A guide to Beijing Suburban Railway Line S2: a train bound for spring's sea of flowers
Preface
Winter has passed and spring has arrived, welcoming the graceful spring breeze. The sun gently caresses the earth, the trees sprout new buds, and all kinds of mountain flowers bloom in the warm and gentle spring breeze. The S2 train coming out of the Juyongguan Tunnel shuttles through the sea of flowers, and the scene of the "sea of flowers" and the "train" meeting each other is reproduced at the foot of the Great Wall, which is beautiful and intoxicating.
Tips:
The flowering period in Beijing in spring is from March to May, and the flowering period near the Flower Sea Train is concentrated from late March to early April; the viewing period is only about 20 days.
Below we have collected the latest information and travel tips about the Flower Sea Train.
S2 train introduction
The S2 line does not use reserved seating throughout the entire journey. Passengers using the One Card and issuing fixed-price tickets coexist. Passengers with One Card can directly swipe their card to enter the station and board the train. The balance on the card must be at least 18 yuan. Passengers without One Card can purchase fixed-price tickets at the station ticket window.
The S2 line does not distinguish between first and second class. The fare from Huangtudian Station to Yanqing is 6 yuan. Passengers holding a 5 yuan ticket will need to purchase a 1 yuan supplementary fare for two or more stops. Initially, each train will accommodate no more than 440 passengers holding a one-card pass and no more than 400 passengers with fixed-quota tickets. This number may be adjusted daily based on passenger flow patterns.
(Source: China-TravelNote Photography Network)
In addition, all platforms at stations on the S2 Line are closed. Railway station security requirements are strictly enforced, with every item carried by passengers entering the station being screened and every person undergoing manual inspection, ensuring a comprehensive inspection of both passengers and belongings. To ensure passenger safety, staff will stop passengers 3-5 minutes before departure, depending on the platform where the train is stopping and passenger flow.
Tips:
Tips:
Since the flowering period is limited each year and the number of trains open is also limited, if you want to take the S2 train, you must queue up at the S2 entrance 1 to 2 hours in advance;
It is best to bring a bus card with a balance of more than 18 yuan. The number of tickets sold on site is limited, and seats are not registered. It is first-come, first-served. Each bus will depart when it is full. Passengers who cannot get a seat can only wait for the next bus. It is recommended to travel as early as possible.
Latest timetable for S2 line
We have collected the latest timetable for the Beijing Suburban Railway S2 Line in 2019 for everyone (part of the information comes from the Beijing Urban Railway Information Platform).
From February 11, 2019, the S2 train will resume the pre-Spring Festival holiday schedule, running 12 pairs of trains per day from Friday to Monday and on statutory holidays, and 8 pairs of trains per day from Tuesday to Thursday. The specific schedule is shown in the table below:
Friday to Monday and holidays
Huangtudian - Yanqing (Kangzhuang, Shacheng)
Yanqing (Kangzhuang, Shacheng) - Huangtudian
Runs Tuesday to Thursday
Huangtudian - Yanqing (Kangzhuang, Shacheng)
Yanqing (Kangzhuang, Shacheng) - Huangtudian
(The above information is from Beijing Public Transport Group WeChat, Beijing Transportation App, 12306 website, and Yanqing WeChat. In case of any discrepancy, the actual operation shall prevail.)
S2 Line Ticket Price
The Beijing section of the S2 line uses the same metered fares as urban rail transit, with single-line pricing.
That is: 3 yuan for 6 kilometers (inclusive); 4 yuan for 6 to 12 kilometers (inclusive); 5 yuan for 12 to 22 kilometers (inclusive); 6 yuan for 22 to 32 kilometers (inclusive); for more than 32 kilometers, each additional yuan can be used for 20 kilometers.
The ticket prices for the Hebei section of the S2 line (Kangzhuang to Shacheng) will still be implemented in accordance with the "Notice of the Beijing Railway Bureau on Adjusting the S2 Line Train Timetable" (Beijing Railway Transport [2012] No. 732). The ticket price for travel across the Beijing section and the Hebei section will be calculated as the total price of the two sections.
Tips:
The S2 train will be adjusted every year. Be sure to check the latest version of the time and stop points. Be sure to check your destination before departure. Not every train stops at all stations.
It is recommended to take the bus for the return trip. Although there may be traffic jams, you will not be left without a seat or have to wait so long. The bus will depart when it is full, so please pay attention to the schedule.
S2 Transportation
Subway transfer
1. Take Metro Line 13 to Huoying Station, exit at G4, walk 110 meters, and transfer to Line S2 at Huangtudian Station.
2. Take Metro Line 8 to Huoying Station, exit at G4, walk 110 meters, and transfer to Line S2 at Huangtudian Station.
Bus transfer
1. Take bus No. 606 or express bus No. 150, get off at Huoying South Station, and walk to Huangtudian Station to transfer to Line S2.
2. Take Bus No. 551, 558, Special Bus No. 21, or Special Bus No. 42, get off at Huoying Bus Station, and walk to Huangtudian Station to transfer to Line S2.
3. Take bus No. 371, 462, 478, 607 or 681, get off at Huoying Subway Station and walk to Huangtudian Station to transfer to Line S2.
Appendix: Summary of bus routes passing through each station on Line S2
(Photo source: Beautiful Yanqing)
Beijing Public Transport Group customer service hotline: 96166, Yanqing District bus hotline: 69173925, Beijing Metro service hotline: 96165, transportation service supervision hotline: 12328.
Tips:
Users who drive themselves can park their cars at the Juyongguan parking lot. Go early, otherwise the car will be parked far away.
According to last year's experience, during the flowering period, villagers stopped cars on the road and prevented them from going on. Last year, photography enthusiasts arrived at the parking spot before 7 o'clock to find the best shooting position.
Want to easily avoid the crowds, find the best photo spots, and travel with a private car, with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off within the Fourth Ring Road? China-TravelNote takes you to Juyongguan and savor the most authentic food!
S2 line can reach tourist attractions
Juyongguan Great Wall
Get off at Nankou Railway Station on the S2 train
Bus: Chang 20, get off at Nanzhan Village, walk about 1 km to the destination, taxi about 25 yuan
Alternatively: Get off at Badaling Railway Station, take the shuttle bus, and then take bus 879 to Juyongguan Great Wall
Self-driving: Navigating the Juyongguan Great Wall
(Photo source: Jinghuai)
The best place to view the Flower Sea Train is at the Juyongguan Great Wall. A 20-meter-long plank road has been built outside the train fence for visitors to take photos. Some photographers even climb to the top of the mountain to find the best spot. They wait for a long time just for that moment when the Flower Sea Train intersects.
The fence location is as follows:
(Image source: Internet)
Badaling Great Wall
The Badaling Great Wall, located at the northern entrance of the Guangou Ancient Road at Jundu Mountain, is known as one of the Nine Great Walls of China. It serves as a forerunner to the Juyongguan Great Wall and a crucial barrier to the capital, Beijing, making it a strategic location for military strategists throughout history. The Badaling Great Wall is the most essential section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, combining towering heights, rugged beauty, and lush greenery. Its vast scenery and the slogan, "He who has not visited the Great Wall is not a true man," are unparalleled.
As shown in the picture: ⑴ is Badaling Railway Station, it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the ticket office, you can also stroll along the pedestrian street and take the cable car to the Badaling Great Wall
(Photo source: Tourists Chaoyang)
Tips:
Get off at Badaling Railway Station. After exiting the station, there is a street. Just walk in the opposite direction of the train. You will see the Zhan Tianyou Memorial Hall, Badaling Post and Telecommunications Office, a memorial archway, and the Great Wall Museum. Just keep walking until you see a castle-like place. Go in and you will see the Great Wall ticket office.
Qinglong Station
The station still maintains its operating methods from a century ago, with all trains making a brief stop here before reversing and continuing their journey along the famous "zigzag" railway. Qinglongqiao Station is the best-preserved century-old station on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway. Although the station no longer handles passenger services, trains continue to run daily.
The Harmony trains on Line S2 and some ordinary trains make technical stops here (the front of the train becomes the rear of the train, the rear of the train becomes the front of the train, and they turn back and go down the mountain from the other side of the zigzag track, slowing down the climbing slope of the train by extending the distance).
(Photo source: Tourists Chaoyang)
As the sun sets, the sunlight retreats from the Badaling Great Wall and the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway. Despite the rapid development of China's railways, in the age of high-speed rail, people still cannot help but praise Zhan Tianyou and his Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway. Because of his great contributions, a bronze statue of Zhan Tianyou has stood here for nearly a century, welcoming and seeing off passing trains.
(Photo source: Tourists Chaoyang)
Almost every Chinese person's familiarity with Zhan Tianyou and his "Zigzag Railway" comes from elementary school Chinese textbooks. Back then, people didn't understand the principles behind it or his contributions, only that he was a remarkable figure. Qinglongqiao Station is the railway station that commemorates his pioneering work. Back then, his passion and the pride of the Chinese people were here; today, his grave and the reverence of the Chinese people remain here.
(Photo source: Tourists Chaoyang)
Before entering the railway tracks, you can see a simple map of the scenic area and an explanation of the zigzag railway.
Liugou
(Photo source: Tourists Wang Keke)
Tofu banquets are primarily concentrated in Liugou Village, Yanqing County. Typing "Liugou" into Baidu yields a near-complete page devoted to Liugou's tofu banquets. Once a historic frontier town, with the Badaling Great Wall winding through it, Liugou now boasts a vibrant modern rural character, transformed into a Yanqing Folk Tourism Village.
(Photo source: China-TravelNote Photography Network)
Liugou's brazier pot tofu banquet evolved from traditional customs. Due to its special cooking method and taste, as well as the simple rural banquet-style service, it is famous in Beijing and its reputation far surpasses that of the ancient city ruins.
When you come here, you absolutely must try the famous "brazier pot" and "tofu banquet." Last year, when I was writing about my Yanqing trip, a friend from Beijing left a message asking, "Didn't you try the tofu banquet?" Now, I can finally officially answer that question.
(Photo source: Tourists Wang Keke)
Tips:
Tofu Banquet Price
2-3 people, 100 yuan (per table)
For groups of 3 or more, the price for each additional person is 30 yuan, that is, 4 people, 130 yuan (total); 5 people, 160 yuan (total). And so on.
Guyaju
There's no definitive record of the Ancient Cliff Residence in historical records, nor are there any stone carvings or inscriptions found on the mountainside or within the cave dwellings. Unearthed artifacts thus far have been insufficient to confirm the date of its excavation or the ethnic group that inhabited it. What was the Ancient Cliff Residence used for? It remains unknown, earning it the title of "an eternal mystery."
Three Wonders of Guyaju
First, the ancient cliff dwelling is secluded, facing the sun, sheltered from the wind, and has a water source. It is a wonder that it scientifically utilizes the natural conditions such as the terrain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack;
Secondly, Guyaju's unique architectural form, intricate and ingenious structure, and enormous engineering effort are another wonder in architectural history.
Thirdly, the overall layout of the stronghold is reasonable and its functions are complete. It can conquer Guichuan when advancing, stay in the mountains when retreating, and escape to the deep valley when defeated. This kind of meticulous military intention is even more amazing!
(Photo source: China-TravelNote Photography Network)
Tips:
Get off at Yanqing Railway Station and take a Didi taxi for about 80 yuan. You can bargain with the driver. The ticket for Guyaju is 55 yuan. The walk is about 3 to 5 kilometers. At Guyaju, you can look back and see the Yanqing city. It takes about 90 minutes to walk around.
Conclusion
The alluring spring scenery, under the shade of the sun, the mountain flowers swaying in the wind are smiling delicately, at the foot of the Juyongguan Great Wall, a flower sea train is slowly approaching.
