There are more than 80,000 taxis in use in Beijing. Taxi "flag-falls" begin at 10 yuan during the day and 11 yuan from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. The cost of a ride is 2 yuan per kilometre. You are within your rights to select any vehicle you wish at the taxi stand, unlike in many Western countries, where you might be compelled to take the taxi at the front.

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 the 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)   Sit in the front seat to make hand gestures more visible, being aware of the seat belt. Zuo guai is a left turn, you guai right.

(4)   Say ting xia to stop.

(5)   Ask for your receipt by saying fa piao.

Hotline: 96103