Beijing, the capital of China, is the political, educational and cultural centre of the country. It is a transportation hub with a well-developed transportation system. You can get there by plane, train and long-distance bus. Besides, five completed ring roads encircle a city with nine expressways heading in virtually all compass directions, supplemented by eleven China National Highways. All of them offer great convenience to visitors.

Getting there

◎By Plane

Beijing's main airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport, situated in the Shunyi District of the city, about 20 kilometers northeast of Beijing central business district, is China's busiest and most important international airport. It has many international and domestic flights with connections to all wind directions that can reach most cities in the world.

◎By Train

Beijing, as a major railway hub in China's railway network, there are many railway transportations with connections to all wind directions that can reach most cities of China, such as HK, Shanghai, Xian, Datong, Taiyuan, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Lhasa, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Harbin, Baotou, Yuanping, Tongliao, Chengde, etc. 

Besides, Beijing and Shanghai had entered into 5 hour economic circle; you can back in a day. And from Beijing to Guangzhou and Harbin, you just need 5 and 8 hours respectively through by Jingguang high speed railway and Jiangha high speed railway.

There are many railway stations in Beijing. Most of the trains arrive at the central, west, south or north stations. Details as the following:

1. Beijing Railway Station

Located in the west of Dongbianmen, is the third largest railway station in Beijing. Destinations include: Changchun, Chengde, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Jilin, Nanjing, Qiqihar, Shanghai, Shenyang, Suzhou, Tianjin and Yangzhou. The trains for Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), Russia and North Korea also leave from here. 

2. Beijing West Railway Station

It is located in the east road of lotus pond. Destinations include: Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Datong, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Hefei, Hohhot, Hong Kong, Kunming, Lanzhou, Lhasa, Ningbo, Qinhuangdao, Sanya, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Urumqi, Wuhan, Xi'an and Xiamen. This station also serves high-speed train to Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Wuhan, Changsha, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. 

3. Beijing South Railway Station

It is located in the Yongwai Street. Presently offers high-speed services every day to Tianjin, Tanggu (near Xingang sea port), Jinan, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Fuzhou and other destinations. It Served by Line 4. 

4. Beijing North Railway Station

It is located at xizhimen. Destinations include: Chifeng, Fuxin, Luanping, Nankou, Hailar, Manzhouli, Hohhot, Longhua, Shacheng, Huailai,Tongliao and Zhangjiakou. It also offers tour train services to Yanqing and the Badaling Great Wall. It Served by Lines 2, 4 and 13 via the adjacent Xizhimen station. 

5. Beijing East Railway Station

It is located at the ancient philosophers’ bay. Only one service sent to Chengde. 

◎By Bus

Beijing has several expressways heading in all directions. There is a list of the expressways and their destinations:

Jingtong/Jingha Expressway (Beijing (Dawang Bridge - Sihui - Gaobeidian - Shuangqiao - Huicun - Tongzhou District)).

Jichang (Airport) Expressway (Beijing (Sanyuanqiao - Siyuan - Beigao - Xiaotianzu - Beijing Capital International Airport). 

Jingcheng (Beijing (Taiyanggong - Wanghe Bridge - Gaoliying - Huairou - Miyun - Gubeikou) - Luanping ( Luánpíng, in Hebei) - Chengde).

Jingshen (Beijing (Sifang Bridge - Shiyuan Bridge - Huoxian County, Tongzhou - Xiji) - Xianghe (Hebei) - Jixian County (Tianjin) - Jinwei - Tangshan (Hebei) - Beidaihe - Qinhuangdao - Shanhaiguan - Jinzhou (Liaoning) - Shenyang). 

Jingshi (Beijing (Liuliqiao - Wanping - Liulihe) - Shijiazhuang (Hebei)) {Also known as the 'Jingzhu Expressway' (Beijing - Zhuhai)}. 

Jingjintang (Beijing (Fenzhongsi - Shibalidian - Dayangfang - Majuqiao - Caiyu) - Langfang (Hebei) - Tianjin (Yangcun - Central Tianjin - Tianjin Airport - Tanggu District/TEDA)). 

Jingkai (Beijing (Yuquanying - Daxing - Huangcun - Panggezhuang - Yufa) - China National Highway 106)). 

Badaling (Jingzhang) Expressway (Beijing - Badaling Expressway - Donghuayuan - Huailai - Xiahuayuan - Zhangjiakou). 

There are many China national highway routes departing from Beijing to neighboring countries:

China National Highway 101 (Dongzhimen–Chengde–Shenyang)

China National Highway 102 (Chaoyangmen–Harbin)

China National Highway 103 (Fenzhongsi–Tianjin–Tanggu)

China National Highway 104 (Yongdingmen–Fuzhou)

China National Highway 105 (Yongdingmen–Zhuhai–Macau)

China National Highway 106 (Yuquanying–Guangzhou)

China National Highway 107 (Guang'anmen–Shenzhen)

China National Highway 108 (Fuxingmen–Kunming)

China National Highway 109 (Fuchengmen–Lhasa)

China National Highway 110 (Deshengmen–Yinchuan)

China National Highway 111 (Dongzhimen–Heilongjiang province)

Getting Around

◎By Subway

Subway is a very convenient way to get around the city. Beijing has 16 subway lines, the subway system shuts down quite early (around 22:30), and opens again around 5:00am. A flat fare of ￥2 with unlimited transfers applies to all lines, except the express link to the airport, which costs ￥25. The electronic commuter fare card, Yikatong is accepted on all lines. The subway network is undergoing rapid expansion and that by 2015 the city will have 19 subway lines and 561 km (349 mi) in track length. Beijing's subway system would become one of the largest in the world.

◎By bicycle

Bicycle is a very popular way to get around the city. Several professional bike rental companies, as well as major hotels and some hostels, rent bikes on an hourly basis. For those who need the security of a guide, a bike touring company like Bicycle Kingdom Rentals & Tours or Chihaner Adventures would be a great way to go. 

◎By Bus

Bus system in Beijing is very cheap, is a very convenient way to get around the city. Most bus fares are relatively cheap, around ￥1, and if you get a public transportation card from a metro station (a card that acts as a debit card for the metro and buses) you can get a 60% discount on all fares. 

◎By Taxi

Taxi is also a good way to travel around. The starting fare of taxi is 10yuan during the day, 2yuan/km; it will charge 3yuan/km after 15km. At night (23:00 -05:00) will start at 11yuan, 2.4yuan/km, 3.4yuan/km after 15km.