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!
See all flights
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
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.
See all attractions
550881 booked
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
The Palace Museum
4.8/5
48723 reviewsDefinitely worth the money. It's worth getting off the main road and exploring the side streets.
National Center for the Performing Arts
4.7/5
584 reviewsIt's a great place, I recommend visiting on a weekday during the day to take some great photos, and there are very few Chinese people around. It's also incredibly captivating at night, but there aren't any cool exhibits inside.
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
Lama Temple
4.7/5
873 reviewsThe temple is unique, lota of patas to explore while enjoy calm and relax time under the trees.
Beihai Park
4.7/5
1880 reviewsA very beautiful park! We entered through the central entrance, walked across the bridge, and around. It was so nice to stroll and admire the views! We even had a photo shoot in costume.
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
2831 reviewsThis was a good to go park. The park is so huge and it take hours to complete everything. We had a stroll in the park and almost got lost at certain place. It was crowded when I'm there but worth a visit.
Beijing Zoo
4.5/5
2033 reviewsI really liked the pandas and the aquarium. The pandas are funny and cute, and they're clearly comfortable. The aquarium is cool and has lots of unusual marine life. It's very well designed. But the ordinary animals in small cages darting back and forth are not a pleasant sight. It's clear the lion, wolves, and foxes are uncomfortable there.
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
4696 reviewsAn amazing place to visit!! The signage to various areas could be clearer but still worth a visit! Best to go early jn the morning or later in the afternoon when the weather is good.
Ditan Park
4.8/5
258 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
349 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
145 reviewsSanlitun, a city perfect for Citywalk🏙️ It is a paradise for fashion and food!
→Checked in at the popular shop "Butter and Bread", their signature croissants are crispy and sweet, and it is worth the queue! 🥐
→Go to "Queen Mother" to eat small cakes🍰
→Finally, have a cup of super cute little bear milk tea🧸🧋
There are many treasure shops and hidden food, leaving them for everyone to explore slowly~💛
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
1774 reviewsIt's a nice park. There are light rides and some truly thrilling ones. There's a theatrical procession in the evening. Tickets for evening sessions are sometimes discounted by up to 50%.
Beijing Olympic Park
4.7/5
324 reviewsBeijing is really big! It's beautiful! April is springtime with flowers in bloom. The temperature difference between day and night is 10 degrees Celsius! Every attraction is exhausting! For seniors, I recommend renting a wheelchair or bringing a cane for support!
Universal Beijing Resort
4.6/5
20178 reviewsA wonderful hotel near the metro! Quiet, luxurious rooms for the price. Clean and comfortable. I recommend it and will stay here again myself.
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
578 reviewsIt can be visited from different locations, and the tickets are a bit more expensive, but it's better than the Water Cube.
Water Cube
4.3/5
273 reviewsThe indoor environment is good, you can see the main venue and light and shadow show
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
910 reviewsThis place is a must-see, a super location. With an entrance ticket, you get unlimited rides, a light show, and a fully immersive experience in the themed setting. It's best to visit on a weekday (recommended). All merchandise is priced from 65 and up, and ice cream is available at the Minions location on 43rd Street. Check out the menu :) The food at 3 Brooms is delicious.
The Geological Museum of China
4.8/5
1363 reviewsIt is interesting and educational, and you can stay for 2-3 hours.
Beijing Metro App
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.
Beijing Hotel Recommendations
See All Hotels
FAQs about Beijing Metro
What is the best way to pay on the Beijing Metro?
Use "Yitongxing" for easy tap-and-go travel.Is the Beijing Metro easy to navigate for tourists?
Yes. All signs and station announcements are in both Chinese and English.How much does a Beijing Metro ride cost?
Fares are distance-based, starting at just ¥3, making it very affordable.What are the peak hours on the Beijing Metro?
Avoid 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM if possible, as it gets extremely crowded.Is there a security check for the Beijing Metro?
Yes. All bags must go through an X-ray scanner before you enter any station.
Disclaimer: This article has been provided by an individual contributor or third party platform. If there is any discrepancy regarding the copyright, please contact us directly and we will delete the content immediately.
<h3>Popular Searches</h3>
Getting around
Popular Attractions
- SHIBUYA SKY Ticket
- Universal Studios Japan Tickets
- Shanghai Tower Tickets
- Shanghai Disneyland Tickets
- Sphere Tickets
- Great Wall of China
- Beijing studio minisite
- Oriental Pearl Tower
- georgia aquarium tickets
- Tokyo DisneySea Tickets
- Universal Studios Singapore
- N Seoul Tower Tickets
- Yu Garden Tickets
- Hong Kong Disneyland
- Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets
eSIM/SIM card
About
Payment methods
Our partners
Copyright © 2026 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.