Urban rail transit in China

Last updated

Map of cities in Greater China (mainland China, the SARs, and Taiwan) with rapid transit, commuter rail and light rail systems. The two higher-resolution maps to the left show the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions.
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Operational systems
Systems under construction OPNV-Systeme in China.png
Map of cities in Greater China (mainland China, the SARs, and Taiwan) with rapid transit, commuter rail and light rail systems. The two higher-resolution maps to the left show the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions.
  Operational systems
  Systems under construction

Urban rail transit in China encompasses a broad range of urban and suburban electric passenger rail mass transit systems including subway, light rail, tram and maglev. [1] Some classifications also include non-rail bus rapid transport.

Contents

As of April 2024, China has the world's longest urban rail transit system with 10,273.7 km (6,383.8 mi) of urban rail nationwide in 310 metro lines in 54 cities, accounting for 9 of the 10 longest metro systems, with the exceptions of the Moscow Metro. [2]

Half of the top 10 busiest metro systems are in China, [3] and the Beijing Subway, though started operating in 1971, is now the longest metro system worldwide. [4] [5] [6]

History

RT systems among Provincial-level
administrative divisions
ProvinceSystem(s)#Length (km)
BJ Beijing 1836.0
TJ Tianjin 1309.9
HE Shijiazhuang 176.5
SX Taiyuan 123.7
NM Hohhot 149.0
LN Dalian, Shenyang 2400.8
JL Changchun 1111.2
HL Harbin 183.7
SH Shanghai, Maglev line 2831.0
JS Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, Xuzhou, Nantong 61034.5
ZJ Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Hanghai line, Jinhua, Taizhou 71077.2
AH Hefei, Ningchu line, Wuhu 3294.3
FJ Fuzhou, Xiamen 2237.4
JX Nanchang 1128.4
SD Qingdao, Jinan 2402.2
HA Zhengzhou, Luoyang 2388.3
HB Wuhan 1486.0
HN Changsha, Maglev line 2226.4
GD Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan 41358.6
GX Nanning 1127.9
HI
CQ Chongqing 1520.3
SC Chengdu 1561.6
GZ Guiyang 1118.7
YN Kunming 1184.1
XZ
SN Xi'an 1311.0
GS Lanzhou 135.0
QH
NX
XJ Ürümqi 127.6
HK Hong Kong 1204.4
MO Macau 112.5

Several Chinese cities had urban electric tramways in the early 20th century, most of which were dismantled in the 1950s–1970s. The only surviving tramways are in Dalian (Dairen) and Changchun (see trams in Dalian and trams in Changchun). Nanjing (Nanking) had an urban railway  [ zh ] from 1907 to 1958.

The first subway in China was built in Beijing in 1969 (but it was only handed to civilian control in 1981 and trial operations ended later in the same year; before which credentials were required). The Tianjin Metro followed in 1984. The MTR Corporation Limited from across the border in Hong Kong has investment, consulting and management stakes in the rapid transit systems of several mainland Chinese cities (having completed their first section of subway and entered into revenue operation in 1979 in New Kowloon, at the time when the territory was under British rule).

The rapid growth of the Chinese economy since the 1980s has created a huge surge in demand for urban transport. This prompted cities across China to pursue and draft proposals for subway networks, with Shanghai and Guangzhou opening their first sections of subway in the 1990s, inspiring more cities to propose subway networks. In 1995, the Central Government, alarmed by the high cost and financial debt from these ambitious subway plans, put out a "notice on the suspension of approval of urban underground rapid rail transit projects" barring new subway systems outside of Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shanghai from being built. [7] At the time Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Dalian and Shenzhen had advanced proposals waiting to be approved. Wuhan, Chongqing, Dalian managed to circumvent the moratorium on subway construction by constructing and opening lower cost elevated lines, light metros, and monorails in the early 2000s. Changchun was the first city constructing real light rail system in China, which began operation in 2002. Its first transit line, Line 3, is a light rail line not fully grade separated, still having four level crossings as of 2023. It's also the only rapid transit system combined light rail and rapid transit lines in China, which can directly transfer to each other.[ citation needed ]

Rapid urbanization of China led to severe congestion and pollution in urban areas leading to the suspension being lifted. Initially, light metro lines using small profile and shorter rolling stock were constructed to reduce costs. It was assumed that as ridership grows the line will operate trains at a low headway to increase capacity. This design paradigm was known in China as "small rolling stock, high density" operation. [8] [9] [10] However, after a few years operating, many of these lines such as Guangzhou Metro Line 3, Line 6, Shanghai Metro Line 6, and Line 8 were severely overcapacity. Guangzhou Metro Line 3 was able to reconfigure from 3-car trains into 6-car trains to slightly relieve overcapacity. This led many cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu to use higher capacity designs on newer lines.[ citation needed ]

Since the mid-2000s, the growth of rapid transit systems in Chinese cities has rapidly accelerated, with most of the world's new subway mileage in the past decade opening in China. [11] [4] [12] [13] From 2009 to 2015, China built 87 mass transit rail lines, totaling 3,100 km (1,900 mi), in 25 cities at the cost of ¥988.6 billion. [14] In 2016, the Chinese government lowered the minimum population criteria for a city to start planning a metro system from 3 million to 1.5 million residents. [15] As part of its 13th Five Year Plan, the Chinese government published a transport whitepaper titled "Development of China's Transport". The plan envisions a more sustainable transport system with priority focused on high-capacity public transit particularly urban rail transit and bus rapid transit. All cities with over 3 million residents will start or continue to develop urban rail networks. Regional rail networks will be constructed internally connect and integrate urban agglomerations such as the Jingjinji, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta areas. [16] [17] In 2017, some 43 smaller third-tier cities in China have received approval to develop subway lines. [18]

Urban rapid transit systems

Statistics

Urban rapid transit systems

SystemLocaleAdministrative
division
LinesStations [a] Length
(km(mi))
Operation
start
Most recent
expansion
Annual
ridership
Busiest
station
Ave. daily ridership (thousands) [19] [b]
20192020202120222023
Beijing Subway Beijing Subway simplified logo.svg ( BeijingMTRicon.svg BeijingMTROA.svg Capital Metro (Black and White version).jpg ) Beijing & Langfang Beijing & Hebei 25 [c] 381 [c] 815.2 km (506.5 mi) [c] 1969-10-01 [d] 2023-12-303848.4 million (2018) [20] Xizhimen (2018) [21] 10,821.56,252.28,370.8
Changchun Rail Transit Changchun Jilin 6 [e] 109 [f] 140.77 km (87.47 mi) [g] 2017-09-30 [h] 2024-03-28 Changchun Railway Station (2018) [21] 653.4420.3534.2
Changsha Metro Changsha Metro logo.svg Changsha & Xiangtan Hunan 7135217.8 km (135.3 mi)2014-04-292024-06-28 [22] Wuyi Square (2018) [21] 904.91,033.31,582.4
Changsha Maglev Express ChangshaMaglev.svg Changsha Hunan 1318.55 km (11.53 mi)2016-05-06N/A South Railway Station
Changzhou Metro ChangzhouMetro.svg Changzhou Jiangsu 24354.03 km (33.57 mi) [23] 2019-09-212021-06-2810.3 million (2019)167.565.3131.1
Chengdu Metro Chengdu Metro icon.svg Chengdu Sichuan 13 [j] 291 [j] 561.67 km (349.01 mi) [j] 2010-09-272023-11-281157.6 million (2018) [21] Chunxi Road (2018) [21] 3,829.83,310.54,885.3
Chongqing Rail Transit Chongqing Chongqing 11256523.68 km (325.40 mi)2004-11-062023-12-28 Lianglukou (2018) [21] 2,845.62,290.02,992.0
Dalian Metro ( Dalian Kuaigui Logo.svg ) Dalian Liaoning 6100237.74 km (147.72 mi)2002-11-082023-03-17 Xi'an Road (2018) [21] 568.6342.9426.2
Dongguan Rail Transit Dongguan Rail Transit logo.svg Dongguan Guangdong 11537.7 km (23.4 mi)2016-05-27N/A Hongfu Road (2018) [21] 147.597.5111.4
Foshan Metro Foshan & Guangzhou Guangdong 361112.7 km (70.0 mi)2010-11-032022-12-28 Zumiao (2017) [24] 83.5
Fuzhou Metro Fuzhou Metro logo.svg Fuzhou Fujian 590143.5 km (89.2 mi)2016-05-162023-08-27 Dongjiekou (2018) [21] 294.7259.5340.4310.3624.0
Guangzhou Metro Guangzhou Metro icon.svg Guangzhou & Foshan Guangdong 16251 [k] [l] 613.21 km (381.03 mi) [m] [l] 1997-06-282023-12-283029.5 million (2018) [21] [n] [l] Tiyu Xilu (2018) [21] 9,057.26,591.67,755.4
Guiyang Metro GuiyangMetro.png Guiyang Guizhou 382118.73 km (73.78 mi)2017-12-282023-12-16 West Zhongshan Road (2018) [21] 149.2122.1294.7
Hangzhou Metro Hangzhou Metro logo.svg ( Hangzhou MTR Logo.svg ) Hangzhou Zhejiang 12254516.2 km (320.8 mi)2012-11-242022-09-22 East Railway Station (2018) [21] 1,737.1970.92,432.7
Harbin Metro Harbin Metro logo.svg Harbin Heilongjiang 36683.8 km (52.1 mi)2013-09-262023-12-26 The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (2018) [21] 284.0140.9195.5
Hefei Metro Hefei Anhui 5154201.95 km (125.49 mi)2016-12-262023-12-26 Dadongmen (2018) [21] 492.7532.9739.2
Hohhot Metro Hohhot Inner Mongolia 24349.039 km (30.471 mi)2019-12-292020-10-01143.4147.2
Mass Transit Railway HK MTR logo.svg ( KCR logo.svg ) Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR 1099209.0 km (129.9 mi)1979-10-01 [o] 2022-05-151767 million (2017) [26] [R Nb 1] Admiralty
Jinan Metro JinanMetro.svg Jinan Shandong 34184.25 km (52.35 mi)2019-04-012021-03-26172.8189.1
Jinhua Rail Transit Jinhua Zhejiang 231106.451 km (66.146 mi)2022-08-302023-04-07Not openedNot openedNot opened
Kunming Metro Kunming Rail Transit logo.svg Kunming Yunnan 6103164.3 km (102.1 mi)2012-06-282022-06-29 Dongfeng Square (2018) [21] 586.1435.1606.8
Lanzhou Metro LanzhouRailTransit.png Lanzhou Gansu 22734.96 km (21.72 mi) [27] 2019-06-232023-06-29181.1197.5184.4
Luoyang Subway Luoyang Henan 23343.554 km (27.063 mi)2021-03-282021-12-26Not openedNot opened92.0
Macau Light Rapid Transit Macau Macau SAR 11212.5 km (7.8 mi) [28] 2019-12-10 [28] 2023-12-08
Nanchang Metro Nanchang Jiangxi 494128.3 km (79.7 mi)2015-12-262021-12-26Bayi Square (2015-2020) [30] 488.1373.9707.5
Nanjing Metro Nanjing Metro Logo.svg Nanjing Jiangsu 13206505.86 km (314.33 mi)2005-09-032023-12-281118.8 million (2018) [21] Xinjiekou (2018) [21] 3,153.82,179.92,404.9
Nanning Metro Nanning Guangxi 593128.2 km (79.7 mi)2016-06-282021-12-16 Chaoyang Square (2018) [21] 748.4569.6786.8
Nantong Metro Nantong Jiangsu 24360.03 km (37.30 mi)2022-11-102023-12-27Not openedNot openedNot opened
Ningbo Rail Transit Ningbo Zhejiang 5116185.36 km (115.18 mi)2014-05-302022-12-01 Gulou (2018) [21] 424.9297.6689.2
Qingdao Metro Qingdao Metro.svg Qingdao Shandong 8186342.3 km (212.7 mi)2015-12-162024-04-26 May 4th Square (2018) [21] 515.2316.0686.8
Shanghai Metro Shanghai Metro logo.svg ( Shanghai Maglev Train logo.svg Shanghai Keolis.svg ) Shanghai & Kunshan Shanghai & Jiangsu 19408802.2 km (498.5 mi)1993-05-282021-12-303710.2 million (2018) [21] People's Square (2018) [21] 10,627.37,744.89,765.4
Shanghai Maglev Train Shanghai Maglev Train logo.svg Shanghai Shanghai 1229.863 km (18.556 mi)2002-12-31N/A Longyang Road
Shaoxing Metro Shaoxing Zhejiang 23557.83 km (35.93 mi)2021-06-28 [31] 2023-07-26Not openedNot opened
Shenyang Metro Shenyang Liaoning 5111163.7 km (101.7 mi)2010-09-272023-09-29 Qingniandajie (2018) [21] 892.0846.91,049.7
Shenzhen Metro Shenzhen Metro Corporation logo.svg ( MTR Shenzhen logo.svg ) Shenzhen Guangdong 16307555.43 km (345.13 mi)2004-12-282023-12-271646.1 million (2018) [21] Laojie (2018) [21] 5,493.74,413.05,953.6
Shijiazhuang Metro Shijiazhuang Metro.svg Shijiazhuang Hebei 36076.5 km (47.5 mi) [32] 2017-06-262021-04-06Xinbaiguangchang (2018) [21] 262.1195.7282.4
Suzhou Rail Transit Suzhou Rail Transit logo.svg Suzhou Jiangsu 6181249.47 km (155.01 mi)2012-04-282023-06-24 Dongfangzhimen (2018) [21] 994.6828.71,107.4
Taiyuan Metro Taiyuan Metro logo.svg Taiyuan Shanxi 12323.647 km (14.694 mi) [34] 2020-12-26N/ANot opened146.9106.8
Taizhou Rail Transit Taizhou Rail Transit Logo.svg Taizhou Zhejiang 11552.568 km (32.664 mi)2022-12-28N/ANot openedNot openedNot opened
Tianjin Metro Tianjin Rail Transit logo.svg ( TianjinMetro.svg ) Tianjin Tianjin 10192301.0 km (187.0 mi)1980-08-10 [p] 2023-12-28 Tianjinzhan (2018) [21] 1,435.9933.61,263.8
Ürümqi Xinjiang 12127.615 km (17.159 mi)2018-10-252019-06-28
Wenzhou Rail Transit WenzhouRailway.svg Wenzhou Zhejiang 236116.452 km (72.360 mi)2019-01-232023-08-26109.7236.227.8
Wuhan Metro Wuhanmetrosmalllogo.png Wuhan Hubei 12262 [35] 486.3 km (302.2 mi) [35] 2004-07-242023-12-301054.0 million (2018) [21] Jianghan Road (2018) [21] 3,349.42,055.02,737.9
Wuhu Rail Transit Wuhu Anhui 23546.25 km (28.74 mi)2021-11-032021-12-28Not openedNot opened51.3
Wuxi Metro Wuxi Metro logo.svg Wuxi Jiangsu 589145.2 km (90.2 mi)2014-07-012024-01-31 Sanyang Plaza (2018) [21] 356.8400.9
Xi'an Metro Xian Metro logo.svg Xi'an & Xianyang Shaanxi 9191311.0 km (193.2 mi)2011-09-162023-09-21 Xiaozhai (2018) [21] 2,589.91,996.32,811.4
Xiamen Metro Amoy Metro logo.svg Xiamen Fujian 37098.4 km (61.1 mi)2017-12-312023-06-25 Lücuo (2020) [25] 159.4312.2464.4540.3675.1
Xuzhou Metro XuzhouMetro.svg Xuzhou Jiangsu 35164.35 km (39.99 mi) [36] 2019-09-282021-06-287.5 million (2019)
Zhengzhou Metro Zhengzhou Metro logo.svg Zhengzhou Henan 11187344.2 km (213.9 mi)2013-12-282023-12-28 Zhengzhou Railway Station (2018) [21] 1,126.6930.21,378.6
Total50 locales29 administrative
divisions
2915,592 [a] [q] 10,186.24 km (6,329.44 mi)23.063 billion65.077 million48.094 million64.752 million
  1. 1 2 All interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted once.
  2. Ridership for the past 5 years.
  3. 1 2 3 Both Xijiao Line and Yizhuang T1 line are light rail lines and are not fully grade separated.
  4. Open for public operation on 15 January 1971 (1971-01-15).
  5. 3 metro lines, 3 light rail lines
  6. 54 stations on metro lines, 62 stations on light rail lines, 7 stations are metro-light rail transfer station
  7. 72.57 km (45.09 mi) of metro lines, 68.2 km (42.4 mi) of light rail lines
  8. First line opened on 2002-10-30, as a light rail system
  9. Changsha Maglev Express is excluded.
  10. 1 2 3 Not including Chengdu Tram Line 2, which is a light rail line and not fully grade separated.
  11. 272, if Guangfo line (21 unique stations, 25 total stations) is included. Also see Foshan Metro.
  12. 1 2 3 Not including Haizhu Tram (THZ1), which is a light rail line and not fully grade separated.
  13. 652.81 km, if Guangfo line (39.6 km) is included. Also see Foshan Metro.
  14. Guangfo line is excluded. Also see Foshan Metro.
  15. The Kowloon–Canton Railway (Current East Rail line/ERL) begin operation single track on 1 October 1910 (1910-10-01). Begin operation on 1 October 1979 (1979-10-01) as MTR Corporation and 24 December 1982 (1982-12-24) as KCRC. ERL electrification completed by 16 July 1983 (1983-07-16).[ citation needed ] ERL double-track completed by 27 February 1984 (1984-02-27). KCRC operations taken over by MTR on 2 December 2007 (2007-12-02).
  16. Open for public operation on 28 December 1984 (1984-12-28). The system was closed on 1 September 2001 (2001-09-01) for renovation and reopened on 12 June 2006 (2006-06-12).
  17. There are 12 stations between systems that are not counted multiple times, 6 between Foshan Metro and Guangzhou Metro, 2 between Shanghai Metro and Shanghai maglev train, 2 between Changsha Metro and Changsha Maglev Express, 1 between Shanghai Metro and Suzhou Rail Transit, and 1 between Hangzhou Metro and Shaoxing Metro.
  1. Note that:
    1. Annual ridership is derived from the sum of each month's "Monthly Total" for each year
    2. The ridership includes "MTR Lines", "Airport Express" and "Cross-boundary".
    3. "Intercity, Light Rail & Bus" are excluded from the counts.

Urban rapid transit lines

Legend

  – Lines in operation
  – Lines under testing

Urban rail transit lines
LiveryLineSystemLengthStationsCar configurationStock size [e] Commencement
Beijing 31.0 km (19.3 mi) [37] 236B11969-10-01
23.1 km (14.4 mi) [37] 186B11984-09-20
28.2 km (17.5 mi) [37] 246B12009-09-28
27.6 km (17.1 mi) [37] 236B12007-10-07
53.4 km (33.2 mi) [38] 348B22012-12-30
40.3 km (25.0 mi)308B12014-12-28
49.5 km (30.8 mi)346B12008-07-19
16.5 km (10.3 mi) [37] 136B12011-12-31
57.1 km (35.5 mi) [37] 456B12008-07-19
2.89 km (1.80 mi)44A2021-12-31
40.85 km (25.38 mi)176B12002-09-22
47.3 km (29.4 mi) [39] 336A2013-05-05
41.4 km (25.7 mi) [37] 206B12010-12-30
48.9 km (30.4 mi) [40] 298A2016-12-31
40.7 km (25.3 mi)168A2021-12-31
20.9 km (13.0 mi)108A2021-12-31
10.2 km (6.3 mi) [41] 862017-12-30
Batong line 23.4 km (14.5 mi) [42] 136B12003-12-27
Capital Airport Express 29.9 km (18.6 mi) [37] 54LB2008-07-19
Changping line 43.2 km (26.8 mi) [43] 186B12010-12-30
Daxing Airport Express 41.36 km (25.70 mi)34/8D (two doors per car)2019-09-26 [44]
Daxing line 21.76 km (13.52 mi) [37] 116B12010-12-30
Fangshan line 31.8 km (19.8 mi) [45] [46] 166B12010-12-30
Yanfang line 14.4 km (8.9 mi) [47] 94B12017-12-30
Yizhuang line 23.2 km (14.4 mi)146B12010-12-30
Changchun 18.142 km (11.273 mi) [48] [37] 156B22017-06-30
24.86 km (15.45 mi) [49] 216B22018-08-30
34.1 km (21.2 mi)346C (Low-floor light rail)2002-10-30
20.8 km (12.9 mi)206C (Low-floor light rail)2011-06-30
29.57 km (18.37 mi)226B2024-03-28
13.1 km (8.1 mi)126C (Low-floor light rail)2018-10-30
Changsha 23.57 km (14.65 mi) [37] 206B22016-06-28
26.58 km (16.52 mi) [37] 236B22014-04-29
53.69 km (33.36 mi) [50] 336B2020-06-28
33.5 km (20.8 mi)256B22019-05-26
22.5 km (14.0 mi) [50] 186B2020-06-28
48.11 km (29.89 mi)346A2022-06-28
Maglev Express Changsha ML 18.55 km (11.53 mi) [37] 332016-05-06
Changzhou 34.24 km (21.28 mi) [23] 296B2019-09-21
19.79 km (12.30 mi) [51] 156B2021-06-28
Chengdu 40.99 km (25.47 mi) [37] 356B22010-09-27
42.32 km (26.30 mi) [37] 326B22012-09-16
49.85 km (30.98 mi)376B22016-07-31
43.28 km (26.89 mi) [37] [47] 306B22015-12-26
49.018 km (30.5 mi)418A2019-12-27
68.76 km (42.7 mi) [52] 548A2020-12-18
38.61 km (23.99 mi) [47] 316A2017-12-06
29.17 km (18.1 mi) [52] 256A2020-12-18
22.18 km (13.8 mi) [52] 138A2020-12-18
37.972 km (23.6 mi) [53] [54] 166A2017-09-06
5.486 km (3.4 mi) [52] 38A2020-12-18
69.39 km (43.12 mi) [52] 128A2020-09-27 [55]
60.139 km (37.369 mi)184A2023-11-28 [f]
Chongqing 43.71 km (27.16 mi)256B22011-07-28
31.36 km (19.49 mi) [37] 254/6/82004-11-06
67.09 km (41.69 mi) [37] 456/82011-09-29
48.5 km (30.1 mi) [56] 246AS2018-12-28
48.66 km (30.24 mi) [47] 316AS2017-12-28
26.33 km (16.36 mi) [57] 76AS2022-08-06 [57]
85.54 km (53.15 mi) [37] 406B22012-09-28
40.1 km (24.9 mi)296AS2022-01-25
43.26 km (26.88 mi)266AS2017-12-28
28.96 km (17.99 mi)196AS2023-12-28
Loop line 50.93 km (31.65 mi)336AS2018-12-28
Dalian 28.34 km (17.61 mi) [58] 226B22015-10-30
37.97 km (23.59 mi) [58] 296B22015-05-22
63.45 km (39.43 mi) [58] 182/4B22002-11-08
24.48 km (15.21 mi)186B22023-03-17
40.38 km (25.09 mi) [58] 84B22013-12-30
43.152 km (26.813 mi)124B22021-12-28
Dongguan 37.8 km (23.5 mi) [37] 156B22016-05-27
Foshan 32.41 km (20.14 mi) [59] 176B2021-12-28
40.72 km (25.30 mi)226B2022-12-28
Fuzhou 29.84 km (18.54 mi) [37] [47] 256B22016-05-18
30.629 km (19.032 mi)226B22019-04-26
24.0 km (14.9 mi)196B22023-08-27
27.71 km (17.22 mi) [60] 206B22022-04-29
31.346 km (19.5 mi) [61] 144B22022-08-28
Guangzhou 18.5 km (11.5 mi) [37] 166A1997-06-28
31.8 km (19.8 mi) [37] 246A2002-12-29
68.5 km (42.6 mi) [37] 306B22005-12-26
60.04 km (37.31 mi) [37] [47] 234LB2005-12-26
41.7 km (25.9 mi) [37] 306LB2009-12-28
41.7 km (25.9 mi) [37] 314LB2013-12-28
54.24 km (33.70 mi) [37] 276B22016-12-28
33.9 km (21.1 mi) [62] 286A2010-09-25
20.1 km (12.5 mi) [47] 116B22017-12-28
28.3 km (17.6 mi) [47] 118A2017-12-28
75.4 km (46.9 mi) [47] 226B12017-12-28
58.3 km (36.2 mi) [63] [64] 88D2021-09-28 [64]
61.5 km (38.2 mi) [65] 216B12018-12-28
18.2 km (11.3 mi)48D2022-03-31
Zhujiang New Town APM line 3.9 km (2.4 mi) [37] 922010-11-08
Guangfo line Guangzhou & Foshan 39.6 km (24.6 mi)254B22010-09-25
Guiyang 35.11 km (21.8 mi)256B22017-12-28
40.6 km (25.2 mi) [66] 326B22021-04-28
43.03 km (26.7 mi)296B22023-12-16
Hangzhou 52.21 km (32.44 mi) [37] 336B22012-11-24
42.82 km (26.61 mi) [67] 336B22014-11-24
57.5 km (35.7 mi)376AH2022-02-21
46.85 km (29.11 mi) [37] 326B22015-02-02
53.92 km (33.50 mi) [68] 396AH2019-06-24
58.5 km (36.4 mi)366AH2020-12-30
47.48 km (29.50 mi)246A2020-12-30
17.17 km (10.67 mi)96A2021-06-28
29.5 km (18.3 mi) [69] 216B22021-07-10 [70] [H 1]
14.67 km (9.12 mi)126A2022-02-21
35.12 km (21.82 mi) [71] 124B22020-04-23
59.14 km (36.75 mi)146A2022-09-22
Harbin 26.27 km (16.32 mi)236B22013-09-26
28.19 km (17.52 mi)196B22021-09-19
28.71 km (17.84 mi)286B22017-01-26
Hefei 29.16 km (18.12 mi) [37] 266B22016-12-26
42.76 km (26.57 mi) [47] 356B22017-12-26
48.5 km (30.1 mi) [72] 406B2019-12-26 [72]
55.4 km (34.4 mi)386B2021-12-26
40.7 km (25.3 mi)336B2020-12-26
Hohhot 21.719 km (13.5 mi) [73] 206B2019-12-29
27.32 km (17.0 mi) [74] 246B2020-10-01 [74]
Airport Express Hong Kong 35.2 km (21.9 mi)581998-07-06
Disneyland Resort line 3.3 km (2.1 mi)242005-08-01
East Rail line 47.5 km (29.5 mi)169Special size (24.1 meters long, 3.22m wide, max 140km/h)1984-02-27 [H 2]
Island line 16.3 km (10.1 mi)1781985-05-31
Kwun Tong line 17.4 km (10.8 mi)1781979-10-01
South Island line 7.4 km (4.6 mi)532016-12-28
Tseung Kwan O line 12.3 km (7.6 mi)882002-08-04
Tsuen Wan line 16.0 km (9.9 mi)1681979-12-31
Tuen Ma line 56.2 km (34.9 mi) [75] 2782003-12-20
Tung Chung line 31.1 km (19.3 mi)881998-06-21
Jinan 26.27 km (16.32 mi)114B12019-04-01
36.39 km (22.61 mi)196B12021-03-26
21.592 km (13.417 mi)126B2019-12-28 [76]
Jinyi Line Jinhua 58.071 km (36.084 mi)176B2022-08-30
Yidong Line 48.38 km (30.06 mi)156B2022-12-28
Kunming 34.0 km (21.1 mi) [37] 226B12013-05-20
12.4 km (7.7 mi) [37] 146B12014-04-30
23.36 km (14.52 mi) [47] 206B12017-08-29
43.4 km (27.0 mi)296B12020-09-23
26.45 km (16.44 mi)226B12022-06-29
25.3 km (15.7 mi)86B12012-06-28
Lanzhou 25.9 km (16.1 mi) [27] 206A2019-06-23
9.06 km (5.63 mi)96A2023-06-29
Luoyang 25.342 km (15.747 mi)196B2021-03-28
18.216 km (11.319 mi)156B2021-12-26
Taipa line Macau 12.5 km (7.8 mi) [28] 122 (max 4 in future)P2019-12-10 [28]
Nanchang 28.74 km (17.86 mi) [37] 246B22015-12-26
31.51 km (19.58 mi) [77] 286B22017-08-18
28.5 km (17.7 mi) [78] 226B22020-12-26
39.6 km (24.6 mi)296B22021-12-26
Nanjing 45.44 km (28.24 mi) [37] 326A2005-09-03
43.35 km (26.94 mi) [37] 306A2010-05-28
44.87 km (27.88 mi) [37] 296A2015-04-01
33.75 km (20.97 mi) [47] 186B22017-01-18
24.50 km (15.22 mi) [47] 196B22022-12-28
21.6 km (13.4 mi) [37] 146A2014-07-01
36.32 km (22.57 mi) [37] 96B22014-07-01
36.26 km (22.53 mi) [47] 196B22017-12-06
46.2 km (28.7 mi)104D2023-06-28
43.59 km (27.09 mi)134B22021-12-28
28.87 km (17.94 mi)94B22018-05-26
47.29 km (29.38 mi) [37] 194B22014-08-01
52.39 km (32.55 mi) [47] 63B22017-12-30
Nanning 32.1 km (19.9 mi) [37] 256B22016-06-28
27.5 km (17.1 mi) [47] 236B22017-12-28
27.9 km (17.3 mi) [79] 236B22019-06-06
20.7 km (12.9 mi)166B22020-11-23
20.2 km (12.6 mi) [80] 176B22021-12-16 [80]
Nantong 39.182 km (24.347 mi)286B2022-11-10
20.85 km (12.96 mi)176B2023-12-27
Ningbo 46.17 km (28.69 mi) [37] 296B22014-05-30
36.85 km (22.90 mi)276B22015-09-26
38.63 km (24.00 mi) [81] 246B22019-06-30
35.95 km (22.34 mi)256B22020-12-23
27.6 km (17.1 mi)226B22021-12-28
Qingdao 60.11 km (37.35 mi)416B12020-12-24
25.09 km (15.59 mi)226B12017-12-10
24.95 km (15.50 mi) [37] 226B12015-12-16
30.71 km (19.08 mi)256B12022-12-26
30.762 km (19.115 mi) [82] [83] 216B12024-04-26 [84]
49.61 km (30.83 mi)116B12020-12-24
58.35 km (36.26 mi)224B12018-04-23
69.63 km (43.27 mi)234B12018-12-26
Shanghai 36.76 km (22.84 mi) [37] 288A1993-05-28
59.71 km (37.10 mi) [37] 308A2000-06-11
40.12 km (24.93 mi) [37] 296A2000-12-26
33.81 km (21.01 mi) [37] 266A2005-12-31
32.73 km (20.34 mi) [37] 194/6C (High-floor heavy rail)2003-11-25
32.54 km (20.22 mi) [37] 284C (High-floor heavy rail)2007-12-29
43.13 km (26.80 mi) [37] 336A2009-12-05
36.73 km (22.82 mi) [37] 306/7C (High-floor heavy rail)2007-12-29
63.80 km (39.64 mi) [37] [47] 356A2007-12-29
44.94 km (27.92 mi) [37] 376A2010-04-10
79.27 km (49.26 mi) [37] 396A2009-12-31
39.49 km (24.54 mi) [37] 326A2013-12-29
38.27 km (23.78 mi) [37] 316A2012-12-30
38.18 km (23.72 mi)308A2021-12-30
41.22 km (25.61 mi)306A2021-01-23
57.80 km (35.92 mi) [37] 133/6A2013-12-29
34.72 km (21.57 mi) [37] 136A2017-12-30
36.50 km (22.68 mi)266A2020-12-26
Pujiang line 6.60 km (4.10 mi)642018-03-31
Maglev line Shanghai ML 29.863 km (18.556 mi) [37] 252004-01-01
Shaoxing 51.2 km (31.8 mi) [31] 306B2021-06-28 [31]
10.73 km (6.67 mi)94B2023-07-26
Shenyang 27.80 km (17.27 mi) [37] 226B22009-09-23
45.58 km (28.32 mi) [37] 336B22012-01-08
34.112 km (21.196 mi)236B22023-09-29
28.996 km (18.017 mi) [85] 236B22019-05-25
27.21 km (16.91 mi)216B22020-04-29 [86]
Shenzhen 41.04 km (25.50 mi) [37] 306A2004-12-28
39.78 km (24.72 mi) [37] 326A2010-12-08
43.45 km (27.00 mi) [37] 316B12010-12-28
31.3 km (19.4 mi) [37] 236A2004-12-28
47.393 km (29.449 mi) [87] 346A2011-06-22
49.4 km (30.7 mi)276A2020-08-18 [88]
6.13 km (3.81 mi)46B2022-11-28
30.173 km (18.749 mi) [37] 276A2016-10-28
20.38 km (12.66 mi)116A2020-10-28
36.18 km (22.48 mi)326A2016-10-28
29.34 km (18.23 mi)248A2020-08-18 [88]
53.14 km (33.02 mi) [37] 198A2016-06-28
40.56 km (25.20 mi)336A2022-11-28
50.34 km (31.28 mi)188A2022-10-28
29.20 km (18.14 mi)246A2022-12-28
8.43 km (5.24 mi)58A2021-12-28
Shijiazhuang 34.3 km (21.3 mi)266A2017-06-26
15.5 km (9.6 mi) [89] 156A2020-08-26 [89]
26.7 km (16.6 mi)226A2017-06-26
Suzhou 25.739 km (15.993 mi) [37] 244B12012-04-28
40.4 km (25.1 mi) [37] 355B12013-12-28
45.272 km (28.1 mi) [90] 376B12019-12-25 [91]
52.8 km (32.8 mi) [47] 386B12017-04-15
44.1 km (27.4 mi)346B2021-06-29
41.27 km (25.64 mi)286B2023-06-24
Taiyuan 23.647 km (14.694 mi)236A2020-12-26
Taizhou 52.396 km (32.557 mi)154D2022-12-28
Tianjin 42.227 km (26.2 mi)286B11980-08-10
27.157 km (16.875 mi) [37] 206B12012-07-01
33.6 km (20.9 mi) [37] 266B12012-10-01
19.4 km (12.1 mi)146B22021-12-28
34.8 km (21.6 mi) [92] [93] 286B22018-10-22
43.6 km (27.1 mi) [37] 396B22016-08-06
13.42 km (8.34 mi)96A2021-12-28
52.759 km (32.783 mi) [37] 214B22004-03-28
21.18 km (13.16 mi)216B2022-11-18
12.27 km (7.62 mi)116B2023-12-28
Ürümqi 27.615 km (17.159 mi)216A2018-10-25
Wenzhou 53.507 km (33.248 mi)184D2019-01-23
62.945 km (39.112 mi)204D2023-08-26
Wuhan 37.936 km (23.572 mi) [37] [47] 324B12004-07-28
60.304 km (37.471 mi)386B12012-12-28
29.660 km (18.430 mi) [37] 246B12015-12-28
49.693 km (30.878 mi)376B12013-12-28
37.216 km (23.125 mi)276A2021-12-26
42.537 km (26.431 mi) [37] 326A2016-12-28
67.853 km (42.162 mi)336A2018-10-01
38.197 km (23.735 mi) [47] 266A2017-12-26
22.530 km (13.999 mi)146A2018-10-01
36.458 km (22.654 mi)144A2021-12-26
23.3 km (14.5 mi)76A2023-12-30
Yangluo line 34.575 km (21.484 mi) [47] 164A2017-12-26
Wuhu 30.46 km (18.93 mi)2562021-11-03 [94]
15.787 km (9.810 mi)1142021-12-28
Wuxi 65.007 km (40.393 mi)366B12014-07-01
26.3 km (16.3 mi) [95] [37] 216B12014-12-28
28.493 km (17.70 mi) [96] 216B2020-10-28
25.4 km (15.8 mi)186B2021-12-17
Xi'an 42.20 km (26.22 mi) [97] 306B22013-09-15
33.637 km (20.901 mi) [98] 256B22011-09-16
39.15 km (24.33 mi) [37] 266B22016-11-08
35.2 km (21.9 mi)296B22018-12-26
41.6 km (25.8 mi)316B22020-12-28
35.1 km (21.8 mi)306B22020-12-28
25.296 km (15.718 mi)156B22020-12-28
42.96 km (26.69 mi)176B22019-09-29
15.03 km (9.34 mi)96B22023-06-27
Xiamen 30.30 km (18.83 mi) [47] 246B22017-12-31
41.64 km (25.87 mi)306B22019-12-25 [99]
26.52 km (16.48 mi) [100] 214B2021-06-25 [100]
Xuzhou 21.967 km (13.650 mi) [101] 186B2019-09-28
24.25 km (15.07 mi) [102] 206B2020-11-28
18.13 km (11.27 mi) [103] 166B2021-06-28 [103]
Zhengzhou 41.21 km (25.61 mi) [104] 306B22013-12-28 [105]
30.85 km (19.17 mi) [106] [107] 226B22016-08-19
31.813 km (19.768 mi)256A2020-12-26
29.287 km (18.2 mi)276B2020-12-26
40.4 km (25.1 mi) [108] 326A2019-05-20
16.727 km (10.394 mi)106A2022-09-30
21.864 km (13.586 mi)126A2023-09-28
16.538 km (10.276 mi)116B2023-12-20
7.455 km (4.632 mi) [109] 46B2019-09-19
67.13 km (41.71 mi)264B2023-12-28
Chengjiao line 40.84 km (25.38 mi)186B22017-01-12

Commencement dates of lines and extensions

Legend

  – Lines / extensions in operation.
  – Lines / extensions under testing.

lines and extensions by commencement date
LiveryLineSectionCommencementLength
     Line 1 (Beijing Subway) Pingguoyuan Gucheng 1973-04-2302.6 km (1.62 mi)
Gucheng Yuquan Lu 1971-11-0705.4 km (3.36 mi)
Yuquan Lu Gongzhufen 1971-08-0504.9 km (3.04 mi)
Gongzhufen Nanlishi Lu 1969-10-0103.7 km (2.30 mi)
Nanlishi Lu Fuxingmen 1987-12-2800.4 km (0.25 mi)
Fuxingmen Xidan 1992-09-1201.6 km (0.99 mi)
Xidan Tian'anmenxi 2000-06-2801.3 km (0.81 mi)
Tian'anmenxi Sihuidong 1999-09-2810.1 km (6.28 mi)
     Line 2 (Beijing Subway) Changchun Jie Beijing railway station 1987-12-28 [H 3] 06.1 km (3.79 mi)
Beijing railway station Jianguomen 1987-12-2801.0 km (0.62 mi)
Jianguomen Fuxingmen 1984-09-2015.2 km (9.44 mi)
Fuxingmen Changchun Jie 1987-12-2801.2 km (0.75 mi)
     Line 4 (Beijing Subway) Anheqiaobei Gongyi Xiqiao 2009-09-2828.2 km (17.52 mi)
     Line 5 (Beijing Subway) Tiantongyuanbei Songjiazhuang 2007-10-0727.6 km (17.15 mi)
     Line 6 (Beijing Subway) Jin'anqiao Haidian Wuluju 2018-12-3010.556 km (6.56 mi) [110]
Haidian Wuluju Caofang 2012-12-3029.882 km (18.57 mi)
Caofang Lucheng 2014-12-2812.751 km (7.92 mi)
     Line 7 (Beijing Subway) Beijing West railway station Jiaohuachang 2014-12-2823.7 km (14.73 mi) [111]
Jiaohuachang Huazhuang 2019-12-28 [112] 16.6 km (10.31 mi) [113]
Huazhuang Universal Resort 2021-08-26 [114] 1.769 km (1.10 mi) [115]
     Line 8 (Beijing Subway) Zhuxinzhuang Huilongguan Dongdajie 2013-12-2806.359 km (3.95 mi)
Huilongguan Dongdajie Forest Park South Gate 2011-12-3110.700 km (6.65 mi)
Forest Park South Gate Beitucheng 2008-07-1903.583 km (2.23 mi)
Beitucheng Gulou Dajie 2012-12-3003.375 km (2.10 mi)
Gulou Dajie Nanluogu Xiang 2013-12-2802.090 km (1.30 mi)
Nanluogu Xiang National Art Museum 2018-12-3001.88 km (1.17 mi) [110]