If you wish to open a Chinese bank account, you may take valid identification documents such as passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to any branch of a local bank to apply. Bank branches around IOP are as follows:
Zhongguancun Campus
ICBC ATM (next to the staircase, 1st floor, M Building)
ICBC (Beijing Haidian Branch) 450m
ABC (South Academy Road Branch) 100m
Huairou Campus
ABC (Yanqi Development Zone Branch) 3.8km
In China, WeChat Pay and Alipay are the two dominant mobile payment platforms, widely adopted by individuals and businesses alike for various daily transactions. For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on mobile payment usage (covering account registration, payment processes, and troubleshooting tips), please click here to learn more.
If you wish to apply for and activate a Chinese SIM card, you can bring your passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to the service center of telecom operators such as China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom.
Taxis are available 24 hours a day. Most taxi drivers can not speak English, so it is highly recommended to have your destination's address written in Chinese characters to show the driver.
Beijing taxi [Photo via tuchong.com]
■ Zhongguancun Campus: 海淀区中关村南三街8号中国科学院物理研究所
■ Huairou Campus: 怀柔区雁栖经济开发区永乐北二街中国科学院物理研究所
Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is Beijing's most popular ride-hailing platform. The app offers an English interface. Download the app beforehand and ensure you have an active phone number for identity verification. Designated Didi pickup areas are available at the airports.
(Reference: https://english.beijing.gov.cn/)
Beijing has an extensive subway system with over 20 lines in operation. You can purchase a physical Metro card at station entrances from ticket vending machines (which accept WeChat Pay and Alipay) or staffed counters. Alternatively, you can simply tap your Visa/Mastercard directly on the reader to pay for your ride.
(Reference: https://www.bjsubway.com/station/xltzs/)
To learn how to use each of transportation tools to get round in Beijing, click here to get the Step-By-Step Guides.
Whether you're heading to an important business meeting or embarking on an adventure of discovery, Beijing's efficient high-speed train services make your trip to this capital city easy. Currently, Beijing South and West Railway Station in downtown Beijing are frequently used for high speed train travels while Beijing Railway Station has slow trains and specialized short-distance tourist trains. Common Train Stations:
Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站)
Address: No.12, Yongwai Avenue, Fengtai District, South Beijing
北京市丰台区永外大街12号
Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站)
Address: No.118, East Lianhuachi Road, Fengtai District, Western Beijing
北京市丰台区莲花池东路118号
Beijing Railway Station (北京火车站/北京站）
Address: No.13, Maojiawan Hutong Jia, Dongcheng District, Southeast Beijing
北京市东城区毛家湾胡同甲13号
Beijing Capital International Airport
Daxing International Airport
https://daxing-pkx-airport.com/
Please scan the QR code to acquire the guidance on purchasing high-speed train tickets and booking flights.
When using a shared bicycle, you need to scan the QR code on the vehicle or enter the vehicle number in its app to unlock it. Once the bike is unlocked, the vehicle rental order will be valid, the order ends when you lock the bike. When the trip ends, the vehicle should be parked within the operating area. The payment should be made via channels available on the platform. At present, the major shared bike operators in China are DiDi Bike, Meituan Bike, and Hellobike.
Different operators have different service agreements, platform rules, personal information processing rules, and billing standards for rental and other related fees. For more details, you can read relevant information on official platforms such as mobile apps, mini-programs, official accounts, and portals.
Beijing is a modern city with a rich history and marvelous culture. It is home to the Forbidden City, the most magnificent palace in China; the Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed worship ceremonies; the Summer Palace, the grandest imperial garden in China; the Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the World; the Ming Tombs, an imperial tomb cluster for thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty; and more. For more tour information, please visit Beijing Tourism.
