City Driving: License Plate Restrictions Change This Weekend

I've been driving in Beijing for two and a half years now, and I love it. Driving in Beijing is real driving, none of that between-the-lines, hand on the underside of the wheel stuff that passes for motoring in North America or Europe. Imagine a driving simulation game, where the computer generates two cars doing something foolish at the same time. It then adds in a pedestrian who's not paying attention and a tricycle driver that doesn't obey traffic lights. That's what I mean by real driving.

I envision this occasional blog column as Country Driving written by Jeremy Clarkson, or if Peter Hessler hosted Top Gear. It won't necessarily be a how-to on driving in China (get your own driving license), and I won't be reviewing cars. It will be more about enjoying driving in Beijing, how and where to do that, smart use of your car, and even the odd suggestion for what do on non-driving days.

Allow me to introduce my co-author, pictured above. Known as the Baby Buick, almost all of my cars have been red, and since she is my first Chinese car, her name is just Hong (red). Now with almost 96,000 kilometers on her, she's more mature, but accelerates well and responds quickly to my reckless driving choices. She's a Buick Sail, but ironically and sadly, the nameplate now just says "'ail." Which I guess she does.

Expect recommendations on best Beijing roads, why driving at night in Beijing is awesome, and other fun things to do with cars here in the capital. This edition will provide a crucial but modest bit of information.

From July 7 until October 5, the following no-drive-day license plate number restrictions will be in effect: Monday, 3 and 8; Tuesday, 4 and 9; Wednesday, 5 and 0; Thursday, 1 and 6; Friday, 2 and 7. Don't forget! It's a RMB 200 fine for violators.

Photo: Steven Schwankert