Tram systems in Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, situated on the northern edge of the North China Plain, with mountains to the north and west. It is one of the country’s principal political, cultural and educational centres. Its historic core includes the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, while the Summer Palace and former imperial gardens occupy the city’s northwestern outskirts.
Beijing’s public transport system is centred on an extensive metro network, supported by urban and suburban buses, suburban railways and two modern tram lines. Major railway stations provide high-speed and conventional rail connections across China, while Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport have dedicated airport rail services.
The modern tram lines complement the metro in two distinct parts of the city: Xijiao serves the western gardens and scenic areas, while Yizhuang T1 provides local connections within the southeastern development area. A separate tourist tramway operates along Qianmen Street in the historic centre.
Beijing has three physically separate tram lines: two modern public transport routes included on the city’s rail transit maps, and a short tourist tramway.
The Xijiao line, opened in December 2017, runs from Bagou to Xiangshan, serving six stops. It connects with metro Line 10 at Bagou and provides access to the western side of the Summer Palace, the China National Botanical Garden and the Fragrant Hills area. Its landscaped alignment through Beijing’s western outskirts gives it a strong leisure and sightseeing role alongside everyday local journeys.
Yizhuang T1, opened in December 2020, runs between Quzhuang and Dinghaiyuan, serving 14 stops over approximately 11.9 kilometres. It links residential neighbourhoods, employment areas and public facilities within the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, with an interchange to the Yizhuang metro line at Rongchang Dongjie. The planned southern terminus at Laoguanli has not opened, so Quzhuang remains the operating terminus.
The Qianmen tourist tramway runs along the pedestrianised Qianmen shopping street between Qianmen and Zhushikou. Approximately 840 metres long, with two operating stops, it uses traditionally styled tramcars to offer visitors a short sightseeing journey through the historic commercial district. It is a separate tourist operation rather than part of the metro-linked tram services.
The Lines tab provides an overview of the three routes.
The two modern tram lines form part of the Beijing Public Transport Group, which also operates much of the city’s bus network. Its tram subsidiary, Beijing Public Transport Tram Co., Ltd., operates the Xijiao line, while Beijing Yizhuang Public Transport Tram Co., Ltd. operates Yizhuang T1.
The Qianmen tourist tramway is operated separately by Beijing Wangfujing Tourist Vehicle Sightseeing Service Co., Ltd.
Beijing’s first electric tramway opened in 1899, connecting Majiabao railway station with Yongdingmen, outside the southern city wall. This short-lived line was destroyed during the Boxer Uprising in 1900 and was not rebuilt.
A more substantial urban system followed in December 1924, when a tram route opened between Qianmen and Xizhimen. Further routes were added during the following years, establishing trams as an important part of everyday transport in Beijing.
The tram network developed through the 1920s and 1930s, but wartime disruption and deteriorating equipment subsequently affected services. Following 1949, work to repair vehicles and infrastructure helped restore the system.
During the late 1950s, Beijing began replacing its trams with trolleybuses and motor buses. Tram services within the inner city ceased in 1959, although a remaining route between Yongdingmen and Beijing Gymnasium continued until 6 May 1966, bringing the original system to an end.
Trams reappeared on the restored Qianmen shopping street in 2008, with formal passenger operation on the short tourist tramway beginning on 1 January 2009. Its traditionally styled vehicles recalled the city’s earlier trams, although the line served as a visitor attraction rather than a revival of the former urban network.
Modern trams became part of Beijing’s wider public transport system on 30 December 2017, with the opening of the Xijiao line between Bagou and Xiangshan. The route linked the metro with the gardens, parks and residential areas of the western suburbs.
A second modern route, Yizhuang T1, opened on 31 December 2020 between Quzhuang and Dinghaiyuan. Built to serve the southeastern development area, it introduced a more locally focused tram service connecting residential districts, workplaces and the Yizhuang metro line.
Beijing’s tram routes are listed below, including the Qianmen tourist tramway.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| Xijiao | The Xijiao line runs between Bagou and Xiangshan via the Summer Palace West Gate and China National Botanical Garden. |
| T1 | Line T1 runs between Quzhuang and Dinghaiyuan via Rongchang Dongjie, serving the Yizhuang development area. |
| Qianmen | The Qianmen line is a tourist tramway that runs along Qianmen Street between Qianmen and Zhushikou. |
Beijing’s three tram lines use standard-gauge track (1,435 mm) but are physically separate, with no track connections between them.
The Xijiao line runs mainly on reserved track, including landscaped sections, with short underground sections allowing it to pass beneath roads and sensitive locations. Yizhuang T1 is a surface tramway, largely following reserved corridors alongside roads, with level crossings at road junctions.
The Qianmen tourist tramway uses tracks embedded in the pedestrianised shopping street, with vehicles operating slowly among pedestrians.
Xijiao and Yizhuang T1 use 750 V DC overhead electrification, collected by pantograph.
Qianmen operates without overhead wires, using onboard electrical energy storage. This allows the traditionally styled trams to run along the historic street without a continuous overhead contact system.
The Xijiao line uses five-section, fully low-floor articulated trams manufactured by CRRC Dalian, based on the Sirio design. Vehicles can operate individually or in coupled pairs to accommodate heavier passenger demand.
Yizhuang T1 uses five-section, fully low-floor articulated trams manufactured by Beijing Subway Rolling Stock Equipment Co., Ltd., commonly known as Jingche. These provide a continuous low floor through the passenger accommodation.
The Qianmen line uses short, traditionally styled electric tramcars designed for sightseeing. Their appearance recalls Beijing’s original street trams, while their propulsion equipment is modern.
Xijiao and Yizhuang T1 combine modern tram vehicles with dedicated stops and reserved infrastructure. Their connections with the metro are passenger interchanges rather than shared running arrangements.
Qianmen is a separate tourist operation, with a short route, low operating speeds and its own ticketing arrangements.