Subways are the fastest transportation in Beijing and they are a good way to avoid frequent traffic jams. Presently there are 14 subway lines plus one airport express line in operation. They connect city center stops such as Tiananmen Square, Qianmen, and the railway station with outlying areas.

The price of the subway is CNY2 regardless the distance and transfers between lines. A Transportation Smart Card is available. The stops are announced in both Chinese and English. Passengers can query the subway staff to avoid going in the wrong direction and wasting time. While Beijing subways are not as good as those in Shanghai and Guangzhou; compared with the congested road network, they are a far better choice for getting around the city.

Beijing Subway Map

Line 1 (East-West Line): Sihuidong – Pingguoyuan
Full Length: 31 kilometers (19 miles)
Main Stops: Wukesong, Gongzhufen, Military Museum, Xidan, Tiananmen, Wangfujing, Jianguomen, Yonganli, Guomao

 Line 2 (Circle Line): (it is a line running beneath the 2nd Ring Road.)
Full Length: 23 kilometers (14 miles)
Main Stops: Xizhimen, Drum Tower, Dongzhimen, Chaoyangmen, Jianguomen, Beijing Railway Station, Qianmen, Xuanwumen, Fuxingmen, Fuchengmen

 Line 4: Anhe Qiao North – Gongyixiqiao
Full Length: 28.14 kilometers (17.5 miles)
Main Stops: Yuanmingyuan, Beijing University East Gate, Zhonguancun, Renmin University, National Library, Beijing Zoo, Xizhimen, Xinjiekou, Xisi, Xidan, Xuanwumen, Caishikou, South Railway Station, Majiabao

 Line 5: Taipingzhuang Beizhan – Songjiazhuang (north to south)
Full Length: 27.6 kilometers (17 miles)
Main Stops: Taipingzhuang, Huixin Xiqiao, Yonghe Palace, Dongsi, Dengshikou, Dongdan, CHongwenmen, Temple of Heaven (east entrance)

 Line 6: (Under Construction) Wulu - Dongxiaoying (west to east)
Full Length: 41.74 kilometers (29.29 miles)
Main Stops: Sidaokou, Chegongzhuang, Ping'anli, Di'anmen, Dongsi, Chaoyangmen, Hujialou, Future World

 Line 7: (Under Construction) Beijing West Railway Station - Jiaohuachang
Full Length: 23.9 kilometers (14.85 miles)

 Line 8
Main Stops: Olympic Park, Olympic Sports Center Stadium

 Line 9 Beijing West Railway Station - Guogongzhuang
Main Stops: Beijing West Railway Station, Liuliqiao, Fengtai Nan Lu

 Line 10: Bagou – Jinsong (first phrase of the whole project)
Full Length: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles)
Main Stops: Suzhou Jie, Haidianhuangzhuang, Zhichunli, Shaoyaoju, Liangmaqiao, Jinsong

 Line 13  (Light Rail): Xizhimen – Dongzhimen
Full Length: 41kilometers (25.5 miles)
Main Stops: Xizhimen, Wudaokou, Huilongguan, Beiyuan, Shaoyaoju, Dongzhimen

 Line 15: Fengbo – Wangjing West
Full Length: 20 kilometers (12 miles)
Main Stops: New CIEC, Wangjing

 Batong Line (Light Rail): Sihui – Tuqiao
Full Length: 19 kilometers (12 miles)
Main Stops: Sihui, Communication University of China, Baliqiao, Guoyuan, Jiukeshu, Tuqiao

 Daxing Line: Gongyi Xiqiao – Tiangongyuan
Full Length: 22 kilometers (14 miles)

 Yizhuang Line: Songjiazhuang- Yizhuang Train Station
Full Length: 23 kilometers (14 miles)

 Changping Line: Xierqi – Nanshao
Full Length: 21 kilometers (13 miles)

 Fangshan Line: Guogongzhuang - Suzhuang
Full Length: 25 kilometers (16 miles)

 Airport Express Train: Dongzhimen – Beijing Capital International Airport (T2, T3)
Full Length: 27.3 kilometers (17 miles)
Main Stops: Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, Capital Airport

 Travel Tips on taking subway in Beijing:
1. Commonly, there are four entrances in four directions for each stop. So, you  should make sure which one to take when getting out of the station or you will probably get lost. You can find signs with the main destinations at crossings of the passageway.
2. The subway stations are clean and have English signs directing tourists to the exits and nearby places that you are likely trying to find.
3. In Beijing the subway stations are marked with a blue sign with letter D inside a circle on it.
4. A child shorter than 1.2 meters (3.93 feet) cannot ride the subway alone. If an adult takes one child below 1.2 meters high on the subway, the child is free of charge; if two, one of the children is free of charge.
5. Tickets are issued for one-day use only.
6. Passengers can find toilets on the platform level or in the ticket hall of each stop.
7. Take good care of your personal things as the crowded carriages have one or two pickpockets on peak hours now and then.
8. No pets can be taken on the subway.
9. Please keep out the yellow line when you are waiting for the subway.
10. There are many attractions worth visiting along the Subway Line 2.
Gulou Stop: Bell and Drum Towers, Beijing's Hutong and Courtyard
Yonghegong Stop: Yonghe Lamasery, Guozijian, Temple of Confucius, Ditan Park
Jianguomen Stop: Ancient Observatory, Xiushui Market
Qianmen Stop: Tiananmen Square, Dashanlan