Subways are the fastest transportation in Beijing and they are a good way to avoid frequent traffic jams. Presently there are 14 subway lines plus one airport express line in operation. They connect city center stops such as Tiananmen Square, Qianmen, and the railway station with outlying areas.

The price of the subway is CNY2 regardless the distance and transfers between lines. A Transportation Smart Card is available. The stops are announced in both Chinese and English. Passengers can query the subway staff to avoid going in the wrong direction and wasting time. While Beijing subways are not as good as those in Shanghai and Guangzhou; compared with the congested road network, they are a far better choice for getting around the city.

Line 1 (East-West Line): Sihuidong – Pingguoyuan
Full Length: 31 kilometers (19 miles)
Main Stops: Wukesong, Gongzhufen, Military Museum, Xidan, Tiananmen, Wangfujing, Jianguomen, Yonganli, Guomao

Line 2 (Circle Line): (it is a line running beneath the 2nd Ring Road.)
Full Length: 23 kilometers (14 miles)
Main Stops: Xizhimen, Drum Tower, Dongzhimen, Chaoyangmen, Jianguomen, Beijing Railway Station, Qianmen, Xuanwumen, Fuxingmen, Fuchengmen

Line 4: Anhe Qiao North – Gongyixiqiao
Full Length: 28.14 kilometers (17.5 miles)
Main Stops: Yuanmingyuan, Beijing University East Gate, Zhonguancun, Renmin University, National Library, Beijing Zoo, Xizhimen, Xinjiekou, Xisi, Xidan, Xuanwumen, Caishikou, South Railway Station, Majiabao

Line 5: Taipingzhuang Beizhan – Songjiazhuang (north to south)
Full Length: 27.6 kilometers (17 miles)
Main Stops: Taipingzhuang, Huixin Xiqiao, Yonghe Palace, Dongsi, Dengshikou, Dongdan, CHongwenmen, Temple of Heaven (east entrance)

Line 6: (Under Construction) Wulu - Dongxiaoying (west to east)
Full Length: 41.74 kilometers (29.29 miles)
Main Stops: Sidaokou, Chegongzhuang, Ping'anli, Di'anmen, Dongsi, Chaoyangmen, Hujialou, Future World

Line 7: (Under Construction) Beijing West Railway Station - Jiaohuachang
Full Length: 23.9 kilometers (14.85 miles)

Line 8
Main Stops: Olympic Park, Olympic Sports Center Stadium

Line 9 Beijing West Railway Station - Guogongzhuang
Main Stops: Beijing West Railway Station, Liuliqiao, Fengtai Nan Lu

Line 10: Bagou – Jinsong (first phrase of the whole project)
Full Length: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles)
Main Stops: Suzhou Jie, Haidianhuangzhuang, Zhichunli, Shaoyaoju, Liangmaqiao, Jinsong

Line 13 (Light Rail): Xizhimen – Dongzhimen
Full Length: 41kilometers (25.5 miles)
Main Stops: Xizhimen, Wudaokou, Huilongguan, Beiyuan, Shaoyaoju, Dongzhimen

Line 15: Fengbo – Wangjing West
Full Length: 20 kilometers (12 miles)
Main Stops: New CIEC, Wangjing

Batong Line (Light Rail): Sihui – Tuqiao
Full Length: 19 kilometers (12 miles)
Main Stops: Sihui, Communication University of China, Baliqiao, Guoyuan, Jiukeshu, Tuqiao

Daxing Line: Gongyi Xiqiao – Tiangongyuan
Full Length: 22 kilometers (14 miles)

Yizhuang Line: Songjiazhuang- Yizhuang Train Station
Full Length: 23 kilometers (14 miles)

Changping Line: Xierqi – Nanshao
Full Length: 21 kilometers (13 miles)

Fangshan Line: Guogongzhuang - Suzhuang
Full Length: 25 kilometers (16 miles)

Airport Express Train: Dongzhimen – Beijing Capital International Airport (T2, T3)
Full Length: 27.3 kilometers (17 miles)
Main Stops: Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, Capital Airport