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Beijing is connected via road links from all parts of China. Nine expressways of China connect with Beijing, as do eleven China National Highways. Within Beijing itself, an elaborate network of five ring roads has developed, but they appear more rectangular than ring-shaped. Roads in Beijing often are in one of the four compass directions.
Ring Road
Beijing Road Map
2nd Ring Road
Actually Beijing's first ring road, the 2nd Ring Road was built in the 1980s and expanded in the 1990s. It now forms a rectangular loop around central Beijing, an area that is roughly equivalent to the old city, which includes the four precincts: Dongcheng Qu (Eastern Urban Precinct), Xicheng Qu (Western Urban Precinct), Xuanwu Precinct and Chongwen Precinct. Its four sections begin at Xizhimen, Dongzhimen, Caihuying and Zuo'anmen.
2nd Ring Road
The 2nd Ring Road passes through very central parts of Beijing, and is directly above the Beijing Railway Station. The 2nd Ring Road of today is part of an extended ring road which takes the southern route through Zuo'anmen and Caihuying instead of Qianmen Road, just south of Tian'anmen.
3rd Ring Road
East 3rd Ring Road
The 3rd Ring Road was built in the 1980s and completed in the 1990s. It also is central, as it passes through Beijing's CBD and diplomatic communities. It is the ring road closest to the city to be directly interlinked with expressways -- the Airport Expressway, the Jingcheng Expressway (link under construction), the Badaling Expressway, the Jingshi Expressway, the Jingkai Expressway, and the Jingjintang Expressway.
4th Ring Road
NW 4th Ring Road
The 4th Ring Road was completed in 2001, around 8km from the center of Beijing. It connects the less central parts of Beijing and navigates through Zhongguancun technology hub, western Beijing, Fengtai District/Precinct, and eastern Beijing. The Jingshen Expressway and the Jingtong Expressway (as of Dawangqiao) begin from the 4th Ring Road.
5th Ring Road
NE 5th Ring Road
This ring road is further distant (around 10 km) from central Beijing, and links the suburban areas of Huantie, Shigezhuang, Dingfuzhuang and Ciqu. It also passes through the Beijing Development Area. It navigates through very barren land in the south before heading west toward the Fragrant Hills.
6th Ring Road
At present the most remote ring road from central Beijing (around 15-20 km), the 6th Ring Road was built in the 2000s and has just recently been completed. 130 km of expressway between the interchanges with Badaling Expressway and Jingshi Expressway, running clockwise, are open to the general motoring traffic. It is the only ring road to be interlinked with the equally remote Jingha Expressway.
This toll expressway ring road links Beijing with Shunyi District, Tongzhou District, Changping District and Daxing District. |