The first experience most visitors have of China, and one which straight away confounds many expectations, is the smooth ride along the freeway, lined with hoardings and busy with Japanese cars, that leads from the airport into the city. Unless you arrive by train, it's a long way into the centre from either the bus stations or the airport, and even when you get into downtown Beijing you're still a good few kilometres from the hotels, certainly the more affordable ones. It's a good idea to hail a taxi from the centre to get you to your final destination rather than tussle with the buses, as the public transport system is confusing at first and the city layout rather alienating. Walking isn't really an option as distances are always long, exhausting at the best of times and unbearable with luggage