"Time Train" Returns on Beijing Subway Line 1 Batong Line
Source：Beijing Tongzhou Fabu 2025-07-30
A special subway train that captures the evolution of Beijing's metro system and showcases iconic cultural and tourism landmarks across the city resumed operation on July 22. The "Time Train," operating along Line 1 and the Batong Line, immerses passengers in decades of transit history.
Step into the first carriage and you're greeted by green cushioned seats, brown rubber flooring, white ceiling fans, and faux-wood wallpaper—reproducing the original decor of early Beijing subway cars. As passengers move further along the train, the green cushioned seats are replaced by face-to-face plastic seating, the flooring and wall colors become lighter, and the interior grows noticeably brighter. These changes reflect the evolution of Beijing's main subway train models over the past several decades.
Comprising six carriages, each one features highlights from a different district along the route. In the sixth carriage, attractions from Tongzhou District are showcased below the windows, including posters of the "THIS IS THE SHANG" exhibition, the Tongzhou Museum, Songzhuang Artist Colony, Taihu Theatre, Central Green Forest Park, and the Grand Canal.
The "THIS IS THE SHANG" exhibition, currently on view at the Beijing Grand Canal Museum, opened on May 18. It presents over 300 cultural relics from 28 institutions including the Henan Museum and the Yinxu Museum, featuring landmark reunions such as two Fu Hao Owl Zuns and two Ya Chou battle-axes.
Songzhuang Artist Colony is one of the three distinctive towns being developed in Beijing's sub-center. In addition to numerous artist studios open for visits, the village also features hidden cafés nestled in quiet alleys, waiting to be discovered by visitors. This summer, the colony's nine major museums have come together for the first time to launch the "Summer Museum Season" initiative, offering a single pass for entry to all nine venues.
Each of these attractions is marked with the nearest subway station on the posters displayed in the train.
The Time Train will operate through August 31, running from Tuesday to Sunday. It departs daily at 12:00 p.m. from Gucheng Station and arrives at Universal Resort Station around 1:00 p.m., before returning on the same route. There is only one round trip per day.
This summer, hop aboard the "Time Train" to turn your daily commute into a journey of cultural discovery, and experience the vibrancy of Beijing's summer through green travel and urban storytelling.
Step into the first carriage and you're greeted by green cushioned seats, brown rubber flooring, white ceiling fans, and faux-wood wallpaper—reproducing the original decor of early Beijing subway cars. As passengers move further along the train, the green cushioned seats are replaced by face-to-face plastic seating, the flooring and wall colors become lighter, and the interior grows noticeably brighter. These changes reflect the evolution of Beijing's main subway train models over the past several decades.
Comprising six carriages, each one features highlights from a different district along the route. In the sixth carriage, attractions from Tongzhou District are showcased below the windows, including posters of the "THIS IS THE SHANG" exhibition, the Tongzhou Museum, Songzhuang Artist Colony, Taihu Theatre, Central Green Forest Park, and the Grand Canal.
The "THIS IS THE SHANG" exhibition, currently on view at the Beijing Grand Canal Museum, opened on May 18. It presents over 300 cultural relics from 28 institutions including the Henan Museum and the Yinxu Museum, featuring landmark reunions such as two Fu Hao Owl Zuns and two Ya Chou battle-axes.
Songzhuang Artist Colony is one of the three distinctive towns being developed in Beijing's sub-center. In addition to numerous artist studios open for visits, the village also features hidden cafés nestled in quiet alleys, waiting to be discovered by visitors. This summer, the colony's nine major museums have come together for the first time to launch the "Summer Museum Season" initiative, offering a single pass for entry to all nine venues.
Each of these attractions is marked with the nearest subway station on the posters displayed in the train.
The Time Train will operate through August 31, running from Tuesday to Sunday. It departs daily at 12:00 p.m. from Gucheng Station and arrives at Universal Resort Station around 1:00 p.m., before returning on the same route. There is only one round trip per day.
This summer, hop aboard the "Time Train" to turn your daily commute into a journey of cultural discovery, and experience the vibrancy of Beijing's summer through green travel and urban storytelling.