Round Table China Step into the subway multiverse
16 snips
Jan 28, 2026 A look at how Chinese subway stations are being reinvented as underground shopping, sports and cultural hubs. Discussion of new retail concepts like in-station supermarkets and creative uses such as markets and play courts. Exploration of the financial pressures driving these makeovers and the safety and planning challenges they create. A separate segment examines the hidden dangers of third-hand smoke and its lingering health risks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Subways Becoming Underground Lifestyle Hubs
- Chinese subway stations are shifting from pure transit nodes into multi-purpose underground commercial hubs.
- Stations now host fresh markets, supermarkets, and leisure spaces to meet rising commuter demands.
Guangzhou’s UU Select In-Station Supermarkets
- Guangzhou launched an in-house subway supermarket chain called UU Select stocking seasonal fruits and regional produce.
- The stores also sell luggage storage and creative souvenirs like rulers printed with subway safety guidelines.
Wuhan Market And Shenzhen Sports Courts
- Wuhan converted nearly 4,000 square meters of underground space into a fresh produce market inside a station.
- Shenzhen opened the country's first in-subway sports facility with badminton, table tennis, and pickleball courts.