TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
When You Arrive
Please confirm which airport your flights are booked into and out of. Most international flights will come into Beijing International Airport (PEK). Some carriers which connect in Hong Kong may fly into Nanyuan Airport (NAN). Either one is fine, but it is important that we know which airport to find you at! If you are coming with a group, your group leader will provide us with your arrival and departure information, but if you are coming on your own (or apart from your group), please provide us with your flight information at least two weeks in advance. Please email the actual itinerary that you received from your travel agent or booking service. We will arrange for a car and driver to meet you just outside the customs and immigration area (see detailed information below). The driver will usually arrive about one hour after your expected arrival time to allow for the immigration process. If you don't see someone right away, please don't panic, just wait. Do not attempt to find a taxi or leave with anyone who approaches you unless he identifies himself as from New Day. If your flight is cancelled, delayed or rerouted, please try to contact us via email ([email protected]) if at all possible.
If you are using New Day transportation to get from the airport to Qingyundian (Ching-yoon-dee-en), let me explain how that works.
If you are part of a group, you may also be met by one of our English speaking staff to help the driver keep your group together, but overall the process is the same.
If you are being picked up at a hotel in the city, the driver will come into the lobby with the New Day Creations sign. It will not have your name on it, just New Day Creations.
We'll see you soon!
Erik
- After getting off the plane, you will go through immigration (passport and visa checks), get your luggage and go through customs. Customs is usually a non-issue unless you are bringing 10 pounds of cheese (that's a no-no, as is any fresh fruit, vegetables or meat products). You probably don't have anything to declare so it should be a pretty quick process.
- Once you exit the customs area you will be met by one of our friendly and knowledgeable drivers...HouGe, Wu Jie (Jie is the polite address meaning older sister) or Yang Shifu (shifu is kind of like *mister*). He or she will hold a sign saying New Day Creations. The drivers do not speak English, but if you have any kind of problem just use gestures to let him or her know that you need to call Erik. The driver will call me on his/her cell phone. I can find out what you need and communicate with the driver.
- If you would like to change money at the airport, the driver can show you where to do that. Now that our local bank will change money, it isn't quite as necessary as it used to be, but if you need or want some RMB right away, you can change it at the airport.
- In some cases (though very rarely), you will need to wait up to a couple of hours if another person is coming in on a different flight. The airport is more than an hour from New Day so it will be more efficient to wait when possible. It won't be more than two or three hours. I know, that seems like a long time, but think of it as your first chance to practice being f-l-e-x-i-b-l-e! You will also have a headstart on getting to know one of your fellow volunteers on the drive. You will likely be able to get your last burger or latte for awhile while you wait.
- Once you are in the car you can relax --at least if you don't watch the crazy traffic around you. You will be at New Day in one to two hours depending on traffic. You do not need to pay the driver; he or she will be paid by New Day.
If you are part of a group, you may also be met by one of our English speaking staff to help the driver keep your group together, but overall the process is the same.
If you are being picked up at a hotel in the city, the driver will come into the lobby with the New Day Creations sign. It will not have your name on it, just New Day Creations.
We'll see you soon!
Erik