Beijing

The Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is located approximately 32 kilometres northeast of Beijing's city centre. This is the busiest airport in Asia and one of the busiest in the world. The Airport Express Train is the fastest and most convenient option, connecting Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 to Dongzhimen Station in downtown Beijing in about 20 minutes. Taxis offer a more direct route, taking 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. For a budget-friendly choice, the Airport Shuttle Bus provides multiple routes to various parts of the city, taking about an hour.

Taxis are easy to find in Beijing and a reliable way to get around the city. Most drivers speak little to no English, so having your destination written in Chinese will be quite helpful. All official taxis should use a meter. If a driver hesitates to turn it on, politely insist or choose another cab. Ride-hailing apps are widely used in the city. Didi is the most popular option, and you can usually use it with an international credit card, though having mobile data is essential. It’s often easier than flagging a cab on the street, especially during rush hour or late at night.

Because of the internet security laws of China, certain websites and apps are not accessible from the mainland, which includes those very commonly used in the West (Facebook, Instagram, X, Google and Gmail, Skype, among others). Some travellers have been able to gain access to those via a VPN service installed prior to arrival in China. Make sure you comply with local laws and regulations when deciding on whether or not to employ a VPN, and which one to choose. If you do, only use those explicitly allowed by the Chinese government, and only use them for authorised purposes to avoid any trouble. There have been reports of foreigners in China getting their cell service cut off in response to unauthorised use of VPN; restoring cell service required a trip to the local police station, where the contents of the device were investigated and certain apps removed. Given that Google is banned in China, Google Maps might not be the most accurate and reliable source of information. Some local apps, such as Baidu Maps, tend to work better than Google Maps.

As in most major cities, post offices are conveniently located throughout Beijing, providing travellers with services such as sending letters and parcels, purchasing stamps, and basic banking functions. Green metal mailboxes are commonly found near street corners, in front of residential complexes, or by small shops. Operating hours vary by branch, but major post offices usually open around 8 am and close by 6 pm, sometimes staying open on weekends. For international shipping, China Post handles everything from small parcels to faster EMS delivery, with tracking available.