Beijing is a throbbing nerve center of ring roads, highways and subways connecting local spots, railways stations and airports.

The city is enclosed by six ring roads, with nine expressways and eleven national highways. Today's Style Watch provides some tips on how to get around Beijing.

BUS

There are many public bus lines which can take you to every corner of Beijing. Taking the bus is one of the most convenient and cheapest ways to get around the city. The trick is to find the right line. To get where you want to go, often you have to change buses several times, which is time-consuming and confusing. The attendants can help visitors know when to get off the bus.

The public buses make stops at all of the city's major sites and commercial centers. There are some express buses which connect the major scenic spots such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace.

One of the biggest concerns with traffic in Beijing is its apparently ubiquitous traffic jams. Therefore, many have claimed that the subway is best way to get around Beijing. In 2008, Beijing's subway system was comprised of seven lines. It will have some new additions this year.

The subway goes to most of the important sites in Beijing, including the Tiananmen Square. During rush hour, the metro is always packed with commuters. But it's still a good option to escape the traffic snarls of the city.

The easiest means of getting around in Beijing is by taking the city's taxis. The drivers are always happy to give advice to visitors. Tourists don't need to worry about finding their way back to their hotel, because every hotel will offer its guests a business card written in Chinese and English. This informs taxi drivers how to take you back there. Some visitors like to hire a driver for a day. It is much cheaper than using the meter, and is very convenient.

The taxi fee in Beijing starts from ten yuan for the first three kilometers, then the charge for the following journey is two yuan per kilometer.