Beijing - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
If you live in Chaoyang (or anywhere inside the fourth ring road), you don’t really need a car. Ride-share cars are readily available, and the overall parking/traffic situation make owning a car more hassle than it’s worth. If you live in Shunyi or farther afield, there’s more upside to having a car. That said, China has a robust bureaucracy. Purchasing a car locally will take time, effort, and reasonable Mandarin proficiency; while importing a car requires that you navigate strict import restrictions which change almost monthly. That said, it’s possible to import a brand-new car to China. However, if your car is more than a year or two old, importation will be nearly impossible. If you do end up owning a car in China, driving is fairly easy. Beijing, Shanghai, and the other top-tier cities have great highway systems, including electronic toll roads, as well as significant electrical vehicle infrastructure. Drivers should note that highways and city streets are monitored by a tight surveillance system. If you break the speed limit, run a red light, turn from the wrong lane, etc., you’ll likely get a ticket in the mail. Additionally, if you’re involved in an accident, you should assume that you’ll be found at fault (regardless of the objective facts). - Nov 2024
