Recently, Beijing officially released its 2026 Rail Transit Construction Plan. This year, the city will advance nine urban rail transit projects totaling 150.6 kilometers, and two suburban rail projects totaling 90.5 kilometers.

The nine urban rail projects include: Line 22 (Hongmiao–Pinggu), Daxing Airport Express (Caoqiao–Lize Shangwuqu), Phase 1 of Line 3 (Guanzhuanglu Xikou–Caogezhuang Bei), Line 12 (Dongbabei–Dongba Beijie), Line 28, the Line 13 capacity expansion and upgrade project, Phase 1 of Line M101, a branch line of Line 1, and the section linking Yizhuang Line with Lines 5 and 10.

The plan also covers two suburban rail projects: the overall improvement project of the Beijing Suburban Railway Sub-Center Line (Beijingxi Zhan–Liangxiang section) and the Suburban Railway Northeast Loop Line. Other projects, such as the addition of Wangjing Nan (S) Station of Capital Airport Express, will also continue.

Line 22 (Hongmiao–Pinggu) will be the first inter-provincial urban rail transit line between Beijing and Hebei. It runs from Dongdaqiao in Chaoyang District in the west to Pinggu New Town in the east, passing through Chaoyang, Tongzhou, and Pinggu districts of Beijing, as well as Sanhe City of Hebei Province. The line has a total of 20 planned stations, including 15 in Beijing and five in Hebei, connecting key functional areas such as the Beijing Central Business District (CBD), the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), Yanjiao in Hebei, and Pinggu New Town.

Diagram of Line 22 (Pinggu Line)

The overall improvement project of the Beijing Suburban Railway Sub-Center Line (Beijingxi Zhan–Liangxiang section) is expected to be ready for initial operation this year. Two new stations—Yamenkou Dong (E) and Fangshan Dong (E)—will be added, while the three existing stations—Liangxiang, Houlücun and Beijingxi Zhan—will be renovated. A new double-track section will be constructed between Liangxiang and Fangshan Dong (E) stations. Upon opening, the number of daily train services will increase from the current six pairs to 18 pairs.

Diagram of the section covered by the Beijing Suburban Railway Sub-Center Line overall improvement project

In addition, to further improve the experience for passengers, efforts will be made this year to bring Hongmiao Station on Line 14 into operation. Four entrances/exits are also expected to be ready for open this year, including Entrance/Exit B2 at Wangjing Nan (S) Station on Line 14, Entrance/Exit B at Yongdingmenwai Station on Line 14, Entrance/Exit A2 at Huoqiying Station on Line 10, and Entrance/Exit C at Jijiamiao Station on Line 10.

(Source: Beijing Fabu)

(Photos via the Beijing Major Projects Construction Headquarters Office)