China Travel Forum

[Bert]

We are travelling independantly to Beijing for a 5 day trip from London we do not speak any chinese, we are planning to take a taxi from the airport to the Holiday Inn Hotel, but how do we make the taxi driver understand us ?

[Richard]

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Lido, all you need to be able to say to the taxi driver is "Lee-doo". It's a well known place.
For the others, ask them to fax a copy of their business card to you or ask the phone number.
Make sure you have some small RMB notes in case the taxi driver makes you pay the toll fee on the expressway.

Make sure the driver uses the meter. They are never, repeat, never broken. If he doesn't use the meter, just say "Da biao". If he still doesn't use it, wait until you get to the hotel and ask the bell-boy how much it costs from the airport. (It should be around 50 to 60 kuai to the Lido, for example).
If, during the taxi ride, you start to see your life flash before your eyes, don't worry. This is a normal bodily reaction to Beijing driving.