Ⅰ.The Natural Environment

Beijing covers nearly 16,808 square kilometres (sq.km.). Mountainous areas, which surround Beijing from the west to the northeast, occupy more than 10,417 sq.km of area and account for 62 percent of the city's total landmass. The remaining 6,390 sq.km area consists of flat terrain, a part of the North China or Middle Plain.

Located at 39 degrees 56 minutes north latitude and at 116 degrees 20 minutes east longitude, Beijing finds itself in a warm, temperate zone with a semi-humid climate. It has four distinctive seasons, with a short spring and autumn, and a long summer and winter. The weather in spring is usually pleasant, but it can be very dry, with occassional wild sand storms. Summer is hot and humid with an average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius (90 F) in July. Winters are very cold and dry, sometimes accompanied by windy cold fronts, with average temperatures reaching -10 C (14 F) in January.

The best season for travel is at the turn of summer and autumn, in September and October, when temperatures cool down to 15-20 C (59-68 F). In autumn, jeans and sweaters can be worn. In the warmer months, T-shirts and light trousers or shorts are the best choice.

Ⅱ.Visas and Passports

If you are coming to China for travel, you should obtain a tourist visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country. It is more convenient for tourists booked through Chinese travel agencies to get group visas for their visit to China. Tourist visas are usually good for two months, but can be extended for an extra month at the Foreigners Section of the Public Security Bureau. A 30-day visa is activated on the date you enter China, and must be used within three months of the date of issue. The 60-day and 90-day visas are activated on the date they are issued. Whatever you do, don't stay in the country longer than your visa allows. The fine for overstaying your welcome is 500 yuan (US$55) per day!

It is wise to carry your passport with you at all times, as you need it to register in hotels, buy plane tickets and change money. If you lose your passport, you should report immediately to your embassy, as well as tell the Public Security Bureau.

The Foreign Affairs Branch of the local Public Security Bureau handles visa extensions. You can also apply for a residence permit here. Extensions vary in price, depending on your nationality, for example, American travellers pay 185 yuan (US$23). Expect to wait up to five days for your visa extension to be processed. You can obtain passport photographs here (30 yuan for five, US$3.70). First time extensions of 30 days are easy to obtain and are issued on any tourist visa, but further extensions are harder to get and might give you only an extra week.

Division of Aliens and Exit-Entry Administration of the Beijing Public Security Bureau
Address: 2, Andingmen Dongdajie
Open: 8:30 a.m.–noon, 1–4:30 p.m., Monday–Saturday
Visa inquiries: +86 10 8401 5292
http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn
There are nine categories of visas, as follows:
Type Description
L Travel
F Business or student
D Resident
G Transit
X Long-term student
Z Working
C Flight attendant
J-1 Foreign journalists resident in China
J-2 Foreign journalists on brief reporting trips to China

Ⅲ. Financial Street in Beijing

China Construction Bank Head Office
25 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
(8610) 67597114
Ping An Building
23 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
(8610)66213388
Investment Plaza
27 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
(8610)66212288
Tongtai Building
33 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
(8610)88086688
Guoqi Building
35 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing None
Parkson Building
101 Fuxingmennei Dajie
(8610)66013377
China International Travel Service Head Office
103 Fuxingmennei Dajie
(8610) 66011122
China Securities Regulatory Commission
16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
(8610) 66210118
Huashi Building
Yi 16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing None
Shuncheng Hotel
Jia 16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
(8610) 66216688
Jinyang Mansion
16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing None
CITIC Industrial Bank Beijing Branch Investment Plaza
66219988

Ⅳ. Development Zones

Development Areas at District or County Level
Beijing Badaling Development Area
Beijing Badaling Development Area
Beijing Miyun Development Area
Beijing Xinggu Development Area
Beijing Xinggu Development Area
Beijing Tianzhu Airport Development Area
Beijing Linhe Industrial Development Area
Beijing Daxing Industrial Development Area
Beijing Tongzhou Industrial Development Area
Beijing Liangxiang Industrial Development Area
Beijing Shilong Industrial Development Area
Central Business District-CBD　　
Beijing Tianzhu Export Processing Area
Beijing Economic & Technology Development Area
Zhongguancun Science Park

Ⅴ.Transport in Beijing

If you don't want to drive in Beijing, you can rent a car and driver for a very reasonable fee. On the other hand, if you possess the necessary documents, you can rent and drive yourself. The flexible business environment of Beijing offers affordable and convenient car rentals complete with skilled and bilingual drivers. What better way to attend a punishing string of meetings around town, or to show a visiting colleague the wonders of the Great Wall?

Most reputable car hire companies offer a range of vehicles with drivers, from budget micros to luxury limousines. Be aware that not all speak English. Business Beijing has confirmed that the following companies offer car rentals with drivers that speak English: Hertz (800 810 8883), cars with driver available; Beijing Liantuo Car Rentals (+86 10 6778 3599), cars with driver available from 400–1,200 yuan per day; Beijing Zhongyuan Car Rentals (+86 10 8448 3366) cars with driver available from 400–1,300 yuan per day. For long-term rentals with a driver, try the local English-speaking specialist, Beijing Anji Station Car Rentals, who will even buy a new vehicle if your requirements are for two years or more. You can also visit www.taxi-beijing.com for more information.

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