Travel - Beijing - Introduction

		Capital City of China
		Size: 16,800 sq. km Population: 15 million Best time to visit: Late spring, early summer and autumn

	History
		1) Yen Dynasty (B.C. 723 - 221)
			was first settled in this area.
		2) Yuen Dynasty (A.D. 1280 - 1368)
			under the leadership of Kublai Khan called the capital Da -du (Big Capital).
		3) Ming Dynasty (A.D.1368 - 1644)
			named the capital as Beijing (Northern Capital).
		4) Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1644 - 1911)
			retained Beijing as their Capital.
		5) The Constitution of the People's Republic of China
			declared Beijing as the Capital of the Nation in 1949. Today, Beijing is the political and cultural center of the People's Republic of China.

Public Transports

		Subway
			Operates:
				Between 05:00 to 22:30
			Entrance:
				Subway entrance.
			Fare:
				From 3RMB (US$0.42) except transfer to and from Line 13 and Line 8 (Ba-tong)
				(subway ticket for Line 2)

			Airport Bus Beijing Capital Airport is located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) at the Northeast part of Down Town Beijing. Airport Shuttle Bus:
				Operates:	From 05:30 to 23:00
				Fare:	16RMB (US$2.3)
				Routes:	Five routes, from Capital Airport. (see details above) (each route will stop at several places before reaching destination, do check the required destination before boarding.)
				Note: Nan-yuen Airport is located at the Southern part of Beijing.
			Hotel Shuttle Most Major Hotels provide either free shuttle service or with a charge to and from the Airport.

			Local Bus

				It is quite complicated for the tourist to understand the Stops in Chinese, instead just check out the required Bus number, with the help of your hotel to write down the destination Stop in Chinese, show to the bus-driver when aboard. Well, without a doubt, just the bus journey is quite an adventure, where one can experience the local life. Use the bus route as the Stop and Start system to explore the area, it surely is great fun. Hints:- Bus number is normally located at the left hand front of the Bus, next to it, is the name of the first stop and the destination, the vertically names are places that the bus will stop at, all in Chinese. Two types of bus and fares:- 1) Pay when boarding at the front, exact fare 1RMB (US$0.14), no change given, get off at rear. 2) Bus conductor will collect fare on board, fare charges according to the distance of the journey; the basic rate is 1RMB (US$0.14) for the first 12km, every additional 5km will add an extra 0.5RMB (US$0.07).

				(At each bus stop, a sign-post is clearly indicated -- bus number, first stop and the destination as well as their Stops...etc)

			Taxi
			Airport Taxi
				Airport Taxi - Metered taxi, fare is around 120RMB (US$15) to the city-center, that is including an expressway toll of 15RMB (US$2), extra fare after 23:00, do enquire before getting in.
			Taxi in the City-area
				The basic rate is 10RMB (US$1.4) to 12RMB (US$1.7) in daytime or 11RMB (US$1.5) from 23:00, then after four km, extra fare will be added for every km, rate is displayed at the rear window, 2RMB (US$0.28) per km. Notes:- a) Be sure the meter is turned on when journey begins and remember the taxi number in case of complaint or reclaim items left in the taxi. b) Have destination name written in Chinese in case driver does not understand English. c) Beware, if the City ride is more than 35RMB (US$4.9). d) From the Capital Air-port to the City will cost about 80 to 150RMB (US$12 to US$22) including the expressway toll of 15RMB (US$2.2). e) Do not accept for those asking, "Do you need a taxi?" at the roadside. f) A receipt will be issued at the end of the ride. (Must ask for receipt "far-pale" .)

				(Beijing Taxi)	(2RMB per km is displayed at the rear of taxi)

From the Editor:

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