 People's Republic of China Operating Lines Anshan Beijing Changchun Dalian Guangzhou Hong Kong Shanghai Tianjin Planned or Under Construction Chengdu Chongqing Harbin Kunming Macao Nanjing Qingdao Shenyang Shenzhen Suzhou Wuhan Wuxi Xi'an Zhengzhou |
  Above photos courtesy Allen Zagel Beijing Metro Beijing's subway serves this 10 million population capital (oops, my mistake - capitol) with eight lines totaling 224 km and 147 stations. Many, many more lines are on the way. Line 1 opened in 1969. It serves the western suburbs and is also known as the Fu Ba Line. Until 1980, the line was forbidden to all but Chinese. And speaking of forbidden, the line runs right underneath the forbidden city, but you aren't allowed to go there either. You can, however, get out at Tiananmen Square, but don't forget to bring your tear gas and protective eyewear. Line two, opened in 1971, is a 23.1 km, 18 statiom city circle line which runs beneath Beijing's second ring road. It's stops carry the names of the ancient city gates, some of which still stand. Line 13 , referred to as "City Rail" or "Airport Railway", opened in 2002. It runs for 40.9 km, of which 3.7 km are in subway. Fifteen of its 16 stations are on the planet's surface. The 18.9 km, 13 station Batong Line (go ahead, say it. Its fun to say) opened in 2003. Also known as the Pearl Line, it is completely elevated and runs in part in the median of the Beiging Tongzhou Expressway. Having a multiple personality, it is also known as Line 8T, yet has no relation to Line 8. In bedrooms and behind other closed doors in the PRC, it is referred to as a wannabe. It is also referred to as a light rail line as opposed to a subway since it is primarily above ground. Given the types of rolling stock, the distances between stations and frequencies, it would be considered a "surface metro" by most urban rail students in the west. In 2004, the 3 of the Pearl Line's stations were closed because the ground was sinking. Line 5 opened in 2007. It has 27.6 km. Seven of its 23 stations are above ground. In September 2009, Beijing's Line 4 opened, adding 28.2 km and 24 new stations.  In 2008, we saw the openings of three new lines: Line 8-i )4 stations and 4.5 km, the Olympic Village branch of Line 8), Line 10 (also known as the Olympic Line, 24,7 km and 22 stations, all underground), and the mighty Airport Express, which has nohting to do with Line 13, the Airport Railway.. Also in 2008 was the opening of the first line of Bejing's suburban rail network. Future Lines: According to Beijing Scene, "it is an open secret that there are subway lines under the city utilized only by the armed forces" Currently, 18 new lines totaling 408 kilometers are either planned or under construction. By 2015, the system will have over 500 km of track length.
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