Category Archives: fun

Buy an app, tell a friend, win a Wii

We recently submitted an update for Explore Shanghai for iPhone but encountered a snag, as we were told:

We’ve completed the review of your application, but are unable to post this version to the App Store because it includes a contest with Apple products as prizes. Apps that include such offerings incorrectly create an association with Apple, Inc.

Hmm. So now when you tell a friend about one of our apps, you can win a iPad Wii! Just tap on the Help tab in the app.

For those of you waiting anxiously for the update, Explore Shanghai 2.3 has been resubmitted (including the new Hongqiao Railway Station and extended times for Line 10) and should be available soon! Download Explore Shanghai now and you’ll receive the free update as soon as it’s approved.

Lonely Planet’s Top 5 China apps

We were listed in Lonely Planet’s “Top 5 China apps“!

3. Explore Metro Maps (US$0.99)
Explore puts out metro maps for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. They’re easy to use, up to date (no easy feat in Shanghai) and work offline. Very handy, especially when they’ve run out of paper maps at the stations.

Thanks for the mention guys! You can download our iPhone apps here

Interview with China Global Times

I was recently interviewed by Chris Chagnon of the China Global Times about why I created the ExploreMetro websites and apps, my love of metro maps and plans for the future 🙂

You have a new map of the Tokyo Subway coming online this year; do you have future plans for expansion?

My plan for world domination is, of course, a secret, but my next target cities are Seoul and Taipei. There are also scores of first and second tier cities in China that are currently building metros, so I think I’m going to be busy.

Read the full article here: Tube topographer

What’s the busiest metro line in Shanghai?

On Friday, the Shanghai Metro company announced that daily passenger numbers had again broken the daily record, surpassing 6 million. They also provided line-by-line numbers so it’s possible to see the numbers of passengers using the different lines:

Clearly Lines 1 and 2 are the most popular, with over 1 million each.  Line 4 and Line 8 are the next most popular. Of the lines which opened in 2010, Line 7 is already seeing almost half a million daily passengers.

Win Expo tickets with Explore Shanghai

We’re giving away five tickets to the Shanghai World Expo!

If you’ve been living in Shanghai, or planning a trip, you’ll no doubt be planning a visit to the Expo Site. Regular tickets cost 160 RMB ($23) but thanks to Explore Shanghai you could visit for free! The competition is open to anyone who uses Explore Shanghai for iPhone, available from the iTunes App Store. Explore Shanghai is a great companion for your Expo trip, it includes up-to-date information on all the new metro lines, including Line 13 directly into the Expo park.

You can download ExploreShanghai for iPhone from the iTunes App Store for just $0.99. Once you’ve downloaded, tap on the Help tab and fill in your details to be entered into the draw. You can enter once per day, and the more you enter the greater your chance of winning! We’ll announce the first lucky winner on May 31st.

Disclaimer: ExploreMetro is the sole sponsor of this Sweepstakes and Apple is not a sponsor or responsible for this Sweepstakes.

8 things you didn’t know about the Shanghai Metro

We recently contributed to CNNGo’s article Another 51 things you may not know about Shanghai – but should. Here’s our selection of facts about the Shanghai Metro!

39. Shanghai’s circular Metro Line 4 was originally not a circle. During construction in 2003, the section under the Huangpu river collapsed, though no-one was injured. It took until 2007 to open the final section from Damuqiao Lu to Lancun Lu.

40. Several of Shanghai’s Metro lines have been given unofficial nicknames. Line 10 is the “Golden Line” as it links many of the city’s tourist attractions like Yuyuan and Xintiandi. Line 6 has been dubbed the “Hello Kitty Line” due to its lurid pink livery.
41. The longest possible journey on the Shanghai Metro is between Pudong International Airport on Line 2 and Anting on Line 11. The journey takes around two and a quarter hours and costs RMB 10. In the time it takes to get to Anting, you could fly to Japan!

42. Shanghai now has the longest metro system in the world, with 420km of track (260 miles), overtaking the London Underground’s 408km. It took London 140 years to reach this length, Shanghai did it in 15 years.

43. The Shanghai Metro has a mascot, a small blue robot called Chang Chang. Its name means “smooth traffic” in Chinese.

44. Due to overcrowding on Shanghai Metro Line 8, staff have been employed to push extra people into carriages at peak times.

45. On some Metro lines, a snippet of music from “Going Home” by saxophonist Kenny G is played at the terminal station. This piece of music is also played in some Chinese schools to mark the end of the day.

46. A number of oddly dressed people have been spotted by Chinese netizens on the Shanghai Metro. In recent years ‘Leopard Print Man,’ a robot, Superman, and an Egyptian mummy have all been spotted riding the subway.

Read the full article on CNNgo

“Find my nearest station” with Explore Shanghai 1.5 for iPhone

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!

5 places to visit on Shanghai Metro Line 7 and Line 9

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.