From Beijing you can get just about anywhere in
China via the extensive air and rail system. You'd
be advised to buy a ticket a few days in advance,
though, especially in the summer or around Spring
Festival. Few visitors travel long distance by bus
as it's less comfortable than the train and takes
longer, though it has the advantage that you can
usually just turn up and get on as services to
major cities are frequent. Buy a ticket from the
ticket office in the station, or on the bus
itself. Tianjin and Chengde are two destinations
within easy travelling distance, where the bus and
the train have about the same journey time.
By plane
Domestic flights should be booked at least a day
in advance. The main outlet for tickets is the
Aviation Office, at 15 Xi Chang'an Jie (daily
7am-8pm; information tel 66017755, domestic
reservations tel 66013336, international...
read
more >>
By train
Trains depart from either Xi Zhan , if you're
heading south or west, for example to Chengdu or
Xi'an, or Beijing Zhan , if you're heading north
or east, for example to Shanghai or Harbin. You
can buy tickets with an...
read
more >>
Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian trains
The International Train Booking Office (Mon-Fri
8.30-12am & 1.30-5pm) is the best thing about
the International Hotel at 9 Jianguomenwai Dajie.
Here you can buy tickets to Moscow and Ulan Batur
with the minimum of fuss. Out of season, few...
read
more >>
