Which ring roads in Beijing are off-limits to out-of-town vehicles?
2 Answers
Out-of-town vehicles are not allowed to enter the Sixth Ring Road of Beijing, as per the traffic management measures implemented from April 11th. The restrictions on non-local passenger vehicles remain unchanged, meaning that from 7:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, passenger vehicles from other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities are prohibited from entering roads within the Fifth Ring Road (including the Fifth Ring Road itself). For passenger vehicles entering Beijing from other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, traffic management measures are enforced from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, restricting vehicles based on the last digit of their license plates during peak hours. The restricted area includes roads within the Fifth Ring Road (including the Fifth Ring Road itself), and the rotation of restricted license plate digits follows the same rules as those for Beijing-registered vehicles.
I think the common saying that non-local vehicles cannot enter areas within Beijing's Fifth Ring Road mainly refers to those with non-Beijing license plates being restricted during peak hours. On weekdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, non-local vehicles are prohibited from driving within the Fifth Ring Road, including the Fifth Ring Road itself. I remember one time my friend drove from another city to visit Beijing and forgot about this rule. He got stopped by traffic police when entering the East Fifth Ring Road and was fined, which felt quite unfair. This restriction is primarily implemented to reduce urban congestion and air pollution. However, the rule doesn't apply on holidays and weekends, making it much more convenient for non-local vehicles to enter the city during these times. I'd suggest non-local vehicle owners check the schedule in advance. For frequent visitors, applying for a temporary pass or using subway and buses directly might be better options to avoid the hassle of driving. Additionally, new energy vehicles sometimes enjoy preferential policies, which are worth looking into.