James Baquet

    THIS week I continued to “ride the rails,” out to Universiade Village in Longgang.

    Starting in Xili, I rode east on Huanzhong Line (Line 5) to Buji. Along the way, two stations (Tangleng and Changlingpi) were above ground, reminding me that our Metro is not strictly a subway.

    I still wasn’t prepared, though, for the fact that, at Buji Station, Longgang Line (Line 3) is WAY above ground. Transferring meant taking a long escalator to street level, and another up to the platform. The station is spacious, though, making the transfer easy.

    Between there and Universiade Station, only Tangkeng was underground, affording a view of the numerous scenic hillocks in the area.

    Finally, arriving at Universiade Station, I looked out to the west and easily spotted the dormitories of the Universiade Village from the platform.

    Walking west on Longxing Road just north of the station, I soon reached the corner of Longxiang Road. On the northwest is the Universiade Stadium; on the southeast, the Village for athletes; and on the southwest (hidden from view) other playing areas.

    Unfortunately, at this early date, none of the facilities was open to the public; but the U Stations (information booths) were fully manned by volunteers, some of whom spoke enough English to answer my questions.

    If you get out there now, you’ll see a sleepy area in the final stages of preparation. Soon it will be abuzz with athletes, staff, and spectators arriving from all over the world. You can feel the excitement building!