Shanghai China has a new and modern subway system which is very handy for Shanghai tourists and other visitors to Shanghai. As in many growing metrpolitan areas the traffic situation in urban Shanghai is becoming more congested all the time. Travel by taxi in the downtown areas is diffucult and time consuming, especially during the rush hour peak periods.The Shanghai subway sytem is generally user friendly , inexpensive and will save visitors to Shanghai a great deal of time and frustration.

There are currently three subway lines in the Shanghai system with a fourth under construction. Line One runs generally North-South through the heart of the city, with a three stop East-West stretch along HuaiHai Lu (Lu means "road"), one of the two major shopping streets. The ShanXi Nan Lu stop on HuaiHai Lu will take visitors to the Xiang Yang Market to shop for knock-off items.

Additional useful Line One stops are:

* Shanghai Stadium - venue for sports and concerts and the location of the Shanghai Tour Bus Center

* XuJiaHui - another major shopping area with large computer product markets and near Shanghai JiaTong University

* HengShan Lu - a major nightspot and restaurant area

* HuangPi Nan Lu - access to XinTianDi tourist and restaurant area

* Peoples Square - City Center, Nanjing Road shopping and the Shanghai Museum

* Shanghai Railway Station - Main rail station in Shanghai

Line Two runs directionally East-West and crosses Line one at Peoples Square where transfers can be made. Line two crosses the HuangPu river which separates the older western part of Shanghai, PuXi from the new Eastern development zone of PuDong.

Line Two stops of interest include:

* JingAn Temple - tourist area and shopping

* HeNan Zhong Lu - access to East Nanjing Lu for shopping and to the western side of the Shanghai Bund tourist area along the HuangPu River

* LuJiaZui - Shanghai Bund east bank and Shanghai Pearl TV tower

* Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Line Three is really not a subway at all but an overhead light rail train. It crosses Line One at Shanghai South Railway Station, Shanghai Stadium and again at Shanghai Main Railway Station. Line three connects with Line Two at its western most terminal, ZhongShan Park.

Line Three does not offer much of interest to the short time traveler to Shanghai.

Using the Shanghai subway is easy after you understand the system. All of the stations have multiple entrances which are marked with the large red letter M on signs at the street level.

Tickets are bought in the underground station, either at a ticket booth or from a machine. The cost ranges from 2 to 5 rmb depending on how far you are traveling. The ticket machines are handy at peak travel times to avoid the lines at the ticket windows. One rmb coins are needed for the machines. In operating the machines, you must push the button for the value of the ticket before putting the money in the machine. Otherwise, the money will fall out and the machine will appear to be out of order.

After buying the ticket, the subway loading platforms are entered through a turnstile where you put the ticket in and then retrieve it. Keep your ticket. You will need it when you get off.

Get on the train when it arrives, going in the right direction. You will usually have to stand as most seats will be taken. When you get off you will exit through another turnstile, using your ticket to get through and the ticket will be kept in the turnstile.

The Shanghai subway trains and stations are clean, modern and usually dependable. The stations and trains are well lit and safe except for the occasional report of a pickpocket.

Shanghai subways are an extremely easy way to move around many important and interesting areas in Shanghai. Visitors will find the Shanghai subway an easy and convenient way to travel in Shanghai.

For more information about China culture and etiquette, please visit www.doingbusinesschina.com