Shanghai maglev train, High-speed railway line in Pudong, China
The Shanghai Maglev Train is a high-speed connection in Pudong linking the international airport to Longyang Road Station across a 30-kilometer elevated route. The vehicles measure 3.7 meters wide and 4.2 meters tall and float above the guideway through magnetic force without touching the track.
The line was built through collaboration between German engineers and Chinese authorities and began commercial service on January 1, 2004. Development required several years of planning and testing before passengers could use the system.
The name Maglev comes from "magnetic levitation" and describes the floating motion passengers can experience inside the train. Visitors from many countries use this connection daily and feel the smooth acceleration without the usual rattling of wheels on rails.
Trains run from early morning to late evening with intervals of 15 to 40 minutes depending on the time of day. Passengers can choose between regular and premium sections, both offering the same fast transfer to the airport.
The train reaches 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour) without physical contact to the rails and instead floats above the guideway through electromagnetic forces. A small museum at Longyang Road Station shows how this technology works and allows visitors to understand the principles of magnetic levitation.
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