Bus & Rail System

Beijing Subway

Most visitors, Chinese or foreigners will find the subway train clean, fast and relatively comfortable, except during weekends or rush hours, when the subway train is very crowded. The subway runs every 4 or 5 minutes daily from 5:00 to 22 or 23:00, according to different first stations and the fare is 3CNY per ride for any distance. There are two subway lines in Beijing: one runs under Chang’an Avenue and its line extends from Sihuidongzan in the east to Pingguoyuan in the west; another one circles under the northern part of the Second Ring Road. You can transfer between these lines at Fuxingmen station and Jianguomen station with no transfer fee.

Subway entrances are show on city maps. Each station usually has four entrances. The entrances can be identified by a large blue sign with letters BD inside a circle. If you still can not find it, you may ask a Chinese “di tie”.
Walk down stairs to enter a station the tickets are sold above the platform. When going down to the platform, hand your ticket to the checker at the top of the stairs. On tunnel walls of the platform, you can see signs and maps in Chinese and Pinyin indicating the next station and helping you to decide which subway train to take. Over the door inside the train you also can find complete system maps in Chinese and Pinyin, and an announcement tells you the name of the next station both in Chinese and English. If you find you are on the wrong train, you can just get off at the next station, (It usually takes about 4 or 5 minutes to travel between stations.), and get on the train running to the opposite direction. No transfer fee will be charged.

Beijing Bus Service

City public buses run from 5:30 till 23:00 daily. Taking buses in Beijing is quite inexpensive but less comfortable than a taxi or the subway. The flat rate for an electric car and ordinary public car is 1CNY. Buses equipped with ir-conditioning or of special line are charged according to the distance. Few foreigners like getting around by bus, because it is always crowded, especially during rush hours (6:30-9:00 and 17:00-19:00). Some conductors give the stop’s name in English but they can’t speak any more English. Write down some commonly used sentences in Chinese is quite helpful. Minibuses, serving from 7:00 to
19:00, charge the flat rate of 2CNY guaranteeing a seat. They are faster
and more comfortable.