What should be noted when driving to Beijing for a self-guided tour with an out-of-town vehicle?
3 Answers
There are many considerations for driving to Beijing with an out-of-town vehicle. Obtaining a travel permit: Out-of-town passenger vehicles entering within the Sixth Ring Road (excluding) of Beijing and the urban areas of Changping, Huairou, and Yanqing require an entry permit. Pay attention to driving hours: From Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), driving is prohibited on roads within the Fifth Ring Road (inclusive) from 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00. Pay attention to restricted areas: Driving is prohibited 24 hours a day (including public holidays) on Chang'an Avenue and its extension between Xinxing Bridge (excluding) and Guomao Bridge (excluding), the main road of the Second Ring Road (entire route), Zhengyi Road, Taijichang Street, the east side road of the square, the west side road of the square, the west road of the Great Hall of the People, South and North Chizi Street, South and North Yanhe Street, Wusi Street, Jingshan Front Street, Jingshan West Street, Jingshan East Street, Jingshan Back Street, Xi'anmen Street, the west branch of Xishiku Street, Wenjin Street, Fuyou Street, the inner street of Di'anmen, South and North Chang Street.
I've driven to Beijing for self-guided tours several times in an out-of-town vehicle, and I'd like to remind everyone to pay attention to traffic regulations. Beijing has restrictions on non-local vehicles: on weekdays, you must comply with the tail number restriction policy (for example, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 6 aren't allowed to enter within the 5th Ring Road on specific days). Out-of-town vehicles also need to apply for a Beijing Entry Permit, which can only be done online a few days in advance—you'll need to show the electronic version at toll stations. If caught without the permit, you'll face fines and penalty points, which is a huge hassle. Additionally, Beijing has heavy traffic, especially during peak hours—drive slowly, avoid aggressive overtaking, and plan your route using Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps to bypass congestion. Parking is hard to find downtown; mall garages are expensive and often full, so I recommend parking at suburban subway stations and taking public transport into the city. In case of a minor accident, stay calm—take photos of the scene with your phone and report it to the traffic police. Overall, follow the rules and research road conditions in advance to avoid ruining your trip. Oh, and make sure your vehicle meets emission standards, or you won't be allowed into the city center. Don’t forget to bring your documents and emergency tools—it's crucial.
The biggest headache when driving to Beijing by ourselves is those traffic restriction policies. As a car owner, last time I forgot to apply for the Beijing Entry Permit before driving into the city and got stopped at the Fifth Ring Road entrance, wasting half a day and ruining my itinerary. Out-of-town vehicles must apply for that permit online, which is valid for 7 days and only allows driving in designated areas. The tail number restrictions are also annoying - on weekdays, whether you can enter downtown depends on your license plate's last digit (e.g., Monday bans 1 and 6, Tuesday bans 2 and 7, and so on). With Beijing's poor air quality, they also restrict low-emission standard vehicles, so check your car meets at least China V emission standards. Parking is even tougher - scarce and expensive downtown spots cost over ¥10/hour, making it cheaper to rent suburban parking and take the metro. Don't use phones while driving as cameras monitor strictly; evening rush hour around 4-5 PM is worst, so leave early and return to your hotel early. Remember these to avoid fines spoiling your trip, and bring snacks/water as backup.
