New subways offer new possibilities
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Fangshan-Subway. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com] |
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Fangshan-Subway. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com] |
Beijing unveiled 5 new metro lines with a combined length of 108 meters, bringing the city's total subway length to 336 km and connecting urban adventurers to the outer reaches of the city.
The five new lines are the Fangshan Line, Changping Line, Line 15, the Yizhuang Line, and Daxing Line. Each of these new routes connects existing Beijing lines to the surrounding suburbs; officials are hoping the new lines will ease Beijing's chronic traffic congestion.
With most of these areas unfamiliar to urban Beijingers, these lines may seem like small news. However, some destinations on the newly opened routes can provide a refreshing escape from the city or connect travelers to an interesting tour.
For Chinese history enthusiasts, the Fangshan line brings you Dabaotai, home to the tomb of a Yan king of the Western Han Dynasty. The tomb, built around 2,000 years ago, is constructed entirely out of wood. Approximately 15,800 Cypress logs were used to create the tomb, which was sealed with charcoal and gypsum to protect the structure. Visitors can get a close look at the tomb's construction, the fossils of the chariots and horses left in the tomb, and other sacrifices on display.
The Fangshan line is the only line not connected to the rest of Beijing's subways; the 2012 opening of line 9 will join the remote line with the rest of the system. In the meantime, passengers can connect by bus to the Daxing line's Xingong Station. The line connects the Fangshan and Fengtai districts, and stops by the Beijing Institute of Technology's Fangshan Campus. At the southern end of the line, Songzhuang and Liangxiang University town are bustling urban areas that feel more like a smaller Chinese city than part of the international metropolis of Beijing.
If a leisurely country stroll seems more inviting, try Yizhuang Line's Yizhuang Culture Park Station. The Yizhuang Line connects to Line 5's Songjiaxhuang Station that includes 14 stops in southeastern Beijing.
The Daxing line opened in southern Beijing, which merges with Line 4 at Gongyixiqiao.
In northern Beijing, the first phase of line 15 is perhaps the most anticipated opening. The line connects Wangjing West Station with Houshayu, offering a convenient, traffic jam-free route to Beijing's China International Exhibition Center. Line 15 will eventually extend to the popular suburb of Shunyi, and reach as far west as Zhongguancun.
The first 7 stations of northwest Beijing's Changping Line opened. The route begins at Line 13's Xi'erqi Station and runs north. When phase 2 of the line opens, travelers will be able to reach the Ming Tombs.
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