Guangzhou's subway is based on the cross-design subway network and was designed to service the planned three-sector city.

The # 1 line runs east-west, starting in the east with the Guangzhou Steel Station and heading west to the East Guangzhou Train Station, a total of 18.48 kilometers and 16 stations.

# 2 line runs north-south, starting in the north with New City Shima and travelling south to Chigang in the Haizhu District, a total of 26 kilometers with 22 stations.

# 3 line starts in the north at the Tianhe Athletic Center and continuing south to Xinzhou in the Haizhu District, a total distance of 13 kilometers with 9 stations.

The three subway lines form a ring, and the downtown are to be within the reach of the subway.