Subways have become a dime a dozen in 21st century Chinese cities, another box the country can tick off on its list of modernizations. But China’s first public subway was a disruptive challenge, both a state secret and urban leveler.

Click here to read the article by James Carter.

Narrated by Elyse Ribbons.

China Stories is published twice weekly, on Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.