At Beijing's major passenger railway stations, more than 600,000 passengers are sent daily during peak periods. As a "window" and "facade" of the city's civilization, today's railway stations not only serve as transportation hubs but have also become public spaces for showcasing cultural and artistic expressions.
New Life for the Old Station
Beijing Railway Station >>> Continuing to Build an Artistic Hall
As the capital's gateway, every brick, every tile, and every light here is a classic. Every table, every chair, and every painting reflects the rich history and culture.
Preserving the "Original Flavor" ▶ 60-Year-Old Crystal Chandelier Restored to Its Former Glory
Beijing Railway Station itself is a work of art, often referred to as the "station within a cultural heritage site." Looking back at its various renovation phases in 1998, 2004, 2013, and 2022, the station has undergone continuous "quality upgrades." In addition to improving hardware and service facilities, Beijing Station has also focused on uncovering the spirit and cultural heritage of the old station. Efforts have been made to restore its original appearance, add artistic elements, and protect and repair works of art.
Twelve crystal chandeliers surround the dome of the station's main hall, their elegant form unchanged for over sixty years, becoming a beautiful highlight in the waiting area. In 2022, the fixtures, which had been in use for decades, were no longer bright, and some showed signs of aging and damage. Adhering to the principle of "respecting history and restoring the original appearance," Beijing Railway Station replicated the original designs, allowing the chandeliers' antique bronze gilded effect to be beautifully restored.
In the massive tapestry on the second floor, the Great Wall stretches like a "giant dragon," majestic and powerful, winding through rugged mountains. The flower designs on the columns and window lattices of the waiting hall resemble the Gesang flower, symbolizing good fortune, harmony, and national unity. At night, the artistic landscape within Beijing Railway Station becomes even more dignified and grand.
"Masterpieces on the Wall" ▶ "It Feels Like Walking into an Art Gallery"
A pair of "cranes" stand by a tranquil water surface, one bending down to search for food, while the other, proud and dignified, gazes into the water. Nearby, the pine tree trunk stands tall and sturdy, creating an atmosphere that is extraordinary, carefree, and elegant. This painting, Pine and Cranes by Wang Xuetao, created in 1978 and gifted to Beijing Railway Station, is now displayed in the showcase of the 4th waiting room, allowing travelers to appreciate its beauty.
Since May of this year, 14 restored replicas of famous paintings have been gradually displayed on the walls and placed in showcases at Beijing Railway Station, allowing travelers to enjoy them up close. Currently, the station's Collection of Calligraphy and Paintings Art Gallery houses more than 160 works of art.
The placement of the newly hung artworks is also carefully considered, taking into account the era of creation, the themes of the works, and the environment of the waiting rooms.
New and Old Heritage
Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway >>> Each Station, a Theme to Preserve Historical Imprints
In 1909, China's first self-built railway, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway, was fully operational. After more than a century of change, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway has developed a unique "railway culture." Today, the stations along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway each have their own "cultural theme."
Qinglongqiao Railway Station is the best-preserved station along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway, maintaining its original appearance and is known as a "living museum.
"Qinglongqiao Railway Station▶ Railway Antiques Evoke a Strong Sense of Nostalgia
Located at the foot of the Great Wall in Badaling Town, Yanqing, Qinglongqiao Railway Station has quietly stood here for 116 years. Every day, trains on the S2 suburban railway line from Yanqing follow the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway, completing a "V-shaped" turn at this station before heading towards Huangtudian.
Old steel rails custom-made in Britain during the construction of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway, vintage telephones once used, and hand bells that signaled train departures—these relics in the exhibition room of Qinglongqiao Railway Station testify to the changes over the years on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou line, transporting visitors back in time with a strong sense of retro nostalgia.
On the north wall of the waiting hall at Badaling Great Wall Railway Station, a rock-relief landscape mural grabs attention. The Great Wall connects the vast landscapes of the nation, with high-speed trains crossing through majestic mountains. On the station platform, in the long tunnel, the "China Rejuvenation" high-speed train and three-arm turntable interact, bringing the experience to life for travelers.
The artistic expression of Beijing-Zhangjiakou elements, combining the old and new, beautifully distills the history of the railway's construction, making it one of the most popular spots for high-speed rail fans.
Qinghe Railway Station▶ Giant Mural Records the Development of the Railway
Qinghe Railway Station is one of the six original stations of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway. On December 30, 2019, Qinghe High-Speed Railway Station opened, and the old station building was also "relocated," now situated to the east of the new high-speed station. To better preserve this living fossil of China's railway history, the construction team shifted the 700-ton old station building 370 meters to the south in one piece.
Entering the west entrance hall on the first floor of Qinghe Railway Station, one immediately notices a plaque with significant historical meaning. The station's name is set against a traditional background, with the frame and characters crafted using Chinese traditional techniques, giving a sense of depth and weight. Above the plaque, the words "Qinghe Railway Station" are bold and powerful, using the old-style calligraphy written by Chen Zhaochang, the first general manager of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway, in 1906, which reads "Qinghe Railway Station."
Further down, a giant mural themed around the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway chronicles the physical changes in the development of China's railway system since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
On the folding panel walls on either side, a series of eight connected murals use the "scattered perspective" style from Chinese landscape painting to blend natural scenery with the modern urban architecture of Beijing. Sunlight streaming through the glass curtain walls casts shadows on the murals, enhancing their three-dimensional effect.
On the second floor, numerous "small pavilions" are scattered across the waiting area, serving as "comprehensive information islands" for passengers. The exterior of these pavilions is decorated with various types of stone reliefs, showcasing China's railway "eight vertical and eight horizontal" network.
New Stations Add Color
"Beijing Style" New Stations >>> Showcasing the Cultural Heritage of the "Vibrant Capital"
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station and Beijing Fengtai Railway Station, both built in the past five years, feature vibrant cultural constructions that emphasize the integration of Beijing elements. These stations highlight the collision of traditional Chinese culture with modern materials and craftsmanship, showcasing Beijing's rich cultural heritage.
On the enamel craftsmanship murals, golden lines outline 13 iconic Beijing landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Bird's Nest, and Water Cube. The "China Rejuvenation" high-speed trains run through these landmarks, representing Beijing's image as a "Vibrant Capital" full of dynamic energy.
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station >>> "City Living Room" Welcomes Guests from All Directions
At the Beijing Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station concourse, a striking enamel craftsmanship mural spans over 12 meters in length. At its center, a circular design with a diameter of 4.5 meters resembles a rising sun from a distance. Positioned to the east of the station, this design symbolizes the rising sun, representing the vitality and welcoming spirit of Chaoyang as the "city living room," greeting visitors from all directions.
At the underground passageway on the platform level of Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station, a series of shadow murals resemble a home's entranceway, creating a space that embodies Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station as the "city living room," symbolizing Beijing's warm welcome to visitors from all directions. These murals feature 12 iconic landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Yuanmingyuan Ruins, and Bird's Nest.
On either side of the concourse at Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station, there are two 18-meter-long landscape scrolls mounted above the railings. Each scroll is composed of over 3,000 small square blocks, with no two adjacent blocks sharing the same design. The uneven, rhythmic arrangement, along with the flowing scenes of mountains, rivers, and landscapes, highlights a dreamlike beauty with a sense of spatial depth.
Beijing Fengtai Railway Station >>> 3D 100-Meter Scroll of Famous Landmarks
In 2022, after a century of change, Beijing Fengtai Railway Station was reborn with a fresh new look. The station features eight cultural focal points, primarily located in high-traffic areas such as the waiting hall, exit passageway, distribution hall, and central light atrium.
On the exit wall of Beijing Fengtai Railway Station, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower stand side by side, symbolizing the traditional Chinese custom of "bell and drum together," a high-standard ceremonial gesture. This display represents the capital's warm and grand welcome to visitors from all directions and embodies the sense of ceremony in Beijing's urban life.
The waiting areas and main corridors of Beijing Fengtai Railway Station feature ceiling designs inspired by the "caisson"style, highlighting a sense of lofty depth and beauty. In the central atrium, a 3D-printed 100-meter scroll is displayed on back-painted glass, showcasing the undulating topography of Beijing's landscape. This artwork integrates iconic landmarks of the city, such as the most representative stations, Lugou Bridge, the Temple of Heaven, and the White Pagoda Temple, creating a visual tribute to Beijing's cultural and historical heritage.
Translator: BAI Jing
Reviewer: WANG Yu
