Category Archives: shanghai

2019/2020 year-end updates for ExploreMetro maps

As usual, many of the metro systems around Asia are opening new lines and extensions in the last few days of the year. I’m working hard to get the different maps updated as soon as possible, please bear with me as ExploreMetro is a one-person operation, and I have a newborn baby to look after 🙂 Apple also shut down the submission of new apps over Christmas, so there’s a backlog to get new apps approved.

Here’s a summary of the lines and extensions already open during December 2019/January 2020 and the current status on the ExploreMetro apps. If you think I missed anything, please shoot me an email to support@exploremetro.com

Updated now on all platforms:

  • Bangkok – 04 Dec 2019 – Sukhumvit Line, Ha Yaek Lat Phrao – Kasetsart University MAPS UPDATED on web, iOS and Android!
  • Bangkok – 04 Dec 2019 – Blue Line, Tao Poon – Sirindhorn MAPS UPDATED on web, iOS and Android!
  • Shenzhen – 08 Dec 2019 – Line 9, Hongshuwan South – Qianwan MAPS UPDATED on web, iOS and Android!
  • Guangzhou 20 Dec 2019 – Line 21, Yuancun – Zhenlongxi MAPS UPDATED on web, iOS and Android
  • Bangkok – 23 Dec 2019 – Blue Line, Sirindhorn – Tha Phra MAPS UPDATED on web and iOS and Android
  • Beijing – 28-30 Dec 2019, Line 7, Jiaohuachang – Huazhuang + Shuangjing and Batong Line, Tuqiao – Huazhuang, Line 13 Qinghe station MAPS UPDATED on web, iOS and Android!
  • Guangzhou – 28 Dec 2019, Line 8, Fenghuang Xincun – Cultural Park MAPS UPDATED on web, iOS and Android!
  • Taipei – 19 Jan 2020, Circular Line (Yellow) – New Taipei Industrial Park to Dapinglin MAPS UPDATED on web, Android and iOS!
  • Singapore – 31 Jan 2020, Thomson–East Coast Line, Woodlands North – Woodlands South MAPS UPDATED on web, Android and iOS!

Opening soon:

  • Hong Kong – 14 Feb 2020, Tuen Ma Line, Tai Wai to Kai Tak

Pujiang Line delayed until early 2018

The opening of the Pujiang Line in Shanghai has been pushed back to the first quarter of 2018 as more time is needed to test driverless operation.

Some more information about the new line has now been published: it will appear grey on the official metro map, and upon opening, Shendu Highway station, the interchange with Line 8, will be renamed to Pujiang Country Park (浦江郊野公园) after the park of the same name.

Pujiang Country Park

Here’s the updated metro map

Updates to our metro maps online, for Android and for iOS will be available soon!

Shanghai Metro Pujiang Line to open

UPDATE: Looks like we jumped the gun and this line won’t open until early 2018. See our updated blog post for more details

We’re rounding out 2017 with a preview of the new lines expected to open in China before the end of the year. Typically new lines open in the last few days of December, and details about the exact timetables and station details are only announced on opening day.

Today we have a sneak preview of the new Pujiang Line in Shanghai. It’s an unusual line – an automated, driverless rubber-tyred metro line or “automated people mover”, more commonly used to shuttle passengers between airport terminals.

It was originally planned as a southern extension to Line 8, now it is a separate line passengers will transfer to Line 8 at Shendu Highway station.

Updates to our metro maps online, for Android and for iOS are rolling out by the end of the year.

 

Shanghai Metro Line 9 Eastern Extension to open

We’re rounding out 2017 with a preview of the new lines expected to open in China before the end of the year. Typically new lines open in the last few days of December, and details about the exact timetables and station details are only announced on opening day.

Today we have a sneak preview of the Line 9 eastern extension in Shanghai. Line 9, which first opened in 2007, will be extended 9 stops deeper into Pudong from the current terminus at Middle Yanggao Road, terminating at Caolu. There is also a handy interchange with Line 12 at Jinhai Road.

Updates to our metro maps online, for Android and for iOS are rolling out by the end of the year.

 

Shanghai Metro Line 17 to open

We’re rounding out 2017 with a preview of the new lines expected to open in China before the end of the year. Typically new lines open in the last few days of December, and details about the exact timetables and station details are only announced on opening day.

Today we have a sneak preview of the new Line 17 in Shanghai. Line 17 should dramatically improve connectivity in Qingpu District. Line 17 starts at Hongqiao Railway Station before heading west into Qingpu.

There is a stop at famous water town Zhujiajiao, with the terminus of the line at Oriental Land.

View of Zhujiajiao – Will Clayton, CC-BY

Updates to our metro maps online, for Android and for iOS are rolling out by the end of the year.

 

Shanghai Metro opens later on Friday and Saturday nights

The Shanghai Metro have announced late night openings on several lines on Friday and Saturday nights. Lines 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 will all open up to an hour later, in many cases staying open past midnight.

We’re updating our metro maps to be able to provide accurate last train times. You can see a sneak preview of this feature below: by default, you’ll see first/last train times for today, but you can quickly toggle to another day of the week.

We’ll be launching this first on Explore Shanghai for iOS, with updates for our Android app and web version coming soon. We’ll also then add updated times for other cities which have different opening times on the weekend, like Explore Singapore.

Shanghai Metro Line 16 now connects to Longyang Road

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Shanghai Metro Line 16. Line 16 opened last year with a section of track from Luoshan Road to Dishui Lake. The line wasn’t that well connected to the rest of the network, with the only interchange station to Line 11 at Luoshan Road. It’s now much better connected, thanks to the new 2-station extension:


In particular the station at Longyang Road provides easy interchanges with Line 2, 7 and the Maglev to Pudong Airport. Later in 2015, Line 11 will also be extended from Longyang Road to the Shanghai Disney Resort, so Line 16 will be a useful conduit for visitors heading from the airport to the Disney Park.

Shanghai Metro Line 13 extended

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Shanghai Metro Line 13. Line 13 has gone through a number of iterations over the last few years. If you were in Shanghai during the 2010 World Expo you may recall a small section of Line 13 was open to ferry people into the Expo site. That section subsequently closed, and a new section of Line 13 in western Shanghai opened in 2012, from Jinshajiang Road to Jinyun Road. This year, Line 13 has been extended three stations eastwards, with two new interchange stations:


Later in 2015, Line 13 will be extended eastwards and southwards:

  • Jiangning Road
  • Hanzhong Road (interchange with Line 1 and 12)
  • Shanhaiguan Road
  • West Nanjing Road (interchange with Line 2 and 12)
  • Middle Huaihai Road
  • Xintiandi (interchange with Line 10)
  • Madang Road (interchange with Line 9)
  • Lupu Bridge
  • Shibo Avenue
  • Changqing Road (interchange with Line 7)

Year-end metro openings for Shanghai and Beijing

December 2014 should see several new lines and extensions opening in Shanghai and Beijing.

In Shanghai, Line 13 will be extended by three stops, with a new Line 11/13 interchange at Longde Road and a new Line 7/13 interchange at Changshou Road. Additionally Line 16 should be extended with a new Line 2/7/16/Maglev interchange at Longyang Road.

In Beijing, one major change is the switch from a flat 2RMB fare to distance-based pricing from 3RMB to 10RMB beginning December 28. There are also several new lines opening: a brand new east-west line, Line 7, plus extensions to Line 6, Line 14 and Line 15.

As you may know, ExploreMetro is run by just one person and I’m currently in the United States, preparing to get married on December 31st! So, for personal reasons, the Explore Shanghai and Explore Beijing apps will likely not be updated with all the new lines until early January. Thanks for your patience.

Update 1! Basic updates to the online maps and Android apps are now available. Some information like first/last train times will be updated in early January. iOS apps will also be updated in early January.

Update 2! Updates to our iOS apps are also now available!