Beijing

Beijing (formerly known as Peking) is the capital city of China.

Southwest towards Xian

 * Dujiakan roundabout: This option costs 3.5 Yuan, it's pretty good and easy to reach. Take the subway line #2 (blue line) to Changchunjie station, it costs 2 Yuan. Get out on the north-west exit, cross the road and then walk to the inner lane from the right where you will see plenty of people waiting for the bus! Don't worry, most of them will not go with you on the same bus :). Search for bus #661 or #662 and go aboard. Prepare a paper with the name Dujiakan roundabout in Chinese and show it to the lady whom you are going to pay 1.5 Yuan for the ride. When you get off the bus, you'll find yourself on a parallel street to the highway. Cross this street and on the left turn on the roundabout to the direction of the toll-gate with the blue roof. When you pass it you'll be on the highway. Stand close to the toll gate which is on the highway and you'll have a good spot hitch-hiking from. Having a sign is not a good idea, better wave your hand up and down. (November 2010)

Sleeping
If you head down the same street west there are two other youth hostels, slightly cheaper even but not so busy. For the closer one turn right at the bifurcation. It is about 5-10min walk from LEO.
 * Leo hostel, close to Tiananmen, $6.50 for a dorm.