By Bicycle

To advocate environmental protection, more and more people in Beijing are giving up driving motor vehicles and are riding bicycles instead. Now, you can find many places in Beijing offering bicycle rental services, including hotels, scenic spots, universities and even subway entrances. It is predicted that before the Olympic Games in 2008, there will be over 230 sites for renting 50,000 bicycles in Beijing. The cost is around CNY5 per hour, CNY10 for a half day (4 hours) and CNY20 for a day. Residents can also enjoy a long-term rental with a CNY400 deposit. The charge is CNY70/week, CNY60/month and CNY100/year. The Bicycle Rental Site at the Beijing Hotel, Wangfujing, accepts the card of the China Bank Network (CBN), and the rent can be paid easily by card. This convenient method of payment will spread gradually to other rental sites. By then, people will be able to rent a bicycle at one site and to return it to another, as they choose. But, if the bicycle is lost during the year, the deposit will not be returned to you. In addition to the regular bicycle, there is tandem bicycle for rent in Houhai. Of course, the price is more expensive than renting the regular ones, but it is much more interesting to ride together with friends. 

Shichahai area is well-known with its high density of traditional Hutongs, but renting a bicycle there is more expensive. The charge is about CNY10 per hour for a regular bicycle and CNY20 per hour for a tandem bicycle. If you are of a vigorous disposition, riding a bicycle through the Hutongs or universities in Beijing is a wise choice for exploring the city thoroughly as well. You can take your time, enjoy the beautiful view on the way, and experience the real life of the locals.

Riding a bicycle along Chang'an Avenue is a good idea. You will pass by many tourist spots on the way, including Tiananmen Square, Great Hall of the People, Museum of Chinese Revolution, Museum of Chinese History, The Palace Museum, Chinese Grand Theatre, Beijing Concert Hall and Military Museum of China.


By Rickshaw

The rickshaw is a traditional vehicle that was popular in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai nearly a hundred years ago. Now, modern rickshaw travel is an excellent way to experience old Beijing culture and Hutongs (alleyways). There are thousands of Hutongs in Beijing. The Shichahai area is the most famous one with a high density of traditional Hutongs. It is well-known historical scenery in Xicheng District where there are dozens of Hutongs gathered in picturesque order. The rickshaws in Beijing are painted a golden yellow color. After paying an agreed fee, the rickshaw pullers will take you through the narrow lanes. Most of the rickshaw pullers can give their passengers detailed explanations on the history and culture of Hutongs, though not all can this in English. There are also professional tourist guides who can speak English, Japanese and other foreign languages.

Rickshaws are found around some communication centers and travel hotspots. Rickshaw rates are often higher than taxi rates especially during holidays for the busy traffic of automobile cars; bargain for an exact price prior to climbing aboard. Under normal conditions, the tour will take 2 and half hours with a price around CNY200 per person with a professional tourist guide.