Beijing Metro Guide
Navigate Beijing's subway system with ease. Find routes, stations, and travel tips for an efficient journey.
Operating Hours
6:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily. First trains around 6:00 AM, last trains around 11:00 PM.
Ticket Prices
Β₯2-Β₯8 per trip (distance-based). Children under 1.3m travel free with paying adult.
Transit Card
YiKA Tong card (Β₯20 refundable deposit). Top up at machines or use Alipay/WeChat Pay QR.
Mobile Payment
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes at gates. Visa/Mastercard contactless also accepted.
Major Metro Lines
Line 1
Pingguoyuan β Sihui East | 23 stations | The busiest line
Line 2 (Loop Line)
Loop Line | 18 stations | Circles the city center
Line 5
Tiantongyuan North β Songjiazhuang | 23 stations | North-south connector
Line 10 (Loop)
Loop Line | 45 stations | The longest loop line
Popular Attractions & Nearest Stations
| Attraction | Nearest Station | Line | Exit | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiananmen Square | Tiananmen East / West | Line 1 | Exit A/B | 2 min |
| The Forbidden City | Tiananmen East | Line 1 | Exit A | 5 min |
| Summer Palace | Beigongmen | Line 4 | Exit D | 10 min |
| Temple of Heaven | Tiantan Dongmen | Line 5 | Exit A | 3 min |
| Wangfujing Shopping | Wangfujing | Line 1 | Exit C | 1 min |
| Beijing South Railway | Beijing South | Line 4 / 14 | Various | Direct |
| Temple of Heaven | Line 5 | Tiantan Dongmen (East Gate) | 15 min | UNESCO site, perfect circle mound |
| Sanlitun | Line 10 | Tongying Center | 5 min | Trendy shopping and dining district |
| Nanluoguxiang | Line 6/8 | Nanluoguxiang (Exit E) | 3 min | Hutong alleys with cafes and bars |
| Panjiayuan Antique Market | Line 10 | Panjiayuan (Exit A) | 5 min | Weekend flea market for antiques |
| Lama Temple (Yonghegong) | Line 2/5 | Yonghegong (Exit C) | 5 min | Most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing |
Travel Tips for Foreigners
Avoid Rush Hour
Rush hours are 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM. Trains can be extremely crowded.
Use Transit Card
Get a YiKA Tong card for seamless travel across all lines without buying tickets.
Download Apps
Use Beijing Subway or Baidu Maps for real-time route planning and station navigation.
Know Your Exit
Station platforms mark where each exit is. Check the map to find the best exit.
- During rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM), transfers can be very crowded
- Some stations have multiple transfer passages - follow signs carefully
- If lost, ask station staff for help (many speak basic English)
How to Buy Tickets
Option 1: Single Journey Ticket
Purchase at ticket vending machines (available in English) or staffed counters at any station. Cash and mobile payments accepted.
Option 2: Rechargeable Card (Recommended)
Buy a YiKA Tong card at any station for a refundable deposit (Β₯20). Top up at machines or counters. Offers convenience and avoids ticket queues.
Option 3: Mobile Payment
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes to enter and exit stations. Look for the QR code scanner at gates.
Option 4: Contactless Bank Card
Some stations accept Visa/Mastercard contactless cards or Apple Pay/Google Pay at designated gates.
Ready to Explore Beijing?
Download our comprehensive metro guide and start planning your Beijing adventure today.