Beijing Subway Guide

Beijing Subway (北京地铁) is one of the largest and busiest urban rail systems in the world. It connects the entire city of Beijing with airports, railway stations, business districts, universities, and top tourist attractions.

As of 2026, the system includes 27 metro lines, over 459 stations, and more than 780 kilometers of track, covering all major districts such as Dongcheng (东城), Xicheng (西城), Chaoyang (朝阳), Haidian (海淀), and Tongzhou (通州).

This guide reorganizes all major lines with full station lists + travel highlights, designed for travelers planning to explore Beijing by metro.

Line 1 Beijing Subway (北京地铁1号线) – Main Cultural & Tourism Corridor

Gucheng (古城) → Universal Beijing Resort (环球度假区)

Gucheng (古城) → Bajiao Amusement Park (八角游乐园) → Babaoshan (八宝山) → Yuquanlu (玉泉路) → Wukesong (五棵松) → Wanshoulu (万寿路) → Gongzhufen (公主坟) → Military Museum (军事博物馆) → Muxidi (木樨地) → Nanlishilu (南礼士路) → Fuxingmen (复兴门) → Xidan (西单) → Tiananmen West (天安门西) → Tiananmen East (天安门东) → Wangfujing (王府井) → Dongdan (东单) → Jianguomen (建国门) → Yong’anli (永安里) → Guomao (国贸) → Dawanglu (大望路) → Sihui (四惠) → Sihui East (四惠东) → Gaobeidian (高碑店) → Communication University of China (传媒大学) → Shuangqiao (双桥) → Tongzhou Beiyuan (通州北苑) → Universal Beijing Resort (环球度假区)

Travel Highlights

• Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
• Forbidden City (故宫博物院)
• Wangfujing Street (王府井大街)
• Beijing CBD – Guomao (国贸)
• Universal Beijing Resort (北京环球度假区)

This is the most important Beijing sightseeing metro line.

Line 2 Beijing Subway (北京地铁2号线) – Historic Inner Ring Line

Xizhimen (西直门) Loop Route

Xizhimen (西直门) → Jishuitan (积水潭) → Guloudajie (鼓楼大街) → Andingmen (安定门) → Yonghegong Lama Temple (雍和宫) → Dongzhimen (东直门) → Chaoyangmen (朝阳门) → Jianguomen (建国门) → Beijing Railway Station (北京站) → Chongwenmen (崇文门) → Qianmen (前门) → Xuanwumen (宣武门) → Fuxingmen (复兴门) → Chegongzhuang (车公庄) → Xizhimen (西直门)

Travel Highlights

• Lama Temple (雍和宫)
• Qianmen Historic Street (前门大街)
• Drum Tower Area (鼓楼)
• Beijing Railway Station (北京站)

Ideal for exploring old Beijing culture (老北京文化).

Line 4 Beijing Subway (北京地铁4号线 / 大兴线) – North–South Cultural Spine

Anheqiao North (安河桥北) → Tiangongyuan (天宫院)

Anheqiao North (安河桥北) → Beigongmen (北宫门) → Summer Palace (颐和园) → Yuanmingyuan (圆明园) → Peking University East Gate (北京大学东门) → Zhongguancun (中关村) → Haidian Huangzhuang (海淀黄庄) → Renmin University (人民大学) → National Library (国家图书馆) → Beijing Zoo (动物园) → Xizhimen (西直门) → Ping’anli (平安里) → Xidan (西单) → Caishikou (菜市口) → Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站) → Xihongmen (西红门) → Tiangongyuan (天宫院)

Travel Highlights

• Summer Palace (颐和园)
• Peking University (北京大学)
• Zhongguancun Tech Zone (中关村科技园)
• Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站)

A key line for education, culture, and transport hubs.

Line 5 Beijing Subway (北京地铁5号线) – Cultural Temple Route

Songjiazhuang (宋家庄) → Tiantongyuan North (天通苑北)

Songjiazhuang (宋家庄) → Tiantan East Gate (天坛东门) → Chongwenmen (崇文门) → Dongdan (东单) → Dongsi (东四) → Yonghegong Lama Temple (雍和宫) → Huixin Xijie South (惠新西街南口) → Lishuiqiao (立水桥) → Tiantongyuan (天通苑) → Tiantongyuan North (天通苑北)

Travel Highlights

• Temple of Heaven (天坛)
• Lama Temple (雍和宫)
• Guijie Food Street (簋街)

Perfect for culture and local food exploration.

Line 6 Beijing Subway (北京地铁6号线) – East–West Scenic Route

Jin’anqiao (金安桥) → Lucheng (潞城)

Jin’anqiao (金安桥) → Apple Orchard (苹果园) → Cishousi (慈寿寺) → Baishiqiao South (白石桥南) → Ping’anli (平安里) → Beihai North (北海北) → Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷) → Dongsi (东四) → Chaoyangmen (朝阳门) → Hujialou (呼家楼) → Tongzhou North Gate (通州北关) → Lucheng (潞城)

Travel Highlights

• Beihai Park (北海公园)
• Nanluoguxiang Hutong (南锣鼓巷胡同)
• Shichahai Scenic Area (什刹海)
• Tongzhou Canal Zone (通州大运河)

One of the best Beijing sightseeing subway routes.

Line 7 Beijing Subway (北京地铁7号线) – East–West Transport Line

Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站) → Universal Beijing Resort (环球度假区)

Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站) → Caishikou (菜市口) → Zhushikou (珠市口) → Shuangjing (双井) → Happy Valley Beijing (欢乐谷) → Tongzhou stations → Universal Beijing Resort (环球度假区)

Travel Highlights

• Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站)
• Happy Valley Theme Park (欢乐谷)
• Universal Beijing Resort (北京环球度假区)

Line 8 Beijing Subway (北京地铁8号线) – Olympic Cultural Axis

Zhu Xin Zhuang (朱辛庄) → Yinghai (瀛海)

Zhu Xin Zhuang (朱辛庄) → Olympic Forest Park (奥林匹克森林公园) → Olympic Park (奥林匹克公园) → Guloudajie (鼓楼大街) → Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷) → Wangfujing (王府井) → Qianmen (前门) → Yongdingmen (永定门外) → Yinghai (瀛海)

Travel Highlights

• Bird’s Nest Stadium (鸟巢)
• Water Cube (水立方)
• Olympic Park (奥林匹克公园)

A key route for Olympic heritage tourism.

Line 10 Beijing Subway (北京地铁10号线) – CBD Ring Line

Full Loop Route

Bagu (巴沟) → Haidian Huangzhuang (海淀黄庄) → Guomao (国贸) → Sanlitun (三里屯) → Panjiayuan Market (潘家园) → Caoqiao (草桥) → Gongzhufen (公主坟) → Bagu (巴沟)

Travel Highlights

• Beijing CBD (国贸商务区)
• Sanlitun nightlife district (三里屯)
• Panjiayuan Antique Market (潘家园)

The busiest Beijing metro commuter line.

Line 13 Beijing Subway (北京地铁13号线) – Northern Tech Corridor

Xizhimen (西直门) → Dongzhimen (东直门)

Xizhimen (西直门) → Wudaokou (五道口) → Shangdi (上地) → Xi’erqi (西二旗) → Huilongguan (回龙观) → Wangjing West (望京西) → Dongzhimen (东直门)

Travel Highlights

• Wudaokou University Area (五道口)
• Zhongguancun Tech Zone (中关村)
• Wangjing Business District (望京)

Airport Express Line (首都机场线) – Capital Airport Transfer

Dongzhimen (东直门) → Beijing Capital Airport (首都机场T2/T3)

Dongzhimen (东直门) → Sanyuanqiao (三元桥) → Terminal 2 (T2) → Terminal 3 (T3)

Travel Highlight

Fastest connection to Beijing Capital International Airport (北京首都国际机场).

Daxing Airport Express Line (大兴机场线) – Southern Airport Line

Caoqiao (草桥) → Daxing Airport (大兴机场)

Caoqiao (草桥) → Daxing Airport (大兴机场)

Travel Highlight

Direct access to Beijing Daxing International Airport (北京大兴国际机场).

Beijing Subway Travel Tips for Tourists

Best Tourist Subway Lines

• Line 1: Forbidden City (故宫) & Tiananmen (天安门)
• Line 4: Summer Palace (颐和园)
• Line 5: Temple of Heaven (天坛)
• Line 6/8: Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷)
• Line 7: Universal Beijing Resort (环球度假区)

Rush Hour Advice

Avoid 07:30–09:00 and 17:30–19:00 for smoother travel.

Best Strategy

Use Lines 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 for a complete Beijing sightseeing experience.