New Year’s Eve should be smooth and joyful

Shanghai is preparing for a major New Year celebration – with a series of traffic restrictions, temporary subway station closures and expanded public transport to ensure a safe and happy time.

Here’s everything you need to know to move around the city safely and efficiently this festive period.

Traffic restrictions for New Year’s Eve

Starting at 8 p.m. on December 31, Shanghai will introduce temporary traffic controls in a key area of ​​the city to ensure safety during major events and celebrations. The exclusion zone extends from the intersection of Waibaidu Bridge and North Suzhou Road to the Huangpu River, and includes roads such as North Suzhou Road, Xizang Road M., Beijing Road W. and others in the area.

From 8 p.m. on December 31 to 1 a.m. on January 1, no vehicles will be allowed to pass through these streets, including major roads leading to the Bund and the famous Lujiazui skyline.

However, emergency vehicles such as police, fire departments, ambulances and repair vehicles are allowed to enter the restricted zone.

In addition, the Jiangxi Road exit of Yan’an Elevated Road South will be temporarily closed, but vehicles heading to the Bund Tunnel will still be allowed to pass. Police will adjust the timing and limits of traffic control as necessary based on real-time conditions.

Subway changes: Two stations will be temporarily closed, six lines will be expanded

Shanghai Metro is also adapting its services to meet the demand of increased passenger traffic during the holiday season.

In order to cope with the large crowds around popular travel destinations, several subway lines are extending their operating hours: Lines 1, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 will continue running until late at night on December 31st.

However, from 8:00 p.m. on December 31, East Nanjing Road Station (Lines 2 and 10) and Yuyuan Garden Station (Line 14) will be temporarily closed. Passengers will not be able to board or alight at these stations and all entrances and exits of the stations will be sealed.

While Yuyuan Garden Station on Line 14 remains closed, Yuyuan Garden Station on Line 10 remains operational. Please plan accordingly when traveling to popular destinations in the area.

Adjustments to bus routes

In addition to the subway changes, 67 bus routes will be rerouted due to traffic control measures. These include buses such as the 01, 11, 17, 18, 37 and others. Passengers should pay close attention to signs at bus stops and announcements on buses for up-to-date route information.

To further reduce congestion, four temporary bus collection points will be set up along the Bund area to accommodate additional passengers once traffic restrictions are lifted.

An additional 30 buses will be stationed at these points, including Henan Road M. Station, Nanpu Bridge Hub and Xinkaihe Hub, to help disperse the crowds.

Improved city lighting for New Year’s Eve

As part of the city’s celebrations, Shanghai’s landscape lighting will operate in “Major Event Mode” from December 31, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

The lighting will illuminate the city’s iconic areas, including the Bund, North Bund and Lujiazui.

From 6:00 p.m. on December 31st to 12:15 a.m. on January 1st and from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on January 1st, the Bund and Lujiazui core areas will be treated to breathtaking light displays.

Key landmarks along Suzhou Creek and Shanghai’s main business districts will also be illuminated from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. both days.

While the lighting creates a festive atmosphere, there will be no Huangpu River-themed light show or midnight countdown at these locations.

New Year themed videos will be shown in important buildings such as Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Plan ahead for a smooth New Year celebration

Shanghai is doing everything it can to ensure a safe and festive experience for everyone on New Year’s Eve.

Whether you’re heading to a celebration on the Bund, exploring the city’s vibrant nightlife, or just enjoying the scenic lights, be sure to check in advance about any changes to transportation and traffic routes.

Stay updated on transportation information via the Shanghai Metro app or official news sources.

Arrive early if you plan to attend events in restricted areas to avoid disruption due to the temporary closure.

Follow traffic control guidelines and ensure you are aware of bus detours.

With careful planning, your New Year’s Eve in Shanghai can be a smooth and joyful experience as the city ushers in 2025.