Yep, there is life south of Tian'anmen Square and Qianmen.

Songjiazhuang. Most know it only as the southernmost terminus on Line 5. A few who work in Yizhuang, "officially" known as the "Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area", also know it for being the city end of the still-new Yizhuang Line.

The two lines join here, to be mixed with a third line, which is none other than the remaining half of Line 10 (Jinsong - Songjiazhuang - Beijing Fengtai Railway Station - Liuliqiao - Bagou). Line 10 comes full circle in late 2012, so to prepare for the joining of the city's final loop line, works will continue at the Songjiazhuang Subway station.

To let Songjiazhuang "get ready" for Line 10, works will seal the present-day Exit B (northeast exit). To create even more confusion (and not convenience), temporary additional Exits A and B will be opened. (Do NOT confuse these with the old Exits A and B!) The change takes effect 26 February 2011.

The average expat will read this post and then completely forget about the situation. This is pretty much a likely situation. If you're not here to change trains, though, and are actually exiting or boarding at this station (why not? There's a quick supermarket by Exit D...), take note. (Actually, just follow the signs and you'll be OK.)

It's not like the old Exit B will be missed... there wasn't even an escalator in the old exit! (Although those who wanted to do their early morning fitness training by climbing some stairs will shake their fist in fury... but then again, you can elect to climb those stairs at all other exits!)