Settling In 115exit from the back right hand door. It is locked to prevent
people from opening the door on the traffic side of the car.
You may either sit in the front seat or the back seat of a taxi. In
extreme hot or cold weather, your best strategy is to sit in the
front to get full impact of the heating or air conditioning.
On occasion, opportunistic taxi drivers have attempted
to charge China neophytes hundreds of US dollars for a fare
that should only be about US$ 10. Typically, the fare from
the airport to downtown that takes about 45 minutes to an
hour should be no more than US$ 20, or 160 Rmb. If you
believe that you are being taken advantage of, stop a taxi at
a five-star hotel and ask the concierge to help you determine
whether you are being fairly charged. If you still have issues,
either call the taxi company or have the concierge call the
local police. They should have a foreign-speaking police
officer that can help you sort things out.
The two biggest scams that taxi drivers pull are to say their
meter is broken or to put the meter down before you get in
the car. Insist that they use the meter. If they won’t or can’t
and you have no other transportation option, clearly agree
on a price before they depart.
The best way to ensure you end up at the proper
destination is to have a Chinese friend write the name and
address, including the nearest cross street, in Chinese. If it is
a restaurant, business or hotel, it is also valuable to write the
phone number. All taxi drivers have mobile phones and can
call for directions if they are unfamiliar with the address.
Subways and Buses
Many Chinese cities have established and are rapidly
expanding subway systems. They are well used by locals,
which makes them crowded at peak hours. If you purchase
a good map, subway routes are clearly marked. Fares are a
few yuan a ride.
Most people commute by bus. Buses are increasingly
clean and convenient but are usually more crowded than
the subway and prone to being slowed by heavy traffic.
Buses cost a few yuan. You pay the bus driver when you
enter the bus. If you are unsure of your stop, stay near