Currently there are nineoperational metro lines in Guangzhou: Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Line 3 North Extension, Line 4, Line 5, Line 8, APM and the Guangfo Line.

Line 1 runs from Xilang in Fangcun District to the East Railway Station. The line is 18.48km long and has 16 stops. Interchange stations include Guangzhou East Station for Line 3 North Extension, Tiyu Xi Lu for Line 3 and Line 3 North Extension, Yangji for Line 5, Gongyuanqian for Line 2 and Xilang for the Guangfo line.  All stations are underground stations except Xilang and Kengkou Stations. 

Line 2 runs from Jiangxia in Baiyun District to Pazhou in Haizhu District. Both Line 1 and Line 2 provide elevators to the platforms. Line 2 operates along 24 stations including 4 interchange stations. The four interchange stations are Changgang for Line 8, Gongyuanqian for Line 1, Guangzhou Railway Station for Line 5 and Jiahewanggang for Line 3 North Extension.

Line 3 runs north to south and is composed of a main line and a branch line (Line 3 North Extension). This line has 29 stations, all of which are underground. Interchange stations include Kecun for Line 8, Zhujiang New City for Line 5, Tiyu Xi Lu for Line 1 and Line 3, Tianhe Passenger Station for Line 2, Guangzhou East Station for Line 2 and Jiahewanggang for Line 2.

Line 4 runs from north to south for 46 km, with 16 km underground line and 30 km elevated line. Line 4 has 16 stations including two interchange stations: Chepi South for Line 5 and Wanshengwei for Line 8.

Line 5 connects Liwan Jiaokou in the west to the Huangpu Ferry Terminal in the Guangzhou Economic and Technical Development Zone. The 42.8km line has 29 stations and four interchange stations: Guangzhou Railway Station for Line 2, Yangji for Line 1, Zhujiang New City for Line 3, Chepi South for Line 4.

Line 7 connects Weiyong in Panyu District to Dashadong in Huangpu District. The 30.9km line is completely underground. Eight of the 14 stations are interchange stations including: Weiyong for Line 2; Guangzhou South Station for Line 2, Guangzhou Intercity Rail, Wuguang Passenger Line and Foshan Line 2; Shibi Station for Line 2; Xie Village, Zhong Village and Hanxichanglong for Line 3; He Village, Guantang, South Village and South College Town for Line 4; East College Town and Changzhou for Line 8; Fengle Road for Line 13 and Dashadong for Line 5.

Line 8 is an east-west line in Zhuhai District, running from Fenghuang Xincun to Wanshengwei Station. It has 13 stations and three interchange stations, including Wanshengwei for Line 4, Ke Village for Line 3 and Changgang for Line 2.

Line APM is completely underground. The nine stations from north to south are Linhe West Station, Sports Center Station, Tianhe South Station, Huangpu Avenue Station, Maternity and Child Center Station, Huacheng Avenue Station, Grand Theater Station, Haixinsha Station and Guangzhou Tower Station.

The Guangfo line refers to the Guangzhou–Foshan Section of Pearl River Delta Intercity Rapid Transit. It runs for 32.16km and has 21 underground stations. Xilang Station is an interchange station for Line 1.

Operational hours for the metro vary by line, but are generally 6:00-23:15. Some lines close a bit earlier to allow for construction. To be on the safe side, expect the subway to close a little before 11:00 pm.

The Guangzhou subway system uses a ticket system in which travel routes are priced according to distance. A journey shorter than 4 km costs 2 RMB; with 1 additional RMB added for 8 km, 12 km, 18 km and 24 km (and every 8 km after 24 km). The APM Line has its own ticket system, and costs 2 RMB per ride.

The ticket purchase system is quite different from other big Chinese cities. Guangzhou is equipped with automatic ticket machines that accept coins and paper money. In addition, the metro system accepts a stored-value card known as Yangcheng Tong. The Yangcheng Tong card can also be used on buses, in public phone booths, 7-11 convenience stores, cinemas and elsewhere. The card is valid in many areas including downtown Guangzhou, Zengcheng, Nanhai, Panyu and Foshan. Passengers using a Yangcheng Tong card will receive a 5% discount, while students using a Yangcheng Tong student pass will receive a 50% discount. Senior citizens (over 60 years old) are eligible for special card to receive half priced or free rides.

Cards can be purchased at subway stations with a RMB 30 deposit, plus the cost of the stored value. A card usually requires an RMB deposit with the remaining amount after 30 RMB used for fare.

Guangzhou Metro Co.
Tel: 020 8328 9999; 400 881 2830
Website: http://www.gzmtr.com/en/

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