Beijing Visitor's Guide: How to Ride the Subway
Ever since China began expanding its visa-free travel and 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies to more countries last year, have you had any friends or family members who have come to Beijing to visit since then? Anyone you know planning to come? What sort of essential tips would you give them? The Beijinger is running a new series providing such essential tips for short-term visitors to the capital. We hope it’ll make things easier for overseas visitors, and help make your life easier inviting and receiving visitors from back home. Check it out and give us your feedback below!
The first part of any trip, at least after you've arrived, gone through customs, and gotten your luggage, is to get from the airport and to your hotel or wherever else it is you need to be in the city. Thankfully, Beijing's airports are connected to a few.
Today we look at the Beijing Subway. First constructed in 1971, the capital's subway network has 23 lines and counting, and it has stations near almost every major tourist attraction, entertainment district, and transportation hub in the city. This includes two airport express lines, which can ferry you from either one of Beijing's airports to the city center with ease.
The trick, of course, is figuring out how to pay for and ride the subway first. Thankfully, it's pretty easy...
Here are the 3 most convient ways for you to purchase tickets for a subway ride:
- Use the convenient and cashless Metro QR code via Alipay.
- Purchase a ticket at a ticket vending machine, which can be found in all subway stations
- Get a ticket or Beijing Public Transit Card (Yikatong) at a manned counter in any subway station.
1. How to Use Metro QR code inside Alipay
As we mentioned, Alipay is one of the most important apps in China besides WeChat, but in order for it to fully fucntion, you need to set it up by linking it with one of your active bank cards (both Chinese and international bank cards work for this). Click this link for instructions if you havent set yours up yet.
You can find the steps for setting up a Metro QR code for Beijing on Alipay below. Can't read Chinese? You can switch your Alipay to one of 15 available in-app languages!
- 1) Open the Alipay App and press "Transport"
- 2) Choose "Metro" on the middle top, then press "Get now"
- 3) Check to agree to the terms and conditions and press "Agree and Obtain the card". In case there's any confusion, this page has clear instructions and FAQs below.
- 4) Put in your Alipay payment password (that you created when you first linked Alipay with your bank card)
- 5) You've now got your Metro QR code ready to swipe and ride! Use as indicated in illustration on 3.
2. How to Purchase a Ticket at a Kiosk (Ticket Vending Machine)
When you walk into a subway station, you'll be able to spot several kiosks where tickets can be purchased. Find a button that says “English” and switch the language. When the subway map pops up, select your destination line and station. Then, a pop-up window will allow you to choose the number of tickets. Once you choose, you can pay using either WeChat, Alipay, credit card, or cash. Different subway stations and lines might allow different credit cards, with some only allowing VISA and Mastercard, and others Union Pay (Quick Pass included).
3. How to Get a Ticket or Beijing Public Transit Card at a Manned Ticket Counter
Most subway stations have manned ticketing counters where a Beijing Subway employee can help you buy tickets. You simply need to state your destination and pay using the methods mentioned above. Get your translation apps ready because the English ability of station staff may be limited.
The Beijing Public Transit Card is called the Yikatong, which means “one card pass”. It can be used to ride both the subway and public buses. You can buy one at subway station ticket counters by simply asking for "yikatong". You must pay RMB 20 as a deposit, and top it up with between RMB 10 to RMB 1000 either at the ticket counter or at a special kiosk usually found next to the ticket kiosks (through the same payment methods mentioned above). Again, please bear in mind the station staff's limited English ability. If you want to read detailed explanination on how to obtain and use an yikatong card, click this link here.
READ: Welcome to Beijing: Using Taxi & Ride-Hailing Services
Images: Unsplash, The Beijingers
