With just few days to go until the 48th WorldSkills Competition, Shanghai has brought the countdown to one of its busiest public spaces.

A countdown installation was unveiled at People’s Square Station on the morning of 2 Sept, alongside the launch of two WorldSkills-themed trains on Metro Line 2 and more than 150 lightbox displays across the Shanghai Metro network. The campaign is designed to bring the Competition into the daily journeys of millions of commuters and visitors as the city prepares to welcome the event.

Designed by a team from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, the countdown installation features a mortise-and-tenon structure at its center, surrounded by expanding rings of light and symbols representing different WorldSkills Competition sectors.

As an interchange connecting Metro lines 1, 2 and 8, the People’s Square Station handles more than 500,000 passenger journeys a day, giving the Competition exceptional visibility.

Meanwhile, two specially decorated WorldSkills trains have begun operating on Metro Line 2, which connects the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the Competition Venue, with the Hongqiao transportation hub and downtown Shanghai. Competition symbols have been integrated into the carriages, giving passengers a chance to experience the Event’s atmosphere while learning more about the Competition.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center Station on Line 2 is also undergoing an upgrade, expected to provide a more convenient and comfortable travel experience for Competitors and visitors.

The 154 WorldSkills-themed lightboxes are located at major transport hubs and commercial districts, ensuring that both residents and visitors encounter the Competition as they move around the city.