From 10 AM on Wednesday, Beijing's 617 digital information terminals have been updated with the latest version of the electronic map, enabling users to print out transfer tips directly from the terminal, according to a report in the Beijing-based Mirror newspaper.

After users input two locations, the terminal will return a travel plan, indicating the most convenient way to commute, including bus transfers, bus-subway changes, number of stops and total mileage. This information can be printed freely to provide travel tips as well as being highly convenient for foreign tourists, with its bilingual Chinese and English content.

Once the name of a location has been entered, information of all businesses and service facilities in a 500-meter radius will appear on the screen. The digital map is possessed of a touch-screen capability, allowing the user to zoom in and out. Twelve specific channels, providing information such as medical services, tours or even body-building facilities are on hand at the side of the map.

According to the operator, the 617 digital information terminals in the whole city have been used 120 million times in the first half of this year, and 300 million times are expected for the whole year.

The operator added that 100 such terminals have been installed in hotels and shopping malls, with further plans underway to install them in residential areas.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing, August 17, 2006)