Kitay-Gorod Metro Station opened in 1971 as Ploshchad Nogina. It’s a two-hall station complex on two levels, about 29 meters underground, at Ilyinskiye Vorota Square in central Moscow.
This is where Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange) and Line 7 (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, purple) meet, with cross-platform transfers between them.
Use this guide for the layout, the station’s name changes, and practical fare basics for entering the metro.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Китай-город |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1971 |
| Architect(s) | Alexander Strelkov, Ivan Taranov and Iraida Petukhova |
| Address | Ilyinskiye Vorota Square, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tverskoy |
| Interchanges | Kitay-gorod (Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange), the lower hall, between Tretyakovskaya and Turgenevskaya) Kitay-gorod (Line 7 (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, purple), the upper hall, between Kuznetsky Most and Taganskaya, with cross-platform transfers to Line 6) |
| Opening hours | The Moscow Metro normally runs from early morning until around 1:00 at night, and the station is open to passengers during those hours.
Exact first and last train times were not confirmed, so check the Metro's official information (as of October 2026 – check the official site, mosmetro.ru). |
| Best time to visit | Mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays are calmer, and late evening is quiet. The morning and evening rush hours are the busiest, when the platforms and the cross-platform transfers are crowded.
The station works in every season, so it is a good stop on a cold or wet day. |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
Why Visit Kitay-Gorod Metro Station?
Kitay-Gorod is a practical and visually understandable interchange: two metro lines meet in a purpose-built, cross-platform setup that lets you switch without retracing your steps.
It also drops you into the center’s historic street area around Ilyinskiye Vorota Square and the Kitay-gorod district, making it easy to combine metro travel with walking.
How Kitay-Gorod Metro Station Is Laid Out
Kitay-Gorod is a compact station complex made of two halls on two levels, connected through cross-platform transfers.
- Lower hall: Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange), with platforms for directions toward Tretyakovskaya and Turgenevskaya.
- Upper hall: Line 7 (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, purple), with platforms for directions toward Kuznetsky Most and Taganskaya.
- Transfers: follow the signs to the cross-platform change so you can step across between the lines.
Before stepping across, confirm your direction using the signs and line colors—at busy times, it’s easy to pick up the wrong platform.
Highlights of Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
The cross-platform transfer
Kitay-Gorod was the first Moscow station where a combined cross-platform transfer was opened with both stations built at the same time.
Tip: Before stepping across, check you’re going in the right direction using the signs and the line color.
Two halls, two levels
The station complex consists of two halls on two levels, about 29 meters underground.
Tip: Use the line colors to find your hall: orange for Line 6 and purple for Line 7.
Former name: Ploshchad Nogina
Until November 1990 the station was called Ploshchad Nogina, after the square above.
Tip: If you use older maps, look for Ploshchad Nogina.
Named for the historic Kitay-gorod district
The station is named after the historic Kitay-gorod area, a central district whose name is often translated as “Chinatown.”
Tip: Use the station as a convenient starting point for walking the old-street area around Varvarka and Ilyinka.
Architectural credit
The credited architects are Alexander Strelkov and Ivan Taranov, with Iraida Petukhova.
Tip: If you’re comparing stations, notice how this interchange prioritizes the transfer itself rather than decorative themes.
Atmosphere
Inside, two trains arrive on adjacent sides of a platform, and the cross-platform transfer is the obvious experience—watching passengers step across for the next line is the simplest way to understand the layout.
Because it’s an interchange in the historic center, it can feel crowded during weekday rush hours; mid-morning and later in the evening are usually calmer.
History of Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
The station opened in 1971 as Ploshchad Nogina as part of the Kaluzhskaya (Line 6) extension into the center.
The complex was built as two connected halls on two levels (four tracks total). It’s known for its cross-platform transfer between Line 6 and Line 7, with both stations built as part of the same coordinated interchange project.
In 1990 the station was renamed Kitay-gorod, after the historic area above (the former Ploshchad Nogina name was replaced following the restoration of Varvara Gate-related naming in the area).
Tickets and Booking for Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
There isn’t a separate “ticket for the station.” Entering the metro requires a valid Moscow Metro fare.
Fares and payment options have reported differences depending on source. As of October 2026, check the current prices and methods on the official Moscow Metro website before you go.
- Troika: sold at station ticket windows and top-up machines; also available via the official Metro app.
- Contactless cards/mobile payments: reports conflict on whether foreign cards and phone payments work reliably at entry turnstiles—carry cash as a backup if needed.
- Rush hours: the station is busiest on weekday mornings and evenings, so buying or topping up on arrival can add time.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Kitay-Gorod Metro Station is in central Moscow at Ilyinskiye Vorota Square, where the Tverskoy, Basmanny, and Tagansky districts meet.
Nearest metro stop:
- Kitay-gorod (Line 6 – orange): between Tretyakovskaya and Turgenevskaya.
- Kitay-gorod (Line 7 – purple): between Kuznetsky Most and Taganskaya.
Street-level exits and exact walking times to nearby sights were not fully verified; allow a few extra minutes when navigating from the stairs or escalator up to Ilyinskiye Vorota Square.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The station is about 29 meters deep and reached by escalators, and the availability of lifts and step-free access was not verified. The cross-platform transfer avoids stairs between the two lines. Contact the Metro or check mosmetro.ru before traveling if you need step-free access or assistance.
Food Nearby
The area around Kitay-Gorod has many dining options (cafes and restaurants). Specific venues and hours weren’t verified, so it’s safest to check current opening times once you’re nearby.
What to Bring
Bring a navigation app or a map for the old streets above ground. If you’re not sure about card acceptance, carry some cash as a backup. If you plan to use Troika, have your payment method ready for buying a card or topping it up.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Cross-platform transfer area (between the two halls)
The cross-platform transfer itself: the two lines sit so you can see trains on opposite sides and how passengers step across to change lines.
Best time: Mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays (usually less crowded)
Upper hall on Line 7 (purple)
A clear view along the Line 7 hall gives you a sense of the interchange scale and the line’s platform length.
Best time: Late evening or mid-morning
Lower hall on Line 6 (orange)
From one platform end, you can compare the orange Line 6 signage and direction boards while waiting for the train.
Best time: Mid-morning
Photography Rules
Photography rules inside the station were not confirmed. In busy platforms, basic safety rules apply (stay clear of the platform edge). Flash and tripods may be restricted depending on local staff instructions, and drone use in central Moscow is generally restricted—check the current guidance before you shoot.
Family Suitability
It’s an interchange station rather than a themed family attraction. Children may enjoy watching trains on both sides of the platform, but it can get busy during rush hours, so keep close to the platform safety line.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Use the line colors (orange for Line 6, purple for Line 7) to confirm you’re in the right hall before you follow transfer signs.
- The fastest change is usually the cross-platform transfer—avoid exiting the station if you just need the other line.
- If you’re coming via older maps, remember the former name Ploshchad Nogina.
- Leave a little buffer for rush hours; the transfer is designed for quick movement but can still bottleneck.
- Kitay-gorod refers to a historic Moscow district, not a modern “Chinese quarter.” Use it as a gateway to the center’s older street grid.
Explore Nearby Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Sights near Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Zaryadye Park Moscowabout 550 m away (~9 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours; 3 hours with the pavilionsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Red Square Moscow – about 800 m away (~13 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours for the square, 3–5 hours with St Basil's and one museumMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Zaryadye Concert Hall Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: About 2.5 to 3 hours for a concertMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Floating Bridge Moscow – about 700 m away (~11 min walk) · typical visit: About 30 minutes on the bridge, 1.5 to 2 hours with the parkMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscowabout 700 m away (~12 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutes insideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Kuznetsky Most Metro Stationabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Lubyanka Metro Stationabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ploshchad Revolyutsii Metro Stationabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Kursky Railway Terminalabout 1.7 km away (~28 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Masa Madreabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Megobariabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Stolovaya 57about 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Varenichnaya No. 1about 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskayaabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
MOSS Boutique Hotelabout 700 m away (~11 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Guten Duck Moscow Hostelabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscowabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Non/fiction Book Fair in Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
National Unity Day in Moscow: History, Red Square and Visitor TipsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kotelnicheskaya Embankment: Stalin Skyscraper and the Yauza MouthMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Khitrovka: Moscow’s Former Slum Quarter, Lanes and Old MansionsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Myasnitskaya: Moscow’s Butchers‘ Street, Tea House and Post OfficeMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow: Kremlin Views Across the RiverMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Tverskoy · All Metro Stations
FAQ: Kitay-Gorod Metro Station
When did Kitay-Gorod Metro Station open?
It opened in 1971, originally under the name Ploshchad Nogina, on 3 January.
Which metro lines meet at Kitay-Gorod?
Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange) and Line 7 (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, purple).
How do I change lines?
Use the cross-platform transfer between the two halls. Follow the signs for your direction; the two platforms sit on different levels, but the change between lines is designed to be stair-free where the transfer connects.
How deep is it?
About 29 meters underground.
Why is it called Kitay-Gorod?
The name refers to the historic Kitay-gorod district. Until 1990, the station was called Ploshchad Nogina.
Do I need a ticket just to enter the station?
Yes. You need a Moscow Metro fare to enter.
Who designed the station?
The station is credited to Alexander Strelkov and Ivan Taranov, with Iraida Petukhova.
How long does it take to get a good look around?
Allow about 10 minutes for the main halls and the cross-platform transfer, adjusting for crowds.
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Last updated: October 7, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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