Changchun LRT is part of the wider Changchun Rail Transit system in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. It combines light rail and metro services, making it a major part of city transport and daily public transport across the capital. The network includes three light rail lines and three rapid transit lines, extends 140.77 kilometers (87.47 miles), and has 123 stations. One of its standout features is Line 3, the first true light rail line in Mainland China. Since 2019, the fare system has been integrated across light rail and metro lines, so transfers are simpler and the whole transport system works more like one network.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Changchun Rail Transit |
| City | Changchun, Jilin Province, China |
| Type | Light rail and rapid transit metro |
| Network length | 140.77 km (87.47 miles) |
| Stations | 123 |
| Current lines | Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 |
| Notable fact | Line 3 was the first true light rail line in Mainland China |
| Fare integration | Light rail and metro fare systems combined since 2019 |
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.
Lines and Stations
Changchun LRT and metro services together form a network with six active lines. For anyone looking for a stations map, route plan, or stations list, the system currently covers 140.77 kilometers (87.47 miles) and 123 stations, with more sections still under construction.
The network includes three rapid transit lines and three light rail lines:
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Rapid transit metro line, opened in 2017, with 15 stations over 18.1 km (11.25 miles). Terminals: North Ring Road and Hongzuizi. |
| Line 2 | Rapid transit metro line, opened in 2018, with 21 stations over 24.9 km (15.47 miles). Terminals: Qiche Gongyuan and Dongfang Square. |
| Line 3 | Light rail line, opened in 2002, and the first true light rail line in Mainland China. Terminals: Weimanhuanggong and Changchun Movie Wonderland. Length: 34.3 km (21.31 miles). Stations: 32. |
| Line 4 | Light rail line with full grade separation. Terminals: Changchun Railway Station (North) and Tianxin Road. Length: 20.8 km (12.92 miles). Stations: 21. |
| Line 6 | Metro line opened in 2024. Terminals: Shuangfeng and Changchun Movie Wonderland. Length: 29.57 km (18.37 miles). Stations: 22. |
| Line 8 | Light rail line opened in 2018, serving the northern area and linking North Lake with the city center. Terminals: North Ring Road and Guangtong Road. Length: 13.1 km (8.14 miles). Stations: 12. |
Line 1 runs along the city’s north-south axis and is shown in red. Line 2 runs east-west and is blue. Line 3 is green, and Line 6 is pink. Line 8 helps connect the northern part of the city with central areas.
Line 3 remains especially important in the route history of the system. It first opened between Changchun Railway Station and Weiguang Street in 2002, then expanded later. In April 2021, Lines 3 and 4 gained in-station transfers at Weimanhuanggong Station and Vocational Institute of Technology Station.
Under construction are Line 7 Phase 1, the Line 9 airport line, and Line 5 Phase 1. A southern extension of Line 3 is also planned.
Fares and Tickets
Changchun LRT uses a distance-based fare system. For the first 14.5 kilometers (9.01 miles), the fare is CNY 2 (about USD 0.28). From 14.5 to 24.5 kilometers (9.01 to 15.22 miles), the ticket price is CNY 3 (about USD 0.42). For longer trips, the price is CNY 4 (about USD 0.56).
You can use either a single-journey ticket or a Light Rail Smart Card. The card gives a 5% discount, so it can reduce travel cost if you ride more often.
Single-journey tickets are sold at ticket vending machines and ticket windows at station entrances. These tickets must be returned when you exit.
The fare system for light rail and metro has been combined since 2019, which makes transfers easier across the network. No fare calculator is mentioned in the source material, but the pricing structure is simple enough to check by distance.
Operating Hours
Changchun LRT operating hours vary a little by line, but the general opening hours of the system are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. If you are checking timings today, the exact schedule can differ depending on the route.
For Line 2, trains run every day from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. On that line, frequency is 10 minutes through the day.
Across the wider system, peak-hour frequency is higher, with trains every 4 minutes. During off-peak periods, trains usually run every 8 minutes. That gives passengers a useful timetable for planning starting time, running time, and last train expectations, though line-specific opening times may still vary.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| General system opening hours | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily |
| General system frequency | Every 4 minutes at peak, every 8 minutes off-peak |
| Line 2 operating hours | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM daily |
| Line 2 frequency | Every 10 minutes |
For schedule today, route timetable details, closing time, or the last train on a specific line, passengers should allow for small line-by-line differences.
Connections to Other Systems
Changchun LRT is integrated into a broader urban rail system that includes both metro and light rail. This matters for transportation in Changchun, because passengers often move between older light rail routes and newer metro corridors as part of one trip.
Changchun Railway Station has long been one of the key interchange points in the system. Over time, more connections were added to improve transfers and make local transport more practical across the city.
Not every transfer is fully seamless, though. Some are direct or in-station, while others require leaving one station and walking to another entrance.
- Line 1 and Line 8 have a barrier-free transfer at North Ring Road.
- Lines 3 and 4 have in-station transfers at Weimanhuanggong Station and Vocational Institute of Technology Station.
- At Changchun Railway Station, several lines meet, but some transfers still involve walking outside the paid area.
- Line 2 also connects to other parts of the network, including transfer opportunities to the light rail system.
In 2019, the fare systems for the original light rail network and the newer metro system were merged. That change made the whole system feel much more unified, even if some interchange layouts are still not fully integrated.
Airport Connections
Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ) is the city’s main airport and a major gateway for Jilin Province. It is about 21 kilometers (13.05 miles) from the urban area.
Passengers traveling between the airport and the city have several transport options:
- Airport shuttle bus services connect the airport with key points in Changchun, including Changchun Railway Station, Nanguan City Terminal, Garden Hotel, Jiangcheng Square, and the Provincial Civil Aviation Administration office building.
- Longjia High Speed Train Station is linked directly to the airport by an underground passage from Terminal 1, with a corridor connection from Terminal 2. Trains run to Changchun Railway Station, Changchun West Railway Station, and Jilin.
- Official taxi stands are located outside the arrival halls of both terminals.
The train connection is especially convenient. The airport station is part of the Changchun-Jilin intercity railway, and the trip between Changchun and Jilin takes about 29 minutes.
For flights, arriving 1.5 to 2 hours before departure is recommended. Check-in usually closes 30 to 45 minutes before domestic flights and 60 to 75 minutes before international flights.
The airport also has direct links to Jilin City by intercity bus, train, or taxi. Inside the airport, facilities include lounges, banks, shops, smoking rooms, and boarding bridges. Terminal 1 handles domestic and international flights, while Terminal 2 serves domestic flights only.
Regulations
To keep the system safe and running smoothly, passengers need to follow a few basic rules.
- Fare evasion is strictly punished and may lead to a charge far higher than the original fare.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in stations and on trains.
- Security staff may carry out personal checks when necessary.
Facilities and Services
Changchun Rail Transit provides a mix of metro and light rail service across the city. Facilities vary by line, but the network includes bilingual Mandarin and English announcements and signage, which is helpful for visitors using public transport for the first time.
Newer metro stations include ticket halls with security screening, ticket machines, customer service offices, and smart barriers. Line 8 stations are described as having waiting areas, basic RTI, and smart information boards.
On the light rail side, low-floor vehicles are used on Lines 3, 4, and 8, which helps with accessibility and boarding. Some routes run at ground level with level crossings, while newer lines are fully grade-separated on elevated or underground sections.
- Bilingual Mandarin and English announcements on trains and at stations
- Integrated fare system between light rail and metro lines
- Low-floor light rail vehicles on Lines 3, 4, and 8
- Ticket machines and staffed ticket windows at station entrances
- Smart information boards and RTI screens on newer lines
- Transfer facilities at key interchange stations
For travelers looking at station parking or parking charges per day, no station parking details are given in the source material.
History
Line 3
Line 3 is the first light rail transit line in Mainland China. In September 1999, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China formally approved the first phase of the Changchun Light Rail Ring Line project.
The first phase opened on 30 October 2002, running from Changchun Railway Station to Weiguang Street. It served 17 stations and covered about 14.6 kilometers (9.07 miles).
A later second phase added 9.3 kilometers (5.78 miles), bringing the line to 24 kilometers (14.91 miles) between Jingyue Development District and Kuancheng District. In 2018, renovation work at Changchun Railway Station temporarily suspended the Line 3 station there. In April 2021, Lines 3 and 4 were connected for in-station transfers at Weimanhuanggong Station and Vocational Institute of Technology Station.
Line 1
Construction of Line 1, Changchun’s first heavy-rail metro line, began in 2011. The line opened on 30 June 2017. It is 18.14 kilometers (11.27 miles) long and serves 15 stations.
Line 2
Construction of Line 2 began in 2012. It opened on 30 August 2018 and serves 21 stations over 24.9 kilometers (15.47 miles).
Line 8
Line 8 opened on 30 June 2018, 16 years after Line 3 started operating. It serves the North Lake area and was the first light rail line to use the same fare as the metro system, as well as the first to directly interchange with it.
Fare system
On 30 May 2019, the fare systems of the original light rail network, including Lines 3 and 4, and the newer metro system, including Lines 1, 2, and 8, were combined. That made direct transfers between the two parts of the network possible.
Planned Expansions
Changchun Rail Transit has several expansion projects under construction as part of its Phase 3 program, approved by the NDRC on 30 November 2018. According to the plan, the network was expected to reach 235 kilometers (146.02 miles) in 2024.
Projects under construction
- Line 2: eastern extension of 10.6 kilometers (6.59 miles) with 6 stations.
- Line 7: Phase 1, 23.165 kilometers (14.39 miles) with 19 stations, from Qiche Gongyuan to East Ring Road.
- Line 9: airport line, 28 kilometers (17.40 miles) with 8 stations, using both underground and elevated sections, from Zhaojiagang East to Jiutai South railway station.
- Line 5: Phase 1, 19.665 kilometers (12.22 miles) with 18 stations, from Southwestern Hub to Dongdaqiao Bridge.
Planned future extension
The only future extension listed in the source material is the southern extension of Line 3. It is planned to run 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) with 2 stations, from Changchun Movie Wonderland to Changchun No. 59 Middle School.
Long-term expansion plans also described a much larger build-out, with proposals for 10 lines and a total network length of 460 kilometers (285.83 miles).
Travel Tips
Changchun LRT is a practical way to get around the city, especially for reaching major rail hubs and key urban districts. If you are using public transport for the first time in Changchun, checking a stations map or route map before you travel is a smart move.
Maps are usually available at stations, through official transit resources, or in navigation apps that show the city transport network. This helps a lot because some transfers still require exiting one system and entering another.
It is also worth knowing that the network has different operating styles. Line 3 includes at-grade sections with level crossings, so in some places it feels closer to a tramway or tram. Lines 4 and 8 are more separated from street traffic and feel more like modern light metro service.
Tickets are available at stations, and the fare is distance-based. If you plan to travel more than once, a Smart Card can be the more convenient option. English announcements on trains and at stations make the system easier to use for visitors.
For a smoother trip, leave a little extra time for transfers and follow station signs carefully. The network is useful, but not every interchange is fully seamless.
- Best for: central districts, residential areas, and major rail hubs
- Useful lines: Lines 3, 4, and 8
- Good to know: some sections run at ground level with road crossings
- Language support: Mandarin and English announcements are provided
Nearby Attractions
Changchun’s rail network makes sightseeing much easier, and several major attractions are close to metro or light rail stations. For visitors using city transport instead of taxis, that is a real advantage.
- Changchun World Sculpture Park – near Municipal Government Station on Metro Line 1.
- South Lake Park – near Gongnong Square Station on Metro Line 1.
- Shengli Park – served by Shengli Park Station on Metro Line 1.
- Changchun Zoo and Botanical Garden – the South Gate is within walking distance of Northeast Normal University Station on Metro Line 1.
- Jilin Provincial Museum – accessible from Changyingshijicheng Station on Metro Line 3.
- Zhongtai Ocean World – near Wenhua Square Station on Metro Line 2.
- Changchun City Planning Exhibition Hall – not far from Municipal Government Station on Metro Line 1.
- Museum of Former Changchun Film Studio Site – near Huxiqiao Station on Metro Line 3.
- Northeast Tiger Park – near Changyingshijicheng Station on Metro Line 3.
For sightseeing, Line 1 is especially useful for central attractions, while Lines 2 and 3 also reach several popular places. The city’s light rail and tram-style sections can help visitors get to western districts and other parts of Changchun as well.