The 4th Ring Road (Chinese: 北京四环路; pinyin: Běijīng sì huánlù) is an expressway-like ring road in Beijing, China which runs around the city approximately 8 kilometres from the centre of the city.

Although it is the city's third ring road, it is named the 4th Ring Road.

Route

The 4th Ring Road runs within the confines of the city of Beijing, more like a rectangle than a circle.

Basic Route: Siyuan Bridge - Chaoyang Park Area - Sihui - Sifang Bridge - Shibalidian - Dahongmen - Majialou - Yuegezhuang Bridge - Fengtai Area - Sijiqing Area - Zhongguancun Area - Jianxiang - Asian Games Village Area - Wanghe Bridge - Siyuan Bridge

Status: The entire express road is complete and open to traffic.

History

Already in the early 1990s, the northern stretch of the 4th Ring Road from Zhongguancun to Siyuan Bridge existed as a ring road, albeit with far narrower road conditions and with traffic lights. Only three flyover viaducts—those at Jianxiang, Anhui Bridge and Siyuan Bridge—existed.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, the eastern stretch of the 4th Ring Road was opened from Siyuan Bridge to Shibalidian around October 1, 1999. This was the first part of the ring road to be opened as an 8-lane expressway (4 lanes per direction, not including an emergency belt).

The northern part of the 4th Ring Road from Jianxiang to Siyuan Bridge was converted to an 8-lane expressway in late September 2000. Later that year, the southern part from Shibalidian through to Fengtai opened to traffic, as was the case with the northwestern part.

By June 2001, the entire 4th Ring Road had been converted into an expressway-standard thoroughfare.

In early 2004, the speed limit was reduced to a unified 80 km/h (minimum speed limit: 50 km/h).

In September 2004, the 4th Ring Road underwent a massive sign change. Exit numberings were unified at last—bidirectionally (this was previously not the case).

A new overpass in the northern stretch was put into operation in October 2004, near the Beichen area.