By Subway

Taking subway is an ideal transportation when travelling in Beijing. First, it is fast and of course no traffic jam underground. Second, Beijing subway lines connect several major tourist destinations such as Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City, Beijing Zoo, Lama Temple, Wangfujing, Xidan, Beijing Capital International airport, Olympic Park. Third, it is rather cheap. It cost only RMB 2; once you don’t exit the station, you could travel as your pleasure- to any stop and in any direction - still RMB2.

Subway Lines
Currently in Beijing, there are 9 subway lines in operation: Line 1, Line 2, Line 4, Line 5, Line 8, Line 10, Line 13, Line Ba Tong, and Airport Express Train.

Line 1 Pingguoyuan<->Sihuidong     
       
Main stops:
Wukesong, Gongzhufen, Military Museum (near Beijing West Railway Station), Xidan, Tiananmen, Wangfujing, Jianguomen, Yonganli, Guomao

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Fuxingmen: Transfer to Line 2         Xidan: Transfer to Line 4
Dongdan: Transfer to Line 5           Jianguomen: Transfer to Line 2
Guomao: Transfer to Line 10           Sihui: Transfer to Line Ba Tong
Sihuidong: Transfer to Line Ba Tong

Line 2

Main stops:
Xizhimen, Drum Tower, Dongzhimen, Chaoyangmen, Jianguomen, Beijing Railway Station, Qianmen, Xuanwumen, Fuxingmen, Fuchengmen

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Xizhimen: Transfer to Line 4, Line 13
Yonghegong: Transfer to Line 5
Dongzhimen: Transfer to Airport Express, Line 13
Jianguomen: Transfer to Line 1
Chongwenmen: Transfer to Line 5
Xuanwumen: Transfer to Line 4
Fuxingmen: Transfer to Line 1

Line 4 Anheqiao North<->Gongyixiqiao

Main stops:
Yuanmingyuan, Beijing University East Gate, Zhonguancun, Renmin University, National Library, Beijing Zoo, Xizhimen, Xinjiekou, Xisi, Xidan, Xuanwumen, Caishikou, South Railway Station, Majiabao

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Xuanwumen: Transfer to Line 2
Xidan: Transfer to Line 1
Xizhimen: Transfer to Line 2, 13
Haidianhuangzhuang: Transfer to Line 10

Line 5 Tiantongyuan North<->Songjiazhuang

Main stops:
Taipingzhuang, Huixin Xiqiao, Yonghe Palace, Dongsi, Dengshikou, Dongdan, CHongwenmen, Temple of Heaven (east exit)

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Lishuiqiao: Transfer to Line 13
Huixinxijie Nankou: Transfer to Line 10
Yonghegong: Transfer to Line 2
Dongdan: Transfer to Line 1
Chongwenmen: Transfer to Line 2

Line 8 South Gate of the Forest Park<->Beitucheng (Olympic Special Line)

Main stops:
Olympic Park, Olympic Sports Center Stadium

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Beitucheng: Transfer to Line 10

Line10 Bagou<->Jinsong

Main stops:
Suzhou Jie, Haidianhuangzhuang, Zhichunli, Shaoyaoju, Liangmaqiao, Jinsong

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Haidianhuangzhuang: Transfer to Line 4
Zhichun Lu: Transfer to Line 13
Beitucheng: Transfer to Line 8  
Huixin Xijie Nankou: Transfer to Line 5
Shaoyaoju: Transfer to Line 13
Guomao: Transfer to Line 1

Line13 Xizhimen<->Dongzhimen

Main stops:
Xizhimen, Wudaokou, Huilongguan, Beiyuan, Shaoyaoju, Dongzhimen

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:

Xizhimen: Transfer to Line 2, Line 4
Zhichunlu: Transfer to Line 10
Lishuiqiao: Transfer to Line 5
Shaoyaoju: Transfer to Line 10
Dongzhimen: Transfer to Line 2, Airport Express

Line Ba Tong  Sihui<->Tuqiao

Main stops:
Sihui, Communication University of China, Baliqiao, Guoyuan, Jiukeshu, Tuqiao

Timetable of initial stations:

Transfer stations:
Sihui: Transfer to Line 1
Sihui East: Transfer to Line 1

Line Airport Express Train  Dongzhimeni<->Beijing Capital International Airport

Main stops:
Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, Capital Airport

Timetable & Routes
Terminal 3 of Capital Airport→Terminal 2 of Capital Airport→Sanyuanqiao→Dongzhimen

Dongzhimen→Sanyuanqiao→Terminal 3 of Capital Airport→Terminal 2 of Capital Airport

Note: The fare for the Airport Express Train is RMB25.

Subway Travel Tips

1.A subway station is marked by a blue sign with white character ‘地铁BEIJING SUBWAY’.
2.The ticket window is at the entrance of the subway station; tickets are only used on the issued day.
3.Swipe the ticket card when entering and plug it in the right place when exiting. If you have the special Yikatong card (multi-function IC card), just swipe twice for entering and exiting.
4.Commonly, there are four entrances/exits in four directions for each stop. You can find out which one to exit by the notices on the pillars, which list the main places and buses surrounding different exits
5.Station/stop names and the transfer reminders are broadcast on the train in both Chinese and English.
6.Toilets are distributed on the two ends of train platforms or near the ticket hall of entrances/exits.
7.No pets.
8.When waiting subway, keep out of the yellow line on the floor.
9.Some famous attractions along subway lines, such as Hutong and Courtyard in Gulou stop of subway line 2.
10.Please take care of your belongings because some pickpockets will appear in the peak hours.