[Photy by He Peng]

There are more than 67,000 taxis in Beijing. Taxis are a convenient way to get around Beijing.

Basic rates:（updated on July 1，2013）

13 yuan (within 3 kilometers) +2.3 yuan/km +3 yuan (5 am to 11 pm);

13 yuan (within 3 kilometers) +2.3 yuan/km +3 yuan + 20 percent (11 pm to 5 am)

Taxi Survival Skills

It would be very difficult to find a foreigner in Beijing who doesn't use the taxi system, so our top five survival skills for non-Chinese speakers are:

(1) Try to know where you're going; a map or a card with your destination is extremely helpful to the driver.

(2) Carry small change; your driver may not be able to change a 100-yuan note.

(3) Demand to use the taxi's meter. Sit in the front seat to make hand gestures more visible, being aware of the seat belt. Zuo guai means turn left, you guai right.

(4) Say "tingche" to stop. Ask for your receipt by saying "fapiao".

(5) Taxi Dispatch Center inquiry: +86 10 6837 3399

Driving Tips

Driving is convenient and interesting in Beijing. Here are some tips for you:

(1) Use the expressway and main roads of the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Ring roads.

(2) Traffic jams are the norm; expect them at almost any time of the day.

(3) There are different levels of parking fees in Beijing. Using roadside parking spaces in Beijing's 13 areas, namely, Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Dongzhimen Dongzhong Jie, Yansha, Cuiwei, Wangfujing-Dongdan Commerce Area, Xidan Commercial Area, Financial Street, Chaowai Commercial Area, CBD (Central Business District), Zhongguancun Xiqu, Chongwai Commercial Area and the Qianmen Commercial Area, drivers should pay 5 yuan per half-hour.

(4) You can also visit http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn to get detailed real-time traffic information in Beijing.