Getting Around on the Beijing Subway

As might be expected for a city of its size, Beijing has a rather large population. Unfortunately, the number of people living in the city far exceeds the available space. In fact, Beijing is the 4th densest city in China, packing over a thousand people in every square kilometer of space.

Therefore, in order to deal with the massive population and the need to move so many people from place to place, Beijing has essentially been forced to develop an extensive public transportation system. One major component of this system is the Beijing Subway.

There are several ways to get around on public transportation in Beijing. For example, there are extensive bus lines that operate within the city and that even travel longer distances into the outer neighborhoods of the city. The buses go everywhere, but can be difficult to negotiate if you don't speak Chinese. Many visitors take taxis, which are easily accessible but can also get expensive. Therefore, one option that many visitors to the city prefer is also the newest: the subway, or Metro.

There are 83 Metro stations in Beijing and these 83 stations run a total of six different lines. Those lines are being expanded as part of the city's preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, however, as well as because of the city's transportation plan for the next several years. These plans call for a total of 19 lines to be placed throughout the city and suburbs, though they won't be in place in time for this year's summer Olympic events.

The Subway lines in Beijing are both numbered and color-coded in order to make travel easier. In addition, every Metro station has maps that are available in the station. The first two lines of the Beijing Metro are the red lines, which are lines 1 and 8T-1. These lines run east-west from the outer suburbs through the heart of the city and out again. The red lines' major districts are Pingguoyuan to Sihuidong and Sihui to Tuqiao. Line 1 is among the original lines that were first laid down in the Metro system.

Line 2 runs a path called the Loop, which runs roughly in a circle around the center of the city. This circle encompasses the historical and financial districts and is crossed by both the red and green lines. The orange line also connects to it.

The orange or gold line, line 13, is a three-sided line that extends the #2 line, but stays within the city proper and does not go out into the suburbs. It does not touch lines 1 or 8T-1 at any point.

Line number 5, usually pictured as green or purple, is the newest of the Metro lines, having been added in the summer of 2007. This line runs north-south, cutting through line 1 as well as through lines 2 and 13. To the north, it extends out into the suburbs.

The six existing subway lines in Beijing work to transport people to different areas of the city. From there, they can get a bus or a taxi if they are still far from their destination. Immediate plans call for building line 10, with service to almost all of the Olympic locations from 26 stations, and an Airport Line, which will run from Dongzhimen to the Beijing Airport. Another line, line 4, is scheduled to be completed in 2009 and will have 24 stations.

In 2006, the municipal government adopted a one-price system of public transportation. This means all rides, no matter how far you are going, cost the same-that is, 2 yuan per ride. You can buy a ticket for each individual ride at ticket booths in every station. You can also purchase a card called a "Yi Ka Tong" card, also known as an IC card. This card also gives the user a 60% discount on fares. You simply flash the card on the sensor and it deducts the fare. If you run low on money, you can simply stop at one of the IC stations and put more money on the card. This is easier than carrying cash or a pocketful of change and cheaper than paying the ride-by-ride rate.