If a taxi is available for hire, a red `for hire` sign will be illuminated in the front windshield, you can hail a taxi on the street, at designated taxi ranks around the city, outside of the stations or have your hotel concierge call and order you a taxi over the phone. Always make sure the license plate on the taxi has the letter `B` on it, this identifies the cabs as licensed and be sure to get a receipt for your ride.

Beijing is a great city to walk around, during rush hour it is one of the fastest ways to get from place to place, many tourist attractions are situated close together which make it very easy to take a short walk from one place to the other. Walking is required to get to and from the train, subway and bus stations, the city is set up in a grid pattern with the streets running from east-west (identified by a white sign with red letters) and north-south (green signs with white letters) making it relatively easy to navigate the streets and neighborhoods.

Some great outdoor areas to explore by foot are the `Hutongs` which are ancient alleyways with beautiful traditional architecture and courtyards. Popular areas include the hutongs near Yonghegong Lama Temple, Qianmen, and Houhai.

The Great Wall of China walk is a must see while visiting Beijing, about an hour outside of the city there are several sections of the wall, The Badaling section is the most famous (and most crowded) to visit, other sections include the Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Huanghuacheng, and Simatai. Take a walk along this historical monument for some spectacular views of the countryside and surrounding areas.

China was once known as the `sea of bicycles` and Beijing was known as `Bicycle Kingdom`. Exploring the city on two wheels is still a very popular activity; the streets of the city are flat and bike lanes are everywhere making it a safe and fun way to explore. Taking a bicycle ride around the `Hutongs` of Beijing is a magical experience.

Bike rentals are available all over the city with rates starting around CNY10 – CNY 50 for the day. Bike sharing companies such as Mobike and OFO provide an easy way to rent a bike practically anywhere in the city. Scooters and electric bikes are also popular option to get around.

Beijing offers some great areas for shopping including the world famous commercial area of Wangfujing, located in the city center this popular shopping street is filled with a wide array of options including several malls and department stores, snack shops and food along with the Dong`an Market which was founded in 1903, the street is less than a mile long but is considered the sister street of the `Champs Elysees` in France.

Qianmen Street is a historic street known for its ancient buildings, housing many shops and the historic tram that runs along the streets. Situated just south of Tiananmen Square, shoppers will find traditional Chinese products, traditional Chinese food and quaint shops along with the famous Quanjude Peking Roast Duck Restaurant. Visit at night time to enjoy the wonderful ambiance of the street which is decorated with lights.

Silk Street is housed in a seven story building featuring a huge blend of silk items such as scarves, shirts, pajamas, and robes along with traditional Chinese handicrafts and textiles.

The Panjiayuan Market is a must see market for tourists, the largest market in China with over 3,000 stalls that cover 12 acres of land. Shoppers can buy everything from souvenirs to books, to antiques, arts, and crafts. The market is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm and from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm on the weekends.

The best known traditional handiwork items to purchase in the city are Jade, Ivory, Cloissone, and Lacquer. The area is also popular for silk, Curios, snuff bottles, artificial flowers and candied fruits.

Beijing offers overseas visitors a tax refund up to 9% after spending CNY500 at any one designated tax-free store. There are currently 200 stores in the city most of them located in major shopping malls and tourist shopping centers with many located on Wangfujing Street and Xidan Commercial Street. Look for the `Tax-Free` sign, ask for the receipt and tax refund form, visit the customs office upon departure and present the completed form, receipts and your passport along with the products purchased to receive your refund.

The units of currency in China are the Renminbi ( ¥, RMB or CNY). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for ¥ upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in China by clicking here China

Peking Duck is one of the city`s most famous specialty dishes. It can be found at many eateries located throughout the city and is one of the must try meals while you are here in the capital city. The duck is normally carved at your tableside and served with thin pancakes, plum sauce, cucumbers, and scallions. One of the most famous restaurants for Peking Duck is Da Dong Duck Restaurant in the Dongcheng District and Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant on Qianmen Street. Mutton is also another popular dish served in the city, known as `hotspot` the dish is normally served in a steaming pot with savory broth and dipping sauce.

Mongolian and Korean restaurants are common eateries in Beijing, as well as the traditional Chinese restaurants and food shops. Wangfujing Street is one of the best places in the city to visit for traditional food; the street is filled with restaurants, street foods, and night markets. Visit Xianyukou Snack Street and Wangfujing Snack Street for a unique dining experience both feature different flavors and distinct characteristics in a fun atmosphere. Some of Beijing`s famous snacks include fried doughnuts, savory pancakes, steamed buns, fried pork liver, lamb kebabs, candied fruits, bean juice and flavored tea. Guijie Street is another popular area for street food vendors.

The capital city offers a vibrant and diverse nightlife with a mixture of people from all over the world who come here to party and have a good time. Beijing offers visitors and party goers hundreds of bars on some of the most famous streets in Sanlitun and Houhai, both are great places for a great night out on the town. Other nightlife options in the city include theaters, opera, dance halls, cinemas, clubs, pubs, bars and the countries all time favorite pastime Karaoke. The ancient hutongs of Houhai are a popular gathering place for locals and tourists with pubs built into the old buildings. Sanlitun features western favorites such as Hooters and Pizza Hut and plenty of bars. Wangfujing Street comes alive at night when it is completely closed off to traffic, the `walking street` as it is commonly referred to offers a laid back atmosphere with entertainment, shops, and bars.

Like any other capital city, Beijing has its fair share of crime but overall has a very low crime rate when compared to American cities of similar size. Travelers should use common sense and practice street smarts when out and about in the city, especially at night. Keep your belongings secure and close to you at all times, pickpockets are not uncommon, especially in and around busy tourist sites, shopping areas and on public transportation.

The official language spoken in China is Mandarin. The English language is taught in schools in China and many Chinese people can speak some English, especially the younger generation and those working in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Chinese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1 – 10.

In the case of an emergency dial 110 for policy, 120 for Medical care and 119 for Fire.

Hospitals:

Beijing United Family Hospital tel. 86 10 5927 7000

Beijing Shunyi Hospital tel. 010-6942-3220.

Beijing United Family Hospital tel. 010-6433-3960

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine tel. 010-6404-0791

Haidian Changqing Hospital of Beijing tel. 010-8845-1842