You can finally get a mobile phone signal on Line 10

When the new number 10 subway line opened last month, it was without a wireless and phone network that would allow passengers to receive a signal on the mobiles, it also meant that the nice flat screen TVs wouldn't be able to screen live feeds of Olympic events. The hardware had all been built, but according to news reports, mobile phone providers China Mobile and China Unicom were unable to reach any kind of agreement with the Beijing Subway Company. However, as of yesterday it appears that the three parties have come to some kind of agreement that will at least see mobile phone coverage along line 10 during the Olympics. Today's Beijing newspapers report that people were able to receive a signal from both China Mobile and China Daily while traveling on line 10 yuesterday.

If you do take a spin on the new line, it might be worth keeping an eye out, todays Beijing News has an article about a woman who was injured by a section of the plaster roof falling on her at the C2 exit of Sanyuan Qiao station. For a detailed map of the new line check out this new site or visit David Feng's Beijingology or CN Reviews. The latter site features a handy how-to guide for anyone still confused by the new swipe card system, a similar guide can also be found on the official Beijing government website.

Speaking of line 10, I thought this would be a good chance to republish this helpful little guide to the new subway line that Jennifer Conrad put together for the August issue of the Beijinger magazine.

Bagou

Emptying out in a somewhat scary and industrial stretch of Bagou Lu, this stop hits the south side of Haidian Park. Cross the park or hire a cab from here to reach the Summer Palace. There's not much around this stop, but if you need a quick drink or bite to eat, the Novotel to the southeast has a bar and restaurant.

Suzhou Jie

One long block north on Suzhou Jie leads to veggie-friendly Lotus in Moonlight restaurant. Also to the north is the sprawling Dadi Garden Hotel, with a bar-filled pedestrian strip on its east side.

Haidan Huangzhuang

Just north of Remnin University, this is the place to come for new and used electronics, software, illicit iPhone unlocking, and all your other tech-geek needs. Haidian Theater, near the northeast exit, shows foreign and Chinese movies.

Zhichunli

Walk south for a charming little park with intense mahjong matches. Behind the park – surprise! – you'll find the Brazilian BBQ place Carnival Churrascuria do Brasil.

Zhichunlu Transfer to line 13

The massive Walmart Supercenter has an entrance attached to this station. Along Zhichun Lu's north side you'll find Feiteng Yuxiang (specializing in fiery Sichuan shuizhuyu) at 17 Zhichun Lu.

Xitucheng

Not much happening here, but the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium (the Olympic weightlifting venue) is north of the stop.

Mudanyuan

Sit next to students from nearby universities in the plush couches at Library Cafe, half a block north of the train station. To the west of the station is the giltzy Yihai Ocean Star Spa. If Yihai is too pricey, the slightly clinical Blindman Massage (a little to the west at 145 Beituchang Xilu) has hour-long massages for 60 kuai.

Beitucheng Transfer to Olympic Line

Things get a little surreal up here: To the northwest of the station, there's a beautiful brick mosque that has been converted into ... an outlet mall. There's also the Minzu Gongyuan – the minority theme park, unfortunately translated as “Racist Park” – and a Holiday Inn Express that looks like it's built into a rock.

Anzhenmen

At the southwest corner of the Olympic Green, this stop also hits the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park, housing a ten-meter-tall stretch of wall constructed between 1267 and 1276. When you've had enough of the Olympics action, pole-vault over to the shady park, which also has a teahouse and Chinese restaurant.

Huxindujie Nankou Transfer to Line 5 and Shaoyaoju Transfer to Line 13

Two restaurants are worth this trek to stretch of Beitucheng Dong Lu: Yijinyuan Muslim Restaurant specializes in whole lambs and Jia 21 Hao serves Yunnan-style dishes. Most excitingly is the bizarre, and often deserted, Yuan Dynasty Bar Street with spots like My Blueberry Nights and Climax.

Taiyanggong

Ikea! Ikea! The flimsy-stylish Scandinavian housewares are finally accessible without a taxi ride (walk up Taiyanggong Middle Road past the Fourth Ring). Go south to the bank of Ba He for a scruffy farmer's market.

Sanyuan Qiao Transfer to Airport Express

Stock up on cheese and fresh goodies at the Sanyuan Li farmer's market, a little to the west of this station.

Liangmaqiao

The Liangma flower market has, yeah, flowers on the first floor and a good selection of cheap housewares on the second. When you're exhausted from fending off aggressive petal-pushers, cross the street to the Lufthansa Center and have a pint at the Paulaner Brauhaus. Walk east on Liangmaqiao Road for the Liangma antique market. Also to the east, the bar strips of Lucky Street, Nuren Jie, and Super Bar Street are now within stumbling distance of the subway.

Agricultural Exhibition Center

If your night's not complete without French dining (Brasserie Flo), cigars, karaoke, and a massage, you can find them all in Rainbow Plaza (Lingbo Guangcheng), a strangely Madrid-like courtyard on the east side of the Third Ring. Also on the block is CD Jazz Cafe, with live music on the weekends, and a cozy branch of Annie's Italian Experience.

Tuanjiehu

There isn't much to see when you exit the train, but there's lots of eating and drinking to be done nearby: The Sanlitun bar strip sits one block to the west. Da Dong Roast Duck has a branch to the south of the station on the east side. Pure Lotus Vegetarian is a little to the east at 10 Nongzhanguan Nanlu. Keep heading east to Chaoyang Park West Gate for the strip that includes The World of Suzie Wong's.

Hujialou

Chaoyang Theater, at 36 East Third Ring Road, has daily acrobatics and Peking Opera performances. And since watching other people work up a sweat can leave you awfully hungry, after the show, walk north to Matsuko Japanese Restaurant. Also on to the northeast is Tuanjiehu – a peaceful enough park to make you forget about ring-road congestion.

Jintaixizhao/Guomao Transfer to Line 1

These two stations sort of blend together, serving the sprawl of the China World Trade Center. Just south of CWTC, Jianwai Soho is home to an obscene amount of coffee shops and some interesting boutiques. On a particularly ugly stretch of the Third Ring, south of the Guomao bridge, you'll find two surprisingly nice restaurants: Le Cafe Igosso (Italian) and Meshihiya Hashiba (Japanese), as well as Together Bar, winner of Best Hidden Gem at the Beijinger’s 2008 Reader Bar and Club Awards.

Shuangjing

Stretching west behind the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, you'll find a road that sits like a canyon between high-rises. Walk along the mysteriously Star of David-bedecked sidewalk for a branch of the salon Chlitina Beauty, Fragrant Wind restaurant, and the wine bar AOZ from Australia. There's also a golf store (English name: Golf Shop) and Modern Wind, a boutique full of swingy dresses and snakeskin pumps.

Jinsong

From the end of Line 10, walk south on the west side of the Third Ring to Panjiayuan. Wander through the jumbled stalls for faux antiques, ethnic throws, and shadow puppets to make your Beijing rental a little cozier. For a calmer shopping experience, hit the multi-story Beijing Chaowai Zhaojia Classical Furniture Market on the west side of the Third Ring.

Links and Sources
The Beijing News: 地铁10号线通手机信号
China Tech News: Entrance Fee Blocks Mobile Signal Into Beijing's Subway Line Ten
TechBlog86: Line 10 Without Signals: The Reason(s) Why
Star Daily: Image
Xcar.com: Image
The Beijing News: 地铁通道落石灰 女子遭横祸