Beijing Info
Beijing, also known as Peking, is the capital and the second largest city of China. It has over 17 million people. The temporary residents are comprised of business persons, teachers and students. Beijing's permanent residents are from all of the different ethnic groups found in China with the Han's comprising over 96% of the population. Mandarin Chinese is the language spoken in Beijing, with Beijing's dialect being the standard form of Mandarin.
Tourism in Beijing
After being "out of the tourism loop" for decades, Beijing has come of age in the world of international travel, offering choice, organisation, facilities, and the experience and expertise it takes to produce a quality product. Tourism authorities recently unveiled plans to make Beijing one of the world's top tourist destinations.
To view a Beijing Travel Guide please click here
Money and Converting
The official currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB or CNY) or in Chinese "Ren-min-bi". The basic unit is the yuan (also known as "kuai"), which equals 10 jiao (or "mao"), which is then divided into 10 fen.
You can exchange traveller's cheques or cash at most banks, and hotels always have a money exchange counter. You can also get a cash advance on your American Express card, but for this you need to go to the Bank of China headquarters at Fuchengmen or the one at the Asia-Pacific Building (Ya Tai Da Sha) on Yabao Lu.
To change money, you have to have your passport and if you want to change money in a hotel, you usually have to be a guest there.
Beijing Capital Airport
Located 27km (18m) northeast to the city centre. It is half an hour's drive through the express way.
Shuttle Bus Transfers
From Xidan Ticketing Center: for every half an hour betwen 5:30am to 19:00pm
From Art Gallery, International Hotel and Zhongguancun: for every hour.
From airport to the downtown: available until the last arrival flight.
Fare: CNY16 / $2 US
Maps
Map of Beijing
The main travel sites in Beijing are illustrated on this map.
