The establishment of the Changchun Rail Transit System has made Changchun the only Chinese city to have a comprehensive light rail network. Currently, the system consists of two lines with a total length of 50.63 km and 49 active stations. The Changchun Rail Transit Corporation manages this system, which serves approximately 140,000 passengers daily.
The Changchun Metro, also known as the LRT, is a primary public transport system in Changchun, China. The daily ridership for this system is not reported.
The Changchun Metro does not operate 24 hours a day. The operating hours are from 6:00 am to 22:00 pm from Monday to Sunday. The trains do not have air conditioning and passengers cannot walk between platforms. Changchun Metro does not use driverless trains.
The metro does not have platform screen doors. The fare for a trip on the metro is 2 Chinese Yuan, and there are entry and exit gates for fare enforcement.
Changchun Metro Map
Map of Changchun Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Changchun Metro map in PDF format.
Changchun Rail Transit
Background
Changchun, the capital of Jilin Province in China, is one of the country’s major centres and is home to over 6 million people. The city is the country’s most important automotive business centre. Changchun also hosted the 2007 Asian Winter Games. The city’s increasing traffic pressure necessitated a rapid transit system, leading to the creation of the Changchun Rail Transit System in 1939. This system was designed to serve both residents and visitors to the city.
While other Chinese cities were still contemplating the idea, Changchun launched its light rail system. Line 3 was launched on 10 October 2002, with only the section between Changchun Railway Station and Weiguangjieand Station in operation. The line was extended to Changyingshijicheng on 26 December 2006. Line 4, which has been in operation since 30 June 2006, runs between Chechang and Dongdaqiao. On 7 May 2012, Line 4 was extended to Changchun North Station.
Operating Hours
The metro system operates from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, with slight variations depending on the line. Trains run every 4 minutes during peak hours and every 8 minutes during off-peak hours.
Lines and Stations
The light rail system currently consists of two lines: Line 3 and Line 4. Both lines form a loop structure and intersect at Changchun Railway Station. However, interchange between the lines is not possible at this location.
On the south side, the two lines intersect to allow interchange. This is at Linhejie Station on Line 3 and at Weixinglu Station on Line 4. The two stations are connected by a 200 metre long passageway. Despite having different names, these stations are essentially the same.
Of the 49 stations, some are elevated, some are at ground level and some are underground.
Line 3
Line 3, a northwest-southeast line, runs from Changchun Railway Station in Kuancheng District to Shijiguangchang Station in Nanguan District. It covers a distance of 32 km and connects 33 stations, passing through important areas such as Jingyue Park, Jingyue Campus of Northeast Normal University and the Convention & Exhibition Centre.
A complete journey on this line takes about 65 minutes. Stations on this line are either at ground level or elevated. Single articulated trains operate on this line.
Major stations on this line include:
- Changchun Railway Station
- Liaoninglu
- Xi’anqiao
- Jiefangqiao
- Fusonglu
- Guigudajie
- Nanhudalu
- Guigudajie
- Kuanpingqiao
- Linhejie
- Jingyuegongyuan
- Huaxuechang
- Changyingshijicheng
Line 4
Line 4 is partially operational between Changchun North Station and Chechang Station. It passes through 16 stations along a 16.3 km route. This line also connects several of the city’s hot spots, including the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State.
A full journey on this line takes just over half an hour. Some of the stations on this line are underground, while others are elevated. Trains on this line consist of two coupled sections and two intermediate sections.
The main stations on this line are:
- Changchun Railway Station North
- Beiyataidajie
- Weihuanggong
- Jilindalu
- Pudonglu
- Weixinglu
- Nansanhuan
- Chechang
Planned Expansions
Plans for Line 3 include an extension from Changchun station to Yongning Lu station. Once completed, an additional transfer to Line 4 will be possible at the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State.
Line 4 will be extended to a total length of 45 km with 33 stations. The overall plans for the system include the construction of 19 light rail lines with a total track length of 527 km. Construction of Lines 1 and 2 is currently underway, and construction of Lines 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 will begin shortly.
Proposed routes for the new lines are:
- Line 1: from Beihuanchenglu to Lanjia; from Hongzuizi to Yongchun
- Line 2: from Dongfangguangchang to Xiangshui
- Line 5: from Fufeng to Xinglongshan
- Line 6: from Changchun West Railway Station to Fuzhilu
- Line 7: from Bailongju to Taipingcun
- Line 8: from Lanjia to Changping Cooperation Zone
- Line 9: from Haoyue Park to Fuzhi Road South
- Line 10: from Mishazi to West Highway
Fares and Tickets
The fare structure for the Changchun metro is based on distance. For the first 14.5 km, adults are charged CNY2. For distances between 14.5 km and 24.5 km, the fare is CNY3. For further journeys, the fare is CNY4.
Tickets can be either a single ticket or a Light Rail Smart Card. The latter offers a 5% discount on the ticket price. Single tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or ticket windows at station entrances. These tickets must be returned on exit.
Facilities and Services
The Changchun Rail Transit Corporation provides various facilities to ensure a smooth journey for all passengers. These include
- All seats are heated for comfort during the winter season.
- Each station has a nearby bus line.
- Train floors are only a few centimetres above the rails, making it easy for children and the elderly to get on and off.
- All station and train announcements are in both Chinese and English.
Regulations
To ensure the smooth operation of the system, passengers must comply with the following rules:
- Fare evasion will result in severe penalties, possibly requiring payment of several times the original fare.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption are prohibited in stations and on trains.
- Photography is not allowed.
- The Metro Security Authority may carry out security checks if necessary.
Travel Tips
To enhance your subway experience in Changchun, please consider the following suggestions:
- Always have a subway map with you when travelling on the Changchun Rail Transit System. These maps are available for free at ticket offices or information centres.
- If there is more than one exit, decide which one is closest to your destination before continuing.