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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881554 booked
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
730 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.
The Palace Museum
4.9/5
47409 reviewsA wonderful guide who speaks Russian fluently, everything was perfectly organized, everything was clear, everything was fast, without delays, we were 100% satisfied
National Center for the Performing Arts
4.7/5
539 reviewsA very beautiful place. During my visit, there were almost no visitors; it was pleasantly cool after the city heat. The exhibition of paintings by artist Shen Yaoyi, "Chairman Mao on the Long March," is very good. It depicts the period of armed struggle against Japan. Many paintings feature sketches of people and explanations of their meanings. It's a shame such an important site doesn't have additional texts in English; looking through a translator is tiring. Even the map of the building is only in Chinese. The building's architecture is beautiful. Besides the beautiful photos, it's interesting for those interested in architecture, engineering, and construction. On the top floor, there's a display about the history of the center. The coffee shop area is a great place to rest your legs. The entrance to the building is directly from the metro station, and you can also leave the building the other way around. I bought a symbolic entrance ticket on Trip.com. Then, at the ticket office, you need to show your passport to get a paper ticket for admission.
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
122 reviewsWow, wow! It's a very atmospheric place, so many people there, but it's worth a visit. The smell is also very memorable.
Beihai Park
4.8/5
1745 reviewsIt's a great place; you can walk around and climb up to the tower in 1.5 hours. Tickets to the tower are sold separately at the base.
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
4.8/5
2377 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
7432 reviewsThe Summer Palace is very large, and with limited time, we could only visit the key parts. Fortunately, this tour included a guide, Mr. Sun, who was very professional and made it easy for us to understand the Summer Palace. It was definitely worth it!
Beijing Zoo
4.5/5
2267 reviewsA very nice section, especially for the pandas. The zoo may seem very inexpensive, which is true; there are a lot of areas to see. However, the aquarium is not worth it. The ticket price is more than doubled, and several sections are closed with very little to see.
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
5669 reviewsA magnificent place, beautiful gardens, more or less crowded, but it doesn't bother you. A must-see in the Chinese capital. If you're lucky, Chinese children will come up to you to ask a few questions and might even give you a gift.
Ditan Park
4.8/5
250 reviewsBeautiful, peaceful, totally underrated spot. The horse hall is actually a beautiful cafe with amazing drinks and gifts. There are so many quiet hidden gems throughout. Qqqq
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
305 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
130 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.
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
1596 reviewsMy adult son and I visited this place in mid-September. We were very surprised that there weren't many people there, and we rode the various rides without restrictions, even though they were all open. The only downside was that we were greeted by the disgruntled faces of the Chinese people; it felt like they were getting tired of us. The Lunopark is a bit tired, but the rides are great, and we had a lot of fun. I wish they'd clean it better, as the streets of Beijing are generally very clean. It's a shame the water park isn't open!
Beijing Olympic Park
4.7/5
240 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
25010 reviewsA great park with tons of locations. But avoid visiting on weekends or holidays; the lines will ruin your trip.
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
476 reviewsImpressive. Tips: go in the evening when it is already dark, then the stadium is beautifully lit.
Water Cube
4.2/5
272 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
834 reviewsWe entered the park for free, but we didn't understand whether there was a fee or not. There were so many different pedestals, it was very interesting to see. It took about 2-3 hours.
The Geological Museum of China
4.8/5
1380 reviewsThere is no audio guide in Russian, but for those who understand English it is convenient
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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