Getting around: Travel tips for CIIE participants
Editor's note: As the 7th China International Import Expo approaches, the International Services Shanghai presents a special column, CIIE at Your Service. This series offers practical guides to enhance your CIIE experience, covering everything from event registration and customs clearance to payment solutions and dining options. This installation focuses on travel tips.
Whether you're arriving by metro, bus, taxi, or car, getting to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) for the 7th CIIE is easy with a range of transportation options. Check out this complete guide to navigating Shanghai throughout the event.
By metro
The Shanghai Metro offers a flexible and cost-effective way to travel. Many metro stations are equipped with POS machines that accept major foreign cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB. You can choose from a variety of ticket options, such as single-journey tickets, or 1-day and 3-day passes.
Metro Line 2 connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the NECC station, while Metro Line 17 links the Hongqiao Railway Station to the venue. Both lines are accessible via transfers from other metro lines. Check the Shanghai Rail Transit Network Map below for more details.
Arriving at the NECC Station on Line 2, you can walk through exits 4, 5, 6, or 8 and enter the expo venue's west entrance hall. Those holding expo credentials – including certificates for exhibitors, buyers and visitors – can pass through exits 4 or 5.
Reminder: Due to the huge crowds expected, flow restriction measures will be in place. Please follow the on-site guidance.
Getting to the NECC Station on Line 17, you can pass through the underpass directly to the north square of the expo venue and enter the north entrance hall.
Reminder: Owing to the huge crowds expected on Line 2, you are recommended to transfer to Line 17 at the Hongqiao Railway Station via Line 10 to reach the expo venue.
The NECC metro station also offers three new self-service locker units with a total of 75 compartments. Lockers for Line 2 are located near Exit 3, and those for Line 17 are near Exit 1/2.
Leaving the expo venue, you can also take a shuttle bus from Parking Lot P5 to the Qibao Station on Line 9, the Qixin Road Station on Line 12 and the Jinyun Road Station on Line 13. These buses depart at intervals of about 10 minutes.
By Bus Route 71
Bus Route 71, which will prioritize using new-energy buses during CIIE, will be extended to Parking Lot P5 near the NECC, providing a fast, eco-friendly travel option from downtown Shanghai to the expo venue.
During the expo, free rides will be provided by this route for those with valid expo credentials.
Buses on this route will run from North Huangpi Road to Parking Lot P5 at the expo venue at intervals of 5-15 minutes from 7 am to 6 pm via Wubao Road, while from P5 to North Huangpi Road from 8 am to 7 pm.
By taxi
Concerned about paying for taxi rides in Shanghai? Don't worry – nearly 1,000 cabs in the city are equipped with POS machines that accept major foreign cards, with that number expected to rise to 2,000 by the start of the expo.
Prefer to pay in cash? No problem! Every taxi is prepared to accept renminbi payments and provide change.
During the expo, drop-off points for taxis and other ride-hailing services will be located at parking lots P1 (7 am-8 pm), P6 (7 am-noon), P8 (7 am-5 pm), P15 (7 am-8 pm) and the lot (7 am-8 pm) at No 1535 Huaxiang Road near the NECC. Please note that these locations are for drop-offs only, not for pick-ups.
From 1 pm to 8 pm during the event, taxis will be available for pick-ups at P6 on the east side of the venue. You can line up there to catch a ride.
By shuttle bus
Taking a shuttle bus is another convenient option. Four shuttle routes – Beidi, Zhudi, Jiuting and Xujing – will operate during CIIE, connecting the expo venue to a number of hotels. These hotels include Atour Hotel (North Shenchang Road), Gem Hotel (North Shenchang Road), Vienna International Hotel (West Tianshan Road), Hampton by Hilton (near the NECC), Hanting Hotel (Jidi Road), Ji Hotel (Jiuting) and Yitel Collection (Xujing).
Buses on the four routes will run from the hotels to Parking Lot P5 from 8 am to 10 am at intervals of 30-50 minutes, while those from P5 to the hotels will run from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Reminder: You need to buy a ticket beforehand to board such a bus by scanning the "Sui Shen Xing" mini-program.
By car: Parking info
Given the large crowds expected during CIIE, taking public transportation is highly recommended. If driving is necessary, a limited number of temporary parking lots will be available around the NECC, along with additional spaces in the core area of the Hongqiao Business District.
Shuttle buses will transport attendees from parking lots farther from the NECC to Parking Lot P5, allowing for quick access to the venue via the second-floor walkway on the east side.
For closer parking, choose a lot according to your destination: P15 on the north side is recommended for visitors to halls 2 and 3; P7 on the east side for halls 1 and 8; P4 on the south side for halls 6 and 7; P3 and P18 on the west side for halls 4 and 5.
Spot reservations can be made online as late as one hour in advance for the parking lots surrounding the venue, including P1, P2, P3, P7 and P9. However, it’s best to book at least a day ahead.
For the latest parking availability and reservation details, use the "Shanghai Parking" app or its official WeChat or Alipay mini-programs, as well as the "Sui Shen Xing" app and "Shanghai Transportation" official WeChat account at "shtransport".
Traffic restrictions
Traffic restrictions will be implemented around the NECC during the 7th CIIE. Please click https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-CIIE2024Service/20241031/21d9db9b9a58477b85e338a1429cd52f.html for detailed information.
Sources: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Yangpu District News Center at "shanghai-yangpu", ciie.org, Shanghai Metro, and Shanghai Qingpu district