Five Metro lines operate in Shanghai. Line 1 stretches from Xinzhuang to Gongfu Xincun, Line 2 from Zhongshan Park to Zhangjiang High-Tech District, Line 3 from Jiangwan Town to Shanghai South Railway Station, Line 5 from Xinzhuang to Minhang Development District. The section of Line 4 from Damuqiao Road Station to Lancun Road Station is still under construction.

Reaching almost every corner of the city, covering all the prosperous areas, the Metro is the fastest and most convenient way to move about in the downtown area. It takes no more than half an hour from Xinzhuang to People's Square. Of course, it is much cheaper than taxis.

There are stations where several Metro lines meet. An interchange station is a station where you can change for other lines without meeting a ticket barrier. A transfer station, however, is one where you have to leave the first line through a ticket barrier and then be charged for another line.

However, the Metro has its disadvantages. It is extremely crowded in rush hours and Line 1 is crowded in whatever hours. Be wary of thieves, both on the train and on the platform, especially when it is extremely crowded.

Shanghai is going to build 10 new Metro lines from 2005 to 2012, stretching 389 kilometers. Total kilometrage of Shanghai Metro System is expected to reach 510 kilometers by 2012, among which 400 kilometers are going to put in use before 2010 Expo. Construction of four of the lines will start this year.