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Latest Beijing hotel reviews
http://drtu.com/en/?p=42
I lived in the America where leisure travel means driving. As the Chevy’s advertisement says: In the Chevrolet, see the USA. I have driven to most of the states in the US except Maine and Alaska. The efficient?safe and toll free highway system is a perfect choice for travelers.
In China, the transportation choices are rather complicated. I have traveled to all the provinces using various transportation means. I have traveled by train, by car, by bus, by airplane. Here are my summary of the pros and cons for each of the means.
Although Chinese highway system is amazingly new and well developed, it is also very expensive. All the national highways are toll roads. The average toll is 50cents/km. Therefore, the 400 km distance from Beijing to Shaanxi will cost 200 RMB on toll. The national highway system is joined by the local expressways. While the national highway system is very enjoyable to drive on, the local roads are not. Signs are not well developed and the traffic jam in big cities is very common.
If you do not want to drive but still prefer to be on the road, then the bus is an efficient ways to get between cities and most of the touristy places. If the distance is long, a sleeper-over-night bus is a good choice. The bus is equipped with lying down plank and serves as a bed. The problem is of cause that the bus needs to stop every other hour in the rest area. The frequent bus stops and the snores from the neighbors made the night very tiring. Even such bus is staffed with two drivers. Overnight driving is still a major safety concern.
Airplane is an excellent choice for long distance traveling. Most of the Chinese cities are connected by airplanes. Because of the competition, air fare within China is reasonable and getting cheaper everyday. For example, there are times that the airfare from Beijing to Shanghai (1500km) can be as cheap as 300RMB. But the airports are usually far away from the city. Getting to the airport is time consuming and expensive.
Traveling by train is one of the best ways to travel in China. The Chinese railway system is the most traveled in the world. It covers all the provinces including Tibet. It is very efficient and rather cheap. There are over night trains which connect most of the Chinese cities. The trains offer hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper and soft sleeper. Traveling in hard sleeper is rather comfortable and soft sleeper is even better. The train schedule is designed to allow travelers to get from one city to another over night. In other words, one can sleep on the train and get to the other city the next morning (saving a night of hotel cost). Traveling by train also allows interaction with the people and offers scenic views of the landscapes. China is developing the high speed trains which travel on average over 200km/hour.
There are other ways to travel such as by bicycle or by motocycle. However?none of them is suitable for long distance traveling.
I recommend the following strategy for traveling in China.
If the distance is shorter than 400km and the destination scenic spots are outside the city (ie.Datong in Shanxi), driving is recommended.
If the distance is over 400km, traveling by train is preferred
If the distance is over 1500km and the time is tight, then go by air plane.
Written Jun 23, 2008
Helpfulness
The Chinese built Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital Airport as part of the preparations for the Olympic Games. It is impressive, with plenty of light and space and attractive decoration featuring traditional Chinese motifs. And it's big. It can take 30 or 40 minutes to get to the baggage carousels to claim your luggage: not because of any queues or delays at immigration but simply because the new terminal is so vast. Perhaps they should change the airport code from PEK to BIG!
Written Jun 16, 2008
Helpfulness
Beijing Airport recently underwent a major expansion. The new terminal, Terminal 3, is HUGE, ultramodern, and truly world-class. We were extremely impressed with it. The were lots of check-in desks, and we also also found plenty of shops and restaurants to visit while we were waiting for our flights. We had no problems getting around, as there is plenty of signage in English for us non-Mandarin speakers.
If you are connecting through Beijing and need to change terminals, leave yourself plenty of time. That is because Terminal 3 is on the other side of the airport from the older terminals, and you have to take a 20-minute shuttle bus ride to travel between them. Also, be aware that because Terminal 3 is so large, it takes a while to walk to and from your gates.
Written May 10, 2008
Air China is fine in general especially for international routes, although it's not as good as Singapore Airline in my opinion. But overall, service and food are good. And Air China is a member of Star Alliance. It shares airport lounge with Air New Zealand at Sydney airport, quite nice (at least it's better than the one in Beijing airport). Usually Chinese people like to choose Air China when they fly international routes, so most of customers in flight will be Chinese.
Written Apr 21, 2008
Helpfulness
We subscribe to this. They have just updated to include train times as well. You might find it useful although we did not use this site. We asked the hotel staff to book for us trains and planes which worked out well.
You can use the site to work out what train or plane you want to catch.
Written Apr 5, 2008
Website: http://www.elong.net/
There are multiple choices to get to Beijing, but as I was on a tour, I arrived by plane flying with Japan Airlines but of couse, all major international airlines fly to China. The Airport is located about an hour from downtown Beijing.
Updated Dec 18, 2007
For your convenience and interest there are several hotels close to the Beijing Capital International Airport:
- Airport Garden Hotel – 3 stars - ((010) 6456 3388) - website
- Capital Airport Hotel – 3 stars - ((010) 6456 4562) - website
- Jinglin Hotel Beijing – 4 stars - ((010) 6457 2626) - website
- Sino-Swiss Hotel Beijing – 4 stars - ((010) 6456 5588) - website
- Airport Lantian Mansion Hotel – 3 stars - ((010) 8048 9108) - website
Written Nov 7, 2007
Phone: (010) 6456 3220 or 4247 or 3604
Website: http://www.bcia.com.cn
Helpfulness
Beijing airport is equipped with a wide range of facilities and services. Just for your record:
- A bank
- Several bureaux de change
- ATM’s
- Telephones
- Post office
- Cafés and restaurants
- Shops, including tax and duty-free
- Car rental booth (Check NOW my ‘I want to hire a car!’ tip).
- Left luggage facilities in both arrival and departure halls (010) 6459 8151
- 24-hour medical centre
- Passenger changing room
- Business centre ((010) 6459 0339) with Internet access, fax and computer facilities.
- Business services in VIP lounges
- Hotels close to the airport providing business services (Check NOW my ’Airport hotels’ tip)
- Facilities and accesses for disabled travellers
- The Beijing Airport Ground Service Corporation can also provide assistance for travellers with physical disabilities.
Updated Nov 7, 2007
Phone: (010) 6456 3220 or 4247 or 3604
Website: http://www.bcia.com.cn
Helpfulness
If you need to know some special information, or even get in touch with the Airport of Beijing, please, take note of the following:
Airport’s telephone number: (010) 6456 3220 or 4247 or 3604
Airport’s fax number: (010) 6457 0487
Airport’s homepage: www.bcia.com.cn
Airport’s E-mail: webmaster@bcia.com.cn
Airport’s tourist information (Arrivals lounge): (010) 6456 4227 or 6456 3220
Airport’s hotel booking assistance (Arrivals hall): (010) 6459 8145
Left luggage facilities in both arrival and departure halls: (010) 6459 8151
Attention:
If you depart Beijing on an international flight you must pay a RMB90 airport construction tax (eh, eh, eh, thanks for your support, come again).
If you will take a domestic flight you must pay RMB50.
Payment is done at counters in the departure area prior to checking-in. And don’t forget, keep your receipt.
Written Nov 7, 2007
Phone: (010) 6456 3220 or 4247 or 3604
Website: http://www.bcia.com.cn
Helpfulness
out of south 4th ring road, there is another airport of Beijing named Nan Yuan airport, only few airplane land there, an airline company named Lian He flies there, it was said that the pilot of Lian He airline is the retired airforce pilot, soooooo when you take this plane, you will feel like airforce man, haha.
it'e about 20 km from Tian An Men
Written Aug 27, 2007
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A: Check out www.sleepinginairports.net.
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