From Metro to Bus: Your Shanghai Transit Survival Guide

[Reginald Ziemann]

Alright, no problem! I'll do my best to provide you with an Earth-bound experience and make sure it's easy for foreigners to understand as well!

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Here we come, everyone! I’ve been a “shanghai-piao” (Shanghai drifter) moving from Beijing to Shanghai for nearly a year now, and it’s time to share some insight about Shanghai's public transportation, especially the subway! Get ready with your little stools, we're starting episode one of my “Ranting Conference”, let’s roll!

• Exits at metro stations? They’re plentiful enough to question existence!

  • Does that sound super convenient by definition? “Wow, so many exits!” But once experienced, I can only give a little laugh and '呵呵'（which is a way to express helplessness mixed with a bit of sarcasm）.
  • Many stations seem to interconnect several entrances/exits in all sorts of ways. The result? If you want exit A, you might have to navigate through winding and confusing underground passages, giving you the impression of walking through a maze-like Beijing’s transfer station Xizhimen. How exhausting!
  • ️Note: It’s critical, when riding in Shanghai, to check and know your departure point ahead, especially in major stations, to avoid aching legs due to wrong navigation directions.

• No Escalators? Rare Treasures?

  • Comparing with the northern parts of China, escalators or lifts between platforms and ground levels within metro stations seem somewhat less abundant in Shanghai, particularly when it comes to dragging heavy luggage around - quite a tiring endeavor!
  • ️Tip: If you find yourself carrying multiple bags or if mobility issues arise, pay extra attention to which exit is equipped with elevators or escalators before entering.

• A designer needs to step forward: Line color coordination and station signs confusion!

  • Some subway line color matches are ‘eye blind’ (a joke term meaning bizarre).
  • Take this purple line, for instance: the color is fine, but the sign numbers are black and thus hard-to-read even if one has super perfect eyesight (like 5.0 vision). I bet you couldn't see it without a closer look.
  • ️Note: When checking the station indicators, be watchful - confirm details closely to prevent boarding the wrong train.

• Transfer ride like walking the Long March!

  • Some transfers require exiting the station, walking miles, then swipe again to re-enter – that planning seems… perplexing?
  • ️Tip: Always allocate enough time for your journey if a transfer is involved; some transfers are really far apart.

• Senior "Sunset Group" on Subways

  • Unlike regular buses where the elderly have free rides, there are often many seniors on the metro. Sometimes they may become unspeakably pushy with things like taking seats.
  • ️Travel Recommendation: Try avoiding rush hours and offer seats to senior folks in need, but also take care not to overlook personal belongings protection.

• Lines 3 & 4 —- Novices’ Bermuda Triangle

  • If it’s your first visit to Shanghai and you board Lines 3 or 4, expect a daunting start!
  • ️Alert: These lines use common tracks in certain sections, making directions confusing, sometimes distinguishing inner circle routes versus outer radius ones. Check your train’s direction thoroughly and consult the app before boarding!

• Shanghai Railway Station Exit’s “Schrödinger Paradox”

  • That transfer station between Lines 1 and 3 at Shanghai Railway Station... the place confounds everybody!
  • Out front, it says "Exit 1", but upon entry, there’s another sign pointing towards "Line 3". For someone who just got overwhelmed by intricate transitions from railway stations, this "Schrödinger’s Cat"-like uncertainty is confusing – only a real attempt will clear up to which lines the exit connects.
  • ️Special Caution: At the Shanghai Railway Station, during switches between 1 and 3 lines, always carefully read the indicator boards or directly ask staff, never guess based on intuition alone!

Well, that being said, these are the first batch of 'Grievances' collected from spending close to a year here in Shanghai. Any more experiences to gripe about when traveling by subway in Shanghai? Share them in the comment section and let’s have a talk together! #TravelToShanghai #MyComplaints #PublicTransportation