Beijing Subway Guide for Attractions
Every major Beijing attraction, with its nearest subway station, exit, and walking directions. Navigate like a local.
| Attraction | Subway Station | Line | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City | Tiananmen East | Line 1 | B |
| Temple of Heaven | Tiantan Dongmen | Line 5 | A |
| Summer Palace | Beigongmen | Line 4 | D |
| Tiananmen Square | Tiananmen East | Line 1 | A |
| Lama Temple | Yonghegong | Line 2 / 5 | C |
| National Museum | Tiananmen East | Line 1 | C |
| Jingshan Park | Nanluoguxiang | Line 6 / 8 | E |
| Nanluoguxiang | Nanluoguxiang | Line 6 / 8 | E |
Subway Tips
How to Ride the Beijing Subway
- Get a Yikatong card \u2014 Buy one at the service counter inside any subway station for a CNY 20 deposit. Load it with credit (CNY 50 is plenty for a week). Tap in and out at the gates. The card works on all subway lines and most city buses. Refund the deposit at major stations (Tiananmen East, Dongzhimen, Xidan) on your last day.
- Pass through security \u2014 Every station has X-ray scanners at every entrance. Place your bag on the belt and walk through the metal detector. The process takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the queue. Allow extra time during rush hour (7:30\u20139am and 5:30\u20137pm).
- Find your line and direction \u2014 All signage is in Chinese and English. Look for the line number (colored circle) and the direction (listed as the terminal station). Maps above the platform doors show every stop on the line.
- Pay attention to exits \u2014 Most central stations have 4\u20138 exits labeled A, B, C, D (sometimes with numbers like B1, B2). Check the exit map near the ticket gates before you leave the station. Taking the wrong exit can put you on the wrong side of a 10-lane road with no pedestrian crossing.
Fares and Payment
- Yikatong card: CNY 3 for trips under 6km, capping at CNY 9 for long journeys. The card automatically calculates the fare when you tap out. Monthly pass options exist for stays longer than 2 weeks.
- Mobile payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay both support subway QR code entry. Set this up before your trip if possible \u2014 it means one less card to carry.
- Single-journey tickets: Available from ticket machines (English mode available). You\u2019ll need small bills or coins. Not recommended for multiple rides \u2014 the Yikatong card is much faster.
Tips for a Smooth Ride
- Subway operates 5am to 11pm daily. Last trains depart around 10:30pm from most stations \u2014 don\u2019t push it too close or you\u2019ll be taking a taxi.
- All stations have English signage and announcements. Station names are announced in both Mandarin and English before each stop.
- Avoid rush hour (7:30\u20139am and 5:30\u20137pm) if possible \u2014 Line 1 and Line 10 can be shoulder-to-shoulder. If you must travel during rush hour, position yourself near the doors and be ready to exit quickly.
- Download a subway map to your phone before arriving. The official Beijing Subway app has an English mode, or save a screenshot of the network map. Cell service works in most underground stations but not all tunnel sections.
- Transfers are free \u2014 you only pay once per journey regardless of how many lines you change. Follow the transfer signs (marked with the destination line\u2019s color). Major transfer stations like Dongzhimen and Xidan can involve 5\u201310 minute walks between platforms.