People's Republic of China

Operating Lines

Anshan
Beijing
Changchun
Chongqing
Dalian
Guangzhou
Hong Kong
Shanghai
Tianjin
Wuhan

Planned or Under Construction

Chengdu
Harbin
Hangzhou
Kunming
Macao
Nanjing
Qingdao
Shenyang
Shenzhen
Suzhou
Weihai
Wuxi
Xi'an
Zhengzhou

Metro, light rail, Maglev, people mover and mall metro

Shanghai (which means "on the sea"), is China's largest city with over 20 million people. Its subway has grown from a single subway line in 1995 to twelve, 230 total stations and 420 km as of April 2010. Accoring to Railway Gazette, the April opening of Line 10 has made it the world's largest metro. Regrring to length, of course, as opposed to width.

Lines and extensions almost seem to open up every month. Lines 9 and 11 opened in December 2009. Another two stations on Line 2 opened in February 2010, with a  new underground station at Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park replacing the old overground one. And before we had a chance to say Mao's your uncle!, Line 10 opened in April 2010.  Another 31 km, 2 extensions and a new line - Line 13 - are planned to open before the end of 2010,  and another 69 km are expected to open by the end of 2012. The overall plan, to be completed in 2025, calls for twenty two lines spanning 877 km.  Note that in Asia, an LRT line is considered in the west to be an elevated Metro, while tram lines in Asia are called LRT in the West.


In an argument during the Line 9 and 11 grand openings, two Line 1 cars got into an argument over whether they were metros or light rail.  Fisticuffs ensued. Despite the vehicular disagreement, a good time was had by all. 

Talk about an ambitious transit project!

Worthwhile having a look at is this article about how Los Angeles and Shanghai began their subway systems at the same time.

Youtube Subway Video


Light Rail

This is sometimes referred to as part of the subway, and is known as Line 3, the "Pearl Line", or the Mingzhu light rail. The 25 km long line went into trial operations in 2000, and opened for revenue service in 2001. Traversing mostly the outlying areas of Shanghai, the 19 station line looks like a backward Lamed. During the grand opening, this car sported the lucky red ribbon, which purportedly will bring good fortune to all who ride the line.

Phase two of the line was completed in 2004. The eventual 62 km line will be completely above ground. It's been described as the "suspended light railway", but I think they meant to say "elevated" as construction is going full force. Power to the People!


Maglev

Shanghai's maglev broke ground in June, 2001 and opened in 2003. The 29.8  km line will run trains at speeds as high as 430 kph between the airport and the city center. The line is considered an experimental phase of an eventual 1300 km network linking Shanghai with Hhangzhou and Beijing.

Youtube Maglev ride


People Mover
 
Shanghai also has a 650 meter underground people mover which runs through a pedestrian tunnel.



Mall Metro

Not to be outdone by anyone, Shanghai opened the first Mall Metro at the Red Star Macalline Mall. The line serves six floors and is the first of its kind in the world.  It opened in June 2008.

Sightseeing Subway

Continuing it's foray into the bizarre subways domain,.most people who take the Bund Tunnel Sightseeing subway feel, well, Shanghied. Whatever you do, leave the acid at home or this freaked out disco could put you in a Shanghai mental asylum.
Youtube video - you have to see this!