Author Archives: matt

We’ve gone KowLOONY! Get Explore Hong Kong for iPhone free!

To celebrate the fact that Explore Hong Kong has just been upgraded to version 1.5, including great new features like “find my nearest station”, we’ve gone KowLOONY! Until Sunday 21st March, you’ll be able to download Explore Hong Kong absolutely free!

Ten great reasons to get Explore Hong Kong:

  1. Fully up-to-date – Every station on every line. Including the new stations at Austin and LOHAS Park!
  2. Plan routes – Get instant time and price details on the go.
  3. Accurate – verified against the official MTR map and routeplanner.
  4. Works offline– Everything works without an Internet connection.
  5. Bilingual – Everything’s available in English and Chinese. Choose traditional or simplified characters.
  6. Audio – Every station name pronounced in Cantonese!
  7. Nearest stations – use your iPhone’s GPS to find the closest MTR stop
  8. First and last train times – don’t miss the last train home!
  9. Line labels – Quickly see the name of any line at a glance
  10. Did we mention it’s free?

Hurry! Download Explore Hong Kong from the iTunes App Store now! Sale ends Sunday 21st March!

Shanghai Metro Line 2 extended to Hongqiao Airport

Frequent flyers rejoice! Tomorrow (February 16) Shanghai Metro Line 2 will be extended to Hongqiao Airport. The new stretch of line extends from the current terminus at Songhong Road, to Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2, then to Hongqiao Railway Station, to the new terminus at East Xujing.

We’ve just updated exploreshanghai.com – our online interactive map – with the new stations! You can click on any station to check the latest first/last train times.

Need to Know

  1. Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 will be served by trains from 5:35 to 22:50. Later in the year, it will also be served by Line 10, which will also call at Terminal 1.
  2. The Hongqiao Railway Station stop will not open tomorrow: it will open later when the new railway station opens. You’ll be able to catch express trains to Nanjing，and in 2011, to Beijing.
  3. Other Line 2 stations will open later, the last train is up to 20 minutes later than previously from most stations.

Users of our Explore Shanghai iPhone app can expect a free update in the next few days!

Shanghai Metro Expo Countdown – what’s left?

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. Open March 16! (except Hongqiao Railway Station)
  • Line 2 east extension – 8 new stations from Guanglan Road to Pudong International Airport.  Open April 8!
  • Line 7 north extension – Qihua Road to Meilanhu.
  • Line 10 – a major new line with 31 stations, appears to be delayed.  Open for trial operation April 10 (except branch to Hongqiao)
  • Line 11 branch line –  to Anting – open 29 March! (except East Changji Road)
  • 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 (open April 7) on Line 9 fall into this category.

The Beijing Subway in the palm of your hand: Explore Beijing 1.5 for iPhone

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

One of the great new features in version 1.5 is “Find my nearest”. When you’re exploring the capital, and want to find the nearest subway station, just tap the “Nearest” tab. Using your iPhone’s GPS (or wifi signals on the iPod touch) we’ll provide a list of nearest stations, as well as approximate distances and directions:

Continue reading →

Shanghai Metro Line 2 extended to Guanglan Road

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.

Map of new stations

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.

“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.

Shanghai Line 7, 9 extended opening times from February 20th

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!

Zhangjiang station will close to prepare for Line 2 extension opening 24th February

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:

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!