View source for Transport in Beijing

{{Short description|Transport system in Chinese municipality}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=July 2009}}{{citation style|date=March 2018}}
}}
[[File:South of Dongdan.jpg|thumb|Roads in Beijing]]
'''[[Beijing]]''', as the [[Capital (political)|capital]] and one of the four [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#Municipalities|municipalities]] of the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC), is a [[transport hub]], with a sophisticated network of [[road]]s, [[railways]] and two major [[airport]]s. Six completed [[ring roads]] encircle the city with nine expressways{{specify|date=October 2025}} heading in virtually all compass directions, supplemented by eleven [[China National Highways]].

Transport in the capital is overseen by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bjjtw.gov.cn/eng/ |title=Beijing Municipal Committee of Communication |access-date=2014-05-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527214934/http://www.bjjtw.gov.cn/eng/ |archive-date=2014-05-27 }}</ref>

==Road network==
[[File:BadalingExpwyNov02.jpg|thumb|The [[Badaling Expressway]] near the intersection with the Northern [[6th Ring Road]] (taken in November 2002)]]

===Ring roads===
[[File:2ndRingRoad Chaoyangmen.jpg|thumb|The [[2nd Ring Road (Beijing)|2nd Ring Road]] at [[Chaoyangmen]]]]
{{main|Ring Roads of Beijing}}

The city is served by six completed ring roads. From the centre of the city outward, they are:

* [[2nd Ring Road]]
* [[3rd Ring Road (Beijing)|3rd Ring Road]]
* [[4th Ring Road]]
* [[5th Ring Road]]
* [[6th Ring Road]]

The "1st Ring" of Beijing refers to the historic tram route (now demolished) through [[Xidan]], Ping'anli, [[Di'anmen]], Beixinqiao, [[Dongdan, Beijing|Dongdan]] and [[Tiananmen]]. No ring roads are built on this route but it is still called "1st Ring". From that on, ring road built on Beijing's historic city limit is called 2nd Ring.

The [[G95 Capital Area Loop Expressway]], which has sections in Beijing's [[Pinggu, Beijing|Pinggu]], [[Tongzhou, Beijing|Tongzhou]], & [[Daxing, Beijing|Daxing]] districts, is often unofficially referred to as the "7th Ring Road".<ref>{{Cite web |last=郭蓉 |title=Construction completed on Beijing's '7th Ring Road' |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201806/21/WS5b2addc8a3103349141dd653.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref>

===Expressways===
[[File:Jingtong Expressway Start.jpg|thumb|The [[Jingtong Expressway]]]]
:''Main topic: [[Expressways of Beijing]]''

Nine toll expressways{{clarify|date=October 2025}} link Beijing to its suburbs, outlying regions, and other cities; these are:

* [[Jingzang Expressway]] (Madian Bridge to Badaling and [[Yanqing District]])
* [[Jingcheng Expressway]] (Connects Beijing to Chengde in Hebei province)
* [[Airport Expressway (Beijing)|Airport Expressway]] (Sanyuanqiao to Beijing Capital International Airport)
* [[Jingtong Expressway]] (Dawang Bridge – [[Tongzhou District, Beijing|Tongzhou District]])
* [[Jingha Expressway]] (Beiguan Roundabout – Yanjiao in Hebei province)
* [[Jingshen Expressway]] (Sifang Bridge – Shenyang)
* [[Jinghu Expressway]] (Runs from Beijing to Shanghai)
* [[Jingkai Expressway]] (Yuquanying–Yufa)
* [[Jingshi Expressway]] (Liuliqiao–Shijiazhuang)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beijing-travels.com/beijing_guide/expressway/|title=Beijing Expressway Guide - Get in and out Beijing by car|website=www.beijing-travels.com}}</ref>

===China National Highways===
[[File:Beijing 1988.jpg|thumb|Map of central Beijing (1988)]]

{{Main|China National Highways of Beijing}}
Eleven [[China National Highway]] routes depart from Beijing in virtually all compass directions:

* [[China National Highway 101]] ([[Dongzhimen]]–[[Chengde]]–[[Shenyang]])
* [[China National Highway 102]] ([[Chaoyangmen]]–[[Harbin]])
* [[China National Highway 103]] ([[Fenzhongsi]]–[[Tianjin]]–[[Tanggu District|Tanggu]])
* [[China National Highway 104]] ([[Yongdingmen]]–[[Fuzhou]])
* [[China National Highway 105]] ([[Yongdingmen]]–[[Zhuhai]]–[[Macau]])
* [[China National Highway 106]] ([[Yuquanying]]–[[Guangzhou]])
* [[China National Highway 107]] ([[Guang'anmen]]–[[Shenzhen]])
* [[China National Highway 108]] ([[Fuxingmen]]–[[Kunming]])
* [[China National Highway 109]] ([[Fuchengmen]]–[[Lhasa]])
* [[China National Highway 110]] ([[Deshengmen]]–[[Yinchuan]])
* [[China National Highway 111]] ([[Dongzhimen]]–[[Heilongjiang]] province)

===Traffic congestion===
{{update section|date=May 2018}}
Beijing as of 2011 has an estimated 5 million registered cars on its roads, so [[traffic congestion]] is widespread. Traffic in the city centre is often gridlocked and is only predicted to get worse as the number of vehicles on Beijing's roads increase. It is predicted by 2016 Beijing will have over 6 million cars on its roads.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-02/16/c_122713279.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207230018/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-02/16/c_122713279.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 7, 2013|title=Beijing car ownership exceeds 5 mln }}</ref> To combat congestion the local government has rapidly been building the subway system adding more lines and working towards doubling the length of the subway system by 2015. In addition to this they have decreased the cost of fares in an attempt to encourage more people to use public transport. In 2008 Beijing introduced restrictions on the number of cars on its roads in attempt to reduce congestion and pollution during the Olympic games period. They did this by adopting odd-even traffic restriction on alternative days. Cars with number plates ending with odd numbers were restricted one day and the next day cars with number plates ending with even numbers were restricted. Drivers who were unable to use their cars did not have to pay road or vehicle taxes, costing the city around 1.3 billion yuan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-traffic/beijing-to-launch-olympic-odd-even-traffic-ban-jul-20-idUSPEK1121120080620|title=Beijing to launch Olympic odd-even car ban in July|last=Mulvenney|first=Nick|date=19 Jun 2008|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-03-19}}</ref> On Feb 21, 2022, Beijing experienced its worst traffic in five years due to the beginning of school and [[2022 Winter Olympics|reserved Olympic lanes remaining closed]] to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=irenelovesya |date=2022-02-21 |title=Beijing Experienced Its Worst Traffic In Five Years Today |url=https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2022/02/21/beijing-worst-traffic-pressure-five-years |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=www.thebeijinger.com |language=EN}}</ref>

==Urban public transportation==

Beijing has an extensive public transportation network of buses, trolleybuses, suburban rail and a rapidly expanding subway system.<ref name="transit">{{Cite web |title=北京"十四五"交通规划出炉 多条地铁将实现跨线运营-新华网 |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/house/20220509/8e389b410f9946519067fc40c64bccc8/c.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=www.xinhuanet.com}}</ref>

===Beijing Subway===
{{Main|Beijing Subway}}
[[File:01 111 and 01 031 at Yangzha Middle School (20211027075355).jpg|thumb|{{lnl|BJS|1}} trains on [[Batong line]]]]
The [[Beijing Subway]] now has 29 lines and 523 stations, covering {{convert|879|km|abbr=on|}}. Subway travel is generally fast, clean, economical and during peak periods congested. As of 2023, on average, around 9.46 million journeys are taken on the metro each day, with this number increasing to around 10.8 on working days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=去年地铁日均客运量946.23万人次-新华网 |url=http://www.bj.xinhua.org/20240515/ae0b5fdd3df54c16a8603a1d054f9321/c.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.bj.xinhua.org}}</ref> A ¥3 minimum fare that rises according to the distance travelled applies to all lines, except the [[Capital Airport Express]] (¥25) and the [[Daxing Airport Express]] (¥10 - ¥35). The electronic commuter fare card, ''[[Yikatong]]'' is accepted on all lines.

===Beijing Suburban Railway===
{{main|Beijing Suburban Railway}}
[[File:CRH6A-0439 at Changyangcun (20210507190122).jpg|thumb|A [[Sub-Central line]] train in [[Fangshan District|Fangshan]]]]
The [[Beijing Suburban Railway]], a suburban commuter train service, is managed separately from the Beijing Subway. The two systems, although complementary, are not related to each other operationally. Beijing Suburban Railway is run as part of the [[China Railway Beijing Group]].

There are 4 suburban railway lines currently in operation: [[Line S2, BCR|Line S2]], [[Sub-Central line]], [[Huairou–Miyun line]] and [[Tongmi line]].

===Bus, Trolleybus and BRT===
{{Main|Beijing Bus}}
[[File:4730682 at Tian'anmen (20200825112812).jpg|thumb|Beijing Bus No. 1 on Chang'an Boulevard at Tiananmen Square.]]
[[File:9532336 at Ping'anli (20201210145559).jpg|thumb|right|A Beijing trolleybus.]]
[[File:1838504 at Zhushikouxi (20210409150250).jpg|thumb|[[Double-Decker Bus]] No. 141 in Beijing]]
The Beijing Public Transport Holdings, Ltd. ("BPT") is the main bus and [[Beijing Tram & Trolleybus|trolleybus]] operator in the city. It is owned by the city and, as of 2009, operated nearly 28,000 buses (including trolleybuses) on 882 bus routes and delivered 5.03 billion rides in 2009.<ref>[http://www.bjbus.com/home/view_content.php?uSec=00000096&uSub=00000103 "Statistics" ''bjbus.com''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722081739/http://www.bjbus.com/home/view_content.php?uSec=00000096&uSub=00000103 |date=2011-07-22 }} Accessed 2011-02-03</ref> in 2011, Beijing had more than 28,343 buses carrying over 13.39 million person/trips a day.<ref name="transit"/> Over 1,100 [[Dual-mode bus|Dual-mode]] trolleybuses operate on 29 routes and is gradually being expanded to combat urban air pollution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/local/2018-03/03/c_1122480417.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303035203/http://www.xinhuanet.com/local/2018-03/03/c_1122480417.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 3, 2018|title=北京快速公交1号线今年"梳起大辫子"-新华网|website=www.xinhuanet.com|access-date=2019-01-25}}</ref> BPT also currently operates 4 [[bus rapid transit]] lines.

====Bus pass====
The BPT offered month-long bus passes until 2006.

====Bus enquiry services====
The BPT provides enquiry services via both its official website http://www.bjbus.com and a helpline: +86-10-96166.

==Taxi==
[[File:BD16683 leaving ZBAA T3 (20211229151045).jpg|thumb|A Beijing EU5 taxi leaving [[Beijing Capital International Airport]] Terminal 3]]
Taxi fares depend on the vehicle type: these start at [[CNY]] 13 for the first 3 kilometers, and go up by [[CNY]]2.30 per extra kilometer; the per-kilometer charge is based upon the make and model of the vehicle. After 10&nbsp;pm the base fare goes up by 20%. Idling time is also factored into the total fare, which is [[CNY]]2.30 ([[CNY]]4.60 during rush hours of 07:00−09:00 and 17:00−19:00) per 5 minutes of standing or running at speeds lower than {{convert|12|km/h|abbr=on}} . All legal cabs will be part golden yellow or all black in color, and display their permits and paperwork on the dash board and windshield.

There are also many illegal cabs known as {{lang|zh-hans|黑车}} (''heiche'', meaning 'Black Cabs' as in "black market" or "illegal"), which operate via a pre-negotiated fare.

Taxi-like services, including Pedicabs, are also widely used. A motorized or manual bicycle is probably the most commonly seen form, although pedicabs are still available in certain parts of the city. These quaint modes of transport also employ the pre-negotiated fare system

In 1999, the environmentally unsound "bread cars" ([[Minivans]]) (''mianbao che'', a.k.a. ''miandi'') were decommissioned in a stringent manner. They used to charge CNY 1 per kilometre. Although it was sound, budget-wise, their poor environmental record and an increasing consciousness of the image of the capital were the factors that landed them in the dumpster.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} As of 2004, 1.20 RMB/km taxicabs were phased out, and as of 2006 all taxi fares were 2.00 RMB per km with the same 10 RMB starting fare for 3&nbsp;km rule. The [[Hyundai Elantra]] is the common new type of taxi, along with the [[Volkswagen Jetta]] CiF.

==Intercity transportation==
=== Air ===
====Beijing Capital International Airport====
{{Main|Beijing Capital International Airport}}
Beijing has two of the world's largest airports. Beijing Capital International Airport ([[IATA]]: PEK) is located in bordering [[Shunyi, Beijing|Shunyi]] and being {{convert|32|km}} northeast of the city center in [[Chaoyang, Beijing|Chaoyang]]. It is the [[World's busiest airports by passenger traffic|second busiest airport in the world]] after [[Atlanta]]'s [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport]].<ref name="ACI aero">{{cite web|title=Year to date Passenger Traffic|url=http://www.aci.aero/Data-Centre/Monthly-Traffic-Data/Passenger-Summary/Year-to-date|publisher=[[Airports Council International]]|access-date=26 June 2014|date=23 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129021001/http://www.aci.aero/Data-Centre/Monthly-Traffic-Data/Passenger-Summary/Year-to-date|archive-date=29 January 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Capital Airport's Terminal 3, built during the expansion for the 2008 Olympics, is one of the largest in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/beijingcapital/|title=Beijing Capital International Airport Expansion, Chaoyang District - Airport Technology|work=Airport Technology|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-GB}}</ref> Capital Airport is the main hub for [[Air China]] and [[Hainan Airlines]]. The [[Airport Expressway (Beijing)|Airport Expressway]] and [[2nd Airport Expressway|Second Airport Expressway]], connects to Capital Airport from the northeast and east of the city center, respectively. Driving time from city center is about 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions. The [[Capital Airport Express]] line of [[Beijing Subway]] and the [[Beijing Airport Bus|Capital Airport Bus]] serves the Capital Airport.

====Beijing Daxing International Airport====
{{Main|Beijing Daxing International Airport}}
Beijing Daxing International Airport (IATA: PKX) located {{convert|46|km}} south of the city in [[Daxing District]] bordering the city of [[Langfang]], [[Hebei Province]], opened on September 25, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=北京大兴国际机场正式投运|url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/chanjing/gsnews/2019-09-25/doc-iicezueu8248191.shtml|access-date=2019-10-28|date=2019-09-25|last=新华社|work=新浪网}}</ref><ref name="carnoc20160112">{{cite web |url=http://news.carnoc.com/list/302/302606.html |script-title=zh:首都新机场跑道呈三纵一横分布 规划7条跑道 |publisher=news.carnoc.com |access-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002747/http://news.carnoc.com/list/302/302606.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/china-plans-build-worlds-biggest-airport-near-beijing-104338446.html |title=China plans to build world's biggest airport near Beijing |publisher=In.news.yahoo.com |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519122752/http://in.news.yahoo.com/china-plans-build-worlds-biggest-airport-near-beijing-104338446.html |archive-date=19 May 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Daxing Airport has one of the world's largest terminal buildings and is expected to be a major airport serving Beijing, Tianjin and northern Hebei Province. Daxing Airport is connected to the city via the [[Beijing–Xiong'an intercity railway]], the [[Daxing Airport Express]] line of the Beijing Subway and two expressways.

====Other airports====
With the opening of the Daxing Airport in September 2019, the [[Beijing Nanyuan Airport]] (IATA: NAY), located {{convert|13|km}} south of city center in [[Fengtai District]], has been closed to civilian airline service. Other airports in the city at Liangxiang, Xijiao, Shahe and Badaling are primarily for military use.

====Visa requirements for air passengers====
{{As of|2013|01|01|alt=As of 1 January 2013}}, tourists from 45 countries are permitted a 72-hour visa-free stay in Beijing. The 45 countries include Singapore, Japan, the United States, Canada, all EU and EEA countries (except Norway and Liechtenstein), Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina and Australia. The programme benefits transit and business travellers<ref>{{cite news|title=Beijing grants three-day visa-free access|url=http://www.ttgmice.com/article/beijing-grants-three-day-visa-free-access/|access-date=7 December 2012|newspaper=TTGmice|date=6 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605142840/http://www.ttgmice.com/article/beijing-grants-three-day-visa-free-access/|archive-date=5 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> with the 72 hours calculated starting from the moment visitors receive their transit stay permits rather than the time of their plane's arrival. Foreign visitors are not permitted to leave Beijing for other Chinese cities during the 72 hours.<ref name=Beijing>[http://chinatour.net/news/visa-free-beijing/  "Beijing 72-hour Visa-free" ChinaTour.Net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318071555/http://chinatour.net/news/visa-free-beijing/ |date=18 March 2015 }} Accessed 6 June 2014</ref>

===Trains===
====Stations====
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 =Beijing Railway Station 01.jpg
 | width1 =300
 | caption1 =Beijing railway station
 | image2 =North house of Beijing West Railway Station.jpg
 | width2 =300
 | caption2 =Beijing West railway station
 | image3 =Beijing South Station.jpg
 | width3 =300
 | caption3 =Beijing South railway station}}
Beijing has four main railway stations: [[Beijing railway station]], [[Beijing North railway station]], [[Beijing West railway station]], [[Beijing South railway station]]. The latter two are among the biggest railway stations in the world. [[Beijing Chaoyang railway station]] is a station for high-speed trains from the northeast. Other railway stations in urban Beijing include: [[Beijing East railway station|Beijing East]], [[Beijing Fengtai railway station|Beijing Fengtai]], Guang'anmen, [[Changping North railway station|Changping North]]. The Hepingli railway station is no longer in service.

Several more stations are under construction. [[Beijing Fengtai railway station]] will be a very large station in southwest Beijing with both high-speed and conventional services calling at it. [[Beijing Sub-Center railway station]] is situated in Tongzhou District and will be both a terminus and an intermediate station on multiple intercity lines.

====Railways====
Beijing is a major railway hub in China's railway network. The following eight major [[Rail transport in the People's Republic of China|railways]] radiate out of Beijing:

* [[Jingguang Railway]], to [[Guangzhou]], [[Guangdong]]
* [[Jinghu Railway]], to [[Shanghai]]
* [[Jingha Railway]] (includes [[Jingqin Railway]]), to [[Harbin]], [[Heilongjiang]]
* [[Jingbao Railway]], to [[Baotou]], [[Inner Mongolia]]
* [[Jingtong Railway]], to [[Tongliao]], Inner Mongolia
* [[Jingyuan Railway]], to [[Yuanping City|Yuanping]], [[Shanxi]]
* [[Jingcheng Railway]], to [[Chengde]], [[Hebei]]
* [[Jingjiu Railway]], to [[Shenzhen]], [[Guangdong]] (''Jiu'' refers to [[Kowloon]], in [[Hong Kong]] across the border).

The city also hosts a number of high speed railway lines:

* [[Jingjin Intercity Railway|Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway]], to [[Tianjin]]
* [[Jinghu High-Speed Railway|Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway]], to [[Shanghai]]
* [[Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway|Jingguang High-speed Railway]], to [[Shijiazhuang]], [[Wuhan]] and [[Guangzhou]], opening late 2012.

Further high speed connections being proposed include links to Shenyang, Tangshan, Zhangjiakou, Kowloon, Taipei, and Taiyuan.

====International trains departing from Beijing====
There are a number of cross-border international trains departing from Beijing to neighbouring countries. The Trans-Siberian train to Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and then onto Moscow (Russia) departs from Beijing. There are also trains to Pyongyang (North Korea) and Hanoi (Vietnam) which depart from Beijing. The trains also stop at other cities and towns along the route. International trains currently depart from Beijing West Railway Station and Beijing Railway Station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/railway.htm|title=China - International Trains|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219221446/http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/railway.htm|archive-date=2010-02-19}}</ref> The following is a guide to the international services which depart Beijing.

* K3/4: Beijing to [[Moscow]] via [[Ulaanbaatar]]: Departs from Beijing Railway Station every Wednesday at 7:45&nbsp;a.m.
* Z5/6: Beijing to Hanoi via [[Nanning]]: Departs from Beijing West Railway Station every Thursday and Friday at 4:08&nbsp;p.m.
* K19/20: Beijing to [[Moscow]]: Departs from Beijing Railway Station every Saturday at 11:00&nbsp;p.m.
* K23/24: Beijing to [[Ulaanbaatar]]: Departs from Beijing Railway Station every Saturday at 7:45&nbsp;a.m.
* K27/28: Beijing to [[Pyongyang]]: Departs from Beijing Railway Station every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5:30&nbsp;p.m.
* T97B/98B: Beijing to [[Kowloon]]: Through the [[Beijing–Guangzhou Railway|Beijing–Guangzhou]] and the [[Guangzhou–Shenzhen Railway|Guangzhou–Shenzhen]] railways. (Hong Kong is a [[Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China|special administrative region of the People's Republic of China]]. To cross the boundary between mainland China and Hong Kong, passengers have to go through immigration and customs checks, like international trains.)

==See also==
{{Portal|Transport}}
* [[Grand Canal of China]]
* [[Transport in the People's Republic of China]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080629012021/http://zw.bjjtw.gov.cn/english/ Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport]

{{Beijing}}
{{Beijing Subway}}
{{Roads and Expressways of Beijing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Beijing}}
[[Category:Transport in Beijing| ]]
[[Category:Transport in China]]