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Beijing Subway

Beijing subway is the fastest transportation in downtown and it is a good way to avoid frequent traffic jams. Beijing was the first city in China to operate a subway, with its first line opened in 1971. Beijing had 23 subway lines in operation, including two airport express lines and two tram lines. At present, Beijing's rail transit has a total mileage of 807 kilometers (501 miles), with 475 stations, including 81 transfer stations, connecting the downtown areas like the Tian’anmen Square, Qianmen, and Wangfujing with many suburban areas.

At present, there are 12 subway lines under construction. According to the long-term plan, by 2025, Beijing will own a metro network with 30 lines in a total length of 1,177 kilometers (731 miles).

Beijing Subway Lines in Operation

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Line 1: Gucheng ↔ Sihuidong
Length: 31 kilometers (19 miles)
Main Stops: Babaoshan, Wukesong, Gongzhufen, Junshi Bowuguan (Military Museum), Xidan, Tian'anmenxi, Tian'anmendong, Wangfujing, Jianguomen, Guomao

Line 2 (circle line): It is a line running beneath the 2nd Ring Road.
Length: 23.1 kilometers (14.4 miles)
Main Stops: Xizhimen, Gulou Dajie, Yonghegong, Dongzhimen, Chaoyangmen, Jianguomen, Beijing Zhan (Beijing Railway Station), Qianmen, Xuanwumen, Fuxingmen

Line 3: Dongsi Shitiao ↔ Dongfeng: open by the end of 2023.

Line 4: Anheqiaobei ↔ Gongyi Xiqiao
Length: 28 kilometers (17 miles)
Main Stops: Yuanmingyuan, Peking University East Gate, Zhonguancun, Renmin University, National Library, Beijing Zoo, Xizhimen, Xidan, Taoranting, South Railway Station

Line 5: Tiantongyuanbei ↔ Songjiazhuang

Length: 27.6 kilometers (17 miles)
Main Stops: Heping Xiqiao, Yonghegong, Dongsi, Dengshikou, Dongdan, Chongwenmen, Temple of Heaven East Gate

Line 6: Jin'anqiao ↔ Lucheng
Length: 53 kilometers (33 miles)
Main Stops: Pingguoyuan, Cishousi, Chegongzhuang, Ping'anli, Nanluogu Xiang, Chaoyangmen, Hujialou, Tongzhou Beiguan

Line 7: Beijing West Railway Station ↔ Huanqiu Dujiaqu (Universal Resort)
Length: 40 kilometers (25 miles)
Main Stops: West Railway Station, Caishikou, Ciqikou, Shuangjing, Happy Valley, Huazhuang, Huanqiu Dujiaqu (Universal Resort)

Line 8: Zhuxinzhuang ↔ Yinghai
Length: 51.6 kilometers (32.1 miles)
Main Stops: Aolinpike Gongyuan (Olympic Park), Aoti Zhongxin (Olympic Sports Center), Gulou Dajie, Shichahai, Nanluogu Xiang, Wangfujing, Qianmen

Line 9: Guogongzhuang ↔ National Library
Length: 16.5 kilometers (10 miles)
Main Stops: Guojia Tushuguan (National Library), Junshi Bowuguan (Military Museum), West Railway Station, Liuliqiao, Fengtai Nanlu

Line 10 (cricle line): Taking Bagou as terminal.
Length: 57.1 kilometers (35.5 miles)
Main Stops: Bagou, Haidian Huangzhuang, Mudanyuan, Sanyuanqiao, Liangmaqiao, Nongye Zhanlanguan (Agriculture Exhibition Center), Guomao, Shuangjing, Panjiayuan, Caoqiao, Shoujingmao, Fengtai Railway Station, Gongzhufen

Line 11: Xinshougang ↔ Jin'anqiao
Length: 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles)
Main Stops: Xinshougang, Beixinan, Jin'anqiao, Moshikou (not open yet)

Line 13: Xizhimen ↔ Dongzhimen
Length: 40.5 kilometers (25 miles)
Main Stops: Xizhimen, Dazhongsi, Wudaokou, Qinghe Railway Station, Huilongguan, Beiyuan, Shaoyaoju, Dongzhimen

Line 14: Zhangguozhuang ↔ Shangezhuang
Length: 50.8 km (31.6 miles)
Main Stops: Yuanboyuan (Garden Expo Park), Dawayao, Qilizhuang, Xiju, Lize Shangwuqu (Lize Business District), South Railway Station, Shilihe, Chaoyang Park, Wangjing

Line 15: Qinghua Donglu Xikou ↔ Fengbo
Length: 41.4 kilometers (25.7 miles)
Main Stops: Aolinpike Gongyuan (Olympic Park), Wangjing, Guozhan (China Int'l Exhibition Center), Shunyi

Line 16: Bei'anhe ↔ Yuyuantan Dongmen
Length: 31.9 kilometers (19.8 miles)
Main Stops: Yongfeng, Xiyuan, Wanshousi, Guojia Tushuguan (National Library), Yuyuantan Dongmen

Line 17: Jiahuihu ↔ Shilihe
Length: 15.8 kilometers (9.8 miles)
Main Stops: Ciqu, Shilihe

Line 19: Xingong ↔ Mudanyuan
Length: 22.4 kilometers (13.9 miles)
Main Stops: Xinfadi, Caoqiao, Niujie (Ox Street), Jishuitan, Mudanyuan

Daxing Line: Xingong ↔ Tiangongyuan
Length: 21.8 kilometers (13.5 miles)
Main Stops: Xihongmen, Huangcun Railway Station, Shengwu Yiyao Jidi (Biomedical Base)

Changping Line: Qinghe Zhan ↔ Changping Xishankou
Length: 31.9 kilometers (20 miles)
Main Stops: Shisanling Jingqu (Ming Tombs), Changping Dongguan, Shahe Gaojiaoyuan (Shanhe University Park), Shengming Kexueyuan (Life Science Park), Qinghe Railway Station

Yizhuang Line: Songjiazhuang ↔ Yizhuang Huochezhan (Yizhuang Railway Station)
Length: 23.3 kilometers (14.4 miles)
Main Stops: Xiaohongmen, Yizhuang Wenhuayuan (Yizhuang Culture Park), Ciqu, Yizhuang Railway Station

Fangshan Line: Dongguantounan ↔ Yancundong
Length: 32 kilometers (20 miles)
Main Stops: Shoujingmao (Capital Univ. of Economics & Business), Guogongzhuang, Liangxiang Daxuecheng

Yanfang Line: Yancundong ↔ Yanshan
Length: 14.4 kilometers (9 miles)
Main Stop: Fangshan Chengguan, Xingcheng, Yancun

Line S1: Pingguoyuan ↔ Shichang
Length: 10.2 kilometers (6.3 miles)
Main Stops: Sidaoqiao, Liyuanzhuang, Sidaoqiao, Jin'anqiao
On Subway
Capital Airport Express Line: Beixinqiao ↔ Dongzhimen ↔ Sanyuanqiao ↔ T3 ↔ T2 (Capital Airport)
Length: 29.8 kilometers (18.5 miles)
Ticket Fare: CNY 25

Daxing Airport Express Line (New Airport Line): Caoqiao ↔ Daxing Xincheng ↔ Daxing Airport
Length: 41.36 kilometers (25.7 miles)
Ticket Fare: CNY 10 to 50

There are two modern trams lines:

Xijiao Line (West Suburban Line): Bagou ↔ Xiangshan

Length: 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles)

Main Stops: Summer Palace West Gate, Botanical Garden, Fragrant Hills

Yizhuang T1 Line: Dinghaiyuan ↔ Quzhuang

Length: 13.25 kilometers (8.2 miles)

Main Stops: Beijing Etrong Int’l Exhibition & Convention Center, Rongchang Dongjie

Ticket Fare of Beijing Subway

The price is charged according to the distance. It is CNY 3 for the first 6 km (3.7 mi), CNY 4 for 6 to 12 km( 3.7 to 7.5 mi), CNY 5 for 12 to 22 km (7.5 to 13.7 mi), CNY 6 for 22 to 32 km (13.7 to 20 mi), extra CNY 2 for every additional 20 km (12.4 mi) if distance over 32 km (20 mi). A Transportation Smart Card can be used for paying. The stops are announced in both Chinese and English. Passengers can query the subway staff to avoid going in the wrong direction and wasting time.

Notes:
1. A child shorter than 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) cannot ride metro alone. If an adult takes one child below 4.3 feet high on the metro, the child is free of charge; if two, one of the children is free of charge.
2. Tickets are issued for one-day use only.
3. It is suggested to prepare loose change beforehand to take the metro. At most stations, passengers can buy the ticket either at the Customer Service Center or self-service ticket vending machine, but some stations are only equipped with ticket vending machines which accept 1 RMB coins, 5 RMB and 10 RMB banknotes.

Front Side of Beijing Subway Ticket

Back Side of Beijing Subway Ticket

Travel Tips on Taking Beijing Metro:

1. Commonly, there are four entrances in four directions for each stop. So, you should make sure which one to take when getting out of the station or you will probably get lost. You can find signs with the main destinations at crossings of the passageway.
2. The metro stations are clean and have English signs directing tourists to the exits and nearby places that you are likely trying to find.
3. In this city, the metro stations are marked with a blue sign with letter D inside a circle on it.
4. Passengers can find toilets on the platform level or in the ticket hall of each stop.
5. Take good care of your personal things as the crowded carriages have one or two pickpockets on peak hours now and then.
6. No pets can be taken on the metro.
7. Please keep out the yellow line when you are waiting for the train.

- Last updated on Jun. 25, 2023 by Gabby Li -

Questions & Answers on Beijing Subway

Asked by Ng Siew Koon from MALAYSIA | Jun. 23, 2023 23:53

Can foreigners travelling from Malaysia buy a Yikatong Card in Beijing?

Answers (1)

Answered by Eric | Jun. 25, 2023 02:14

Yes, you can. Have fun in Beijing~

Asked by Peter from SLOVAKIA | Nov. 06, 2019 11:20

How to buy Beijing subway tickets if you are changing lines?

Hello. I have read some guide that when buying tickets, you have to specific which station you are going to. What if we have to change stations? Do I have to buy tickets to the transit station and then another one to my destination or I can buy to the destination directly?

Answers (2)

Answered by Aiden from CAPE VERDE | Nov. 08, 2019 00:17

You just need to purchase to the destination directly.

Answered by Colin from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 27, 2019 06:18

I think the station selection is just to help you get the right fare which is based on how far you are going.. but the ticket then covers you for going to any station that would cost that amount.. and you can change lines as much as you need as long as you don't exit the station barriers (coz then it keeps your ticket).
In Beijing you can pay with 1CNY coins or 5 or 10 notes.

Asked by Tahira Naz from PAKISTAN | Oct. 15, 2019 06:12

I want to ask about how long it will take from beijing Nan railway station to Pakistan Embassy?

As i will take first time subway so i dont know much. Thanks

Answers (1)

Answered by Jacob from FRANCE | Oct. 16, 2019 02:07

In general, it will take around 40 mins on the way.
Take metro line 14 from South Railway Station to Shilihe Station and then transfer to metro line 10 to Agriculture Exhibition Center Station, Exit A. After that, walk west around 350 meters to find the destination.
The ticket fare is CNY5 per person.

Asked by Katie from AUSTRALIA | Sep. 22, 2019 13:30

Can you buy individual train tickets, rather than getting a metro card?

Answers (1)

Answered by Hamie from FRANCE | Sep. 24, 2019 19:48

Yes, of course.

Asked by Trivikram Pattanayak from SINGAPORE | Sep. 14, 2019 08:25

Is baggage allowed on board the Beijing subway?

Are large bags/luggage(example, suitcases) allowed on board the subway(as I heard that they needed to be checked by security at every station)? This is especially important to know if we want to go to our hotel by subway from the airport. If it is allowed, what is the size allowance?

Answers (1)

Answered by Roger from UNITED KINGDOM | Sep. 17, 2019 01:51

You can bring your luggage to take subway and there is no size limitation about it. But yes, the luggage is needed to be checked by security when you enter the subway station.