Looking Ahead to Line 10

Workers are currently putting the finishing touches on phase one of Subway Line 10, which is set to open in June. A recent test ride from the university district in Haidian to the CBD revealed spotless, modern train cars and platforms similar to those already in use on Lines 5 and 2.

The stations are impressive too. At Beitucheng, the Olympic Branch transfer stop, vine-like blue-on-white designs creep across the walls, in a nod to traditional ceramics. The global map design of Sanyuanqiao is a reference to the wide world waiting at the end of the connecting airport line, also set to open in summer. A riot of orange lamps and hi-tech design greets you when you alight at Jintaixizhao, a station named after one of the classical Eight Sights of Beijing, you can read more about the controversy surrounding the name of the station here.

The 15.5 billion yuan ($2.18 billion), 25km line will eventually form a ring roughly corresponding to the Third Ring Road. The eastern and northern sections have already been completed, while the western and southern sections are slated for completion in 2012. Starting from Jinsongqiao, the line passes Guomao and continues up to the Lufthansa center, before turning east at Shaoyaoju. From Shaoyaoju, it runs east half-way between the Third and Fourth rings, following the line of the Yuan Dynasty walls and ending finally at Bagoucun, a short distance from the Summer Palace.

This article is taken from the upcoming issue of Urbane. Readers can also take a look at the Going Underground feature exploring the best in global subway design, which appeared in their Oct 2007 issue.

Jesse Watson is a freelance writer covering architecture, urbanism, and preservation in Beijing and Northern China.

Matthew Niederhauser is an independent photographer based in Beijing.

Links and Sources:
Beijingology: Subway Line 10
tbjblog: Next Stop on Line 10: Guanghua Lu ... I mean Jintaixizhao
tbjblog: Swept Under the Rug
The Beijinger Forum: The 'Mythical' Subway Line No. 3
Xinhua: Beijing subway line 10 opens for engineering trials
Beijing 2008: Beijing Subway System (includes map of Beijing subway – 2008)
Beijing 2008: Beijing Subway Line 10 successfully completes critical stage
Wired: Beijing's Subway Master Plan: 516 Kilometers (includes map of Beijing subway – 2050)
Johomaps: Metro Map of Beijing