Greetings from T2. Since my flight isn't supposed to leave for around 40 minutes, I'd like to give you guys some highlights.

I took the subway here, largely for research purposes:
-total journey from Changping Rd. Station was 40 minutes
-both bus and taxi can get me there in ~30 minutes, provided traffic is light
-the Jing'an Temple xfer was quite a bit of work with luggage (silly me chose one of my least convenient suitcases this morning)
-price was only y4
-I'll probably stick with bus/tax in the future, but I'm glad I tried out the subway

General thoughts
-big improvement over T1, though I was hoping for something like Element Fresh
-I'm eating some Muslim ramen right now, which is surprisingly good
-here is the list of restaurants here: Acting Buffet, Acting Cafe, Costa Coffee, East Dawning, Islamic Restaurant, KFC, Real Kungfu, Starbucks, Subway, Tea Restaurant, Tea Sensation INN, Xiao-NongTang Snack, Yeasun Coffee

That's all for now. (I did take pics with my phone camera; perhaps I'll try to post some of them here.)

If you don't have many bags, line 2 may be faster than taxi from Pudong if it's during the times when the tunnel is jammed. But from either Liujazui or Dongchang road, it's difficult to avoid at least some steps -- more going down than going up.

It's Hongqiao, moondog.

I am more interesting on leaving SHA T2, it was long queue in T1 everyday. How is that changed?

Yes, I realized that snafu, but didn't think it warranted moderator intervention (I'm assuming that editing thread titles still requires such).

One thing I forgot to mention was that I nearly slipped and fell on the brand spanking new marble floor in the departures hall (it was wet). This got me thinking about how you'd never see such in the US (as long as trial lawyers continue to exist).

No line for tickets,no line for security corral pit, shuttle buses lined up and waiting, and a miracle no waiting in the shuttle at the plane. This was China Southern flight.

Taxi driver needed some direction to take the T2 ramp tho.

Also shopping looked great but husband kept pulling me along.

My next trip to China is scheduled in May, I guess by that time most of local taxi drivers will be familiar with T2.

The romour is, when you leave T2, if the driver take a wrong turn, it takes 5-6KM to get back because of the design of those highway bridges. I guess this gives them a good excuse to go the wrong direction.

This rumor is definitely true. I drove to pick up my partner at the new T2 earlier this week and it's amazing driving into the new airport, all the massive, high connector flyovers were empty as was the "pick up" location. Quite a pleasant change from the old terminal. Upon leaving I sped out along one of the elevated highways and got off at the first exit (tian shan west road) but although the exit was open, the connecting roads weren't which led to a trip thru a one way tunnel and a U turn...I was not the only driver facing such difficulties!

Basically the infrastructure at the airport and the connecting highways into the "hongqiao hub" are up and running but the arteries that branch off still have a ways to go until they are fully ready so expect traffic and wrong turns for the next couple months. Next time I'm taking line 2!

There are still significant taxi queues, though at least there is now the option of taking the Metro if the queue is that bad. The line-up is the same system as SHA T1, but with a bit more space for taxis to pull up. They even put a (very elegantly decorated) KFC right next to the line, to make it feel just like T1!

My main objection is missing Element Fresh entirely, and the total lack of food options in the arrival area (one noodle bar and the aforementioned KFC were all that I could see). Landside (pre-security) departures will improve as more of the complex opens, but at the moment it is possible to buy 2 brands of Swiss watch, but not to buy a cup of tea or coffee!

Yeah, the lack of Element Fresh has been causing quite a stir in my circles. Have seen numerous complaints in google buzz and twitter.

On another note, my friend (same guy who missed his flight to HK last week) managed to miss his flight to PEK on Saturday... said traffic was heavy and taxi needed an hour to reach the airport.... so maybe the subway isn't such a bad deal after all.

Is there an Element Fresh at PVG?

no. just a BK and some other fast food and local restaurants

Flew in and out of SHA T2 last week - on the way in, a little slow on the baggage (not too bad though), short taxi line midday, midweek...

On the way out, no line to check in (Sat 8:30AM), short security line, east to navigate around the airport - quite a few stores. Our flight to Guilin was full - the airport was busy, but it's so large and airy that it didn't feel congested at all.

Great airport!

Had more time to explore SHA T2 last night (thanks to a 3 hour delay on my CA flight up to PEK, and that was having been put on an earlier flight than the one I was originally booked for!).

There is a VIP line at security (for F, J and those with Chinese airline top level elite status) - this has red carpet no less.

The shops after security are an odd mix of very high end (Chanel, Bulgari, Emporio Armani) and local shops selling chocolatye and the like. A little like the selection at PEK T3C (domestic). There are fast food outlets plus coffee hops such as Costa - the latter are pretty good.

CA, MU, CZ have lounges - mezzanine areas open to the terminal but one level above. These are signposted directly after security and can be accessed without much walking and without going into the main gate area - well designed! A major improvement over T1. There is also a Priority Pass / Airport Operated lounge at each end of the terminal.

No foreign newspapers or magazines in the numerous newsagents - a downgrade from T1 (which had a very good Virgin branded outlet selling a good selection of foreign language books and periodicals) and unlike PVG (which does have some international publications).

Landside, the offerings are going to improve. There is apparently already a Gloria Jeans coffee place, and on the floor above the check-in ares, pre-security, there will soon be two new restaurants by David Laris (a major operator of high end restaurants in the area). One will be a casual dining place based around pies (very healthy ;-)) for people in a rush, and the other will be more high end. More offerings are promised once the railway station opens.