Subway is the fastest way across any Chinese city — cheap, on-time, English-signposted, and you pay by scanning the Alipay transit QR. Avoid 7:30–9am and 5:30–7pm unless you fancy being packed in like a spring roll.
Ride the subway
Get your card or code
Set up the Alipay or WeChat ride code, or buy a physical transit card at the service centre.
Find the entrance
Look for the subway logo — a circle with a line through it (varies by city). Entrances are usually numbered A, B, C, D. Check your map app for the correct exit letter.
Security check
Airport-style scanner. 10–30 seconds when the station isn't busy.
Tap in
Hold your QR or card over the turnstile reader.
Transfer
Follow line numbers and the end-station name for your direction.
Tap out
Scan again at your destination — the fare is deducted automatically.
How to Pay — 3 Options
| Method | Status | Steps | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay Transport Code | RECOMMENDED | Open Alipay → tap 出行 (Travel) on home screen → tap 乘车码 (Ride Code) → scan at turnstile | Works in 300+ cities; auto-pays on exit; no deposit needed |
| WeChat Transport Code | ALTERNATIVE | Open WeChat → tap Services → tap 出行服务 (Travel Services) → tap 乘车码 and scan | Same cities as Alipay; good if you prefer WeChat; auto-pays on exit |
| Physical Transit Card | BACKUP OPTION | Go to 服务中心 (Service Center) at station → pay ¥20 deposit + top up balance → tap card at turnstile → return card at end of trip for deposit | No phone needed; works when phone dies; no app required |
Subway Phrase Cards
A full-screen Chinese card is the quickest way to ask station staff for help. Keep a set on your phone from the survival cards page.
Major City Subway Guide
| City | Lines | Fare | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai 上海 | 20 | ¥3–10 | 5:30am–11pm | Longest network in the world |
| Beijing 北京 | 27 | ¥3–10 | 5:00am–11pm | Most lines but crowded at rush hour |
| Guangzhou 广州 | 14 | ¥2–14 | 6:00am–11:30pm | Distance-based, very cheap |
| Shenzhen 深圳 | 16 | ¥2–13 | 6:30am–11pm | Modern network, easy to navigate |
| Chengdu 成都 | 13 | ¥2–8 | 6:30am–11pm | Great for getting to tourist sites |
| Xi'an 西安 | 8 | ¥2–6 | 6:30am–10:30pm | Covers key historical sites |
See what those fares are worth in your own currency:
1 Rush Hour & When to Ride
Subway is almost always faster than taxis in Chinese cities — except during peak crush. Here's the honest breakdown:
Peak Rush — 7:00–9:00am
Packed. If possible, delay 30 mins or get a Didi instead.
Best Time — 9:00am–5:00pm
Empty seats, comfortable, fast. This is prime subway time.
Evening Rush — 5:30–7:30pm
Very crowded but trains are frequent. Give it 20 min buffer.
Late Evening — 7:30pm to close
Quiet again. Just watch the last train time — subways close around 11pm.
2 Security Check Tips
Every subway station in China has airport-style security. It takes 10–30 seconds when the station isn't busy. Here's what to know:
- Bags go on the belt — all bags, including backpacks and handbags
- Water bottles are fine — they won't ask you to drink it
- Power banks are allowed — no size limit at subway (different from flights)
- Keep your phone in hand — you'll need it for the QR code right after
- You don't remove shoes — just walk through the scanner normally
- Umbrellas trigger the scanner — put them in your bag or hand them to the staff
3 Taking the Bus
Buses are even cheaper than the subway (usually ¥1–2) but harder to navigate without Chinese. Use them for:
- Short hops between subway stations
- Getting to areas not served by subway
- Scenic city routes (many tourist buses are numbered routes)
Open the ride code
Alipay → 出行 (Travel) → 乘车码 — same code as subway.
Scan on boarding
Hold phone over the scanner near the driver.
Listen for the beep
You're in. Fare deducted automatically.
Just get off
No need to scan when exiting a bus (flat fare per ride).
4 Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Getting on the wrong direction | Check the end station name shown above the platform. Compare to your map. The train announces each stop in Chinese AND English in major cities. |
| Missing the last train | Most subways close around 11pm–11:30pm. Check Google Maps or ask "末班车几点？" (what time is the last train?). After midnight, use Didi. |
| Exiting at the wrong exit | Screenshot your destination exit letter (A/B/C/D) before going underground. Wrong exits can put you 500m+ away from your destination. |
| Alipay code not loading | Open Alipay while still on WiFi/data. The code refreshes every minute — if it expired, just wait 3 seconds. Offline mode works too once activated. |
| Assuming subway goes everywhere | Subway is great for city centers but some tourist sites are 20+ min walk from the nearest station. Check Gaode for the full route including walking. |
5 Pro Tips
- Screenshot exit numbers before going underground — no signal in many stations
- Keep screen brightness high when scanning — dim screens fail more often
- Stand to the right on escalators — walk-side is left. A Chinese courtesy you'll be thanked for.
- Luggage is fine on the subway — just step aside for other passengers and use the first/last car which are often less crowded
- Free WiFi at most stations — connect before going to the platform
- Priority seats — the orange/pink seats near doors are for elderly and pregnant. Give them up without hesitation.
Subway vs Didi: Quick Decision Guide
| Choice | When |
|---|---|
| Take subway | Rush hour, distance >5km in city center, budget travel |
| Take Didi | Late night, carrying heavy luggage, going to the suburbs, bad weather |
| Take both | Subway to nearest station, Didi for the last mile |