By Taxi

Xian Taxi

Taxis can be hailed in Xian's streets and lanes. They are mostly green in color. The flag-down rate of Santana and BYD company cabs is CNY6 for the first 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) and CNY1.5 for every additional kilometer (about 0.6 miles). If you take a taxi between 23:00-06:00, the flag-down rate increases to CNY7 and then CNY1.8 for an extra kilometer. In addition, every waiting time of 2.5 minutes adds an additional charge of a half of one kilometer to the passenger fee. CNY1 fuel surcharge should be paid per journey at anytime.

The high-end taxis, including Hongqi, Zhonghua, Oriental Son and Passat charge CNY8 for the first 2 kilometers and CNY2.4 for every extra kilometer. Drivers use the meter in town, but for the longer distance destinations (such as the Terra-cotta Warrior Museum, airport etc) you will need to agree on a price prior to departure. It is a good idea to have your destination address or phone number written down in Chinese since the taxi drivers in Xian often do not speak or read a foreign language.

Tips:
1. Usually, there are two peak times in a day for taking taxi, 08:00~08:30 & 17:30~18:30. It is difficult to hail a cab during these times. On the other hand, during the drivers' shift change, they may refuse to take passengers who are not going to the same direction.
2. It is difficulty to hire a taxi just near a traffic light or a crossroad. In this case, you'd better walk to another stand a short distance. It is easier to hire a taxi close to a bus stop, in front of a hotel or a restaurant.
3. Most taxi drivers do not like to use all their change so it is better not to pay with a CNY100 bill if the fare is very small.  Try to have close to the right amount of money. Also, the driver will not expect any tip.
4. In case of an unexpected accident, please keep the taxi receipt on which the supervisor's telephone and the taxi number are recorded.
5. Influenced by the Xian subway under construction currently, taxi drivers have to detour sometimes, especially around the city center. Therefore, the actual fare may be a little more than the suggested cost.
6. Travelers should know ahead of time that there will probably be no seatbelts and special seats for children and babies in the taxi! The drivers usually travel very quickly that foreigners are not used to the way that people drive here, especially cab drivers. But, cab drivers are excellent drivers and you can relax!

 By Bicycle

Riding around the ancient city may be an attractive traveling method for some young travelers. Currently, some youth hostels and hotels in Xian rent bikes to their guests by the day or by the hour. This way, travelers are able to find more profiles of the locals' daily life because you can get into every corner of this city easily. In the downtown area, the wide roads are flat for cycling but cyclists still have to be careful of the fast-speed city-buses, taxis and sedans. Most of travelers may be astonished by the excellent—some may say dangerous driving skills-- of these drivers in Xian. In any case, please keep riding on the right!

Take a bicyle in Xian

Cycling on Xian City Wall

Riding bikes on the 13.7 kilometers City Wall of Xian is a must for travelers. This is a really different experience in which you can view the ancient city quickly in two hours. There are tandem and individual bikes on the City Wall being let out to travelers at reasonable rent.