Guide to Riding the Metro in Chinese Cities

China has the world's largest urban rail transit network, covering over 40 cities with a total operating length exceeding 10,000 kilometers. For foreign visitors, the metro is the most convenient, affordable, and safe way to get around. This guide covers everything from buying tickets and passing security to riding step-by-step, plus city-by-city overviews and useful app recommendations.

Why Take the Metro

China's urban metro systems offer clear advantages:

• Punctual and efficient: Unaffected by surface traffic jams — stays on schedule even during rush hour
• Affordable: Single-ride fares typically range from ¥2-10, far cheaper than taxis
• Wide coverage: Major tourist sites, shopping districts, and transport hubs all have metro stations
• Safe and comfortable: Full surveillance, platform screen doors, air-conditioned carriages
• Easy to navigate: Bilingual Chinese-English signage throughout — foreign visitors can use it with ease

How to Buy Tickets

Ticket Vending Machines

Self-service ticket machines inside metro stations are the most common way to buy tickets:

1. Select language (usually Chinese and English available)
2. Tap your destination station on the route map
3. Choose the number of tickets
4. Payment options:
   • Cash: Accepts ¥5, ¥10, ¥20 bills (change given in coins)
   • Mobile payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay QR code scanning
   • Bank card: Some machines accept UnionPay cards
5. Collect your ticket and change

Tip: Machines usually don't accept ¥100 bills — bring smaller notes or use mobile payment.

Transit Cards

Each city issues a local transit card that works on metro, buses, and some taxis:

• Beijing: Yikatong (一卡通)
• Shanghai: Shanghai Public Transportation Card (交通卡)
• Guangzhou: Yang Cheng Tong (羊城通)
• Shenzhen: Shenzhen Tong (深圳通)
• Chengdu: Tianfu Tong (天府通)
• Chongqing: Yiju Changtong Card (宜居畅通卡)

Where to buy: Metro station service centers, convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart)

Benefits: No need to buy tickets each time, fare discounts (usually 5% off), refundable balance when returning the card

Deposit: Usually ¥20-30, refunded when you return the card

Phone NFC / QR Code Riding

The best option for foreign visitors — no physical card needed:

QR Code Riding

1. Download the city's official metro app (see app list below)
2. Register an account and link a payment method (Alipay/WeChat/bank card)
3. Open the app and scan at the turnstile's QR code reader when entering and exiting
4. Fares are calculated and charged automatically

NFC Riding (NFC-enabled phones only)

• Apple Pay: Add the local transit card to your Wallet
• Android: Activate the "Transit Card" feature in Alipay or WeChat
• Hold your phone near the turnstile sensor to enter and exit

Note: Some cities' NFC transit cards only work with phones sold in mainland China — foreign phones may not be compatible.

Recommended Approach for Foreign Visitors

Best choice: Download the city's official metro app + link an international credit card or Alipay/WeChat

Backup: Buy a physical transit card (return it before you leave)

Emergency option: Buy single-ride tickets with cash at vending machines

Not recommended: Queuing at staffed ticket windows each time (slow, and some cities have eliminated them)

Security Screening

Chinese metros enforce mandatory security screening — all passengers and bags must pass through before entering.

Security Check Steps

1. Bags through X-ray: Place backpacks, handbags, and luggage on the conveyor belt
2. Walk-through detector: Pass through the security gate; if it beeps, expect a handheld wand check
3. Liquid inspection: Security staff may ask you to open water bottles for a sip test or inspect liquid containers

Prohibited Items

• Flammable/explosive: Lighter fuel, fireworks, gasoline
• Controlled knives: Blades longer than 10cm
• Corrosive substances: Strong acids and bases
• Live animals: Except guide dogs (with documentation)
• Other: Bicycles (folding bikes must be bagged), oversized luggage

Liquid Restrictions

• Allowed: Sealed beverages, mineral water (single bottle under 2 liters)
• May require a sip test: Opened beverages
• Prohibited: Loose baijiu (Chinese liquor), gasoline, and other flammable liquids

Tips

• Rush hour queues: Weekday mornings (7:30-9:00) and evenings (17:30-19:00) mean longer security lines
• Cooperate with checks: If asked to open your bag, comply promptly
• Prepare ahead: Remove metal items (keys, coins) beforehand to speed things up

Complete Riding Guide: Step by Step

1. Find the Station

Look for the metro entrance — usually marked with a prominent blue or red "Metro" sign (M logo).

2. Security Check

Pass through the security screening as described above.

3. Buy Ticket / Tap Card

• Single-ride ticket: Buy at a vending machine
• Transit card / phone: Head straight to the turnstiles

4. Pass Through the Turnstile

• Single-ride ticket: Place the token on the sensor area; the gate opens — take the token back (you'll need to insert it into the slot when exiting)
• Transit card: Tap the card on the sensor; listen for the beep, then walk through
• Phone QR code: Open the app's QR code and hold it up to the turnstile scanner
• Phone NFC: Hold your phone near the sensor

Note: One ticket per person — you can't share a card for multiple people

5. Find Your Platform

1. Check the route map and directional signs inside the station
2. Confirm your direction (usually labeled with the terminal station name, e.g., "Towards Tianfu Square")
3. Follow arrows on the floor and walls to the correct platform
4. If transferring, ride the first segment first

6. Wait for the Train

• Stand behind the yellow safety line
• Platform screen doors open automatically when the train arrives
• Let passengers exit first, then board in an orderly line
• Check the route map above the carriage doors to confirm your direction

7. Ride

• Trains have bilingual Chinese-English announcements and electronic displays
• Listen for your stop and prepare to exit in advance
• During rush hour, move toward the center of the carriage
• No eating or drinking: Most cities prohibit food and drinks on the metro (water is usually okay)

8. Transfer

If you need to switch to another line:

1. Exit the train and follow "Transfer to Line X" signs
2. Walk through the transfer corridor to the other line's platform
3. In-station transfer: No need to exit — just follow the corridor
4. Out-of-station transfer: Exit and walk to another station entrance (rare)

9. Exit

1. Get off at your destination
2. Follow "Exit" signs to the turnstiles
3. Tap your card/scan your code to exit (single-ride tokens go into the collection slot)
4. Choose the right exit (labeled A/B/C/D, etc., usually with nearby landmarks noted)

Tip: Check the exit signs before leaving — choosing the exit closest to your destination saves walking time.

City Metro Apps

Official apps let you ride with QR codes, check real-time arrivals, and plan routes.

City	App Name	Key Features	Download
Beijing	Yitongxing (亿通行)	QR code riding, route planning, real-time arrivals	App Store / Google Play
Shanghai	Metro Daduhui (Metro大都会)	QR code riding, Yangtze Delta interoperability	App Store / Google Play
Guangzhou	Guangzhou Metro (广州地铁)	QR code riding, crowding levels	App Store
Shenzhen	Shenzhen Metro e-Travel (深圳地铁e出行)	QR code riding, shopping district deals	App Store
Chengdu	Tianfu Tong (天府通)	QR code riding, bus + metro compatible	App Store
Chongqing	Yuchangxing (渝畅行)	QR code riding, monorail route info	App Store
Xi'an	Xi'an Metro (西安地铁)	QR code riding, cultural heritage station guides	App Store
Wuhan	Metro New Era (Metro新时代)	QR code riding, transfer optimization	App Store

Universal app recommendations:

• Amap (高德地图) / Baidu Maps (百度地图): Support metro route planning for all cities, real-time queries
• Alipay / WeChat: Some cities let you ride directly via Alipay/WeChat mini programs

Note for foreign visitors: Some apps require a Chinese phone number to register. Consider using Alipay or WeChat's built-in transit features instead.

Transfer Tips

Reading the Route Map

• Color-coded lines: Each line has a unique color (e.g., Beijing Line 1 is red, Line 2 is blue)
• Transfer station markers: Shown as circles or special symbols on the map
• Direction labels: Platforms display "Towards XX" — XX is the terminal station in that direction

Follow the Signs

• Transfer corridors: Walls and floors have clear line-color arrows
• Bilingual signage: Major city transfer stations have English signs
• Electronic screens: Display transfer lines and directions

In-Station vs. Out-of-Station Transfers

• In-station transfer (recommended): Stay underground, walk through a corridor to the other platform — saves time and money
• Out-of-station transfer: Exit and walk to another station — usually happens with older, less-integrated lines

Common in-station transfer hubs:

• Beijing: Xizhimen (Lines 2/4/13), Guomao (Lines 1/10)
• Shanghai: People's Square (Lines 1/2/8), Century Avenue (Lines 2/4/6/9)
• Guangzhou: Tiyu Xilu (Lines 1/3/APM)

Rush Hour Tips

• Avoid peak hours: Weekdays 7:30-9:00 and 17:30-19:00
• Use less crowded transfer stations: If possible, take a slightly longer route through a quieter hub
• Allow extra time: Large transfer stations can require 5-10 minutes of walking
• Use elevators/escalators: When carrying luggage, use elevators; observe the "stand right, walk left" rule on escalators

City Metro Overview

City	Lines	Daily Ridership (10,000s)	Operating Hours	Fare Range	Notable Lines
Beijing	27	1,000+	5:00-23:00	¥3-9	Daxing Airport Express, S1 Maglev
Shanghai	20	1,100+	5:30-23:00	¥3-10	Maglev Train (Pudong Airport–Longyang Road)
Guangzhou	15	800+	6:00-23:30	¥2-14	APM Line (automated, Zhujiang New Town)
Shenzhen	16	700+	6:00-23:00	¥2-11	Line 11 (Airport Express)
Chengdu	14	500+	6:00-23:00	¥2-10	Line 10 (Shuangliu Airport Line)
Chongqing	11	400+	6:30-22:30	¥2-9	Line 2 (river-crossing monorail, internet-famous)
Wuhan	12	400+	6:00-22:30	¥2-9	Line 2 (crosses the Yangtze River)
Xi'an	9	300+	6:00-23:00	¥2-8	Line 4 (passes near the Terracotta Warriors)

Data note: Figures are from 2026; actual operating hours may vary by line and during holidays.

Highlights Worth Riding

• Beijing Line 2: Loop line passing near the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and more
• Shanghai Line 2: Connects Pudong and Puxi, passing Lujiazui and Nanjing Road
• Chongqing Line 2: The famous monorail that passes through a residential building — stunning mountain city views
• Chengdu Line 1: Connects South Railway Station, Tianfu Square, and Chunxi Road
• Xi'an Line 2: Runs north-south past the Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Frequently Asked Questions

Luggage Size Limits

• Allowed: Luggage with combined length + width + height under 1.6 meters
• Large luggage: Suitcases 28 inches and under are generally fine
• Special cases: If carrying oversized luggage, travel during off-peak hours or consider other transport

Accessibility

• Elevators: Major stations have accessible elevators (marked with wheelchair icons)
• Tactile paths: Stations have tactile paving for visually impaired passengers
• Wide gates: Turnstiles have wider lanes for wheelchairs
• Assistance: Contact station staff for help

Note: Some older stations may have limited accessibility features — check in advance or call the station.

Last Train Times

• Official apps: Each city's metro app shows last train times for every line
• Station notices: First and last train schedules are posted on platform walls
• General rule: Most cities' last trains run between 22:30 and 23:30

Tip: Last train time refers to departure from that station — if you need to transfer, allow extra time.

No Eating on the Metro

• Rule: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other cities explicitly prohibit eating and drinking on the metro (water is usually exempt)
• Penalty: Violations may result in fines of ¥50-500
• Exceptions: Infant feeding, special medical needs

Advice: Eat before entering the station or after exiting.

Mobile Signal

• 4G/5G coverage: Major city metros have full mobile network coverage
• WiFi: Some stations and carriages offer free WiFi (registration required)
• Dead zones: Very rare — only in extremely deep underground sections

Payment Methods

• Foreign credit cards: Most vending machines don't accept foreign credit cards
• Recommended methods:
  1. Use Alipay/WeChat (link your international credit card)
  2. Buy a physical transit card
  3. Bring cash in small bills

Related guide: See our Payment Guide

Connecting with Other Transport

• High-speed rail stations: Major cities' HSR stations have direct metro connections (e.g., Beijing South Station, Shanghai Hongqiao)
• Airports: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and others have airport express metro lines
• Buses: Metro station exits usually have bus stops nearby — you can use the same transit card

Related guide: See our High-Speed Rail Guide

Practical Tips

1. Download apps in advance: Get the destination city's metro app and link your payment method before departure
2. Avoid rush hour: If your schedule is flexible, skip the morning and evening peaks
3. Study the route map: Plan your route ahead and know your transfer stations
4. Keep your ticket: Single-ride tokens are collected at exit — losing one means paying a replacement fee
5. Stay safe: Stand behind the yellow line on platforms; watch your belongings on the train
6. Offer your seat: Give up your seat for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and children
7. Keep quiet: Avoid loud conversations; set your phone to silent or vibrate
8. Emergencies: Carriages have emergency call buttons; station staff are always on duty

Summary

China's urban metro systems are the best way for foreign visitors to explore cities. With this guide, you now know the full process from buying tickets and passing security to riding and transferring, plus each city's metro highlights and useful apps. Download the official metro app for your destination city before you go, link your payment method, and enjoy the convenience of QR code riding.

Have a smooth metro journey in China! For more transportation info, check out our Transportation Guides.