the ExploreShanghai blog

On July 19th Beijing got three new subway lines: line 8, line 10 and the Airport Express. Details of all the new lines are on the ExploreBeijing subway map. Changes in the latest version:

• First train/last train info for all the new lines (terminal stations only at present)
• Updated information on the Airport Express at Terminal 2 and 3
• Corrected some English station names
• Improved Chinese translations and highlighting on interchanges

According to Beijing city blog Beijingologist, the new line 8, line 10 and Airport Express will open this week! A date has been announced as “pre-July 20, 2008″… after several delays let’s hope it’s for real this time.

You can see the routes of the new lines on the interactive ExploreBeijing subway map.

The ExploreBeijing subway map now supports route planning. Simply drag your mouse between two stations to see an estimate for the time needed for the journey (including changes, and time spent waiting for trains).

Note that unlike on the Shanghai metro, all journeys cost a flat 2RMB. The new Airport Express line costs 25RMB! As with other features on explorebj.com, there may be some inaccuracies during the “beta” period, do get in touch if anything looks wrong!

The exact timings for the new lines (Line 8, Line 10 and the Airport Express) won’t be confirmed until later this month when the lines open.

Two big announcements today!

The Shanghai metro map has been redesigned based on your feedback. It now uses clearer fonts and colors, there’s a handy legend for identifying which line is which, and route-planning has been made more intuitive. To plot a route, just drag between two stations, and a grey arrow will preview which stations you are connecting.

Secondly, I’m pleased to announce the first “beta” version of the ExploreBeijing subway map at www.explorebj.com. You can use the “other cities” link in the top tabs to switch city. The ExploreBeijing map isn’t yet complete, notably:

• No first train/last train data for the new lines 8, 10 and Airport Express (which open later this month)
• No route-planning yet… coming soon!
• No station pronounciations yet… coming soon!

If you’ve got any feedback, please get in touch! info@exploreshanghai.com

If you like using the ExploreShanghai metro map you’ll be pleased to know that new metro maps for Beijing and Guangzhou are in the works.

You can expect all the features from the Shanghai metro map, including a comprehensive route planner, station names in English and Chinese and pronounciations of all stations

The Beijing Subway map will be available later this year at explorebj.com

The Guangzhou Metro map will be available at exploregz.com