PEK to Beijing CBD - best way and cost

[Steady]

I am heading to China on a study tour and flying too/from independently to the group - I'm hoping those who know their way around this area may be able to help

The accommodation is prearranged and included as part of the unit fees, as I will arrive a few hours after the group I need to get myself to the first hotel. The first 4 nights are in Beijing at the "Jianguo Hotel" located in the CBD and their site says "By car, 10 minutes from Tiananmen Square and Beijing’s numerous historical sights and 30 minutes from the Beijing Capital International Airport.

My questions are;
Should I be looking for a hotel transfer, taxi or other?

How much does a taxi generally cost from the airport into the CBD

Are CC readily used or should I be pre-organising cash? (transport / tours / food)

Are USD of any use in China - I may have some leftover following my trip to LAX

Thanks in advance

Steady

 

[teaHSRn]

Credit cards are not readily accepted, use cash. USD can be exchanged in banks but it is a hastle.

Get a taxi from the airport, they are cheap and reliable. From memory a few years ago I paid about 130 RMB for airport to circa Tiananmen.

Get the hotels address and phone number written in characters and hand it to the cabbie.

Other option is metro. Airport line is about 30rmb and there are stations everywhere in the downtown area.

Have fun, China is awesome.

 

[Mattg]

I've used the trains in Beijing with no issues - they are inexpensive and reliable.

Getting to the airport, I had an early flight and the trains weren't running during the night so I got a taxi. The driver definitely couldn't speak English but knew "airport". Coming from the airport, make sure you have the address and possibly also some directions written in Chinese.

The driver never tried to rip me off (which has happened to me at times in other Asian countries) and I couldn't really fault the experience. From memory the taxi was about CNY100.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Taxi from airport is best way to go - after exiting arrivals take elevator or travelator down 2 levels to taxi waiting area - it is very well signed - you must pay cash approx. RMB100 to your hotel - no taxi will accept Credit Cards.

The Jianguo Hotel is just down from World Trade Centre - great area to stay - here is hotel web site - Jianguo Hotel

From Beijing Taxi Book here is your hotel info:



And:



And:



AS for spending money use CC at hotel and use Debit Card to withdraw cash as you need it is best bet - ATMs everywhere. Jianguo will exchange US$/A$ for you over counter no problem and at rate set daily by Bank of China so zero chance of being ripped off there.

And your hotel only 200mtrs from Beijing's best fake market in Silk Market - a must for any foreigner visiting PEK. Anything else you need just ask away.

 

[Isochronous]

Cab is definitely the best bet. Make sure you have the address in Chinese and the phone number of the hotel in case the driver doesn't know - just call the hotel and have them explain. due to the growth a lot of cab drivers aren't local, and even if they are, Beijing is so big and there are so many new streets that it is impossible to know them all.

That being said, Jianguomenwai Ave is a major street and the driver will know where it is.

 

[seanpodge]

Like others have said, taxis should be around ¥100 to ¥130. Vast majority of drivers won't know English or even Latin script, so, assuming that you can't speak Chinese, make sure you have any addresses written out in Chinese characters for them. Payment will be strictly cash only.

If you wanted, the subway is a cheaper option (total of ¥28, according to Baidu Maps) and there is a station right in front of your hotel, but you'd have to transfer twice, so it depends on your fitness, eagerness and luggage situation. First step would be to head to the airport line train station at the airport, buy the airport line ticket (¥25) and take the train all the way to the terminus at Dongzhimen Station (Line 2). Buy a separate ticket (¥3) to use the main subway network and transfer to Line 2 and head south/clockwise for 3 stops, getting off at Jianguomen Station (Line 1). Then transfer to Line 1 for the train heading east and it's the first station, Yong'anli. Take exit B to get to the hotel. Total trip time is from an hour to 90 minutes. The subway system runs from about 6 am to 11 pm.

Cash is the most popular way to pay, but most major stores will have EFTPOS style machines. In nearly 4 years of living in China, I've never seen any stores use or accept foreign currency. You could however, as Cruiser Elite points out, get it exchanged at a bank for almost the actual market rate (maybe a tenth of a cent off).

 

[Steady]

Thanks everyone - I am sure more questions will come as I start to look into my options during the scheduled free time.

It sounds like a taxi and cash it is - it also sounds like I should go a day or two early and have a better look around.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Absolutely you should - just a few things that should NEVER be missed if ever visiting PEK:
1. A trip to the Great Wall - a MUST
2. Visit and stand in Tiananmen Square - stand quietly and just reflect - a MUST
3. Wander over and say g'day to 'the big fella' Mao - don't worry you won't wake him - a MUST
4. Visit Forbidden City - OMG - a MUST
Above should not be missed - plenty more if you have time. You are in a great area for restaurants / bars etc - if you need help just holla.

 

[Steady]

Absolutely you should - just a few things that should NEVER be missed if ever visiting PEK:
1. A trip to the Great Wall - a MUST
2. Visit and stand in Tiananmen Square - stand quietly and just reflect - a MUST
3. Wander over and say g'day to 'the big fella' Mao - don't worry you won't wake him - a MUST
4. Visit Forbidden City - OMG - a MUST
Above should not be missed - plenty more if you have time. You are in a great area for restaurants / bars etc - walking distance to Maggies / Chocolate / Xiu / Mango - if you need help just holla.

Assuming I don't have a lot of time - how long should be allowed to do these things ?

I have not yet started to look but a guess would be that the great wall would be a full day, the others maybe 2-4 hours or is that rushing it too much?

I think I will be able to get 2 full days free - maybe 3.....

 

[Cruiser Elite]

One day to visit the wall the other 3 easily in another day.

 

[Steady]

Absolutely you should - just a few things that should NEVER be missed if ever visiting PEK:
1. A trip to the Great Wall - a MUST - if you need help just holla.

I have found a few tours mention the part of the wall they visit is the best - any recommendations from those who have seen the Great Wall?

"the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China"
"Mutianyu offers you a alternative experience of visiting Great Wall compared with the Badaling Section"
"Precious chance to see Jinshanling Great Wall which is the remote and isolated section of the Great Wall."
"Come with us and revel at one of the less visited and more authentic parts of the Great Wall: Juyongguan."

 

[Steady]

And:

View attachment 54966

Is this a screen shot from an APP? or....

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes It is from China Taxi Book - you now need to buy it on a city by city basis - they did have a period where all cities could be downloaded for free which I posted in 'China - Never A Dull Moment' thread but that window way closed.

Anyways whatever cost per city it is a must IMHO if China bound.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Which part of wall to visit very much depends on your circumstances - going alone / group? Time available? Do you want to see tombs etc on the journey? Long time since I went personally do not totally up to date - determine how when why you want visit and again Google your best friend - just not in China that is.

 

[Steady]

Yes It is from China Taxi Book - you now need to buy it on a city by city basis - they did have a period where all cities could be downloaded for free which I posted in 'China - Never A Dull Moment' thread but that window way closed.

Anyways whatever cost per city it is a must IMHO if China bound.

Thanks - it showed up in the APP store search prompts but there was no APP - it took me a minute to realise it is a phone app only and I was searching on the ipad ....
The Beijing info costs $8.99 - not much compared to the hassle it will likely save me.

It is good that the App doesn't need internet data to work.

Which part of wall to visit very much depends on your circumstances - going alone / group? Time available? Do you want to see tombs etc on the journey? Long time since I went personally do not totally up to date - determine how when why you want visit and again Google your best friend - just not in China that is.

I will be by myself and will have most of a day. The tours I have been looking at incorporate a section of the Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with a duration of 8-10 hours and are priced ok IMO.
The descriptions given for the different sections are ok - just seeing if anyone had first hand experience.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

My knowledge of GW is out of date - 10+ yrs since I last visited - went first time 18 yrs ago - was 100+deg day - Cruiserette ran out of puff - I went as far as they would permit - then just climbed over the barriers and another 30+ mins further - the guards in those days just laughed - I think if tried today you would find yourself in 're-education camp' quick smart.

I seriously would not try them all one day - it will be a very long day - Tianenman Square and Forbidden City you certainly do not need guide - yes they would be a plus if you are after knowledge but just a touristy look you do not need.

CTB all data on phone - if you are with VF and have Red Roam you are home and hosed anyway. Tanah I think it is a bargain - even for a once off short visit.

 

[raleyoz]

I just typed a 20 mins response and it failed again. Stupid app. I will try tomorrow on the computer. I know you r hotel and area well

 

[Steady]

Are spirits / wine / Champagne etc cheap or expensive in China?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Are spirits / wine / Champagne etc cheap or expensive in China?

Are you thinking bars? Liquor stores?

Local bars for beer and spirits - no - that's where MEL drinks - western oriented bars spirits / wine / champs YES - that's where I drink - but it is kinda like asking how long is a piece of string.

lets work back - Champs - quite to very to extremely expensive - name spirits - yes can be - wine OMG - genuine decent wine YES - cheap shi*ty Chinese wine maybe to no.

Does that help? Like all matters relating to China - the land of complication and contradiction- always expect the unexpected!

 

[Steady]

Are you thinking bars? Liquor stores?

Local bars for beer and spirits - no - that's where MEL drinks - western oriented bars spirits / wine / champs YES - that's where I drink - but it is kinda like asking how long is a piece of string.

lets work back - Champs - quite to very to extremely expensive - name spirits - yes can be - wine OMG - genuine decent wine YES - cheap shi*ty Chinese wine maybe to no.

Does that help? Like all matters relating to China - the land of complication and contradiction- always expect the unexpected!

Yes I think it helps thanks CE. I was thinking restaurants and liquor stores - I like to have a quiet drink in my room while catching up with the work I've missed and keeping up with the study requirements of this trip.