Metro systems in China
Which cities have a metro, how to pay, and how to use it without reading Chinese.
What everyone needs to know
- Every metro station has bag screening; allow a few extra minutes at busy stations.
- You pay by scanning a QR code from Alipay or WeChat at the gate — no card or token needed in most cities.
- Signs and announcements are bilingual in tier-1 cities; smaller networks may be Chinese-only.
- Service usually runs 05:30–23:00, with the last train earlier than you expect.
The numbers
| Item | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Fare | ¥2–10 by distance |
| Shanghai network | >800 km, world’s largest |
| Beijing fare | ¥3 flat within the inner zones |
| Last trains | Typically 22:30–23:30 |
Do it in this order
- Enable the metro QR in Alipay (Transport → Metro) and select your city.
- Scan at the entry gate, then again at the exit gate — the fare is deducted on exit.
- Note your exit letter and number; large stations have a dozen exits.
- Avoid 08:00–09:00 and 17:30–19:00 with luggage.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the metro runs late enough for a night out — it does not.
- Buying a physical card when the QR works everywhere.
- Missing the last transfer; lines stop before the network does.
Sources
Metro systems city by city
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Xi'an
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Guilin
- Zhangjiajie
- Hangzhou
- Guangzhou
- Shenzhen
- Harbin
- Sanya
- Lijiang
- Kunming
- Suzhou
- Xiamen
- Zhengzhou
- Taiyuan
- Guiyang
- Fuzhou
- Yiwu
- Tianjin
- Nanjing
- Wuhan
- Changsha
- Qingdao
- Jinan
- Shenyang
- Dalian
- Changchun
- Hohhot
- Urumqi
- Lhasa
- Xining
- Lanzhou
- Yinchuan
- Dunhuang
- Luoyang
- Kaifeng
- Datong
- Pingyao
- Qufu
- Tai'an
- Huangshan
- Hefei
- Nanchang
- Wenzhou
- Ningbo
- Wuxi
- Yangzhou
- Shaoxing
- Zhuhai
- Foshan
- Dongguan
- Haikou
- Nanning
- Yangshuo
- Dali
- Shangri-La
- Xishuangbanna