Originally Posted by
matthewdolbow
Visitors to Beijing should also be aware that many drivers -- especially taxi but also some Uber -- do not know the city and
expect the passenger to provide directions -- in Chinese -- even to popular tourist sites or major hotels. So, just having an address printed out is often not enough for the driver to know where to take you.
I'm crying foul on the "providing directions" bit. Pretty much the only times I've EVER had to provide directions to drivers in Beijing were to/from the airport, and this was only to request the ring road of my choosing (i.e. still would have made it even if I hadn't spoken up). This is because Beijing's layout is extremely EASY... very difficult to screw things up.
In spite of the fact that I've panned Uber-Beijing in past posts to this thread, I have to say that it's rising up the ladder at lightening speed. Baidu's enormous investment is also a pretty good vote of confidence.