Beijing · China · GoTerraVoya

Intercity: Beijing South, Beijing West, Beijing and Beijing Chaoyang are the main high-speed stations; high-speed rail takes about 4–5 hours to Shanghai and about 5–6 hours to Xi'an (subject to official announcements). Capital Airport (PEK) and Daxing Airport (PKX) are two separate airports: PEK is about 32 km from Tiananmen, with the Airport Express at about 25 yuan to Dongzhimen, while PKX is about 46 km away, with the Daxing Airport Line at about 35 yuan to Caoqiao. There is no direct rail between them, and transfers take about 90–120 minutes — always check the airport code when booking.
In cities: Beijing's metro network is dense, covering the Forbidden City, Tiananmen, the Summer Palace and Universal Resort directions, and accepts mobile QR and transit cards. Buses, ride-hailing and shared bikes are well developed, but surface traffic congests at morning and evening peaks; the core area is best done by metro plus walking.
Rural and Great Wall areas: Badaling, Mutianyu and other Great Wall sections are mostly reached by suburban rail, tourist coaches or chartered cars; avoid unlicensed cars. Mountain roads in outer suburbs are winding — slow down in rain and snow (subject to official announcements).
Tickets and payment: Rail tickets are real-name via 12306; metro and bus fares are typically a few yuan and distance-based. Prices and fines are given only as magnitudes and are subject to official announcements.

Red Line: At heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall, do not carve, climb or touch relics. At flag-raising, Tiananmen Square and other sites, follow on-site security and order rules, and do not enter no-photography or no-entry zones. Do not climb unopened wild Great Wall sections (subject to official announcements).
Taboo: Two pitfalls outsiders most often hit: (1) confusing PEK and PKX as one airport and missing a flight or transfer; (2) making loud noise, leaning on relics for photos in the Forbidden City or memorial halls, or carving on the Great Wall. Also, do not make loud noise or block doorways for prolonged photography in hutong residential areas. Queue in order for meals and transport, without cutting in line.
Good Manners: Walk quietly and slowly in heritage sites and follow one-way routes. On the metro, let passengers alight first and offer seats to older people and children. Show destination names in Chinese when asking directions; in hutongs, walking takes priority and pedestrians should be given way.