QINGDAO, China, Jan. 06, 2026 — With the inauguration of Line 3’s northern section in December 2015, Qingdao transitioned from having no metro system into a new era of urban advancement. Over the past decade, the city’s rail transit network has rapidly expanded from its initial 12 kilometers to a current 352 kilometers. Serving approximately 1.5 million passengers daily, the system has transported nearly 2.6 billion passengers in total. Qingdao Metro has now progressed from a phase of rapid construction and operation to one emphasizing high-quality service and innovative growth.
Currently, eight metro lines span both sides of Jiaozhou Bay, connecting seven districts and one city (Shinan District, Shibei District, Licang District, Laoshan District, Chengyang District, Jimo District, Xihai’an New Area, and Jiaozhou City). This network establishes an urban living circle, facilitating “half-hour commuting within the main urban area and one-hour access across the entire metropolitan region.” Notably, the 174-kilometer segment from Dongjiakou Railway Station on the West Coast Express Line to Qiangu Mountain Station on the Blue Valley Express Line is recognized as China’s longest intra-city metro stretch, significantly improving travel efficiency between Xihai’an New Area and Jimo District.
In April 2024, the first phase of Qingdao Metro Line 6 officially began operations. As the nation’s inaugural demonstration line featuring a Fully Autonomous Train Operation System (TACS), it has been lauded as Qingdao’s “smartest metro,” signifying a technological leap from automated to autonomous operation. Thanks to TACS technology, Line 6 has experienced a 21% increase in turnaround efficiency, enabling it to carry an additional 10,000 passengers during peak hours.
Over the past decade, Qingdao Metro’s expansion has not only broadened the city’s geographical reach but also instigated profound shifts in its development paradigm. Guided by the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) philosophy, the integration of metro construction with urban functionality has revitalized areas along the lines, fostering a better balance between housing and employment, encouraging intensive urban development, optimizing the commuting experience for residents, and promoting sustainable growth for the city.
Source: Qingdao Metro Group
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558
