Many people have a lot of misconceptions about China in general, and specifically Beijing,Westerners, especially Americans tend to think of China as a sort of unstable, militaristic police state. Actually, Beijing is a pretty safeplace, and you can enjoy a pleasant and secure time here. Indeed,as a foreigner,you will often be given special consideration and a certain amount of leniency. Of course, you have to abide by the law and respect the culture and customs, but in general you don't need to be afraid of this city. It is a friendly place and Beijing people are cosmopolitan and well aware of the world outside. Sometimes you will get stared at, but this is usually out of curiosity. Hostility toward foreigners is very rare. Most people are friendly and willing to help out if possile.

Capital Airport

The Capital Airport, for both international and domestic flights, is located 27 kilometers(16.8 miles) north of the city center.

Climate and Clothing

Beijings climate is defined as continental monsoon. The four seasons are distinctly recognizable. The temperaturein spring is nice, too, but it is very dry and winds whip sand around the city. Summer can be very hot, and winter is equally freezing cold, assisted by winds blowing down directly from Siberia. Bring nice clothes for going out at night, but for touring during the day wear casual clothes and comfortable sturdy shoes. In autumn, jeans and a sweater are uaually enough.

Communicating

There are hundreds of different dialects in China, and many of them are like are all lumped together into the category Chinese. The official language of China is Mandarin Chinese, actually a northern dialect, and this is what the people of Beijing speak. Most hotel staff can speak English, so this is not a big problem. If you are going to take a taxi, get someone to write down the address of your destination in Chinese. Street signs have characters as well as pinyin(Chinese Rmanization), so if you have a map, it is easier to figure out where you are.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, JCB, Diners and American Express can be used to purchase goods in large department stores. They can be uesd to pay for hotel rooms, shopping centers and for meals in some of the fancier restaurants.

֡International Calls

International calls can be made directly from hotel rooms with IDD phones. Just dial the international prefix 00, plus country code, area code and number. Some large post offices also provide this service. Otherwise, look for roadside kiosks with the IDD sign. Four-star and five-star hotels charge a variable service charge from 10 to 20 percent.

Postal Services

Postal services are usually provided at hotel desks. Large hotels have mail boxes and sell stamps for letters, post cards and parcels. Post offices, with eye-catching green emblems, are usually found on main streets, at railway stations, the airport and major scenic spots. They are open seven days a week from 9:00 to 17:00.
A letter costs 0.8 yuan within China, and overseas letter by air 2.5 yuan to Hong Kong and Macao, and 5.4 yuan to foreign countries.
International Post and Telecommunications Office Besides regular postal services, this office handle remittnces, money orders, telegraphic money transfers, international and domestic telephone and telegraph services. In the same building there is Customs Office for those who need customs clearance for postal items.

Public Trabsportation

Although often crowded, the subway is often the fastest way to get around the center city area. There is the circle line that runs underneath the Second Ring Road, and the straight line which extends from Sihuidong out to Pingguoyuan. (see map) Subway tickets are 3 yuan, and to make a full circle on the circle line takes about 40 minutes, and from Sihuidong to Pingguoyuan takes about 50 minutes.
If you are in Beijing for an extended period of time, you may want to consider buying a bike. Biking around Beijing is a fun way to get to know the city.
Besides bicycles, public buses are the cheapest way to get around Beijing. The public bus system in Beijing is very good, in that you can get almost anythere by bus. But the downside is that they are really, really crowded and uncomfortable.

Travel by Air

The Beijing Capital Airport is Chinas top air hub, with 98 international, 21 regional and 757 domestic air routes linking the capital with 54 cities in 39 countries.

More than 40 foreign airlines have set up booking offices in Beijing.

Travel by Train
The city has five railway stations, with lines running to almost all provincial capital, and to all Chinas major cities. There are four kinds of seats available-soft berths, hard berths, soft seats and hard seats. If you are headed for any destination which has a travel time of over 6 hours, you should definitely try to get a soft seat car. Any trips over 12 hours and a hard or soft sleeper is a must. Soft sleepers are more comfortabel, but offer a more isolated(some wuold say private) train experience.
Beijings West Railway Station is Asias largest rail terminal and is very modern and well-equipped.
For any information call 2585(Chinese language only).

Visas
If you are coming to China for travel, you should obtain a tourist visa from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. It is more convenient for tourists booked through Chinese travel agencies to get group visas for their visit to China. Tourist visas are usually good for one month at the Foreigners Section of the Public Security Bureau.