How to Take the Beijing Metro? Route Maps and Tickets Guide
The Beijing metro is a public transit favorite for both travelers and locals. For Beijing residents, it's an indispensable part of daily life. At the moment, the network has 29 lines and over 522 stations, and it's still expanding!
In this guide, you'll get info about the Beijing metro system, including route maps, how to buy tickets, and nearby attractions. Ready to explore Beijing with us? Let's go!
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Beijing Metro Overview
Visiting Beijing for the first time and finding this big city a bit unfamiliar? Don’t worry—let me give you a quick intro! The Beijing metro is the urban rail transit system of China’s capital.
It opened in 1971, making Beijing the first city in China to have a metro—eight years earlier than Hong Kong’s Kwun Tong Line, which began service in 1979!
Photo Source: Baidu
Beijing Metro Route Map
As of 2025, it has 29 operating lines, 879 kilometers of track, and 522 stations, with plans to grow to 30 lines totaling 1,177 kilometers.
Credit: from Travel China Guide, Beijing Metro Route Map
How to Buy Beijing Metro Tickets?
Taking the subway in Beijing? Let the Trip.com team help you easily knock out your ticket-buying hassles!
Buy tickets with a physical card
- Beijing Transit Card: Looking for a tap-and-go Beijing “Octopus” card? Head to the subway station ticket window / self-service ticket machine to buy a Beijing Transit Card! Reload it and you can tap in and out like a Beijing local—and you can also pick one up at supermarkets and convenience stores!
- One-way ticket: Only planning one ride? Head to a ticket vending machine or the ticket window to buy a one-way ticket—choose your destination, pay, and it’s that simple! Pro tip: the vending machines accept cash and QR code payments, super convenient!
Buy Tickets on Your Phone
QR code rides: With your phone in hand, you’re pretty much set for Beijing. Open Alipay, WeChat, or the Yitongxing app to get your subway QR code, then scan it at the turnstile as you enter—beep! Easy entry!
Buy Tickets with Cash
If cash is your thing, no problem—you can also buy tickets with cash at the ticket vending machines or the ticket window.
Photo Source: Beijing News Radio
How much are Beijing metro fares?
The Beijing Subway (excluding the Airport Express) uses a distance-based fare system, starting at 3 yuan and increasing with distance, divided into several fare tiers. For trips over 32 km, each additional 1 yuan covers another 20 km, and there’s no upper limit to the fare. You can stay within the paid area for up to 4 hours per trip.
- Starting fare: 3 yuan, good for trips up to 6 kilometers.
- Between 6 km and 12 km, the fare is HK$4.
- Between 12 and 22 kilometers, the fare is 5 dollars.
- For distances between 22 km and 32 km, the fare is 6 yuan.
- For any portion beyond 32 kilometers, the fare increases by 1 yuan for every additional 20 kilometers.
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How to Make the Most of Beijing Metro Lines?
Beijing Metro Line 1
The sights along the route are truly spectacular! Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum (the Forbidden City), Wangfujing, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts—what a dazzling, dreamlike travel route!
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world; standing there, you feel as tiny as a little ant! And the Forbidden City is the pinnacle of ancient Chinese imperial architecture—step inside and it’s like time travel, as if a palace drama is about to begin!
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 1
Tiananmen Square
4.8/5
745 reviewsA great place, though the two-hour wait in line for security spoiled the experience a bit. Surprisingly, the square wasn't crowded. It's a landmark in China, like Red Square in Russia.
Beijing Metro Line 2
Passing by Yonghe Temple, the Drum Tower, Shichahai, and Beihai Park, this route is a quintessential tour of Beijing’s culture!
Yonghe Temple is the city’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, steeped in solemnity and mystery. The Drum Tower and Shichahai are windows into old Beijing’s hutong life—want to soak up some authentic, everyday street vibes? This is the place to be!
Photo Source: Baidu
Reviews of Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 2
Drum Tower
4.7/5
121 reviewsWow, wow! It's a very atmospheric place, so many people there, but it's worth a visit. The smell is also very memorable.
Beijing Metro Line 4
Line 4 is also a treasure hunt through history and culture! Along the route, you’ll discover two treasures—the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) and the Summer Palace—as well as major academic landmarks like Peking University and Tsinghua University.
Want to feel the grandeur of imperial gardens? The Summer Palace is waiting for you to check it off your list! Ready to time-travel through history’s dramatic twists? The Old Summer Palace won’t let you down.
Credit: from ResearchGate, Beijing Metro Line 4 Route Map
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 4
Yuanmingyuan Park
4.7/5
2521 reviewsThe Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) preserves the ruins of its past, a testament to foreign invasion. It's easy to imagine its former splendor and grandeur. The tour guide explained that the reason it's no longer restored is to ensure future generations remember the painful lessons of history—a truly regrettable situation.
Summer Palace
4.7/5
7365 reviewsYou can walk forever. The temperature in the park is very nice, the views are beautiful.
Beijing Zoo
4.5/5
2138 reviewsGiant pandas are all very cute, but zoos should also take better care of the other animals; that would be better.
Beijing Metro Line 5
Strolling through Temple of Heaven Park and Temple of Earth Park feels like slipping between history and stunning scenery.
The Temple of Heaven is China’s largest complex of ancient sacrificial architecture—truly awe-inspiring. And the Temple of Earth? It’s home to Beijing’s largest shrine dedicated to civil officials, and it’s absolutely worth exploring. So next time you’re riding Line 5, why not plan a little cultural adventure?
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 5
Temple of Heaven
4.7/5
5309 reviewsThe garden is especially worth seeing, but it does not include access to the temple.
Ditan Park
4.8/5
250 reviewsThe entrance fee is very cheap, only 2 yuan. The flowers, plants, and trees in the park are all very well cared for.
If you want to visit Ditan Park, you can buy a separate ticket at the park entrance.
It will probably be even more beautiful in a few days if you want to enjoy the autumn scenery.
Beijing Subway Line 6
Along Line 6, you’ll find Nanluoguxiang and Prince Kung’s Mansion!
Nanluoguxiang is one of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods—strolling around feels like stepping into a time tunnel to old Beijing, and it’s super fun! Prince Kung’s Mansion is a Qing dynasty princely residence, impossibly grand—want to experience the lavish lifestyle of a royal from centuries past?
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 6
Nanluogu Xiang
4.6/5
315 reviewsIt's very close to the Nanluguoxiang metro exit. Pretty far if you walk from Beixinqiao (even though it looks not too far on the map LOL). The alley is not too long and has many interesting stores. Modern and old Beijing styles mixed well there. Western bakery and traditional snacks can be found there. Nice place for window shoping and buying some snacks.
Sanlitun
4.7/5
136 reviewsGuys, if you want to find yourself in a luxury, premium fashion place, then welcome to Sanlitun. It's a shame I'm such a fool and didn't make it to Gentle Monster.
Prince Kung's Palace Museum
4.7/5
8209 reviewsWe are especially grateful to Mr. Zhao for his dedicated guidance during our visit to Prince Gong's Mansion. His explanations were not only professional and detailed from beginning to end, but his meticulous attention to detail in explaining many historical nuances gave us a deeper understanding and resonance with this mansion. I sincerely recommend that everyone consult Mr. Zhao when planning their future trips; it will definitely be a wonderful experience.
Beijing Metro Line 7
Passing by Happy Valley Beijing and Olympic Park—two super fun places. Happy Valley is a gigantic theme park packed with adventure and thrills, while Olympic Park was the main site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, full of adrenaline-pumping sports memories. One’s a playground paradise, the other a shrine to sport—which one would you rather go to?
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 7
Beijing Happy Valley
4.7/5
1629 reviewsWe liked everything, except that some rides open late and close early, so you have to keep an eye on the schedule to get there. Otherwise, we managed to get everything we wanted. In the evening, there's a parade-like show, and it's very beautiful. We didn't watch it until the end because we didn't know what time it would be and were afraid we wouldn't be able to get on the metro.
Beijing Olympic Park
4.7/5
251 reviewsIt is an amazing place where it's better to go walking after 7pm. The lights are on, exciting activities which everyone can try for free, people are friendly. I really love this place and remember forever.
Universal Beijing Resort
4.6/5
23718 reviewsAfter visiting the main historical sights in Beijing, we decided to go to Universal Park. The kids absolutely loved it! We spent the whole day there and didn't want to leave. :) The lines for the rides were, of course, huge! And we didn't have time to try them all... We looked at the queue time on the app and went there. :) After the Transformers, all the other rides weren't scary. The Kung Fu Panda area was nice and cool. We took a boat ride on the river and rode the carousel. The Minions ride had a very long wait and was very quick (over an hour for a 2-3 minute ride), but we still enjoyed it. :) We went to Hogwarts in the afternoon; the lines had shortened a bit by then and the wait wasn't so hot. Very atmospheric! At the end of the day, we went to the castle and flew around chasing the Snitch. :) After leaving the ride, we watched a show on the castle walls. And, of course, we went to the parade; the kids happily greeted the panda and tigress. It was a great day! I recommend visiting!
Beijing Metro Line 8
Along the way, you’ll spot the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), two “star” buildings.
They were the main venues of the 2008 Beijing Olympics—the Bird’s Nest brings the swagger, while the Water Cube is fresh and adorable—truly the ultimate duo in the world of architecture. Already itching to go check them out and snap some photos?
Photo Source: China Engineering News
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 8
National Stadium-Bird's Nest
4.6/5
492 reviewsGreat place to visit if you like sports stadiums, architecture or great views. You’re able to climb right to the top and walk on the roof of the stadium, which also allowed for great views of Beijing.
Water Cube
4.2/5
269 reviewsFishing 🎣 area was very exciting for my son 🤗🤩 It’s first time he has never been fishing before.
Beijing Metro Line 9
Passing by Beijing World Park and Lianhuachi Park, get ready to be amazed! World Park is a massive theme park packed with famous buildings and sights from all over the world—it feels like a fast track to a round-the-world trip.
Photo Source: Subway Route Map dir126.com
Reviews of Top Things to Do around Beijing Metro Line 9
Beijing World Park
4.3/5
861 reviewsA nice park with interesting locations featuring famous monuments from around the world. It's convenient that there are plenty of places to just sit and relax. There are small cafes, but they only serve snacks. There are always some kind of entertainment and concerts. But it's very difficult to figure out where, when, and what time. If you have some free time to fill, then go to this park and take a stroll. But there's nothing special about it. If you don't visit, you won't miss anything.
The Geological Museum of China
4.8/5
1377 reviewsThe child is interested in dinosaurs, he really liked the corresponding exhibition, and everything else is very interesting
How Do You Pay for a Metro in Beijing | Beijing Metro Apps
MetroMan Beijing
The updated Beijing metro (subway) mobile app is a total game-changer for getting around! Whether you need in-station navigation, route planning, or arrival alerts, everything’s clearly laid out, making it a breeze for travelers to explore.
Credit: from AppAdvice, MetroMan Beijing
Alipay
Download Alipay and use "Transport" to take public transport in Beijing or other cities of China. It's the most popular and conveninet way to navigate China.
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