Getting around in Beijing

25.02.2024 - 17:51 / lonelyplanet.com

With a population just shy of 22 million (and fast-rising), one can be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by the idea of navigating a city the size of Beijing.

There's the sheer magnitude and chaos of it all, but the language barrier can also make it tricky for non-Chinese speakers in finding their way from A to B. But rest assured, not only is Beijing a safe city, but it's tourist-friendly too.

Here you'll find plenty of signage to go with a fast, cheap and efficient transport system that makes getting around a breeze. Read on for our best tips for finding your way around this behemoth of a city. 

Beijing is a vast, sprawling city, so it's not somewhere you'd necessarily describe as imminently walkable. That said, some of the more central areas of Beijing are made for walking and offer a priceless opportunity to engage in everyday local life. Getting lost among the hutong's labyrinth of alleyways is a quintessential Beijing experience, for example; for a deeper dive, sign up for a half-day walking tour with a reputable travel outfit such as Bespoke Travel Co.

Top Tip: Given Google Maps is blocked in China, Apple's Maps is a more accessible and accurate option for navigating Beijing's streets.

Whether speeding in from the airport or taking short jaunts across town, Beijing's modern subway is both a fast and convenient means of getting about. Comprising 27 lines, it's the world's second-largest subway (behind Shanghai), and links up with all of Beijing's premier attractions, as well as both of its airports. 

Fares range from ¥3 to ¥8, depending on distance, so it's cheap as well. It's the world's busiest subway, so expect things to get crowded (especially during morning and evening peak-hour rush), and also bear in mind that traversing Beijing's subway can involve a fair bit of walking – and even more so if you choose the wrong exit! Trains run approximately 5am to 11pm.

Top Tip: The subway website has a trip planner, and there are also several apps with a useful, interactive subway map.

With its expansive network of dedicated bike lanes and flat roads, Beijing is a great city to explore on two wheels. Its bike culture stems from decades gone by, when it was known as "the Bicycle Kingdom" – a time when cyclists took to the streets en masse in Mao suits rather than Lycra, just prior to cars and subway becoming the predominant modes of travel. Now we're seeing a new wave of cyclists hit the streets, a trend brought on by the rise of bike-sharing schemes combined with surging petrol prices and subway shutdowns during Covid.

Dockless bike-share apps come and go, but current options include Didi Bike, Hellobike and Meituan. Expect to pay around ¥1.5 to ¥2 per 30 minutes. To hire one, you'll need a smartphone with a