By Subway in Shanghai

Shanghai's quick and efficient subway system—called the Shanghai Metro—is an excellent way to get around town, and the network is growing exponentially.

Line 1 runs north-south, crossing the Former French Concession, with a stop at the Shanghai Railway Station. It intersects with Line 2 at People's Square, a labyrinth of a station with 2 levels, 20 exits, and lots of people. Line 2, which will eventually link Hongqiao International Airport with Pudong International Airport, is an east-west line that runs under Nanjing Lu along part of its length, and crosses to Pudong close to the Bund. You can transfer from it to the MagLev at Longyang Station in Pudong. Line 3 (formerly known as the Pearl Line) starts in north Shanghai and loops around the west of the city center; useful stops include Shanghai South Railway Station. Line 4 is a circle line that goes around Puxi and through Pudong, crossing the Huangpu River at two places—at this writing, its southwest segment was yet to open. Line 5 is a commuter spur line connecting southwest Shanghai to Line 1.

Subway stations are marked by signs with a jagged red "M" for Metro. Signs are not always obvious, so be prepared to hunt around for entrances or ask directions.

Stations are usually sparklingly clean and safe, as are trains. Navigating the subway is very straightforward: station names are clearly displayed in Chinese and Pinyin. There are maps in each station, although not all exit signs list their corresponding streets. Once on board, each stop is clearly announced in Chinese and English. Trains get very crowded at rush hour, when pickpocketing can be a problem.

Fares depend on how far you travel: most trips within the city center cost Y3 to Y5, with the maximum fare at Y8. Ticket machines have instructions in English; press the button for the fare you want then insert your coins. Alternatively, go to the ticket booth where sellers sometimes speak some English. Keep your ticket handy; you'll need to insert it into a second turnstile as you exit at your destination. If you're going to do more than one or two trips on the subway (or on any other form of transportation), get yourself a rechargeable Jiaotong card. It saves you time waiting on line for tickets.

Trains run regularly, with three to six minutes between trains on average. Generally speaking, you can change lines without having to buy a new ticket; changes marked transfer" are the exception. The best online guide to the Shanghai Metro is at the Shanghai Daily "Live in Shanghai" site.

Information

Live in Shanghai (shanghaidaily.com/live). Shanghai Metro Passenger Information (021/6318-9000. www.shmetro.com).