Dar has a strong interest in trains since young. Knowing that China Shanghai has the Maglev Train (磁浮), he deemed it a must to ride on one. Currently, only Japan, Korea and China has the Maglev transport system because the risk and cost to construct is too high.
However, we didn’t have the chance to take the Maglev train on our first day to Shanghai. It was too far from where our hotel was. After a 7-hrs flight, we were all tired. With a need to rush to Yuyuan Garden for sight-seeing, it was impossible to fulfil Dar’s wish to take a Maglev Train.
Thus, on the last day, we specially included in our itinerary, a trip to the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Science and Technology Museum.
Shanghai Maglev Museum
Our plan is to tour the Maglev Museum, take the Maglev Train to the airport and depart China with a flight back to Singapore.
Early in the morning, we check out from our hotel and took a taxi to Longyang Road Station in Pudong New Area.
Address: 2100 Longyang Rd, Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai Shi, China, 201203. Phone: +86 21 2890 7777
The Shanghai Maglev Museum is composed of 4 sections and contains exhibitions on the history and technology of Maglev Train. We were the only visitors there at first but later, a couple of people joined us. As there were nowhere to deposit our luggage, we just rolled them beside us while moving through the exhibits.
What is a Maglev?
Maglev is derived from magnetic levitation and is a system of train transportation that uses two sets of magnets. One set of magnets repel and push the train up off the track, while another set move the ‘floating train’ ahead. It is able to move at great speed due to the lack of friction.
Birth of the Maglev Section
Beginning with a short introduction on trains in the past such as steam trains, the information proceeded to introduce Maglev as an efficient transportation tool and a train for the future.
We had allocated plenty of time for our tour so we moved slowly, viewing the lighted displays and reading the information, one by one. Dar was so interested and read through everything.
English and Chinese Explanations
It was helpful that there were both English and Chinese descriptions so Dar could read them easily on his own. Meanwhile, toddler Ling was excitedly running around and looking at the huge Maglev model.
Mini Model Train Exhibit
From the Information Board: Shanghai Maglev Operation Line is the first and only maglev for commercial use in the world. It begins at the west of Shanghai and ends at Pudong International Airport Station in the east.
The designed maximum speed is 430km/hr and time of one-way operation is about 8 minutes. Guinness World Records listed it as the “Fastest Ground Transport in the World”.
We like looking at large-scale landscape models, so the mini-models of the Maglev Shanghai Line caught our attention for the longest. There were some interactive screens in front for us to read information and we initially thought there might be a model train moving through the track. Alas, when we asked the staff, he said there were no movable ones.
Maglev Museum – Interactive Games
In the last section “Prospects For The Maglev”, which describes the future of the Maglev, there was an interactive Transrapid Assemble Game and a Cycling game. Both Vin and Dar tried them on, to see how fast they could cycle.
Reaching the end of our short tour, Dar was disappointed not to see any model souvenirs on sale as he had wanted to get a model. We tried asking the staff but it was not on sale.
Shanghai Maglev Train Station
We proceeded to go up to the second level above the museum, where the platform of the Maglev Train was. Buying the tickets was fast and easy since there’s only one destination station.
The platform was a simple one. It took a while to wait but we were quite excited as it would be our first ride on the Maglev Train.
Inside the Shanghai Maglev Train
Our tickets was for second-class because we did not see a need to pay more when it was not crowded. Dar crossed over into the first class section to take a look. The seats were yellow and individual with arm rests. There were also only two seats side by side. Comparatively, our second-class seats had three seats in a row and were joined together, with not much inclination.
As there were only few people taking the train, we occupied six seats with our luggage.
Our First Maglev Ride – Fastest Ride!
It was indeed a memorable experience as we felt the train slowly leave the station and picked up speed to 431km/hr in about 3 minutes! Check out the video above. At such a high-speed, the train was shaking a lot, passing scenaries at a blur. However, it was still a comfortable ride and we reached the Airport Station in 8 minutes!
Facts: There are no moving parts in a Maglev. The train is guided by a path of magnets which control the train’s stability and speed. Maglev trains are therefore quieter and smoother than conventional trains. It can also move with higher speeds.
Departure to Singapore
We had our lunch at Burger King and boarded our plane at 1.50 pm, concluding our 9 days trip to China Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou. It was nice to reach at 7.40pm in Singapore after a long week of tour. The heat was especially welcoming after 9 very cold days (March Weather – 10-13 degrees Celsius).
5-Days Summary Itinerary In Shanghai
We begin our China Tour with Shanghai and ended with Shanghai, touring Suzhou and Hangzhou in-between.
These were the places we visited during our 5 Days in Shanghai. (Click on the links to read more!)
- Day 1 – SSAW Boutique Hotel | Yuyuan Garden (Yu Garden) | The Bund |Nanjing Rd East Pedestrian Walk / Shop
- Day 2 – Shanghai Natural History Museum | Jing’an Sculpture Park | Shanghai Museum | Shanghai Tower
- Day 3 – Shanghai Disneyland
- Day 8 – Zhujiajiao Ancient Watertown |Superbrand Mall | Lujiazui Pedestrian Bridge
- Day 9- Shanghai Maglev Museum | Boarded Maglev Train Ride to Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Read More of our China 2018 Trip: 9-Day Family Travel Itinerary in China Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou
Tips For Travelling in China: “Essential Tips for Safe Family Travel in China“
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