Understanding the Beijing Metro

The Beijing Metro system is extremely logical in design and easy to use. It will take you to the key spots around the city, and even deliver you on an express track to the airport. Want to visit the Olympic Village?—a special metro line was added just to whisk people north to the Birds Nest, Water Cube and other amazing structures. In rush hour, while chaos is breaking out above ground, you can be safely underground, making faster time and with much less anxiety than trying to hail a Beijing cab or walk on the congested streets. Meanwhile, the stations are marked in English and Chinese, so language is no longer a barrier. So, are you ready to give the Beijing metro a try? Here’s how:

From wherever you may be staying in Beijing, there is likely a subway station within walking distance as long as you are within general area of Beijing and the four ring roads. To ask where the closest station is, say “di tie zhan zai nar?” If no one can answer you, perhaps your best bet is to preempt by downloading the Beijing Metro app, which is a comprehensive map of the subway network. Alternatively, printing out a subway map ahead of your scheduled visit is a good idea.

When you make it to the actual subway station, you’ll still have a bit to do before you are whisked to your next destination. First, you’ll have to pay! There are automatic ticket dispensing machines. The subway costs 2RMB a ride. Alternatively, you can buy a Beijing transportation card from the teller at the window. These can be recharged and used on any form of public transport in the city, including taxis, buses, the subway and airport express. For convenience, this isn’t a bad option! You swipe the ticket to gain entrance into the subway station past the ticket machines.

Once you are underground, there are subway maps on the platform that show which direction the train is heading next and the next station stop. In the center of most platforms is a larger subway map showing the whole layout of the city network. Simply determine where you want to go and track back the most logical way to where you are. If you have to make a transfer or two, don’t be alarmed. Everything is clearly marked (thanks, Olympics!) so you’ll have no problem finding your connecting line.

Once at your destination, you have to insert your temporary (single-use) ticket into the machine to be able to exit the station, so don’t dispose of the ticket during your journey. Every station has multiple exit points from the underground. Signs above the platform help guide you to the street you want. Take a moment to consult the platform map if you are unsure where to exit, because once above ground it can be hard to get to your desired destination without going back underground and crossing if you have made a mistake. Measure twice, cut once!

There you have it, the system is logical, efficient and fast, and the layout of the metro lines take you to places you want to be in Beijing. For fast travel and a bit of fun, this is the best way to travel inside the city.