Beijing Subway Launches Online Lost and Found Service!

Lost something on the subway? Well, the good news is there's a way to get it back! The Beijing Subway launched a mini-program in 2022 called Beijing Subway Service on WeChat, which offers help for passengers who have lost items on the subway. Think of it as an online lost and found.

Prior to this, riders had to call a service hotline to see if they could pinpoint items lost on the subway, but now, thanks to this mini program, passengers can upload information about their lost item via WeChat, enabling subway staff to seek it out that way instead.

But how can you access the mini program? Here’s a how-to guide!

Step 1. Search 北京地铁服务 Běijīng dìtiě fúwù (Beijing Subway Service) on WeChat.

Step 2. Click on 失物招领 Shīwù zhāolǐng (lost and found).

You'll be taken to a page with a yellow box on the right which reads 我要报失 Wǒ yào bàoshī (I want to report a lost item). Click on it.

Step 3. Then, you'll be taken to another page where you can fill out info on a lost item.

Step 4. Find the 物品类型 Wùpǐn lèixíng (item type). For example, if you've lost a bag, just scroll down to find 包/箱 bāo/xiāng (bags/boxes).

Step 5. On the tab that reads 物品特征 Wùpǐn tèzhēng (item description), it will also ask you to describe your lost item. It's best to be as specific as possible. For example, if you've lost a bag, you can describe the items in the bag by saying 包里有一个蓝色雨伞，证件，还有一个笔记本 Bāo li yǒu yīgè lán sè yǔsǎn, zhèngjiàn, hái yǒu yīgè bǐjìběn (The bag contains a blue umbrella, documents, and a notebook).

Step 6. Then, you need to fill out the color (颜色 Yánsè) of your lost item and where you lost it  (丢失位置  Diūshī wèizhì). The system allows you to search for the specific line and station where you lost your item. 

Step 7. You'll then need to fill out your name (挂失人姓名 Guàshī rén xìngmíng), and your phone number (挂失人手机号 Guàshī rén shǒujī hào).

Step 8. Lastly, don't forget to include a picture (if you have one) of your lost item for people to better identify the item you lost!

Step 9. All set! Hit 提交报告单 Tíjiāo bàogào dān to submit the form.

On the main page, if you wish to see if your lost item has been found, you can click on 我的报失单 Wǒ de bàoshī dān (my lost item). It will tell you the status of your item, which includes 查找中 Cházhǎo zhōng (searching), 已找到 Yǐ zhǎodào  (found it), 已领取 Yǐ lǐngqǔ (claimed it).

Note that each missing item will be posted online for 30 days. As of yesterday, 946 items have been found by riders, and 314 items have been successfully returned to their owners. Just wait patiently and one day your lost item might be magically returned to you when you least expect it!

READ: City Backs Off from Yesterday's Vaccine Mandate 

Images: Irene Li