Practical Information to Travel in Beijing

How to travel in Beijing? There are some Beijing practical information for you.

Essentials

  • The international dialing code for China: +86
  • Time: GMT +8
  • Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz
  • Plug types: two-pin flat blade and oblique three-pin flat blade plugs
  • Internet: free Wi-Fi is available in most public areas in China

Carry Your Passport with You

Your passport is the most important thing you should carry with you.

  • Hotel check-in: You need to show your passport to check in to your hotel.
  • Visit attractions: Some attractions stipulate that visitors must buy an admission ticket using their ID.
  • Buy a train ticket or an airplane ticket: In China, you must show your ID to buy a train ticket or an airplane ticket.

Beijing's Climate and Recommended Clothing

Every season in Beijing has different features. Spring and autumn are dry with a big temperature gap, summer is hot and is Beijing’s peak travel season, and winter is very cold so you need to prepare warm clothes.

Adverse Weather in Beijing

  • Smoggy days or sandstorms: Try to choose indoor activities instead of traveling outdoors when the weather is bad. When you are outside, you can wear a mask to isolate yourself from the haze.
  • Recommended activities: visit a museum, go to an exhibition, or go shopping
  • Rainstorms: Summer is a rainy season in Beijing, and sometimes there may be storms. Rainstorms will cause traffic jams, flooded roads, and traffic accidents. Know the weather forecast in advance and don't linger outside when you encounter such bad weather.
  • More suggestions about Beijing air pollution

Beijing Traffic — How to Take the Subway, a Taxi, or a Bus?

Beijing, as the capital of China, is also a transportation hub in China. You can arrive at any of the main attractions in Beijing using convenient transportation. However, you might be frustrated by the traffic jams. How can you choose the best type of transportation in Beijing? How can you take the subway, a taxi, or a bus in Beijing?

China's Currency and ATMs

The Renminbi is China's currency, and 1 yuan is equal to 10 jiao. Make sure you exchange enough cash when you want to travel in China. Of course, you can easily find ATMs on the streets of Beijing.  Beijing's common means of transportation feature an automatic coin box, so you should prepare the exact change, such as 1 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, or 20 yuan.

Beijing's Dialect

Don't worry about language differences in Beijing because the pronunciation of Beijing’s dialect is very similar to Putonghua. Moreover, with the development of the service industry, it's hard to hear the authentic Beijing dialect in Beijing.

Traveling — Safety in Beijing

In general, Beijing's public security is good. However, keep an eye on your belongings when you are using public transportation, at attractions, or in shopping centers. Don't leave your belongings with strangers or go to remote suburbs at night. In addition, the traffic in Beijing is complex, so you should pay attention to traffic safety when you are driving, walking, or riding.

Useful Numbers

  • Emergency numbers: 110 for the police, 120 (public agency) and 999 (profit organization) are for an ambulance
  • Traffic accidents: 122
  • Railway customer service center: 12306
  • Tourist Board — complaints regarding supervision and management: 6527 5315
  • Complaints about unlicensed cabs and irregular guides: 96310

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