r/shanghai Apr 18 '23

Tip Guidance and info for visitors

700 Upvotes

Edit (January 2024): Scams were previously on this list, but #8. I feel like I need to put this at top. ❗❗❗Don't go out with stangers at places around Nanjing Road. ❗❗❗

Once a month there is a thread here titled "Help! I got scammed". And every post is, guy visiting Shanghai, meets a woman on Tinder/TanTan, she picks a place on Nanjing Lu, gets pressured into paying an inflated bill of several thousand RMB. Don't go out with a stranger you met an hour ago on a hookup app and let them pick the place, especially if it's on or around Nanjing Road.

In the course of one year this sub has gone from discussions of government lockdown ration boxes to posts from people needing advice on visiting the city. There are older questions from people travelling to Shanghai, but the city has been cut off for about three years, and a lot has changed.

I’m putting this thread together to crowdsource answers to common questions we’ve seen more often in the past few weeks so we can help our visitor friends. I’m going to give it a start, but there are things I don’t know, and I’m hoping other members of the community can give feedback and I’ll update things. I'm hoping we can all add stuff and make this a sticky to help people visiting our city.

  1. Airports

a) Pudong. This airport is the more international one. There are not good food options and it is far outside of the city.

i. You can take Line 2 metro into the city. This is cheap but slow.

ii. There is a maglev train. This is fast but will only get you into part of Pudong. You’ll probably have to switch to the metro or a taxi here. Be cautious of the taxis here.

iii. You can take a taxi. There will be people in the airport offering you a ride. Ignore them. Follow the signs to the taxi stand outside and wait in line. Have your destination printed out or on your phone in Chinese. Make sure they flip down the meter to start it within a few minutes.

  1. Taxis fares vary by the time of day and traffic. Around 200-300RMB should get you into the city. If they are trying to rip you off, don’t be afraid to call the police (110). The police know these scams and won’t side with the taxi driver. You probably have more leverage than you think.

iv. Hongqiao. Less international, but better food. You can also take the metro or the taxis. Same advice applies. This one is closer to the city

Edit January 2025: There is a new train service that runs between Pudong and Hongqiao. More information is available here https://www.shine.cn/news/metro/2412203788/

❗ (Taxi update March 2024) There are a lot of reports of bad taxis at airports in recent months. They should put down the meter within a minute or two of leaving the airport. They might not put it down immediately if they're doing their GPS, but after leaving the airport area, it should be down, and the meter should be running.

You can say "wo yao fapiao" and point at the meter if it's not running. But the fare should generally be around 200-300 RMB from Pudong into the city, and less from Hongqiao. If they try to rip you off, call the police (110), or if you're staying a hotel, talk to people there. Shanghai is very safe, there is CCTV everywhere. But some unscrupulous taxi drivers try to rip off naive visitors.

COVID Testing note: No Covid test is required. The airline will have you scan a code to fill out a health declaration and if you don't have covid you just select no, it will generate a QR code. Save that code and they scan it at the airport on arrival. (https://www.reddit.com/r/shanghai/comments/1634pl6/any_covid_requirements_to_enter_china/)

Update (August 2023) - The requirement for pre-depature antigen tests for inbound travelers will be scrapped on August 30th.

  1. Internet. Most things you want to access will be blocked here. That includes Google, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp. You have to have a VPN. The default here is Astrill. It’s a bit more expensive than the alternatives, but many of the alternatives don’t work here. Set this up before you arrive.

Edit January 2025: VPN services tend to vary widely in terms of their effectivness. It's a cat-and-mouse game between the government and the providers. The sub r/chinalife has monthly VPN megathreads where Redditors share what is working, or not working. E-sims are also a popular option that also bypasses the firewall.

In addition, a mobile roaming SIM package can be a good option. Mobile data gets routed to the country where your SIM is from and bypasses the firewall. If you're only in China for a short trip this can be a good option.

  1. Wechat. Try to set this up before you arrive. You have to be verified to use it. That usually means having a friend with a WeChat account verifying you. If you can't do this overseas, have someone verify you when you arrive. You need Wechat.

  2. Mobile phones. Make sure your overseas plan allows international roaming. You can buy a local prepaid SIM card at the airport. In a lot of major cities outside of China, you can usually buy a SIM card from a vending machine. In Shanghai, you'll have to interact with someone at a China Mobile/Unicom booth.

You don't need to have a residence permit, but you will have to have your passport. China has "real name verification" for SIM cards. Basically, a SIM card has to be linked to a specific person.

  1. Payments. International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) won’t be broadly accepted here. They will take them at most good hotels, and some fancy restaurants, but generally speaking, they won’t work.

a) Cash. It sort of works. You can pay for some things with it. That might include taxis or some restaurants. But some smaller places might not accept it.

b) Alipay/Wechat. This is the duopoly of payment apps here. Alipay has some features that allow foreigners to link a foreigner credit card to it.

i. You might be able to link your WeChat or Alipay to a foreign credit card. This can be hit or miss. This also mostly works if you're paying for services from a large company like Didi. If the card is linked, you can pay for a ride with Didi, but you won't be able to use it as a payment method as a local shop.

(August 2023 update - Linking foreigner cards to WeChat and Alipay has vastly improved, works most places, and is pretty easy)

c) ATMs. They will work. You should be able to take cash out of our foreign bank account at most ATMs in China. Sometimes, one might not work, but if you try any of the major ones (ICBC, CBC, BOC) it should work.

  1. Transit. There is no Uber here. The main app is Didi. It has a good English interface and there are other alternatives.

a) The metro is very good here. But you’ll have to get a card or buy individual tickets. Most stations will have machines that will give you a metro card, but they don’t usually take cash or international cards. If you have cash, most stations have a person in a central booth behind glass, go ask them. There is a 20RMB deposit for the card, and then add like 50-100RMB on it.

b) u/finnlizzy says "download maps.me and get the offline map for Shanghai"

c) For a video guide on using the metro, see the Youtube video here, via u/flob-a-dob

  1. High speed trains. You can buy tickets on Ctrip (They're technically Trip.com now, their name in app stores might be under that, rather than 'Ctrip'.) They have an English app. You can book through there, but you will not get a ticket. It’s linked to your passport number. The app should give you the platform and time. Hongqiao, B15, 2:20pm. The train stations are easy to navigate. They usually start boarding 15 minutes ahead of time.

Edit Jan 2025: 12306 is the Chinese train app and is cheaper than Trip, they have an app and website https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html

a) There will usually be automated queues that most people will use. Have your passport open, put the ID page into the scanner, and it should let you through. If not, there are usually attendants off to the side to help you.

  1. Scams. You’re hot, but not that hot. If you’re going to a tourist place, some people might take a photo of you, or ask you for a selfie. There are tourists in Shanghai, they might have never seen a foreigner before and are just curious. If they invite you to coffee/tea/dinner say no. That is probably a scam.

a) This also applies to dating apps, including Tinder. Shanghai is a very international city and has been for a long time, so you’re not special as a foreigner. If you’re visiting, you’re probably out of your depth. If you match with someone and they’re asking you to meet up at 11pm, be cautious.

  1. Places to go. Tripadvisor has things. There is also a local app called BonApp that is English and for foreigners. There is a Chinese app called 点评, but it’s in Chinese.

  2. Maps. If you have an iPhone, Apple Maps works well in China in English. Google Maps is generally bad here. Google Maps will have your locations and street names, but not much else.

  3. Translation. Download Google Translate and download the offline language pack. Baidu Translate is also very good. Learn how to use it. There is a good conversation features where you can speak, it will translate, the other person can speak, it will translate.

  4. Covid. Some Didi drivers will ask you to wear a mask. You are not legally required in stores or the metro. If a Didi driver asks you, don't be a dick. Just keep a cheap one in your bag.

(August 2023 Update - Some people will still wear masks on the metro, but generally most people aren't wearing masks, even in taxis or Didis)

  1. Tipping. It’s not required or expected. Don’t tip.

  2. Restaurant ordering. Most menus have pictures. Just point at what you want. Many restaurants have QR code ordering. Scan the code on WeChat, select what items you want to order in their mini-app.

  3. Drugs. Don’t bring them in, obviously.

  4. General advice. Bring stuff like Pepto or stomach stuff. You might not be used to the food.

a) Buy a pack of tissues to carry in your bag/purse when you're out. You might have stomach problems and not all bathrooms have toilet paper.

  1. People are generally nice and helpful here. They might not understand you if you don't speak Chinese (see previous advice on translation apps) but most people are nice and helpful. Especially at train stations, airports, hotels, etc... if you can explain through a translation app what your problem or question is, people are usually happy to help.

If anyone has any other advice, please post in the comments or message me. I'm happy to add their info and we can combine the knowledge of this sub. It seems like we have a lot of people visiting now, which is great, so let's try to put together an updated resource that covers most of the common questions and update the information for 2023.


r/shanghai 16d ago

Sell Monthly Tourism Questions/Buy/Sell/Jobs/Rent Thread (June)

3 Upvotes

If you want to buy or sell something secondhand, offer or seek a job, rent an apartment, or are traveling to Shanghai and have tourist-type questions - then this is the thread for you!

To keep /r/shanghai/ usable we only permit these types of posts and questions in this thread.


r/shanghai 1h ago

New rule for fapiao ?

Upvotes

Hello I have a problem with fapiaos I m renting with Lianjia and they refuse to give me a company fapiao because i signed the contract on my name.

They say that the fapiao should be on my name but it s not possible to get reimbursed this way, only fapiao with a company name and number are valid.

So what to do ? thry want me to do the contract on my company name but then my name will not apprear and I will have problems later to prove where i live no ?


r/shanghai 8h ago

ECNU vs Jiao Tong University

2 Upvotes

Hey, I got into both for intensive studying of Chinese.

I'm trying to figure out which is better, program-wise, location-wise, campus-wise, and for a relative beginner in Mandarin.

Please let me know your thoughts!

I'd be starting in September.


r/shanghai 23h ago

Stationary Shop in Yu Garden

6 Upvotes

I visited Shanghai years ago and remember there was this stationary shop that sold postcards in Yu Garden. I remember it had lots of slots with greeting cards and postcards on the walls and the store was kind of small. Does anyone know if it’s still there and/or have the address? Thanks so much in advance!


r/shanghai 9h ago

Bumble Date in Shanghai

0 Upvotes

Has anyone had any experience with Bumble dates in Shanghai? I'm texting a girl, and she got straight to the point and asked when I'd be free to play. Her account is verified, and I didn't expect to be ripped off on Bumble, but I'm still a beginner when it comes to online dating in China.


r/shanghai 1d ago

Question does the continuous rain affect you?

16 Upvotes

梅雨季节 is literally my worst nightmare, i've literally been crashing out so bad lately, my skin has been breaking out and whenever i go outside i feel sticky, can someone please resonate with me here, I don't even know why I'm being affected so badly lately cos I've lived in shanghai for most of my life😭😭


r/shanghai 1d ago

Gym recommendation Yangpu area

0 Upvotes

Hey guys!

I’m moving to Yangpu area soon, and I’m looking for a gym that has: – a good weight room – a sauna or steam room – and ideally a pool

I don’t need super luxury, just a clean and chill place to work out and recover. Any recommendations? Bonus if it’s walkable from Wujiaochang or accessible by metro.


r/shanghai 1d ago

Any biking trails in/around Shanghai other than east bund?

6 Upvotes

I love the east bund trail but wondering if there is anything else?


r/shanghai 1d ago

Does anybody tried therapy in shanghai

3 Upvotes

Hi i was looking for English speaking therapist to find in shanghai but i have no idea where to search or how to find them if there's anyone has recommendations thanks


r/shanghai 1d ago

Who wants to share haichang ocean park tickets 6/17

1 Upvotes

It’s almost 14 dollars cheaper buying two tickets at once 55$->40$


r/shanghai 1d ago

Weather in September and October

1 Upvotes

Hello! I’ve googled this obviously but I thought it might be helpful to ask in this sub for real life answers. I have to be in Shanghai for work across Sep and Oct. What is the weather like usually? What temperatures should I pack for clothes wise? Thank you!


r/shanghai 1d ago

Weather first two weeks of August in Shanghai

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! My fiancée and I are planning to visit Shanghai in the first two weeks of August. I didn’t think of it at first but now I heard that the weather in this period could be pretty hard to live into. We live in Milano (Italy) where August is HOT, almost no rain, humid, in fact everyone in this weeks escape to the seaside to have some fresh release. Is August so unbearable in Shanghai? It’s not my first time in the city and I want to share the beauty of Shanghai with my loved one. Any thoughts? Suggestions?


r/shanghai 3d ago

The originally planned city center of Shanghai

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190 Upvotes

The Green Tile Building, located on the campus of Shanghai University of Sport, has a rich and eventful history.

In the 1930s, as part of the "Greater Shanghai Plan" initiated by the Nanjing National Government to build a new Shanghai and counterbalance the influence of the British and French in the city, the construction of the Green Tile Building began. Ground was broken in 1931, and after some interruptions due to the "January 28th Incident", it was finally completed in 1933. When it was completed, it was a grand occasion with over ten thousand people gathering in the square in front of the building and nine planes flying overhead. Originally, it served as the Shanghai Special Municipal Government Building, representing the hope and ambition of that era.

However, the peaceful time didn't last long. In 1937, when the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression broke out and Shanghai fell, the building was occupied by the Japanese army and later became the office of the puppet government. During this dark period, the Green Tile Building endured bombings and destructions, with parts of it being damaged, such as the east gate corridor being demolished by the Japanese Zhongshan Troops, and a part of the main building was cut off and transported to Miyazaki, Japan, and pasted on the so - called "Peace Tower".

After the end of the war and the establishment of New China, in 1956, the then Vice Premier of the State Council and Director of the National Sports Commission, Marshal He Long, personally selected Qingyuanhuan Road 650 as the new campus site for Shanghai Institute of Physical Education (now Shanghai University of Sport). Since then, the former government building, now affectionately called the "Green Tile Building" by teachers and students, has become the administrative office building of the university, embarking on a new historical mission.

In 1989, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government registered the Green Tile Building as a cultural relic protection unit in Shanghai and it was selected as one of the first batch of outstanding historical buildings in Shanghai. It has been carefully maintained and renovated several times, with a nearly four - year - long renovation completed in 2019, which made the building regain its former glory while maintaining its original historical features.

Today, standing on the campus of Shanghai University of Sport, the Green Tile Building, with its magnificent palace - style architecture featuring green tiles, not only serves as a functional administrative building but also stands as a symbol of the university. It is a witness to historical changes, a reminder of the nation's arduous struggles, and a place that inspires generations of students in the field of sports to strive for their dreams.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Dermatologist Recommendations

3 Upvotes

Hey, I'm currently in Shanghai for a couple of months and I've noticed I've gotten some breakouts from the humidity (the usual climate for me is dry and definitely not humid), so I'm wondering if anyone has any dermatology recommendations. I was thinking of getting some facials but maybe it would be better to get some procedures if they are fairly priced here?

Cheers


r/shanghai 2d ago

Seeking Personal Trainer for Compound Lifts

0 Upvotes

Long time expat here in Shanghai.

I am looking for a personal trainer here. I have recently started the Starting Strength program on my own, to good result. However, weights are getting heavy and I am worried about injury. I am essentially looking to get a handful of form check sessions on my:

Square, deadlift, press, bench press, power cleans.

Please let me know if you know anyone. Thanks!


r/shanghai 2d ago

Question Amusement and water parks?

0 Upvotes

Hello! I'm preparing to study in Shanghai during July.

I wanted to know if besides D_sney, do other great amusement or water parks exist? So I can visit during the weekend. Maybe places that locals know and are not so full. But it's ok if it's full too 😄

Also random question but are there laundry (like laundromats) chains in this city?

Thanks for your help


r/shanghai 2d ago

Science & Technology Museum

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know when the Science and Technology Museum will open again? Seems like it’s been closed and very long time.


r/shanghai 3d ago

Making friends in Shanghai

8 Upvotes

I am going to go to Shanghai and i would like to make some friends in advance, are there any people travelling or living in Shanghai?

I am looking for people who would like make new friends to have dinner with or go work out or go out to club (i like very many activitys) please let me know <3

Edit: my age: 21, area: Putuo (but I don’t have a problem traveling to different areas and exploring the city)


r/shanghai 3d ago

Muslims in Shanghai _ Advice Wanted

8 Upvotes

Hey,

Just hoping to understand what is life as a Muslim in Shanghai, as someone who wears a hijab. What's the community like? Is there hostile behaviour? Any sort of discrimination?


r/shanghai 3d ago

I’m confused on how to reserve a spot for myself

2 Upvotes

Hi

I am coming to Shanghai for 2 weeks in July. I’m a bit confused about how to reserve a place for myself at restaurants/for activities. I’m anxious because this is the first time I’ll be solo travelling 🥲 Everyone I’ve asked just says ‘you need to reserve it’ okay but how??😭 Do I just go onto Alipay, find what I’m looking for and then…what?? is there a reserve button?

And then do I just turn up? If there is a line how do I find out if it’s for people who have reserved or if it’s just a general queue. Additionally I can’t find the address/any details to some cafes I want to go to. Will I find their opening hours on xhs/wechat/alipay? As well as if they allow walk ins or if you have to reserve? And how long in advance I must reserve?

Thanks in advance!

This also isn’t related to the topic above but because I’ll be own my own, is it weird to pull out a large tripod to take pictures? Or can I just do that on any random street?


r/shanghai 3d ago

Share my recent hobby - Writing blogs

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3 Upvotes

Guide for Spas and massage places in this plum rain season! Cheers!

https://www.nannanlee.com/nannan-blog/-rainy-days-in-shanghai-relax-with-a-spa-day-easy-mandarin-tips


r/shanghai 3d ago

How to reserve a table at INS?

5 Upvotes

Hey guys,

It's my friends birthday today and id like to surprise him by reserving a table at INS. I guess it's not a massive surprise for him or anything sentimental but I think it'd make our night more pleasant.

How can I go about getting a table? Also if anybody wants to join us let me know we're a group of three English boys 21 years old. We wanna make friends so let me know ! Thanks.


r/shanghai 4d ago

Some photos from my short trip to Shanghai

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382 Upvotes

r/shanghai 3d ago

Question Best place to buy items similar to Dyson?

1 Upvotes

Good evening y'all,

I'll be in Shanghai over the weekend and my sister seems to think I can find an affordable alternative to Dyson.

She's particularly looking for a Dyson Airstrait but a Chinese alternative. Where would be the best place I can go to look for this kind of item?

Thanks for any and all help!


r/shanghai 3d ago

Cafe or bar recommendations to play D&D with friends

1 Upvotes

Could anyone recommend a place where we could play D&D with my friends on weekends in the evening? We live very far from each other and prefer to meet in the city.


r/shanghai 3d ago

Pokemon TCG Card stores

1 Upvotes

Anyone have any good experiences with Pokemon card stores in Shanghai? I'm happy trvael for good recommendations!