Taxis in China..

Taxis in China

Today, Beijing and Shanghai - is not only one of the largest in population of cities in China, but also a major tourist center. Russian tourists, along with travelers from other countries with great interest to visit these beautiful cities. To avoid getting lost in the huge cities and comfortably get to your desired location, it is best to call a taxi. You can call a taxi in advance by phone or catch directly to the airport. Dollars in a taxi do not accept, but they can be exchanged for RMB at the airport. Also accept payment by magnetic cards, which can be purchased at Metro. The cost of travel by taxi is approximately a hundred - one hundred and thirty yuan. In Beijing, when landing you pay a fixed amount of 10 RMB (44 USD). And for the money are passing three miles. Then, for each kilometer paid additionally fixed rate - 1.2 and 1.6 yuan (5 and 7 rub.). Tour price increases if the total distance exceeds fifteen kilometers. In addition, after 15 miles can take extra fee for the way back, that is, in other words, the compensation for driving without passengers. For example, when traveling by taxi to the airport after passing the threshold of 15 kilometers to the principal amount will be added 50 per cent per kilometer. In Beijing, from 23:00 to 6:00 working margin for the services of a taxi - it is 20-30%. Fee expectation is taken, if a taxi stops for any reason by more than five minutes. Payment for this is the same as the fare, but taken as a time span of five minutes. Also, the passenger pays for all possible charges, for example, tolls on highways and bridges.

In Shanghai, a landing price is 12 yuan (£ 52.6). - Three kilometers, then 2.8 yuan (12.3 rubles.) Per kilometer night rate with the landing cost of 15 yuan, effective from 22.00 to 6.00.

What you should know when choosing a taxi?

First of all, there are cheaper and more expensive taxi - worth 1.2 and 2.0 yuan, respectively. Sticker with the price per kilometer is usually attached to a side car window, or placed on each of the rear windows of taxis. A taxi driver in a taxi in Beijing is separated from the passengers of the special lattice or a glass partition, which has a slot for transferring money. The machine works the counter, and after the trip the driver issue a check. Catch a taxi may be difficult during rush hour. To do this, stand in the road and wait for a machine with a red mark on the windshield.

Of course, the Chinese taxi has its own peculiarities and unique national character. Beijing taxi drivers usually do not speak either in Russian or in English, so it's best to orient them to the Anglo-Chinese map of the city, which is better than you have with yourself.

With regard to traffic jams on the highways of China, then on the streets of Beijing and Shanghai, they certainly appear, but not too often.

When driving a taxi in the Chinese should pay attention to it, what level of the car itself, it is new or old. As the taxi used by a variety of makes and models of cars. Basically, it «Citroen AZ», «Sonata» and «Volkswagen Jetta», as well as the most popular brand «Elantra» and «Fukang» («Citroen AZ»). Almost all taxis in the Chinese capital - a new car. Color machines vary depending on their belonging to a particular company. On the streets of Beijing you can find green, purple, blue and red taxis, and the center of the car usually runs bar is yellow. On the roof of a taxi down a special illuminated sign, which stands for «TAXI». Registration plate number starts with "京 B". A sign in red "空车" («For Hire») will be raised for the front glass, if a taxi is not occupied and is ready to ride you. Once the passenger gets into the cabin, the driver lowers the mark, and automatically starts working taximeter.

In Shanghai, the color of the machine is the hallmark of every taxi advertising, and, moreover, a kind of seal of the carrier. To work in a taxi in the cities of Shanghai and Beijing and China generally allowed only licensed taxis. In the left corner of the windshield a taxi on the outside contains special sprocket. Ideally, a "five star" taxi driver is better versed in the city and must speak in English. Nevertheless, experience shows that with the English language at the Shanghai taxi drivers, regardless of the number of their stars, often having great difficulty.

What else do you need to know, referring to the Chinese taxi services?

Firstly, when you use the services of Beijing and Shanghai taxi, then you have the full right to require the taxi driver from the fare when you exit the car. Printed on the check number of your car, company name and contact information. This will help you quickly deal with potential problems, especially if you suddenly forget their personal belongings in the car. In addition, you may demand from taxi drivers to use the taximeter.

Secondly, if not in Beijing's taxi taximeter, or it is faulty, the taxi driver is able to assign absolutely any price. However, it is forbidden by Chinese law, and the taxi driver can be fined a substantial amount (from 100 to 2000 yuan). So when the taxi driver said that the taximeter is faulty, simply take another car.

Third, the taxi has a sign "No smoking". Not allowed to smoke any taxi driver or passenger. If a taxi driver suddenly lit up all the same, passengers may take a picture of him and having proof, contact the organization «Beijing Municipal Transportation Administration Bureau» (or specialized Beijing Municipal Transportation Bureau). In this situation, the driver will pay a fine amounting from 100 to 200 yuan.

Fourth, in any case you should not use taxis, which do not have a license. It is strongly advised not to travel by taxi and the taxi in which the value you set just behind the whole way, because the taxi this kind are always illegal.

In conclusion, I would like to stay at the popular tourist destination attractions, which is convenient to reach by taxi. In Beijing, there are many beautiful and famous places - this is the world's largest area of ​​Tian An Myn («Tian Anmen»), on which the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the street «Yeutan Beijie», and a historical museum and the famous Forbidden City , and two green urban park and parade downtown streets, and the summer residence of Emperor "Summer Palace" (suburban palace and park complex). And all these attractions you can drive around in a taxi just a few dozen yuan. However, and self Beijing taxi in a sense, is one of the most picturesque sights in the Chinese capital, it is not only a tourist, but also a "popular" transportation - an honest, relatively cheap and comfortable.

Shanghai's attractions - it is the Jade Buddha Temple, Garden of joy, the Bund, People's Square, «Pudong Shangri-la Hotel», «Xujiahui», University «Fudan», «Hong Qiao Area», «Ressaniance Hotel», «ShanghaiMart», «Sheraton Hotel» and many others.

Pleasant and comfortable as you travel to the Chinese taxi!