Wuhan Metro Information
The Wuhan Metro is the dedicated metro service for the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province, China. The network currently consists of three different lines, with the latest addition – Line 3 – only opening in December 2013. 2018 has been set as the deadline for the completion of an extensive network that is likely to operate on up to eight different lines.
Announcements on the Metro trains are made in both Chinese and English. The English announcements are unexpectedly embarrassing, as the names are grossly mispronounced in a toneless and rigid version of Americanised Chinese by a Chinese native doing a very poor imitation of an American citizen with a very poor knowledge of the Oriental language. The Wuhan Metro has an annual ridership of 73 million in 2011.
Located in the bustling city of Wuhan, the Wuhan Metro serves an average of 35,600 passengers daily. Although it offers great convenience, it does not operate 24 hours a day. The metro operates from 5.45am to 10.30pm daily, making it a reliable source of transport throughout the day.
One of the practical features of this metro system is the use of entry and exit gates for fare management. Passengers are required to pay a fare of 2 Chinese Yuan (CNY) for their journeys. Despite the advanced fare system, the metro does not offer certain modern amenities. There is no air conditioning and no walkways between platforms. In addition, the trains are manually operated and there are no screen doors on the platforms.
The metro system may lack some conveniences, but it remains an important part of the city’s infrastructure, providing fast and affordable travel.
The Wuhan Metro map represents the city’s mass transit system. It serves approximately 35,600 passengers per day, with fares controlled by entry and exit gates. It’s important to note that the system does not operate 24 hours a day, nor does it offer amenities such as air conditioning, the ability to walk between platforms, driverless trains or screen doors on the platforms.
The system operates from 5.45am to 10.30pm every day of the week, including public holidays. Fares for the service are set at 2 Chinese Yuan.
Wuhan Metro Map
Map of Wuhan Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Wuhan Metro map in PDF format.
Hours of Operation
The Metro operates from 06:00 to 22:30 on weekdays and from 06:30 to 22:00 at weekends. Please note that there may be slight variations in these times on individual lines. The minimum interval between trains is 1.5 minutes.
Lines and Stations
The metro network currently consists of four operational lines: Line 1, Line 2, Line 3 and Line 4. Many of the stations on these lines have cross-platform connections, making it easy for passengers to change trains.
Line 1
Line 1 is a west-east line connecting Hankou North Station to Dongwu Boulevard Station. The 34.6 kilometre line is entirely within the Hankou district. There are 29 stations along the line, all of which are elevated.
On Line 1, every second train arrives at Hankou North Station, while the rest terminate at Dijiao Station. A full journey on this line takes about 55 minutes. Transfers to Line 2 and Line 3 are available from this line.
Major stations on this line include Dongwu Boulevard, Wuhan Boulevard, Duoluokou, Gutian 1st Road, Hanxi 1st Road, Zongguan, Qiaokou Road, Xunlimen, Dazhi Road, Sanyang Road, Huangpu Road, Dijiao and Hankou North.
Line 2
Line 2 is a northwest-southeast line connecting Jinyintan to Optics Valley Square, running under the Yangtze River. The 28-kilometre line has 21 stations, some underground and some elevated. It connects major shopping and business districts in the city.
A complete journey on this line takes about 50 minutes. Transfers to lines 1, 3 and 4 are available. Major stations on this line include Jinyintan, Changqing Huayuan, Hankou Railway Station, Fanhu, Wangjiadun East, Xunlimen, Jianghan Rd, Pangxiejia, Hongshan Square, Huquan and Optics Valley Square.
Line 3
Line 3 is a north-south line running under the Han River. It runs from Hongtu Boulevard to Zhuanyang Boulevard and serves the Wuhan Economic-Technological Zone. The total length of the line is 33.2 kilometres, with 24 stations along the way.
A complete journey on this line takes approximately 55 minutes. Transfers to all three lines are possible from this line. Major stations on this line include Zhuanyang Boulevard, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Sports Centre, Hanyang Long-Distance Bus Station, Wangjiawan, Zongguan, Wuhan Business District, Fanhu, Xianggang Road, Zhaojiatiao and Hongtu Boulevard.
Line 4
Line 4 is an east-west line connecting Wuhan Railway Station to Huangjinkou Railway Station. This line connects Wuhan, Hanyang and Wuchang Railway Stations and serves major tourist spots and business districts along its route. The line is 33.2 kilometres long and has 28 stations.
A full journey on this line takes approximately one hour. Transfers to Lines 2 and 3 are available from this line. Major stations on this line include Huangjinkou, Wangjiawan, Hanyang Railway Station, Zhongjiacun, Wuchang Railway Station, Zhongnan Road, Yuejiazui and Wuhan Railway Station.
Future Expansion
The municipality plans to build a total of 7 urban lines and 2 suburban lines by the end of 2021. Most of these lines will be underground, with a total length of 273.1 kilometres. Construction has already begun on lines 6, 7, 8 and 11, and line 2 is being extended.
The long-term plan is to build a network of 25 lines, including both urban and suburban lines, with a total length of 1,045 kilometres. Once this plan is implemented, Wuhan Metro will carry 55% of the city’s traffic.
Fares and Tickets
The fare for the Wuhan Metro is based on distance. The fare is CNY2 for the first 9 kilometres. For a distance between 9 and 14 kilometres, the fare increases to CNY 3. After the first 9 kilometres, the fare increases by CNY 1 for every 1.2 kilometres travelled. The maximum fare for travel on these lines is CNY6.
Passengers have the option of buying single tickets or using a transport card. Those who use the Wuhan Transport Card receive a 10% discount on fares. Primary school children are entitled to a 30% discount on adult fares. People aged 65 and above and the disabled can use the metro free of charge.
Tokens can be purchased from ticket machines, while transport cards are available from customer information centres. Tokens or cards must be scanned at the point of entry and tokens must be returned at the point of exit.
Facilities and Services
The Metro Authority provides a variety of facilities and services to enhance the usability of the metro system.
- Announcements are in both Chinese and English.
- Stations are conveniently located near bus routes.
- There are special waiting rooms for women and mothers with children.
- Libraries are located in stations to encourage reading among waiting passengers.
Rules
Passengers must comply with the following rules issued by the metro authority:
- Eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited on board.
- Bicycles are not allowed on the trains.
- Pets are not allowed on the Underground.
- Single journey tickets must be used within 3 hours of purchase.
Tips
The following tips can help you avoid unnecessary difficulties when using the Metro:
- If your transport card is damaged or does not scan properly, contact the customer service office at the station.
- Every station has several exits. Make sure you take the correct route to your destination.