Stephy: Looking for the faster and less stressful alternative? Be a true Beijinger, join us as we head underground to use Beijing’s subway system and learn some useful Chinese transportation phrases along the way.

(Wide shot of traffic jam)

Stephy: Well, to start off, we need to first find the subway or 地铁. I know I’m close, but I could use some help. Let’s just ask. 

(Stephy talks to a pedestrian.)

Stephy: 你好,请问地铁在哪?(Nǐhǎo, qǐnɡ wèn dìtiě zài nǎ?)
Pedestrian: 你好。(Nǐhǎo.)

Pedestrian: 就在前面。(Jiù zài qiánmiɑn.)

Stephy to pedestrian: 好的,谢谢。(Hǎo de, xièxiè.)
Pedestrian: 不客气。(Bú kèqi.)

Stephy: She said it’s in this direction. Whenever in doubt, resort to hand gestures. 

With 8 existing subway lines and 123 stations, Beijing has the longest subway system in China after Shanghai. You’re bound to run into a subway stop. 

(Close shot of the sign of Jishuitan Station) 

Stephy: Just a lookout for the big D sign. We’ll start here at Yuanmingyuan (圆明园). Our destination? My friend Nicholas and I are going to hit up hotspot Wangfujing (王府井) for its exotic food market. Because subways go to popular destinations such as Tian’anmen Square and the Olympic Village, sometimes riding the subway is better than watching your cab fare tick away in slow rush hour traffic.

Nicholas: Stephy, I bet I can beat you to Wangfujing in a cab.
Stephy: Taxi versus subway? You’re on. Loser eats a scorpion. Deal? 
Nicholas: Deal.
Stephy: Ready? 出发!(Chūfā!)
Nicholas: 出发!(Chūfā!)

(Nicholas hops in a taxi.)

Stephy: With an average of more than 1,200 new cars added to Beijing streets daily, the odds are against Nicholas.

(Stephy walks into subway and goes down the steps on an escalator.) 
(Close shot of subway map)

Stephy: We will start here at Yuanmingyuan (圆明园), a stop on Beijing’s newest subway line, Line 4. We’ll head south towards Xidan (西单). At Xidan, we will head east on Line 1, finally arriving at Wangfujing (王府井).

Language points:

Qǐnɡ wèn dìtiě zài nǎ?
请问地铁在哪?
请问 may I ask, 地铁 subway, 在 at, 哪 where, together, 请问地铁在哪?
May I ask where the subway is?

Jiù zài qiánmiɑn.
就在前面。
就 just, 在 at, 前面in front, altogether, 就在前面。
It’s straight ahead.