This is a collaborative page to help prioritize activities once in Beijing

Travelchinaguide suggests:

Most public telephones you see in China are IC telephones, which are for local, long distance call and IDD. Generally IC telephone cards are available in amount of 20 RMB, 30 RMB, 50 RMB and 100 RMB. The rate for local call is 0.20 RMB/3 minutes while a call exceeding 3 minutes is charged 0.10 RMB per 6 seconds for the extra. Long distance call rate varies according to the distance. International calls with IC telephone cards are relatively expensive, usually over 10 RMB/M. During off peak period and holidays, calls with IC cards enjoy discounts up to 50%. Emergency calls 121 (weather), 119(fire), 120 (hospital), 110 (police) are free and require no phone cards. IC card is issued by China Telecom solely.

China Telecom, China Unicom, China Netcom and China Jitong issue IP cards. Rates for international calls are different regarding to different issuers. China Unicom’s rate for calls to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan usually is 1.5 RMB/M, 2.6 RMB/M to America and Canada while 3.6 RMB/M to other countries. The other operators’ rates for international calls are either a little bit higher or lower than that of China Unicom. Currently, the IP phone service has covered the whole country, providing international service between China and over 200 countries and regions.

At Beida (but not necessarily Renda), the following IP directions are suggested:

The easiest and cheapest way to make international phone calls is to use an IP card (phone card). You can buy an IP card at the fruit shops across from the noodle shop on campus (go to the bathhouse on campus and turn left), the flower shop, and at the Wu-Mei Mini-mart. The prices of IP cards vary from company to company. IP cards generally come in three denominations: 30 RMB, 50 RMB, and 100 RMB, and they cost anywhere from 20 RMB to 70 RMB. For example, for calls back to the United States, it generally costs 2 RMB/minute if you call between 9pm and 7am, and 2.4 RMB/minute if you call at any other time. You can ask the venders for the most recent rates of calls to other countries. To call from your room, first dial 0. Then follow the instructions on the back of the IP card. When prompted for the number you wish to call, dial two zeros +(international country code)+(area code)+(phone number). For instance, make a call to the United States or Canada, dial 001+(area code)+(phone number)

At Beida, the following buses routes are nearby:

The following are public bus routes accessible directly outside of the campus as of July 2004:

East Gate: 320, Te 4, Te 6, 323, 717, 355, 731, 826, 365, 811, 307, 716, 628, 801, 749, 825, 331, 375Zhi, 375, 743, 732Zhi, 982, 737, Yuntong105, Yuntong110, Yuntong205, etc.

South Gate: 332, 302, 732, etc.

South-west Gate: 332, 732, 808, 718, 332Zhi, 355Zhi, Yuntong114, Yuntong106, etc.

South Gate: 732, 808, 832, 718, 332, 355Zhi, Yuntong106, Yuntong114, night-bus 209, etc.