Beijing Car Life Guide

Author: Cultural and Educational Department of Geological Publishing House, Beijing Youth Daily, Auto Times, Beijing Tianyu Beidou Book Co., Ltd.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Travel, food, shopping, entertainment and leisure information, enjoy an auto life; Beijing driving guide, smooth driving; comprehensive auto service information, worry-free car use; 158 driving maps covering downtown Beijing, suburbs, and surrounding areas.
Preface: Living in the auto era ten years ago, when the Beijing Youth Daily planned to create an auto section, cars were still very far from the lives of ordinary people. Naming our section "Auto Times" actually reflected a beautiful aspiration—we hoped that one day, Chinese people would also own their own cars. In these ten years, cars have no longer been an unreachable dream. They gradually moved from official vehicles and rich people's cars into ordinary households, evolving from production tools into consumer goods. Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics in 2004 confirmed this. In the past year, China's per capita GDP reached $1,000, a benchmark threshold worldwide, indicating that a society's consumption would enter the era of major consumer goods, meaning the auto era had arrived. Cars are called the "engine that changes the world," and developed countries like the United States are "countries built on wheels." The entry of cars into our lives will change our concepts, behaviors, and lifestyles. A friend asked me, what's the difference between having a car and not having one? I said, your activity radius suddenly expands. You're no longer afraid of wind or rain, and you no longer mind long distances. You have a mobile home—you can eat in it, sleep in it, even date in it. In short, you'll find you can't live without a car! The auto era arrived silently and suddenly. Are we prepared? No. In terms of concepts, our lawmakers, drivers, and pedestrians are still stuck in the horse-drawn carriage era. In terms of behavior, our relationship with cars is still just the beginning of a familiar yet unfamiliar journey. Culturally, do we have auto culture? We are just like humans who have just come down from trees, just beginning to learn to walk upright. Now, we are starting. The "Beijing Auto Life Handbook" is prepared for you—a club, a guide, and a compass as you enter the auto era. We will continuously update and publish it, growing with you, and then enjoy the wonderful auto life brought by the auto era. Travel, food, shopping, entertainment and leisure information, enjoy an auto life; Beijing driving guide, smooth driving; comprehensive auto service information, worry-free car use; 158 driving maps covering downtown Beijing, suburbs, and surrounding areas.