Do you know how many metro lines does Shanghai have? The answer is eighteen in total, including Line 1 to Line 17(fifteen lines except that Line 14 and Line 15 are in construction), Pujiang Line, Maglev Line and Jinshan Line. People benefit from the convenience of how metro can send you everywhere while still get confused by the complexity of the metro system sometimes. As a foreigner, or tourist who come to the city for first time, how to find your way to the destination without getting lost by public transportation?
Xiàzǎi dǎoháng ruǎnjiàn
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Download a navigation app
Even if you are not wondering in a new place, a navigation app would help you to ensure not to go in the wrong direction. Gaode Map(高德地图 Gāodé dìtú) or Baidu Map(百度地图 Bǎidù dìtú) is the app that local people use most for navigation. However, if you have difficulty in reading Chinese character, then Apple’s default map is your best choice with road names in English, just type in the place and the computer will let you know the optimal route to get to destination.
Gòumǎi jiāotōngkǎ/Shèdìng shǒujī zhīfù
购买交通卡/设定手机支付
Get a metro card/Set up e-payment on your phone
You can buy single way ticket through the vending machine or from the staff with cash but most people don’t do that anymore in digital era. A public transportation card will save you time and cost on your daily commute. However, not all metro station Service Center(服务中心 Fúwù zhōngxīn) sells metro card. Check with them if they do by:
Nǐhǎo，qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu jiāotōngkǎ mài ma？Wǒ xiǎng mǎi jiāotōngkǎ。
你好，请问这里有交通卡卖吗？我想买交通卡。
Hello, do you have public transportation card for sale? I want to by it.
Nínhǎo，yǒu de。Jiāotōngkǎ yājīn èrshí kuài，zuìshǎo chōngzhí shíkuài。Qǐngwèn yào chōngzhí duōshǎo qián ne？
您好，有的。交通卡押金20块，最少充值10块。请问要充值多少钱呢？
Yes, we do. The deposit for the card is 20 yuan and minimum fee for topping up is 10 yuan. How much do you want to put in?
Some convenient stores(便利店 Biànlìdiàn) also offer the topping-up service. If a physical card takes up your wallet space, just add it into your Apple wallet or use QR code from the app Metro DADUHUI(大都会 Dàdūhuì) for payment. A quick scan at the subway gate solves all troubles. Make sure you have enough money in your Alipay account and correlate the app with it.
For most subway lines, trains going to opposite directions share the same platform, so make sure you find the right side to wait. If you are lost at where you are, don’ be afraid to seek for help!
Qǐngwèn zhè shì pǔdōng jīchǎng fāngxiàng de chē ma？
请问这是浦东机场方向的车吗？
May I ask if this subway goes to Pudong Airport?
Zài nǎyízhàn kěyǐ huànchéng bāhàoxiàn ？
在哪一站可以换乘8号线？
Excuse me, at which stop can I change to Line 8?
Wǒ xiǎng qù shànghǎi dòngwùyuán，zuò shíhàoxiàn dào ma？
我想去上海动物园，坐10号线到吗？
I want to go to Shanghai Zoo, is Line 10 going there?
Yīhào chūkǒu zěnme zǒu？
1号出口怎么走？
How to get to Exit 1?
Finally, if you need some language support, we welcome you here! How to get to Mandarin Inn Chinese School? Type Mandarin Inn or 1280 Huaihai Middle Road(淮海中路1280号) in your navigation app and find your way! Our school is just 2 minutes’ walk from Exit 1 of Changshu Road(常熟路 Chángshúlù) Station by Line 1 or Line 7.
