Bag checks on Beijing subway
 

Just got here today and at the two stations I used today on line 1 (Guomao and Wangfujing) they were indeed making everyone carrying something run it through an x-ray machine -- although they weren't looking very hard at what the machine displayed.

There was a discussion about this in another thread and we all agreed they hardly ever insisted on doing this. Apparently, at least for now and close to the parade route, it's changed back to checking.

Sorry I didn't post in the other thread, I can't find it! If someone does, the mods can move this comment.

This occasionally happens also in other Chinese cities when authorities consider the security situation vulnerable. Chinese friends advised me not to travel to Beijing before the celebrations a long time ago, citing the same security risks.

Beijing Station has similar screening devices, but whenever I've been rushed and/or carrying lots of cash, I've simply blasted on through without so much as a glance from the officials.

They were not allowing people to blast through today unless they were carrying nothing at all (and I saw some people try and fail).

Also the China Daily today had a small article that started out saying, "All people and vehicles entering Beijing will be checked from tomorrow (Sept 15) to October 8, in a drive to further guarantee the city's safety during the National Day holiday, Beijing public security bureau announced on Saturday. People entering the city will be required to carry ID cards to be checked around the clock at 200 police checkpoints."

This ain't gonna be a lot of fun....

I think i was the one who first mentioned the security checks (Yes comparing it to an airport security checkpoint was exaggerated but i was thinking more in terms of bag search rather than a full body search).

What your describing there regarding the bag searches fits in quite well with my recollection of the place. I did visit not that long after the olympics so that probably explains my more heavy handed recollection of the system.

Did they ever relax the security at the entrances to Tianamen?

The bag checks were instituted summer 2008 pre-Olympics and have never gone away, though at some stations, inspection had become a bit disinterested. I can personally say every time I've been on the subway since then (and that's a lot of trips, living in Beijing), I have ALWAYS been made to put my purse or bag through the x-ray. And so have all the others I've seen. Men carrying no purses or bags have been able to skip this, you've never had to empty your pockets or take jackets off. Laptop carriers I've seen go both ways but nothing ever has to get taken out of the bag airport-style.

I expect this is going to get more ponderous over the next few weeks. And particularly on Line 1 and south parts of Line 2. Don't be surprised to see very nasty-looking and unsmiling, armed SWAT team/special police in some of the major stations and transit points.

Yeah, I hit one boarding a train. I totally wasn't expecting it, my film wasn't packed for easy removal. Stopping and removing it would have made a big snarl (there was no place to get out of the way, even going back to find a space would have snarled things up), after a moment's thought I simply carried the relevant bag around it intended to explain to security what was up if someone squawked. {My wife is a native speaker, the usual language barrier wouldn't apply.} Nobody noticed.

I was in Beijing, in July and coming out of the subway, by Tianamin Square, we were stopped and our backpack was examined. Our tour guide was upset and complained that the people doing the checks aren't even police officers.
Half the group got by, so they were just picking a few to examine.

I've noticed the x-ray screening since the pre-olympics last year as well at all the stations I've been to and the screening has not stopped since then. At least it is not the same as at the airport where metal objects are emptied and individuals personally go through a metal detector (not yet at least). During certain times of day, the lineups can be quite long. Luckily I do not carry a bag most of the time and can pass on through..

I'm pretty sure every Chinese train station I've boarded at required scanning of bags. It has always been extremely cursory except on one occasion at Beijing West where they pulled me for having an aerosol.

The guy went on about fire risk....i wasn't going to give up my deodorant....so I pretended not to understand him and went on my way. No problem

nickyboy

Its true. I was there last week and made extensive use of the Subway. Every single station has checking, and as mentioned, its is extremely cursory and imo, a formality at best. On more than one occasion, I caught the screener napping in the back, and her assistant involved doing her nails. They didn't as much as look up and check who dropped and picked up their bag.

However, expect it to be more thorough around Tian'amen Square stations and entrance. Especially with October 1 around the corner.

Also, lax security at Beijing airport. Flying from PEK to Guilin, I had intended to move my pocket utility knife from my carry-on to my checked luggage. In the haste to get to the airport, I forgot. Of course, I didn't realize it until well into the flight that somehow I had managed to clear security without getting stopped. :confused:

By comparison, in Xi'an, I had a small bottle (<100ml/3oz) of Purell taken away at screening. And this was right after the swine flu fears were taking off.

Reopening this as a had a couple of experiences last week:

Taiyuan - Beijing
Usual scrum at the station with loads of bags going through the scanner. They pulled me for an aerosol (again!) so they must be looking quite closely. I explained to the security that I was going to Beijing for a fligh home and they let me on my way

Dong Zhi Men Subway Station Beijing
Went for the airport express, not too busy as it was early and was told I must have my luggage scanned. Again, they pulled me for aerosols. This time I had to unpack and show them the deodourant and the shaving gel. Again told them I was just going to the airport and they let me on my way

They are rather more vigilant than you might think. But a reasonable attitude seems to allow you to keep the (all important) deodourant

nickyboy

Speaking of which it appears Shanghai is starting to introduce the same x ray/ bag check system now (probably for the world expo next year). Not all the stations had the x ray, with Nanjing East rd station being a notable exception.

Went through airport security flying SHA-PEK yesterday morning. Didn't see, let alone take my multiple lighters, nor care about my liquids, aresols, or gels (cologne, toothpaste, and spray deoderant). Wasn't travelling with mini-sized items either. Although I did get quite the thurough frisking by a cute little girl who was one of the people with the wands, although she used her hands instead (even though i didn't set off the metal detector). Was kinda suprised by that one.

Th subway security checks, they're a joke, just like the trains.