Shanghai Railway Station Closes South Entrance for Renovations

Shanghai Railway Station closed its southern entrance on Tuesday as renovation work kicked off on the South Square.

Three temporary entry points have been opened to the west of the station, with the project slated to last until January 2026.

The work centers on access and transfer routes in the South Square. Covered walkways will be built to link the southern entrance with Metro Line 1's Exit 1 and the taxi pick-up zone, shielding passengers from rain, wind, and other elements, according to Tao Yongli, deputy director of passenger operations.

The east-side ticketing area will add seven staffed one-stop service windows, allowing passengers to purchase, change, or refund tickets directly on the square, rather than crossing the road to other halls.

A new lost-and-found pickup point on the west side will enable passengers to collect lost items without going through security again.

Inside the station, entry and security lanes will be increased, and some transfer corridors will be expanded and reconfigured to cut down on walking times and congestion.

Additional staff and volunteers have been stationed to direct passengers, and the number of security checkpoints remains unchanged, the operator said.

"Passengers accessing the station via the South Square should allow an extra five to ten minutes for walking during the renovation period," Tao said.

"We advise Metro Line 1 riders use Exit 1 or 2, and Metro Lines 3 and 4 passengers opt for Exit 7 or 8 on the North Square for quicker access," he added.

The South Square ticketing area is temporarily closed during construction. Passengers who want in-person services can go to the Unified Ticket Building.

The northern entrance, which was expanded to include three additional security lanes earlier this year, remains available as an alternative entry point during the renovation.