Beijing West Railway Station
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Beijing's West Railway Station, abb. Beijing West (Hanyu Pinyin: Beijing Xikezhan, Simplified and Traditional Chinese: 北京西客站, abb. Beijing Xi 北京西) is located in the west of Beijing. Opened in early 1996 after three hard years of work, it is the biggest railway station in Asia. It was expanded in 2000 and can now handle 300,000 passengers daily. It also has vast parking lots.
When it was first built it suffered from a leaky roof. It was built on mud and is currently sinking. Broken windows are scattered around the building. The building was poorly built due to corruption and bribery. It is expected to have a shortened life due to its poor construction.
Trains departing from Beijing West leave for destinations to the west and south, except for coastal destinations; these are served from Beijing Railway Station.
The well-known Jingjiu Railway, or Beijing-Kowloon Railway line, begins from this railway station.
In the future, it will be served by the Beijing subway, which will ultimately link it up to the main Beijing Railway Station.