The west extension of Shanghai Metro Line 2, stretching from the National Exhibition and Convention Center (exclusive) to Panxiang Road National Accounting Institute Station, has passed its pre-operational safety assessment and is scheduled to begin initial operation soon.

The 1.67-kilometer fully underground extension runs west along Xumin Road E. and adds one new station - Panxiang Road National Accounting Institute Station. As an extension of Shanghai's busiest "gold line," it will better connect the Western Hongqiao Business District with the city center.

The new station’s architectural design draws inspiration from the fluid form of the Chinese mythical dragon, integrating cultural elements of the ancient Panlong Town into its modern spatial design, creating what resembles an "underground art gallery" of local heritage.

A 30-meter-long public art wall titled "Ten Scenes of Panlong" serves as the station's cultural centerpiece. The design team extracted ten representative landscapes from the "Panlong Town Chronicles" and rendered their outlines via laser-engraved ceramic tiles. These are assembled into a panoramic scroll using water-jet cutting, with embedded LED strips hidden in the gaps between tiles. When illuminated, the lights twinkle like stars, creating a vivid dialogue between historical culture and contemporary art.

The Line 2 west extension is set to open before the eighth China International Import Expo. The new station will help distribute passenger flow from the National Exhibition and Convention Center and strengthen transport capacity during major exhibition periods.