Beijing's east-west metro line used to terminate at Xidan. Its long-awaited eastward extension in the summer of 2002 was accompanied by numerous changes in the Beijing underground system. It was about this time that public toilets became free of charge throughout the city, including those in the metro stations. Shortly after, information and directions for metro users not only increased but many signs started to appear in both Chinese and English. Now at each station a notice tells you /where/ you are and gives the number of minutes to stations up the track. When you board the train you can phone the person coming to pick you up and tell him or her exactly when you'll arrive.

　　You probably tell him something like "Wait for me at the northeast exit." The majority of the metro stations have four exits ,which logically enough were formerly specified by the points of the compass. Maybe you understand why the authorities have taken it /into/ their heads to identify the exits as A, B, C or D, but I don't. At least the old naming system was the same for each station, made sense and was easy to get used to. Now a passenger getting off the train often becomes disoriented. Big signs say that at exit A you will find this or that shopping centre, bank or company. But not everybody recognizes these places or wants to go to them. Moreover, not everybody can read Chinese -- and these names, when translated, can be even more confusing.

　　If, for example, I simply want to get out at the northwest exit and walk along Wangfujing without any particular destination in mind, I have to ask the station employees for the right exit. From the way they answer, it's clear I am not the only one to ask... Of course, these attendants have other things to do than give out information relating to a system no longer in existence. Nevertheless, before asking the question, I always try to sort it out by myself: I make my way through the mass of travellers moving in all directions, I take my spectacles out of my bag, and when I eventually succeed in reaching the notice showing (in small print) the names of the places nearby, I realize that I've got the wrong exit. I must then consult another notice at the other end of the platform!

　　And this silliness is not just something that concerns a few foreigners who don't understand Chinese. What about the vastly greater number of people from the provinces now working in the city? What about the business people or occasional visitors coming from many other parts of the country?

　　Thus, while there have been improvements in the subway system, certain changes have been for the worse. I long for a return to the simplicity of designating metro exits by the points of the compass.

　　Also, I would like to see above the metro station entrances not just a notice saying "Beijing Subway" but the actual name of the station, as is done in Paris, Montreal, New York and many other cities. That would be so helpful in providing points of reference in this vast city. There is no lack of space for such signs, and we do need the extra information. The features of Beijing are in such constant flux that even a long-term resident sometimes gets the impression of being in an unknown city when he or she has not been to a given neighbourhood for a few months. Displaying the names of the metro stations would reassure pedestrians -- it would remind them /where/ they are in this phantasmagoric city. And all at no extra cost!