Originally Posted by Pimevai

Just FYI, official taxis in Beijing are NOT allowed to refuse a fare unless it is going past fourth ring road after sundown (might be 10pm, can't remember which). They may give excuses that are not actually refusals (for example: I am done my shift, waiting for the other guy to take the car) but they cannot outright refuse, otherwise they are fined when reported.

That is why I learned to just get in. Just open the door, ask "shi fu, zou ma? 师傅，走吗?" and if they ask you where you're going just sit down first and tell him. If you can read the ID plate on the front seat you can report them or threaten to do so if they refuses you out right. If he has a good excuse then it comes down to your bargaining or complaining skills (please? pretty please?). If your telling the guy at the hotel where you're going and he's trying to get cabs there and telling the driver where you're going before the cab gets to you then the hotel employee should know this rule and tell the cab he cannot refuse a fare simply due to it being inconvenient for them.

I know this may sound mean, but when your standing around for an hour trying to get a cab you lose regard for such niceties.

Also travel in general in Beijing is the opposite of convenient. Taxis are not easy to come by, basically anywhere in the city at all waking hours. Some taxi companies offer a service where you can call and they will take down your information and call you back in a few minutes to arrange a convenient time for the taxi to pick you up, but I can't remember where I found the phone number that I had saved in my old phone, I think they are just written on the rear windshields of taxis.