Shanghai south railway station
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Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站) is a railway and metro station in the city of Shanghai. After its renovation in 2006 it has become the world's only circular railway station. The station is now symbolic of China's modernization and a fresh attitude on rail transportation.
This station is one of the railway stations of Shanghai, the other two being the Shanghai Railway Station and the Shanghai West Railway Station. After its modern design renovation in August 2006, it became the world's first circular railway station. Trains going from Shanghai to the southern provinces of China are served at Shanghai South Station, including the Shanghai-Hong Kong Route. Contrary to most Chinese railway stations, which are overcrowded and generally unsanitary, the new look of South Station has a very clean, airport-like look and feel. It is part of the southern end of Line 1 and offers transfers between the metro and the railway station located here. Previously this station was also the southern terminal for Line 3 The platform for Line 3 has been closed for construction, but has recently been reopened.
The station is linked to the Metro Station, and the two are within convenient walking distances. The ticket agents can be accessed just off of the escalator coming in from the Metro. Lines are generally short.
The Soft Seat waiting area requires a ticket in the Soft Class of the train to access. The seating in the area is generally more comfortable, and it is an enclosed area, with security personnel on shift at the entrances. The regular waiting area is in the middle of the station, and can house thousands of passengers.
The roof is 270 m diameter, made out of polycarbonate and aluminium sunblades, and supported by 18 branche shaped beams relying on 3 columns each. The steel structure weight is 6000 T, for 56 000 square meters, and 150 m maximum span. The steel structure was built by Shanghai Jiangnan shipyard and erected by SMCC.
Designer : AREP (Paris) and ECADI (Shanghai) MaP3 (structural engineer - Paris).
