"Wow, the decor here is so artsy! It's really beautiful!" Two ladies stood on the escalator at the exit of Beitaipingzhuang Station on Metro Line 19, admiring the surroundings as they scanned the area.
Beitaipingzhuang Metro Station
On October 1, 1969, the first phase of Beijing's underground railway, from Pingguoyuan to Beijing Railway Station, was completed and opened to traffic. This marked Beijing as the first city in China to have a subway.
Phase I in 1969
Over the past 50 years, Beijing's metro operating routes have expanded from the initial 23.6- kilometer line to a large-scale network covering 27 lines and 807 kilometers by April 2023. While Line 19, which opened in 2021, is famous for its " one scenic spot at each stop ", in reality, every metro station in Beijing boasts its own unique charm. How much beauty is concealed within the bustling metro stations that transport millions of passengers daily? Have you ever hurriedly passed it by?
01 Nostalgic retro style
Welcome to the late 20th century!
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Dongsi Shitiao Station is located near a renowned citywalk route for strolling and dining. From Dongsi 1 Tiao to 10 Tiao, amidst the labyrinth of hutongs, each alley pulsates with its own distinctive vitality.
Strolling through the hutongs, west of Dongsi Intersection, the nine-story Longfu Building's rooftop boasts the rebuilt Longfu Temple comprising four traditional Chinese-style buildings. From here, one can enjoy an unobstructed view of Beijing's skyline.
Dongsi Shitiao Hutong | Address: Dongsi 10 Tiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Longfu Temple | Address: No. 95 Longfusi Jie (St), Dongcheng District, Beijing
Interior of Dongsi Shitiao Station
With its floral-patterned floor tiles, wooden handrails, mottled stone pillars, and vintage ceiling lights Dongsi Shitiao Station on Line 2, a "vintage station" for over 40 years, exudes a distinct ambiance from its era.
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Built in 1971, Fuxingmen Station has a 50-year history, with its entrance retaining old ticket windows. Similar to Dongsi Shitiao Station, there's a sense of age lingering in the air at this subway station.
Spanning from Fuxingmen in the south to Fuchengmen in the north lies Beijing Financial Street, characterized by rows of office buildings, shopping centers, and hotels juxtaposed with ancient temples and halls of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Exiting from Exit A of Fuxingmen Station, it takes only five minutes to reach the decades-old shopping mall, Parkson Department Store. Its unique architectural profile has become ingrained in the collective memory of generations of Beijingers.
Financial Street | Address: No. 2 Jinchengfang Jie (St), Xicheng District, Beijing
Parkson Department Store | Address: No. 101 Fuxingmen Neidajie (St) , Xicheng District, Beijing
Interior of Fuxingmen Station
02 Exquisite Chinese style
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The design of Wanshou Si Station seamlessly complements Wanshou Temple, a grand and magnificent temple previously for imperial birthday celebrations.
Wanshou Temple, also known as the "Little Forbidden City in the West of Beijing," served as a resting place for Empress Dowager Cixi during her boat trips to the Summer Palace and as the venue for the birthday celebrations of Empress Dowager Chongqing, Emperor Qianlong's mother. Today, visitors are greeted by red walls, gray tiles, pavilions, and gardens upon entering through the mountain gate, all housing precious artifacts and historical traces.
The serene and picturesque Zizhuyuan Park, featuring three lakes and two islands, offers tranquil views.
Wanshou Temple (Beijing Art Museum) | Address: No.1 Wanshousi Lu (Rd), Haidian District, Beijing
Zizhuyuan Park | Address: No. 35 Zhongguancun Nandajie (St), Haidian District, Beijing
Interior of Wanshoulu Station
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Every time you pass through Ping'anli Station, you'll be drawn to the ink-painted paper lanterns suspended overhead. The entire station exudes an atmosphere of Chinese aesthetics.
A stroll along Huguosi Snack Street near Ping'anli Station offers a variety of authentic Beijing snacks amidst the hustle and bustle of the streets and alleys, providing a true taste of Beijing.
Exiting from Exit H of Ping'anli Station and navigating to the east side of Baita East Road, you'll find a popular spot for photoshoots, Bai Ta Si (White Pagoda Temple). Whether you get a great shot depends on your photography skills!
White Pagoda Temple | Address: No. 171 Fuchengmen Neidajie (St) , Xicheng District, Beijing
Huguosi Snack Street | Address: No. 93 Huguosi Jie (St), Xicheng District, Beijing
Interior of Ping'anli Station
03 Technology and futuristic style
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What will the future look like? In 2024, where AI face-swapping and chatbots are emerging, technology has become an integral part of our lives. The designers of Weilaikexuecheng ( Future Science City Station) have also provided their answer.
Spanning the Wenyu River in Changping District, a bridge with a unique and artistic design connects the north and south main roads of Future Science City, offering unique and artistic scenic views.
The Future Science City Riverside Park comprises a south park and a north park, featuring expansive lakes, reeds, and waterfowl, making it an ideal destination for camping and fitness activities in Changping District.
Future Science City East Road Bridge | Address: Near Future Science City, Changping District, Beijing
Riverside Park | Address: 100 meters east of the intersection of Dingsi Lu (Rd) and Future Science City Lu (Rd), Changping District, Beijing
Interior of Future Science City Station
04 Literary and historical style
Gaze at the cherry blossoms falling after the rain, and imagine yourself as Lin Daiyu, the sentimental female character in Dream of the Red Chamber...
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The walls of Jianguomen Station are adorned with murals depicting The History of Chinese Astronomy, narrating the aerospace dreams of the Chinese people to travelers from around the world.
Exiting the subway station, at the southwest corner of Jianguomen Overpass, the ancient Observatory has stood here for nearly 500 years, from the early Ming Dynasty to 1929.
Inside, you'll find cool relics like manual calculators and English typewriters! Be sure to check out the "902 Ship", an authentic retired vesselat the China Customs Museum Various customs gifts from around the world are also on display here, along with smuggling items seized by customs.
China Customs Museum | Address: No. 2 Jianguomen Neidajie (St), Dongcheng District, Beijing (North entrance of Dayangmao Hutong)
Ancient Observatory | Address: No.2 Jianguomen Dongbiaobei Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Tang version of the Diamond Sutra replica and interior of Jianguomen Station
05 Academic style
How do major universities introduce themselves in the subway?
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The exits of Xueyuanqiao Station lead to major universities, with the subway exits of China University of Geosciences and Beihang University showcasing their own styles.
One of the four university venues built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium is now open to the public. Reservations can be made through the "Beijing University of Science and Technology Venue Center Service Account" WeChat official account.
Beiji Temple Park, a small park southwest of Jianxiang Bridge, is lush with trees, featuring various flowers such as wisteria, lilac, crabapple, white rose, and China rose. When the flowers bloom, they present a riot of colors.
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium | Address: No. 30 Xueyuan Lu (Rd) , Haidian District, Beijing University of Science and Technology
Beiji Temple Park | Address: Southwest of Jianxiang Bridge, Haidian District, Beijing
Interior of Xueyuanqiao Station
06 Cute cartoon style
It's unexpectedly adorable!
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The transfer station Wangjing Station is full of childlike fun, while, spring is in full swing outside! Exit B1 of Wangjing South Station leads to the Begonia Flower Creek, a popular flower-viewing spot in early April, which is absolutely beautiful.
Lush begonia trees on both banks of the creek shed petals, which scatter on the water surface and the dyke...
(Actual opening hours are subject to the scene)
Wangjing SOHO | Address: No. 10 Wangjing Jie (St)Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Wangjing Begonia Flower Creek | Address: Exit B1 of Line 14 Wangjing South Station, Chaoyang District, Beijing
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The little cat and swallow at Xidiaoyutai Station perfectly match the tone of spring! Riding the escalator and looking up, you might think the kitten has climbed up the platform, with swallows perched on the wall.
Outside the station, the nearby Linglong Park is a comprehensive park featuring historical relics, cultural landscapes, natural scenery, and children's recreation facilities.
The Central Television Tower features a 238-meter circular viewing platform accessible by elevator, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire capital.
Linglong Park | Address: No. 3 Balizhuang Beili, Haidian District, Beijing
Central Television Tower | Address: No. 11 Xi 3 Huan Zhonglu (W. 3rd Ring Rd Middle), Haidian District, Beijing
This spring, slow downand appreciate the beauty of whether the spring scenery or your daily life.
