Question for Beijing subway

[Some-one]

I am doing some planning for my trip to Beijing somewhere later this year. I trawl the net but could not find information on the time taken to go from one metro station to another metro station in Beijing.

I need this to plan the timing to visit the different attractions. I am also not sure if the timing would be the same as that in Singapore. Anyone can advise on this? For example, how long would it take if I took the metro from Dongzhimen to Xizhimen in Line 5?

 

[beanstalk6]

I found this website for you: ExploreBeijing | Beijing Subway map | ExploreBeijing

 

[Some-one]

I found this website for you: ExploreBeijing | Beijing Subway map | ExploreBeijing

Thanks, but it still did not say how long it takes to travel from one station to another. It only show the first and last train.

 

[beanstalk6]

Yes it does. Take a good look at it.

 

[g_t2006]

I am doing some planning for my trip to Beijing somewhere later this year. I trawl the net but could not find information on the time taken to go from one metro station to another metro station in Beijing.

I need this to plan the timing to visit the different attractions. I am also not sure if the timing would be the same as that in Singapore. Anyone can advise on this? For example, how long would it take if I took the metro from Dongzhimen to Xizhimen in Line 5?

take into consideration when changing lines. same station but the platforms are far apart. can take up to 15 mins to walk from one platform to the other.

 

[Some-one]

Yes it does. Take a good look at it.

Thanks. Manage to use it.

take into consideration when changing lines. same station but the platforms are far apart. can take up to 15 mins to walk from one platform to the other.

Yes. Would take this into consideration but first would need to plan which hotel at which station is the best to go to the different attractions.

 

[lonelyvampire]

I suggest you book your hotel near wangfujing... that one is something like our orchard road.

for your train stations i dont think it's an issue...2 yuan per trip lol. timings from one station to another is something like our mrt, not much difference. the only thing that you should be concern about is the people. I got pushed into the train and pushed out when i tried boarding it during peak hour time lol. horrible people in my opinion but overall a pleasant experience...we are all chinese

 

[grungeattitude]

I agree with what lonelyvampire has said- it’s good to stay near wangfujing, near Tian An Men and not far from other attractions such as Tian Tan. However, how are you planning to go from the airport to your hotel? If you’re taking the metro it might be good to stay somewhere near a place like dongzhimen or JianGuo men, which are the interchange stations for 2 lines.

Refer to the metro/subway map here: http://china-mike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/beijing-subway-map-new.png

There are also some nice attractions such as the 798 art district (west), Nanluoguo alley, beihai hou hai district (north east) that are slightly further from Central Beijing.

Where are you planning to go?

 

[Some-one]

I agree with what lonelyvampire has said- it’s good to stay near wangfujing, near Tian An Men and not far from other attractions such as Tian Tan. However, how are you planning to go from the airport to your hotel? If you’re taking the metro it might be good to stay somewhere near a place like dongzhimen or JianGuo men, which are the interchange stations for 2 lines.

Refer to the metro/subway map here: http://china-mike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/beijing-subway-map-new.png

There are also some nice attractions such as the 798 art district (west), Nanluoguo alley, beihai hou hai district (north east) that are slightly further from Central Beijing.

Where are you planning to go?

Tentative date should be early August. Planning to scoot to Tianjin for one day before taking the high speed train to Beijing South Station. Any reasons as to why stay near wangfujing? I was hoping to get a hotel that is near to the metro station and preferably easy to go to the Great Wall, then to Ming Tomb and back to hotel.

 

[grungeattitude]

Tentative date should be early August. Planning to scoot to Tianjin for one day before taking the high speed train to Beijing South Station. Any reasons as to why stay near wangfujing? I was hoping to get a hotel that is near to the metro station and preferably easy to go to the Great Wall, then to Ming Tomb and back to hotel.

for others i'd recommend wangfujing because it's near all the 'action' and shopping, but personally i like to stay at hotels near interchange train stations like jianguomen. makes it easier for me to get around.

For great wall i'd recommend you go to the portion at Mutianyu instead of badaling which is crowded. Mutianyu also has awesome bnbs/hostels (check tripadvisor).
You're not planning to do great wall AND ming tombs in the same day right? might be a bit of a rush, will be touch and go and you spend a lot of time traveling.

 

[Googocat]

I was just in Beijing in March. I highly recommend staying at the Wangfujing area. Very convenient. It's also near the Wangfujing metro. If you are considering taking a cab from the airport to Wangfujing, it should costs around RMB150-200.

 

[Some-one]

for others i'd recommend wangfujing because it's near all the 'action' and shopping, but personally i like to stay at hotels near interchange train stations like jianguomen. makes it easier for me to get around.

For great wall i'd recommend you go to the portion at Mutianyu instead of badaling which is crowded. Mutianyu also has awesome bnbs/hostels (check tripadvisor).
You're not planning to do great wall AND ming tombs in the same day right? might be a bit of a rush, will be touch and go and you spend a lot of time traveling.

Actually I intend to visit Great Wall and Ming Tomb on the same day. Is it too rush? I intend to spend about 5 hours in Great wall and another 4 hours in Ming Tomb.

As for wangfujing, ok, I'll go back and check it.

 

[grungeattitude]

Actually I intend to visit Great Wall and Ming Tomb on the same day. Is it too rush? I intend to spend about 5 hours in Great wall and another 4 hours in Ming Tomb.

As for wangfujing, ok, I'll go back and check it.

are you traveling on your own? try to put in more buffer for traveling to and back. Timing-wise it looks ok except you won't have that much time to explore each place i think. Much for great wall i guess if you've climbed a stretch the rest is pretty much the same. The last time i went a couple of years ago i spent 3+ hrs there (excluding travel), quite ok enough time to climb quite a bit, take photos, look around etc.

 

[Upzzzz]

If you choose badaling great wall, it is actually not far from the ming tomb. Try to book a taxi and when they quote, ask if it covers the toll. For great wall, you can choose to climb or take the cable car. But even with cable car, it can be quite a bit of climbing as well.

After visiting the ming tomb, many will suggest you visit the guangdi temple but there is no point doing that. It is just extra money for them as they earn commission from the tickets.

 

[Some-one]

are you traveling on your own? try to put in more buffer for traveling to and back. Timing-wise it looks ok except you won't have that much time to explore each place i think. Much for great wall i guess if you've climbed a stretch the rest is pretty much the same. The last time i went a couple of years ago i spent 3+ hrs there (excluding travel), quite ok enough time to climb quite a bit, take photos, look around etc.

Yes. Travelling on my own. My actual main worry is the pollution in Beijing. I read that it is at 175 points at the moment. Not sure if it is going to subside in August. If not, I'll probably switch to visit Seoul. Don't think it would be enjoyable wearing a mask to visit the places.

I'll probably keep my plan and make another visit when the smog is better.

If you choose badaling great wall, it is actually not far from the ming tomb. Try to book a taxi and when they quote, ask if it covers the toll. For great wall, you can choose to climb or take the cable car. But even with cable car, it can be quite a bit of climbing as well.

After visiting the ming tomb, many will suggest you visit the guangdi temple but there is no point doing that. It is just extra money for them as they earn commission from the tickets.

Yes. That is what I am going to do but instead of taking cab, I'll take the bus. My plan is to visit Ming Tomb in the morning and take bus 919 to go to Badaling. I have also set aside another half a day on the next day to visit Mutianyu after I visit Forbidden City. I would be taking the slide down from Mutianyu.

 

[dilphinus]

Yes. Travelling on my own. My actual main worry is the pollution in Beijing. I read that it is at 175 points at the moment. Not sure if it is going to subside in August. If not, I'll probably switch to visit Seoul. Don't think it would be enjoyable wearing a mask to visit the places.

I'll probably keep my plan and make another visit when the smog is better.



Yes. That is what I am going to do but instead of taking cab, I'll take the bus. My plan is to visit Ming Tomb in the morning and take bus 919 to go to Badaling. I have also set aside another half a day on the next day to visit Mutianyu after I visit Forbidden City. I would be taking the slide down from Mutianyu.

Ming Tomb and Badaling, the tour operators in Beijing (can buy in Wangfujing) are selling it for RMB100.

Unless you finish the Forbidden City late morning. By the time you travel to Mutianyu, you only have a few hours. Too rush. Mutianyu closes at 4pm or 5pm irrc.

 

[Upzzzz]

Ming Tomb and Badaling, the tour operators in Beijing (can buy in Wangfujing) are selling it for RMB100.

Beware of these tour operators. Don't worry as they are legal. But for the Badaling, most will park the buses at the bus park then guide will lead to the start point. From there, you are given 2 hours. You miss the timing, you miss the bus. I heard many grumbling along the way.

I took the cable car, walk to the next tower and back. That took me 45mins due to the gradient. If you get a cab, time will not be a factor.

Unless you finish the Forbidden City late morning. By the time you travel to Mutianyu, you only have a few hours. Too rush. Mutianyu closes at 4pm or 5pm irrc.

I agree. Forbidden city need time to enjoy unless you intend to skip those side palaces occupied by the empresses and concubines.

 

[beanstalk6]

Badaling is accessible by train. Train travel in China - a beginner's guide

 

[Upzzzz]

Badaling is accessible by train. Train travel in China - a beginner's guide

Good idea beanstalk. Found on Baidu.

在北京北站有开往八达岭的柴油动车组，乘车环境好于公交车，价格二等座14元，一等座17元，车程为一个小时多一点，到达八达岭车站，下车约有七八百米到达八达岭长城登城口。根据季节不同每天有往返五至六趟车（旺季周末有加车），可以在北京北站直接买好往返火车票。 该线路运行于城铁S2线，也是由詹天佑设计的中国第一条自主设计、建造的铁路——京张铁路。在旅途中，可以欣赏到著名的关沟风景区、居庸关长城，百年京张铁路中的著名的人字型铁路，回程时在青龙桥车站还可遥望到詹天佑的墓和塑像。

 

[d515s23]

Yes. Travelling on my own. My actual main worry is the pollution in Beijing. I read that it is at 175 points at the moment. Not sure if it is going to subside in August. If not, I'll probably switch to visit Seoul. Don't think it would be enjoyable wearing a mask to visit the places.

I'll probably keep my plan and make another visit when the smog is better.



Yes. That is what I am going to do but instead of taking cab, I'll take the bus. My plan is to visit Ming Tomb in the morning and take bus 919 to go to Badaling. I have also set aside another half a day on the next day to visit Mutianyu after I visit Forbidden City. I would be taking the slide down from Mutianyu.

I was there recently. Pollution was not a problem. Going mutianyu after forbidden city is a terrible idea. You need a day for each. Unless you just want to touch and go, which is utterly pointless. I rather skip the overcrowded badaling for one full day at mutianyu and take my time to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the scenery. Remember to factor in traveling time, as traffic jam in the city can be quite bad.