Expressways of Beijing

When the Airport Expressway and the Jingjintang Expressway opened, Beijing was already gripped by 'expressway fever'. In the far eastern part of the town, lay the less popular Jingha Expressway existed until the construction of the Jingtong Expressway in the mid-1990s, which brought more recognition to the Jingha Expressway. However, it is still too far from central Beijing to be considered a key expressway.

By the People's Republic of China's 50th anniversary, more expressways were being built in Beijing. The Badaling Expressway, Jingshen Expressway, and in 2000, the Jingkai Expressway were constructed. Beijing then had eight expressways.

In 2001, the Jingcheng Expressway was built. The northeastern and southeastern parts were ready to accommodate two more expressways (the Jingping/Jingji and Northern Jingji Expressways, respectively).

In 2004, the municipal government publicly announced a plan to complete up to 890 km (550 mi) of expressways (277 km (172 mi) by 2006). By 2006, the 6th Ring Road would be completed, and in the same year, a major batch of expressways would also be finished.

Currently, there are a total of 15 main expressways around Beijing including the Jingping/Jingji, Northern Jingjin, Southern Jingjin, 2nd Airport Expressway, Northern Airport Expressway, Litian Expressway, and the nine existing expressways. Out of these, 11 radiate from the city centre of Beijing, as the majority of residents tend to live farther away from the city centre.[2]

• China National Highways
• Expressways of China