Beijing News You Might Have Missed This Week, Jan 13

Irene Li, Associate Editor | Jan 13, 2024 12:14 pm | Add a comment | 178 reads

Beijing is a happening city! Don't miss a thing with our weekend roundup of the latest news.

Beijing Set to Transform Transit with Expansive Railway Network: Beijing is already home to an impressive railway network, featuring four active lines: the S2 line, the urban sub-center line, the Huairou-Miyun line, and the Tongmi line, reports Beijing Jiaotong Guangbo (北京交通广播). Spanning over 400 kilometers and including 24 stations, the city's rail infrastructure serves as a vital transportation backbone.

In a bold move to further integrate the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and bring the Beijing urban plan to life, the city is poised to revolutionize its urban (suburban) railway system. The planned expansion, which will introduce a "half-ring plus radiation" network design, is set to significantly enhance the capital's connectivity.

By the year 2035, Beijing aims to launch 12 new railway lines through 14 strategic projects, effectively boosting the network's reach to an impressive 874 kilometers. This expansion will include nine commuter-focused lines spanning about 627 kilometers, streamlining daily travel for millions. Additionally, five tourist-centric routes totaling roughly 247 kilometers will be developed, making the city's rich cultural and historical sites more accessible.

Beijing Bolsters Rail Network to include New Routes to Wuhan, Nanning, and Harbin: Following the first-quarter adjustments to the National Railway plan in 2024, Beijing's train services are set to expand significantly, reports Beijing News Radio. The capital will see the addition of three new pairs of passenger trains operating routes from Beijing to Wuhan, Nanning East, and Harbin West. Notably, the service to Harbin will also make stops at key stations including Beijing West, Beijing Railway Station, and Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station, enhancing the city's interconnectivity.

Beijing Announces 2024 Spring Festival Holiday Schedule: In a recent official announcement, the General Office of the Beijing Municipal People's Government has unveiled the holiday schedule for the 2024 Spring Festival, reports Beijing Daily. The capital city will observe an extended public holiday from Feb 10, which marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, until Feb 17 (Saturday), the eighth day of the festival.

Furthermore, to accommodate the extended break, workdays have been adjusted with residents expected to report to their jobs on Feb 4 (Sunday) and Feb 18 (Sunday).