The most common taxi cars in Beijing are Hyundai ELANTRA, Volkswagen Jetta and Citroen FUKANG or Elysee. ELANTRA cars are new and usually green, red, blue and purple on yellow background. Each taxi in Beijing has a sign upon the roof reading TAXI and a red sign can be seen behind the front window when it is ready to serve you.
All taxis have price labels on both side windows near the back seats. The charge starts from RMB 10 yuan for the first 3 kilometers, and RMB 2 yuan for each kilometer after that. If you ride between 23:00 and 5:00, the meter automatically charges you extra 20%. Furthermore, toll fee and parking fee go to the passenger, and charge for return ride occurs in case of a ride over 15 kilometers.
You are entitled to make the taxi driver use the meter, and never forget to ask for an invoice with the plate number and the company of the car as well as its telephone number for complaint, through which you may find the car in case that you have lost your valuables in it or been soaked, or complain to administrative authorities.
