Train in Beijing
Travelling on the subway train network is one of the fastest and most economical ways of enjoying your stay in Beijing and getting to its main attractions. While the subway reaches a limited number of areas in the sprawling capital, the government is fast developing more than a dozen new lines to serve all of Beijing and some outlying suburbs before 2015. There are presently nine lines in operation, including a line that directly connects to the airport, which makes transfers from the airport to downtown Beijing a breeze. In a few years, shuttle trains will connect the main inter-city railway stations to the city subway stations, now reachable by walking or a cab ride.
Simplicity and economy
The layout of the subway grid in Beijing is relatively easy to navigate, with most segments designed to intersect in a simple grid of perpendicular lines. All lines are located underground except the Batong Line. Most rides and transfers are charged a flat rate, as long as you stay underground. The airport express costs more than ordinary rides. Children under 4 feet who are accompanied by adults can get in free.
Subway passengers can speedily get in using either the single-ride passes or a Yikatong, an electronic swipe card that is good for multiple rides. The Yikatong, which requires a minimum deposit, is also accepted by major bus lines. The subway is closed between midnight and 5 am, but during special occasions, some lines go on after midnight.
Attractions via cheap rides
Using the subway train in Beijing, you can reach the city’s most famous attractions by taking three main subway routes. The original Line 1 which goes east to west goes below Chang’an Avenue through Tiananmen Square and connects these major shopping meccas: Wangfujing, Xidan, Dongdan and the Beijing CBD. You can trace the ancient city’s old walls of the Forbidden City and its eleven gates on the rectangular loop of Line 2. The north-south Line 5 passes the Lama Temple, the Temple of Earth and the Temple of Heaven. Some tour agencies offer subway tours with segments of walking and rickshaw rides around the hutongs or narrow alleyways. The new line 8 takes you to Beijing’s newest attractions: the Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube, the National Stadium, Olympic Sports Center and Forest Park.
Amenities and additional information
A few lines are already fully air-conditioned and accessible to people with disabilities. All subway train cars and stations in Beijing are well-maintained and safe. Signs in subway stations are both in English and Chinese, with stops announced in both languages. Most of the retail shops have been removed from the underground stations as a safety precaution. Signs for subway stations are easy to find. Simply look for the logo composed of a white letter G encircled around a B and set on a blue background.
If you are on the street and you can’t find a station, ask passers-by for the way to the “ditie,” Chinese for subway. Excellent guides and Beijing subway reviews are available online and can help you get to your city destinations as quickly as possible.