We’re proud to announce the launch of the fourth ExploreMetro iPhone app – the Explore Hong Kong MTR map. We took all the best features from our Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou maps and made them even better!

So, you’ve got route planning for all journeys on the MTR network with times and prices, offline access, station names in English, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese, and free updates for life!

We think Explore Hong Kong is the best Hong Kong MTR app for iPhone and iPod touch. The app is fully up to date with the latest information, including new stations at LOHAS Park and Austin which opened in late 2009.

Explore Hong Kong is available on the iTunes App Store today priced at just $0.99. Want to try it out for free? Follow us on Twitter or become our fan on Facebook where we’ll be handing out some free promo codes!

Read on for some sample screenshots: Read the rest of this entry »

First, three great updates to our maps which are already live; then I’ll tell you about three new features coming soon to ExploreMetro!

• ExploreHK update – our Hong Kong map got some love, with a fully-updated routeplanner including the new station at Austin and changes to the East and West Rail Lines.
• New audio for Hong Kong and Guangzhou – now you can hear how any station name sounds just by clicking on the station name, then pressing the “play” button. For Hong Kong, you can practice your Cantonese
• Nearby places in Metropedia. For every station in the Shanghai Metropedia/Beijing Subwaypedia/Guangzhou Metropedia/Hong Kong MTRpedia, we now show a “Places near” section with links to local places’ Wikipedia articles. This is a new feature so feedback is very welcome!

And coming soon…
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We’re proud to announce the launch of our third iPhone app – the Explore Guangzhou Metro map. We took all the best features from our Shanghai and Beijing – like route planning, offline access, bilingual data, and free updates and built what we think is the best Guangzhou Metro app for iPhone and iPod touch.

The app is fully up to date with the latest information, including the new Line 5 which opened in January. Line 5 is the longest line, with 26 stations stretching from Wenchong to Jiaokou.

Explore Guangzhou is available on the iTunes App Store today priced at just $0.99. Want to try it out for free? Follow us on Twitter or become our fan onFacebook where we’ll be handing out some free promo codes!

Read on for some sample screenshots:

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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

We’re proud to announce the launch of our second iPhone app – the Explore Beijing Subway map. We took all the best features from our Shanghai app – like route planning, offline access, bilingual versions with audio pronounciations and free updates and built what we think is the best Beijing Subway app for iPhone and iPod touch.

Explore Beijing is available on the iTunes App Store today priced at just $0.99. Want to try it out for free? Follow us on Twitter or become our fan on Facebook where we’ll be handing out some free promo codes!
Read the rest of this entry »

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.

With the Shanghai World Expo just months away, several new lines will be opening up over the next few months! We’re already seen Line 7 enter trial operation, and the next two lines to open are the extension to Line 9, and the brand new Line 11.

The opening date is December 31st, but we thought we’d give you a sneak preview now! Both lines will initially run for trial operation between approximately 9am and 4.30pm.

Line 9 (colored light blue) currently runs from Songjiang in western Shanghai to Yishan Road. The new extension will add 9 new stations, including key interchanges with Line 1 at Xujiahui, Line 7 at Zhaojiabang Road, Line 8 at Lujiabang Road, and a mammoth four-line interchange at Century Avenue where lines 2,4,6, and 9 will now intersect! The station at Madang Road will also be important for the Expo, as you’ll be able to pass through security checks there, then board Line 13 straight into the EXPO Zone!

Line 11 (colored dark brown) starts from Jiangsu Road on Line 2, then heads northwest past Shanghai West Railway Station. Later in 2010, a branch line will open to the Shanghai F1 Circuit and Anting. Initially only the line towards North Jiading will be open.

Check out the map below for the locations of the new lines.

Note, as mentioned above, the opening times are limited initially, and will be extended gradually over the next few months. Also, for changing between lines 1 and 9 at Xujiahui, initially you will need to exit the fare-gates and re-enter. This is free if you have a Shanghai Public Transportation Card.

Expect an update to exploreshanghai.com very soon with the new lines!

The best way to understand our ExploreShanghai Shanghai Metro iPhone app is to see it in action! That’s why we created a video so you can see great features like routeplanning, easy zooming and panning, audio and search.

Check out the video on Youtube (best for outside of China)

… or on Youku (best inside China)