run from Beijing Capital International Airport to Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Xidan commercial district, Wangfujing shopping street, etc. The prices of the airport shuttle buses vary, depending on the place you get off, ranging from 20 to 30 RMB per person.
2. Nanyuan Airport (NAY) takes off some of the air transport pressure from Beijing Capital International Airport. It is the first airport in Fengtai District of Beijing. This airport is the base of China United Airlines Co. Ltd, with dozens of flights, for example to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Sanya.
Tips: There are airport shuttle buses from every exit of Nanyuan Airport as well, with prices ranging from 15 to 24 RMB. Airport shuttle buses usually leave every 30 minutes, around the time when a flight arrives at the airport.
3. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), the third airport, has been officially open since September 25, 2019. It will completely replace Nanyuan Airport.
Train System
As the capital of China, Beijing has an advanced train system. There are four commonly used train stations in the downtown area: Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station and Beijing North Railway Station. These railway stations offer cheap, safe and convenient trips, including domestic and international train routes.
Located in Dongcheng District, Beijing Railway Station is one of the busiest railway stations of China. In recent years, the international train route from Beijing to Paris in France is more and more popular among travelers throughout the world. The train from Beijing (China) to Moscow (Russia) plays an irreplaceable role in the whole journey. Besides, there are international trains to Pyongyang (North Korea) and Ulan Bator (Mongolia) from Beijing Railway Station.
Beijing West Railway Station is the only railway station in Beijing that is eligible for overseas travelers to apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit.
Coach/Bus Systems
Beijing owns dozens of long-distance bus stations. The city-buses can reach everywhere in Beijing. Generally, public buses run from 5:30 to 23:00 every day, but times may vary for different routes. The ticket is usually 1 RMB for a bus without air conditioning and 2 RMB for an air-conditioned bus. But during rush hour, when people come and go to work, buses can get crammed.
Since September 2014, 34 night-bus lines have been operating and they run from 23:20 to 4:50. In addition, more than 20 different types of sightseeing buses help travelers to explore this great city.
Subway/Metro System
Originally opened in 1971, the subway is the first choice for thousands of people to travel around in Beijing. It brings a cheap, fast and safe transport service. The subway system has been extended and improved over dozens of years and as of January 2017, there are 19 metro lines in operation. Also, several lines are still under construction.
The subway reaches most areas of Beijing. Generally, the subway system runs from 5:00 to 23:26 every day, but times vary for the different metro lines. The lowest price is 3 RMB, while a longer distance trip will cost more. But the price of a ticket for the special Airport Express subway line is fixed at 25 RMB.
Basically, to travel by metro is the most flexible and convenient way in Beijing.
Other Means of Transport
Taxis can bring travelers to any destination. The prices of Beijing taxis are reasonable, with a basic fare of 13 RMB and an additional price of 2.3 RMB per kilometer, while the cost goes up 20% at night.
If you are fit and want to explore in a different way, you could try cycling in Beijing. Rickshaws are popular around the scenic spots, and they make for a special cultural experience.
