Airports in Beijing
Parking and Transportation
There are three options for travelling to or from Beijing’s airports: taxis, buses and cars. Shuttle buses are especially convenient if you are staying in one of the city’s major hotels, because they can arrange direct trips for you.
Money Matters
Beijing’s currency is the RMB, colloquially called ‘Kuai’. The exchange rate to the U.S. Dollar is fixed, so the prices you see on goods in Beijing’s airports may appear to be more costly than you thought. Just remember to divide all prices you see by the current exchange rate. You might be surprised to find that you can use your credit cards in many of Beijing’s ATM machines. Still, you should be prepared for the possibility of not being able to use your card when you use the airports in Beijing.
For the best chance of using an ATM card, keep your eye out for the national bank’s ATM, as these ATMs are more likely to accept your card than the others. There are ATM machines located throughout Beijing and you should not have a problem finding a machine that will work for you. If you try to transact with an ATM and you are unsuccessful, try again before opting for a bank teller. Connections to an international ATM line are intermittent at times.
Great Deals…
When shopping in airports in Beijing, you should also remember to haggle over the price of pretty much everything that is available from local merchants. Merchants in Beijing expect their shoppers to haggle over the price and getting involved in a price debate is a great way to really experience Beijing’s culture. Of course, it can also help you get a cheaper price. Understanding this cultural difference, you will think of bargaining as an event rather than an argument over price.
Beyond the price of goods, you should also be aware that many counterfeit goods are readily available in China. If you want to be sure you are really getting the designer purse, hat or eyeglasses you wanted, you need to check carefully. Otherwise, you might get a lot less than you expected.
Restroom Facilities
After a few hours of layovers or while shopping, you will likely find yourself in need of a restroom. Finding public facilities in airports in Beijing is relatively simple and the toilets are generally kept quite clean. Keep in mind that the universal symbol used for rest rooms in Beijing is WC, but male/female diagrams are also used. You can generally find a free, western-style bathroom in restaurants, supermarkets, internet bars, and other public locations in Beijing’s airports.
Layover Delights in Beijing
If you only have a couple of hours to spend during your layovers, you can get a pass to exit the airports in Beijing to make a short day trip. Visit the Beijing Zoo, Beijing Aquarium and Tiananmen Square, as these attractions are located close to each other. You may also pass by a couple of old temples and eateries to get a gist of the Beijing experience.