The Chinese have utilized advanced transportation methods for centuries. In fact, many very early "firsts" in the world of transportation occurred in China. (G of C) Considering the current state of transportation in Beijing, these facts are somewhat ironic.
The transportation systems of Beijing are chronically plagued by poor planning and tremendous numbers of people. Getting around within Beijing's city limits can prove to be a major feat. Busses and trolleys are horribly overcrowded, slow, and, even with about 140 routes, insufficient in number. Conditions on the subway, which runs along the routes of the former city walls, are somewhat less crowded. The subways also move faster than the busses, but one must pay for these luxuries; subway fares are over twice as expensive as bus fares. Cars and taxis are relatively numerous, but, because of expense, not in proportion to the size of the population. Also, except for major thoroughfares, such as the ring roads, and streets in the center of the city, many of Beijing's roads are made of dirt, causing them to be impassable on rainy days.
The prominent mode of transportation in Beijing is the bicycle. There are estimated to be over three million bicycles in the city. Facetiously, some have suggested that this is because of the unattractiveness of the city; it has been said that the Chinese ride bicycles so much because there's nothing for pedestrians to look at. (CGC) However, bicycles are primarily used because of their practicality in an otherwise expensive, slow, and crowded transportation system. Pedicabs (three-wheeled bicycles with room in the rear for passengers or cargo) are another transportation option.
Beijing's external connections with the rest of China are somewhat more impressive. Because major cities in China are responsible for serving larger provinces, modern transportation is crucial to make these connections. (G of C) Additionally, since Beijing is the national capital as well, all the provincial capitals of China have direct air connections with Beijing.
It is interesting to compare the transportation systems of Beijing, which may be some of the poorest in the world, with the transportation systems of Tokyo, which are arguably among the most advanced in the world. While both systems are incredibly crowded due to their respective cities' enormous populations, one hears considerably more about Tokyo's transportation innovation and advances than one does about Tokyo's overcrowded systems. Indeed, Tokyo, and Japan in general, seems to be constantly developing new ways to deal with the almost overwhelming transportation needs of its people. Beijing, meanwhile, seems to be quagmired in a perpetual state of inefficiency. It does not take a great deal of imagination to discern that this disparity between Tokyo and Beijing is a result of differing levels of technology. Tokyo is the world capital of high technology; Beijing lags far behind. It will be interesting to observe what changes may take place in Beijing's transportation system as the city attempts to develop more high-technology industries.