Well, I was traveling alone and carrying one 12kg check in bag and one carry one bag. They stopped me, the white guy, as I entered the metered taxi line and told me the fare to Wangfujing was 280, which was a bargain because the meter would cost more. I declined and took the metered taxi for 94 RMB. I don't see how this is anything other than a scam.

M two other taxi experiences during my two days in Beijing. I walked from my Wangfujing hotel to the Temple of Heaven and out the other side of the park. Admittedly, a long walk. More than an hour. Exiting the park, there were a handful of marked meter taxis parked there. I know that taxis that park outside tourist spots in many countries are scammers.

Older guy in a faux-military looking jacket took charge as I approached the taxis and asked where I was going and said it would cost 200 RMB. The taxi drivers themselves wouldn't/couldn't speak. I offered 25 RMB. He said no and offered 150, 80, 50 and finally 30 RMB. I walked away, as the guy was an aggressive jerk and I didn't want to deal with him or get in a taxi with him if he was a driver. Ended up flagging down a taxi on the move who used the meter but we hit a massive traffic jam and it took about an hour to go back and cost 40 RMB on the meter.

Leaving my hotel the next day, got a black car with "taxi" on the the top. I asked if he's use the meter and he said yes. Not knowing if black taxis have more expensive meters I asked how much it would be on the meter and he said about 150. I said fine. He then didn't turn on the meter, which didn't really bother me, I had RMB I wouldn't need and figured I'd just give him 150 at the airport. We arrive and he demands 170 because of the tolls. I refused and paid him 150 and said he should have used the meter if he wanted to charge me meter plus tolls.