Beijing subway stations to broadcast classical music

Workers work at Nanluoguxiang Station of Beijing's No 8 subway line on Dec 25, 2013. [Photo: China News Service / Cui Nan]

Passengers taking the subway in Beijing can enjoy classical music by the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) from Tuesday, sources with the center said.

"The move aims to make people feel more relaxed in the bustling city," said Deng Yijiang, vice head of the NCPA.

Music will be played in five separate periods of time from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day.

Wang Chunqiang, an official with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, said the music will create a good environment for passengers and has received positive feedback since its trial in November.

Noting that more international metropolises have chosen to broadcast classical music on public transportation vehicles, Wang said the move will improve service and help build Beijing into a cultural city.

Famous Chinese pianist Lang Lang told the press that he hoped more people can share the glamour of elegant arts.

Beijing Subway Company (BSC) runs 14 subway lines carrying more than nine million passengers on a peak day. The new music move cover a total of 160 stations in ten lines.

Statistics from the company showed that the subway carried 2.74 billion passengers in 2013, a 30 percent increase compared with 2012.

The program is jointly launched by the NCPA and the BSC.