The Shanghai Metro currently has 10 lines in operation: Lines 1 to 9 are in full operation, Line 11 is in trial operation. So, what’s still pending opening this year? The plan is to open everything before the Expo, but it seems like some projects are delayed. If you have accurate opening dates for any of these lines, please let me know in the comments!

• Line 2 west extension – Songhong Road to Xujing via Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station. Should be the next to open, during March.
• Line 2 east extension - 8 new stations from Guanglan Road to Pudong International Airport.
• Line 7 north extension – Qihua Road to Meilanhu.
• Line 10 – a major new line with 31 stations, appears to be delayed.
• Line 11 branch line –  to Anting
• Line 13 – will open for Expo ticket-holders only

Additionally some closed stations on existing lines may open. Zhoujiadu on Line 8, Houtan on Line 7, Jiyang Road on Line 6/8 and Middle Yanggao Road on Line 9 fall into this category.

The Shanghai Metro continues to expand… today sees the opening of an additional stretch of Line 2. The previous terminal station, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park will reopen as a new underground station twice the size of the previous, overcrowded station. The two new stations are located at Jinke Road and Guanglan Road.

There’s a full service to the new stations, with trains departing Guanglan Road between 5:49 and 22:27. Guanglan Road will be the interchange station for direct metro trains to Pudong International Airport: this remaining stretch of Line 2 is expected to open before the Shanghai World Expo begins in May.

We’ve just updated ExploreShanghai online with the new stations! An update for our iPhone app is currently being reviewed by Apple and will be released soon.

We’re pleased to announce Explore Shanghai 1.5 for iPhone – the best Shanghai Metro app for iPhone just got better!

• NEW! “Find my nearest” - using your iPhone’s GPS you can now see a list of the closest metro stations to your current location.
• FIXED! Solved bug causing map to freeze when zooming/panning
• NEW! Line numbers. Handy labels to show you the name of each line at a glance.
• NEW! Tab bar to switch between features
• UPDATED! Updated first/last train times for Metro Line 7 and Metro Line 9
• UPDATED! Metro Line 2 east extension

Explore Shanghai 1.5 is a FREE update for existing users. Not downloaded yet? It’s available on the iTunes App Store.

Screenshot: find my nearest

Screenshot: Line numbers

Expect updates to our other apps for Guangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong shortly!

As we previously reported, Line 7 and Line 9 have extended opening hours starting today! So, if you’re lucky enough not to be working this weekend, here are a few places you could explore using the new metro lines:

1. Visit the canal town of Qibao (Line 9)
2. Go shopping along Line 7 – see this Cityweekend article for more details!
3. Buy some souvenirs or eat al fresco at Tianzifang at Taikang Lu, close to Dapuqiao (Line 9)
4. Wander the streets of the Old Town near Xiaonanmen (Line 9)
5. Grab some sportswear at Decathlon at Longyang Road (Line 2 and 7)

We’ve just pushed out an update to ExploreShanghai online with the new times for first/last trains. Just click on any station for details. An update to our iPhone app will follow in the next week.

Finally! Shanghai Metro Line 7 and Line 9 have been running on very limited operating hours since opening at the start of the year. Now the Shanghai Metro Company has announced that from February 20th the operation times will be extended to cover the morning and evening peak times.

Line 7: The first trains will depart Huamu Road at 5:30 and Shanghai University at 5:32, the last trains depart at 21:30 and 21:32, arriving at the final station at around 22:30.

Line 9: The first trains will depart Songjiang Xincheng at 06:00 and Century Avenue at 05:33, the last trains depart at 21:15 and 21:26, arriving at the final station at around 22:30.

We’ll have updates for ExploreShanghai online as soon as the new timetables start!

The Shanghai Metro company have announced that Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park station will be closed between 14th February and 23rd February. A free replacement bus service will be available from Longyang Road station.

This is to prepare for the opening of the eastern extension of Line 2.

On 24th February the new stretch from Longyang Road to Guanglan Road station will open for trial operation (read: limited opening hours). The new stations on this stretch are:

• Longyang Road
• Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park
• Jinke Road
• Guanglan Road

The remaining stretch to Pudong International Airport will not open until a later date, the stations on this stretch will be:

• Tangzhen
• Middle Chuangxin Road
• East Huaxia Road
• Chuansha
• Lingkong Road
• Yuandong Avenue
• Haitiansan Road
• Pudong International Airport

Passengers will need to change at Guanglan Road to board trains to the airport. Expect an update to Explore Shanghai online and on iPhone soon!

Geoff Ng wrote a great review of the Explore Shanghai Metro map iPhone app over at CityWeekend.

Easily navigate Shanghai’s ever-expanding Metro system with this userfriendly app. Just select your start and end points and the exact price and time details will display instantly. It works even when offline, in English and Chinese, and stays completely up-to-date. Free updates are made available as new lines open up and old ones get extended.
Price: US$0.99

Read the full article here

The latest version of our Explore Shanghai Metro map is now on the iTunes App Store! The latest update adds the latest extensions to the network: Line 11 and Line 9 phase 2. Version 1.2 is a free update for existing users! Not downloaded our app yet? It’s only $0.99 and includes:

• Every station on every line.
• Routeplanning – times and prices for any journey
• Works offline – Everything works without an Internet connection. Perfect for iPod touch users!
• Bilingual -Everything’s available in English and Chinese.

Screenshots

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A round up of Shanghai metro news!

1. Metro Line 11 and the eastern extension to Line 9 opened on December 31st. Both have limited opening times initially. Check www.exploreshanghai.com for all the details, including first and last train times, and journey planning/prices for the new lines.
2. Metro Line 6 now has longer opening times! Trains leave Gangcheng Road between 5:36 and 22:00 and leave South Lingyan Road between 5:48 and 22:12.
3. Planning to interchange Line 9 and Line 1 at Xujiahui? You’ll have a long walk for now. The planned interchange passageway is not open yet, so for now you’ll need to leave the station and re-enter. This is free with a Shanghai Public Transportation Card
4. The Shanghai Metro Company have launched a new “traffic light” system for the network. Green shows trains are operating normally, yellow shows delays, red shows serious issues/shutdowns. You can check the current state of the network here
5. Later in January, Jiyang Road station will open, providing an interchange between line 6 and line 8 (see below). You won’t be able to access the station from ground level, only interchange.

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We’ve just launched updates to ExploreShanghai and ExploreGuangzhou, the best online metro maps for the Shanghai Metro and Guangzhou Metro.

In Shanghai, Line 11 and Line 9 phase 2 will open on Thursday but you can start exploring the new site now! Every new station has a Metropedia entry with a location map, photos and journey details, for example Xiaonanmen. We’ve also updated our popular PDF maps with new versions in English and Chinese.

In Guangzhou, Line 5 opened on 28 December, as well as an additional station at Chebeinan on Line 4. You can view the new map, and start planning routes at ExploreGuangzhou.

There may be a few glitches initially, for example we currently don’t have price information for journeys including the new lines. If you have any feedback, do contact us!

An update for our ExploreShanghai iPhone app should be available in the next couple of weeks, once the update is approved by Apple.