Before I came to China, a friend told me about a ‘Taste of Malaysia’ event that would be held at a mall a little outside downtown Beijing during my first weekend in the capital.

Since I was busy preparing for the trip, I didn’t think much about it and told myself I would decide later.

Three days after my arrival in Beijing, I joined some fellow participants of the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) Programme for an outing and took the subway for the first time.

The system, with its many lines and endless interconnections, was crowded but efficient.

Yet, when I looked at the subway map, it looked like a giant web or maze to me – so tangled that I wondered how I could possibly find my way to the event.

Determined to prepare early, I asked three people for directions. The first person told me he couldn’t find the invitation on his phone.

The second explained which subway line I should take, where to stop, and which exit to use – but I couldn’t follow the route she described. At that point, I almost gave up.

Finally, the third person gave me clear, step-by-step instructions: which colour of the subway line to start with, at which station to transfer, which colour and line to take next, and even how many metres I would need to walk after exiting the station.

Only then did I fully grasp the route and regain confidence about attending the event.

A trial run

One day before the event, I gave myself a trial run on the subway. I went to Niu Jie, Beijing’s famous Muslim food street.

Not only did I manage to get there and enjoy the food, but I also returned safely – feeling more assured about taking the system alone the next day.

Finally, on my first Sunday in Beijing, I left my apartment for the Taste of Malaysia event. The trip took more than one hour and involved 17 subway stations across three lines.

As I walked towards the mall, I could hear the Malaysian song Lemak Manis playing, and it made me happy to know I had found the right place.

It was wonderful to meet fellow Malaysians at the event, to introduce myself as a newcomer in Beijing to embassy representatives and local officials, and to taste Malaysian food – especially sambal udang. I was proud of myself for making it.

After experiencing Beijing’s subway – its sheer scale, the fast yet smooth flow of people, and the impressive efficiency – my curiosity about the system led me to learn more.

An underground megacity

China Daily, in its report in December 2024, said Beijing's urban rail transit network has grown to a total length of 879 kilometres, solidifying its status as the longest in China.

Since the launch of Beijing's first subway line – Line 1 – in 1969, the capital has developed an extensive network with 29 lines and 522 stations.

According to the daily, Beijing's urban rail transit system operates like an underground megacity, with over 11 million passengers using the subway on weekdays. That is equivalent to half the city's population commuting below ground.

For me, navigating Beijing’s megacity subway less than a week after arriving was more than a personal victory – it was my way of celebrating Malaysia, made all the more meaningful during the National Month.

-- BERNAMA

Rohani Mohd Ibrahim, a journalist with BERNAMA, is in Beijing to attend the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) Programme from 18 August to 15 December 2025.

The initiative, organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), serves as a platform for practical cooperation between Chinese media organisations and those from emerging markets and developing economies.

The programme also provides foreign journalists with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China's society development and international engagement.

This marks BERNAMA's eighth participation in the CIPCC programme since 2018.