“Metro+” Creates Vibrant Urban Micro-Centers

The Daji Alley and Caishikou metro station connection entrance.

Taking Metro Line 4 or Line 7 to Caishikou station, passengers can go through an underground passage without exiting to the surface and directly enter the newly popular commercial area—Zhonghai Daji Alley. At Life Science Park station on the Changping Line, a “sky corridor” has been built to connect with the Changping Super He Sheng Hui shopping center, reducing detours for residents and alleviating road traffic congestion.

In recent years, Beijing has adhered to the concept of “station-city integration” and followed the principle of “connecting wherever possible,” vigorously promoting interconnection between rail transit and surrounding properties. According to the Municipal Transportation Commission, as of now, Beijing’s urban rail transit has achieved 173 interconnections between 27 metro lines, 98 rail transit stations, and 127 surrounding property projects, covering various property types such as shopping centers, office buildings, and residential communities.

Metro stations are no longer just places where passengers pass through quickly; they are becoming vibrant urban micro-centers.

Direct Metro Connections Activate Commercial Vitality

At Caishikou station’s Exit C, where there used to be a “wall,” there is now an underground passage leading to the basement level of the Daji Alley commercial area.

“The station had reserved conditions for connection with the commercial area, with a reserved interface 4 meters wide and 3.2 meters high. During the renovation, we built a 7-meter-long passage to connect the metro station with the commercial reserved space,” introduced Shao Guoxin, the project leader from Beijing Urban Construction Design and Development Group. To handle sudden large passenger flows, a buffer zone was designed during the renovation, a space similar to a foyer that can be temporarily used for crowd management.

“Since the Daji Alley project opened, the dual metro underground connection has become the primary passenger entrance,” said Fu Xiang, deputy general manager of Zhonghai Daji Alley. Leveraging the seamless connection with the metro, the project has activated the morning business vitality of street-front and underground shops, boosting commercial popularity and operational efficiency.

More and more direct metro connections are gathering popularity for commercial areas.

Exiting Life Science Park station’s Exit A on the Changping Line, passengers can walk through a 130-meter-long, 18-meter-wide sky corridor to directly enter the Super He Sheng Hui shopping mall from this elevated station.

“In the past, exiting Exit A led to the Beiqing Road service road. To reach Super He Sheng Hui, you had to cross green spaces and parking lots, taking a detour through city roads to the mall, which took at least 5 to 10 minutes. With this sky corridor, you can enter the mall in just two minutes,” explained Li Xin, the project development leader for Super He Sheng Hui. This corridor directly connects to the commercial complex’s transportation transfer area—the Four Seasons Hall—allowing customers to quickly access the central dome landscape area, the western section of He Sheng Hui, and the adjacent office buildings.

“Since Super He Sheng Hui opened, the weekend average daily passenger flow at Life Science Park station has exceeded that of weekdays, reaching over 50,000 passengers, an increase of more than 20,000 compared to before the opening. The corridor connecting to the mall sees over 20,000 users daily,” reported Cao Yu, deputy station chief of the Xi’erqi station area on the Beijing Metro Changping Line.

Forming an “Metro-Residential-Office” Underground Closed Loop

Metro stations are not only connecting underground spaces but also increasingly linking residential buildings and office towers.

At Exit A of Cuigezhuang station on Line 15, taking the escalator up leads to a small sunken plaza. Through a passage here, passengers can directly enter the underground of the Wangjing International Talent Apartment and the west side of Alibaba’s Beijing headquarters building. From exiting the ticket gate to entering the building’s underground area takes about three minutes.

“The underground connection passage is about 20 meters long and 7.7 meters wide, forming an ‘metro-residential-office’ underground

Daji Alley

Daji Alley, located in the historic city of Quanzhou, China, is a narrow lane known for its well-preserved architecture and cultural heritage dating back to the Song and Yuan dynasties. It was historically a bustling commercial and residential area, reflecting the city’s role as a major maritime trade hub along the ancient Silk Road. Today, the alley offers visitors a glimpse into traditional southern Fujianese life, with ancient stone pathways, old temples, and restored courtyard houses.

Caishikou metro station

Caishikou metro station is a stop on Line 4 of the Beijing Subway, located in the Xicheng District of Beijing, China. The station’s name refers to the historic “Caishikou” (菜市口), which was once a bustling vegetable market in the Qing Dynasty but is also infamous as the site of public executions during that era. Today, it serves as a modern transit hub, connecting visitors to nearby cultural landmarks like the Fayuan Temple and the Liulichang antique street.

Life Science Park station

Life Science Park Station is a metro station on Line 13 of the Beijing Subway, located in the Changping District. It was opened on December 31, 2014, to serve the nearby Zhongguancun Life Science Park, a major hub for biotechnology and pharmaceutical research in China. The station’s name reflects its connection to this important scientific and industrial zone, which was established in the early 2000s.

Changping Super He Sheng Hui

“Changping Super He Sheng Hui” refers to a large-scale temple fair in Changping District, Beijing, historically rooted in local religious and folk traditions. The event typically features vibrant processions, traditional performances, and market activities, serving as a cultural gathering that celebrates community heritage. Its name reflects the fusion of “He Sheng” (a deity or auspicious figure) with the fair, highlighting its role in preserving ancient customs and fostering social bonds.

Cuigezhuang station

Cuigezhuang Station is a subway station on Line 15 of the Beijing Subway, located in the Cuigezhuang area of Chaoyang District, Beijing. Opened on December 31, 2010, as part of the initial phase of Line 15, it serves as a key transit point for residents and visitors traveling to and from the northeastern suburbs of the city. The station’s name derives from the nearby Cuigezhuang village, which has historical roots as a rural settlement before being integrated into Beijing’s expanding urban area.

Wangjing International Talent Apartment

Wangjing International Talent Apartment is a residential complex in Beijing’s Wangjing area, designed to provide modern housing for foreign experts and high-level professionals working in the city. Developed as part of Beijing’s efforts to attract global talent, the apartment offers amenities like shared lounges and multilingual services. Its location in the tech-centered Wangjing district reflects the area’s history as a hub for international corporations and innovation since the early 2000s.

Alibaba’s Beijing headquarters building

Alibaba’s Beijing headquarters, known as the “Campus,” is a modern architectural complex located in the city’s Chaoyang district. Designed by the award-winning firm Aedas, the building opened in 2019 and reflects Alibaba’s innovative corporate culture through its open, collaborative spaces and sustainable design features. The site serves as a key operational hub for the e-commerce giant in China’s capital, supporting its rapid expansion and digital ecosystem.

Xi’erqi station area

Xi’erqi station area, located in Beijing’s Haidian District, is a major transportation hub on the Beijing Subway, where Lines 13 and Changping intersect. Historically, the area was a rural village, but it rapidly developed in the early 2000s due to the expansion of Beijing’s tech industry, now serving as a gateway to the Zhongguancun Science Park and nearby tech campuses. Today, it is a bustling urban center characterized by heavy commuter traffic, modern residential complexes, and commercial facilities.