Category Archives: shanghai

Coming soon: all-new online metro maps

Since 2007 we’ve been providing interactive Flash metro maps at exploreshanghai.com and for four other cities. While recently we’ve been focused on apps for iPhone and Android, our popular online maps at  are starting to look a little dated. It’s time for a fresh start, so I’ve been redesigning the online maps from the ground up. The goals of the redesign are:

  • No more Flash: as an increasing number of devices don’t come with Flash Player installed
  • Make the design responsive – that is to say, it should display well on any screen size, from a mobile phone right up to a large desktop monitor
  • Allow users of mobile devices who haven’t got our native apps to access basic mapping functionality on all devices for free
  • Add online maps for Seoul and Taipei
  • Add some features from our native apps, like more intuitive routeplanning, and zoom in/out

We’re still testing the new maps, but here’s a sneak preview of things to come (click to enlarge):

Soon, you’ll be able to opt-in to use the new version when you visit one of our sites. Stay tuned for updates!

Explore Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore with our new Android metro maps

We’re excited to announce that our metro map apps are now available for Android phones and tablets! Explore Shanghai, Explore Beijing and Explore Singapore are available now for FREE on the Android Marketplace.

You can download the apps from the Android Marketplace, just click on the relevant icon below to go straight to an app.

Explore ShanghaiExplore BeijingExplore Singapore

 

Features in the first version include:

  • Up to date map with all the latest lines and stations for 2012
  • Legend for each line
  • English/Chinese version (based on device language)
  • Route planner with times and prices
  • Audio station names (Shanghai/Beijing)
  • First/last train times
  • Link to Google Maps for street maps
  • Nearest stations (uses GPS/Wifi)
  • Help section

Here are a few screenshots!

 

There are a few features that we haven’t included yet, since we wanted to get version 1.0 out as soon as possible. Once you have installed the app, we would love to get your feedback.

  • Were there any problems or crashes?
  • Are there any features that you think should be added?

Love it? We’d also appreciate it if you could give us a good review on the Android Market (and tell all your Android-using friends)!

Hate it? Please email me directly at android at exploremetro dot com or leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to assist with any problems.

 

Looking for the iPhone/iPad versions of our apps? Please see our iPhone apps page.

Shanghai Metro Line 4 partial closure over Chinese New Year

The Shanghai Metro company announced that services will be suspended on half of Line 4, the circular line, over the Spring Festival Break. The work is necessary due to subsidence at Hailun Road Station.

Line 4 will temporarily operate on the segment between Yishan Road and Linping Road only. On most of the missing section, this won’t be too much of a problem as Line 3 services call at all stations between Baoshan Road and Yishan Road. However note that Linping Road is now something of a dead-end (click to enlarge map).

The shutdown will last from January 23 to 28. Normal operations will resume after the holidays.

The Joy of Six: introducing Explore Shanghai 6.0 with bus info, top tips

We’re proud to announce that Explore Shanghai is the second of our award-winning subway maps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to reach version 6.0


With version 6.0 we re-wrote the map code from the ground up to be faster. The app now loads quicker, and zooming in and out should be smooth, even on older devices.

The other big new feature is tips. Ever wondered what points of interest are close to a subway stop? Now you can tap on any station, then tap on Tips to see what’s nearby. We’ve even included bus information for every metro station: check Tips to see which buses stop in the vicinity of the metro station.

Tap the thumbs up button on any tip which you find useful. And if you know a great local restaurant, attraction or a clever shortcut, you can add your own tip:

You can also view a list of the most popular tips for the whole city.

Explore Shanghai 6.0 is a free update for existing users. Not got Explore Shanghai yet? Download it now from the iTunes App Store.

The Beach Express: Shanghai Metro Line 22 to Jinshan set for December opening

Shanghai Metro Line 22 will connect Shanghai South Railway Station with Jinshan, home of the closest sandy beach to downtown Shanghai. Not that it will likely be beach-going weather when the line opens in late December, 2011.

UPDATE: the Jinshan Railway finally opened in September 2012!

Jinshan Beach

The new line will have 9 stations, connecting with Line 1 and 3 at Shanghai Railway Station, and Line 1 and Line 5 at a new transport hub at Xinzhuang in Minghang District. The line then heads south into Songjiang and Jinshan Districts. The stations, from north to south:

  • 上海南站 Shanghai South Railway Station (interchange with Line 1 and Line 3)
  • 莘庄 Xinzhuang (interchange with Line 1 and Line 5)
  • 春申 Chunshen
  • 新桥 Xinqiao
  • 闵西 Minxi
  • 叶榭 Yexie
  • 亭林 Tinglin
  • 阮巷 Ruanxiang
  • 金山 Jinshan
The line is 56.4km long. There will be some direct trains which travel the line in 30 minutes, while trains stopping at every station will take 50 minutes. Trains will travel at up to 160km/h on the new line, over twice as fast as on regular metro lines.