Beijing Transport -Subway

Subway is the fastest way to get around Beijing. The flat fare is RMB 2 anywhere on the system, payable either with a stored-value card (Yīkātōng) or a one-use ticket. For years, the network consisted of two underground lines (1 and 2) plus two above-ground light rail lines (line 13 and the east-bound Batong line.) In late 2007, line 5 opened up to much fanfare and a fare cut to a flat RMB 2. More lines will open ahead of the Olympics, but here are the routes that were running in early 2008:

Line 1-an underground line that runs east-west along Chang An Avenue, from Sihui in the east through Wangfujing, Tian An Men, Xidan and the Military Museum all the way out to Pinguoyuan.

Line 2 (aka-"loop" line) - an underground line that follow the 2nd ring road. Runs from Jishuitan in the north via Yonghegong Lama Temple south to Jianguomen then west via Beijing Station.

Line 5 - an underground line opened in October 2007 that runs north-south and intersects Line 13, Line 2, and Line 1.

Batong Line - this is an above-ground light rail extension of Line 1 to the east, with transfer stations at Sihui and Sihui Dong. This line will take you to Tongzhou and beyond.
Line 13 - an above-ground light rail that follows a broad northerly loop from Xizhimen to Dongzhimen

It does get incredibly crowded on weekdays during rush hour, so if you value your personal space, you should take this into consideration.

Six new subway lines are underway including Line 4 (from Beigongmen to Majiabao, 23.9 km), the north section of the Subway 10th Line (from Huoqiying to Dabeiyao, 23.9 km), the Olympic Line (from Olympic Park to Panda Roundabout, 4 km), Yizhuang Line (from Songjiazhuang to Yizhuang, 26 km), Airport Special Railway Line (from Dongzhimen to Capital International Airport, 22 km), and the middle section of the Subway 9th Line (from Baishiqiao to Beijing West Railway Station, 5.8 km). Renovations to the subway system include installing a new ticketing system and adding new subway cars, all of which is currently being done in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

Subway entrances are easily identified since they have a blue sign with a stylized letter ''B'' wrapped around a letter ''D.'' Operational hours are from 5:00AM to 11:00PM for Line 1, Line 2 and Batong Line. Line 13 is operational from 6:00AM to 9:00PM.

Metro (in operation) Map:

Beijing Subway Co., Ltd.
Add: 2 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Beijing
Tel: 010-68340565