Subways are the fastest transportation in Beijing and they are a good way to avoid frequent traffic jams. Presently there are four subway lines plus to two light rail lines. They connect city center stops such as Tiananmen Square, Qianmen, and the railway station with outlying areas.

Line 1 runs under Chang'an Avenue and its line extends from Sihuidong in the east to Pingguoyuan in the west; Line 2 circles under the northern part of the 2nd Ring Road. You can transfer between these lines at Fuxingmen station and Jianguomen station with no transfer fee. Line 5, which was opened to traffic recently, is parallel with Line 1. There are 4 stops exchangeable with other lines: Chongwenmen, Dongdan, Yonghe Palace and Lishuiqiao. The price of the subway is CNY2 regardless the distance and transfers between lines. Weekly or monthly passes are not available. 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: 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: Beijing West Railway Station - Jiaohuachang
Full Length: 23.9 kilometers (14.85 miles)

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

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

 Line 8 (Olympic Special Line): South Gate of the Forest Park – Beitucheng
Olympic Special Line (about 4.5 kilometers) is part of Line 8 which has been completed and put into use.
Main Stops: Olympic Park, Olympic Sports Center Stadium

 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,

 Airport Express (Line L1): Dongzhimen – Beijing Capital International Airport (T2, T3)
Please refer to the detailed information in corresponding part of Capital Airport Transportation.  
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