Beijing Subway

<p><strong>Beijing Subway</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The first ever Chinese city to be provided with a subway station in 1971 was Beijing. Following Shanghai Metro, Beijing Subway is the world&rsquo;s second biggest subway system. In order to steer clear of regular traffic jams, Beijing Subway is the quickest transportation in downtown China. Here&rsquo;s some information that you&rsquo;ll find useful if ever you try to navigate Beijing via the Beijing Metro System:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cost</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Beijing Subway Ticket Fare</p>
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<p>Distance in km</p>
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<p>Price (RMB)</p>
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<p>0-6</p>
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<p>3</p>
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<p>6-12</p>
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<p>4</p>
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<p>12-22</p>
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<p>5</p>
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<p>22-32</p>
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<p>6</p>
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<p>32-52</p>
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<p>7</p>
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<p>52-72</p>
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<p>8</p>
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<p>72-92</p>
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<p>9</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>In addition, the Airport Express line will cost you 25 yuan. Children whose height are below 1.3 meters can ride for free, but they must be accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be bought either at the entrance or from vending machines.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The vending machines only accept 1 yuan coins and 5 yuan and 10 yuan bills. Interestingly, for convenience in transport, a Beijing transportation smart card is recommended. The card&rsquo;s official name is Yikatong which means &ldquo;one card pass&rdquo;. The par value of the Yikatong card is 100 yuan which includes a 20-yuan deposit.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Operating Hours</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Beijing Subway&rsquo;s operating hours are as follows:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>First Train</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Last Train</strong></p>
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<p>Pingguoyuan</p>
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<p>5:10</p>
</td>
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<p>22:55</p>
</td>
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<p>Guchenglu (Pingguoyuan to Sihuidong)</p>
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<p>4:58</p>
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<p>22:59</p>
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<p>Sihui (Sihuidong to Pingguoyuan)</p>
</td>
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<p>4:56</p>
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<p>23:17</p>
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<p>Sihuidong</p>
</td>
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<p>5:05</p>
</td>
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<p>23:15</p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p>Airport Express Train</p>
</td>
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<p>6:00</p>
</td>
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<p>22:30</p>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>How and Where to Buy Tickets</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>As mentioned before, the Yikatong card may be used, or you can also buy a single-ride ticket. Tickets can be bought either at the entrance, at the Customer Service Center, or from self-service vending machines. The vending machines only accept 1 yuan coins and 5 yuan and 10 yuan bills.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Just last April 2017, passengers can now ride the Beijing Subway using their phones. Instead of using a ticket or the Yikatong card, passengers can opt to use their mobile phones to gain entry to the subway station on the Beijing Metro.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Connections to Train Stations and Airports </strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>There are 16 core subway lines of the Beijing Metro.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 2: </strong>It is a line which runs beneath the 2^nd ring road with a full length of 14 miles. This is home to a transport hub which connects to the Airport Express line called Dongzhimen station. The Dongzhimen station also connects to subway line 13. Furthermore, Beijing subway line 2 stops at Beijing Railway Station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 4: </strong>This line connects to Gongyixiqiao station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 5: </strong>Line 5 connects to Tiantongyuan North station and Songjiazhuang station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 6: </strong>Presently, line 6 has 32 operating stations. This line connects to Jin&rsquo;anqiao station and Lucheng station.</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Line 7: </strong>This has a full length of 15 miles or 24 kilometers. This is an East-West line which begins at Beijing West Railway Station and ends at Jiaohuachang station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 9: </strong>This subway line is located in the South West part of the city. It begins from Gougongzhuang station and passes by Beijing West Railway Station then ends at the National Library Station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 10</strong>: This subway line has 45 stations. Out of the 45 stations, 13 of these stations are transfer stations and join line 4, line 9, Yizhuang line, Daxing line, line 6, line 1, Airport Express, line 5, line 8, and line 13. This line connects to Bagou station, Guomao station, Songjiazhung station, and Chedaogou station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 14: </strong>This line has an &ldquo;L&rdquo; shape and passes passenger transfer hubs and major areas such as the South Railway Station.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 16: </strong>Located<strong> i</strong>n the North West side of the city, this metro line runs parallel to line 4.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Major Tourist Landmarks of the City Near Stations</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 1</strong>: One of the must-visit places in Beijing is the remarkable Tiananmen Square. Other major tourist landmarks that can be visited from Tiananmen East Station stop include Jingshan Park, National Museum, and the Forbidden City.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 2: </strong>In order to reach Bell and Drum towers, a group of wonderful ancient buildings, you can get off at Guloudajie station. Aside from these towers, from Exit C of Yonghegong station, about 400 meters south of it, Yonghe Lamasery Temple can be found.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 4: </strong>You can visit the Summer Palace, enjoy the scenic view of Yuanmingyuan Park, and appreciate the animals in Beijing Zoo.</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Line 5: </strong>If you enjoy looking at ancient buildings with undoubtedly monumental architectural design, the Temple of Heaven is the place to visit.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 6: </strong>You can take a look at China&rsquo;s well-preserved garden, Beihai Park.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Line 8: </strong>A place to give appreciation to sports can be found as you get off the Olympic Center station and check Bird&rsquo;s Nest and the Water Cube.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Other Major Stations to Note</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Beijing South Railway Station</p>
</td>
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<p>Subway Line 4</p>
</td>
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<p>Beijing West Railway Station</p>
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<p>Subway Line 9</p>
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<p>Beijing North Railway Station</p>
</td>
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<p>Subway Line 2, Line 4, and Line 10</p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p>Sihui and Sihui East</p>
</td>
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<p>Subway transfer stations with Line 1</p>
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<p>Xierqi</p>
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<p>Subway transfer station with Line 13</p>
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<p>Zhuxinzhuang</p>
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<p>Subway transfer station with Line 8</p>
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<p>Guogongzhuang</p>
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<p>Subway transfer station with Line 9</p>
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<p>Yancun East</p>
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<p>Subway transfer station with Yanfang line</p>
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<p>Songjiazhuang</p>
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<p>Subway transfer station with Line 5 and 10</p>
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</table>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Future Development Plans</strong></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>The wonders of China&rsquo;s public transportation will not cease as they continue to plan for the expansion of their railways. Interestingly, city planners in China aim to connect Beijing Subway to cities throughout Hebei by 2021.</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Additional Information</strong></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>For easy identification of the lines at the Beijing Subway, color representation is utilized:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Line 1</p>
</td>
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<p>crimson</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 2</p>
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<p>dark blue</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 4</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>steel blue</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 5</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>mauve</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 6</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>brown</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 7</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>buff</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 8</p>
</td>
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<p>forest green</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 9</p>
</td>
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<p>lime green</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 10</p>
</td>
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<p>sky blue</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 13</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>yellow</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 14</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>dark pink</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 15</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>brown yellow</p>
</td>
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<p>Line 16</p>
</td>
<td width="312">
<p>grass green</p>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>With the information aforementioned, it is true enough that the subway is Beijing&rsquo;s pride. It&rsquo;s certainly the cheapest and fastest way to get to a place compared to cabs, private cars, bicycles, and buses. Aside from its cost-effectiveness, it is also one way of saving the planet due to its environmentally-friendly nature.</p>

Other China Metro Systems