As the world’s third most-populous city, getting around in Beijing takes some planning. For example, the city’s 21 million residents are only allowed to drive their vehicles in designated sections of the city. In an effort to curb pollution, a system is also in place to regulate which days certain drivers can hit the road. Other restrictions address vehicles owned by non-residents of the city and foreigners, who are not allowed to rent vehicles unless they complete a lengthy process to apply for a temporary Chinese driving permit.
That leaves public transit, whether by bus or subway, as the most efficient form of transportation in China’s capital city. The cost of riding the subway is based on distance traveled, meaning you can get from one side of Beijing to the other for about one U.S. dollar.
Be prepared for persistent crowds at certain stations, especially during peak times of the day. All passengers entering subway stations must go through a security screening, though it doesn’t seem to slow the process.
Trains arrive on an impressively predictable schedule and the cars themselves are very clean and quiet at times. Voice and visual announcements are delivered in both Chinese and English.
Click the video below to take a trip on Line 2 from Chongwenmen Station.