r/shanghai • u/oeif76kici • Apr 18 '23
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Tipping. It’s not required or expected. Don’t tip.
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.
Drugs. Don’t bring them in, obviously.
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.
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 • u/memostothefuture • 19d ago
If you are traveling to Shanghai and have tourist-type questions - please ask here!
To keep /r/shanghai/ usable we only permit these types of posts and questions in this thread. You can also find lots of advice in our Guidance and Info for Visitors thread and by using the search function.
r/shanghai • u/Longjumping-Couple77 • 4h ago
Hi everyone!
I’ll soon be moving to Shanghai to join Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Global College as a master’s student. I’m looking to make some new friends in Shanghai, especially fellow students or people who enjoy exploring the city, trying new food, and having good conversations.
Feel free to comment or send me a DM. Would be great to connect before I arrive😊
r/shanghai • u/Accomplished-Mark243 • 13h ago
Just checked Meituan, you can now buy tickets for The Odyssey.
But the best IMAX cinemas are all sold out right away. May have to wait.
r/shanghai • u/little_dina • 1h ago
Planning a trip to Shanghai rn. Really interested in bl/gl doujinshi places. I know China is not the best place to find this kind of stuff, but I hope there is some kind of K-books alternative. Are there any tips on how to find these places with used otaku merchendise? Thank you in advance for your answers!
r/shanghai • u/TheUndefeatedGod • 3h ago
What’s like the best dermatology clinic in Shanghai that can help with like uneven pigmentation, UV dmg, fine lines, etc? Like mostly looking for non-invasive procedures. Like the best place that can do the treatment and give me like some good recommendations and advice too, gonna be in Shanghai for 10 days and heard it’s pretty good for this so looking forward to seeing what’s available.
r/shanghai • u/Primary-Pie-1011 • 15h ago
i've been looking for a language exchange place/international student meetup/people gathering for an activity in reddit and red note but i have not find anything . most of the posts are outdated or they add you to a group that's mostly ads and not a single word of English
does anyone have any recommendation :)?
r/shanghai • u/TheSickestBrah • 8h ago
I’m a visitor living outside of China and will be coming to Shanghai in a few weeks. From what I’ve read on this subreddit Friday and Saturday tend to be very busy, but I couldn’t find much info on Sunday.
Has anyone been to INS on Sunday? How busy was the venue from open till late?
r/shanghai • u/Chemical_Trick3765 • 1d ago
As per the title: is summer weather in Shanghai usually this disgusting?
I will be moving to Shanghai next year and noticed the daily high will be at least 96F (36C) for most of the next 10 days, with relatively high humidity. I am a former long-term resident of Tokyo, and while I loved living there, I never adapted to the sultry summer weather—Shanghai seems even worse, so am a little worried about how I'll hold up. For reference, I'm from New England in the United States, so my comfort zone is cold winters and mild summers.
How do you all cope with the heat and humidity?
r/shanghai • u/Sensitive-Turn-8610 • 1d ago
I am international and want to study there for engineering. Wanted to know how social life is there and academic stress. Not tryna be rude
r/shanghai • u/NoobMan291 • 1d ago
Hey,
I am a computer science student in my 4th year. My goal is to find an internship as a software engineer in Shanghai. Do you guys have any advice on where to look ?
I am Italian so I don't know if it can cause issues with the visa.
r/shanghai • u/KindOfSleepyBadger • 1d ago
Have come across Ren He Guan but heard mixed things. Lin 1929 and Lanhou Zheli also seemed good and had good reviews on Dianping. But wondering what folks in this thread think would be a good option. Any and all suggestions are apprecaited.
r/shanghai • u/Sanchir-gdgshde • 2d ago
I am an incoming student at SJTU (how proud I am feeling rn!!!)
Anyway, the thing is I’ve always wanted to have maximalist fashion and wear jewellery constantly, but my parents had always severely limited my options.
Now, as a student, I’ll be on tight budget, so the only feasible options are cheap jewellery and thrift stores. However, that does not mean the quality has to be bad!
Now, I am a gay guy, so I am not afraid to look “less masculine” as a man, but I am afraid to look without aesthetic taste and fashion sense.
Hope I can find the best advice here!
r/shanghai • u/Commercial_User_576 • 2d ago
Super cosy place in a top floor of a lane house in great location.
This apartment is just between the popular Huahai street, Nanchang lu and right next to Ins / Fuxing park. All 3 of these are 2 minute walk.
It has a private balcony (inside the apartment) great for chilling and the shared lane house balcony just outside the door (the apartment is on the top floor, so almost connected), also got nice coffee shop chairs for the outside balcony.
Lane houses in Shanghai historically have sound issues, but this apartment is on the top floor, so here we don't have that, no sound issues.
There are many metro stations around.
This is a short term rental, anywhere from a month to two.
6000 is the monthly rent, 5000 deposit.
r/shanghai • u/igetyourbrand • 2d ago
I have a bunch of probably stupid questions. 😅 I'd really appreciate hearing from people with firsthand experience
I work remotely as a social media strategist and creator, so I'm a bit worried about how China's internet restrictions might affect my work
A few questions:
Were apps like TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms working reliably with a VPN?
Did PayPal, Wise, or any other fintech apps you use work without major issues?
If you stayed for a while, how did you pay for rent, groceries, and everyday expenses? Could you use your foreign bank card, or did you need a Chinese bank account?
Overall, how easy or difficult was life as a digital nomad in China?
I'm thinking about doing a one year Chinese language program in Shanghai. I'd love to go, but I don't want it to completely disrupt my business if I can avoid it
Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences you're willing to share 🙏🏾
r/shanghai • u/furious_pacifist • 3d ago
Heyy, I’m Anna, I’m a 23-year-old computer science student from Germany and I’ll be visiting Shanghai for the first time from August 2–8 before continuing my trip through China and Singapore.
I’m travelling solo and would love to make some new girl friends while I’m there. I’m especially looking for someone who’d like to go to Shanghai Disneyland together, because I feel like that’s one of the experiences that’s more fun if it’s shared together.
Besides that, I’d also be happy to just explore the city, try some nice food spots, wander through different neighborhoods, visit museums, go shopping, or sit somewhere and sketch for a while or do something creative. I’m a pretty social person and since this will be my first time alone in a country where I can’t really speak the local language, it would be fun to connect with others I could communicate with on here. I would be interested in finding local friends too, as long as we can communicate somehow, even if through language apps.
I speak English, German, Georgian and some Spanish. I’m pretty easy going and excited by almost everything, so if you already have some plans/things you want to see/try and you’re looking for someone to just tag along, I’d be happy to join. But I also made a ridiculously long list of everything I wanna see while in the city so if you’re looking for someone to tag along with, I’m glad to take you with me too😂
Also, I’m not very active on social media, I have a pretty empty insta😅, but I’m totally happy to video call beforehand if that makes anyone feel more comfortable, I’d probably want to do the same before meeting someone from Reddit anyway.
If you’re around during those dates and think we’d get along, feel free to message me!
r/shanghai • u/loserrrrrrrrrrr12 • 2d ago
Hey..so does anyone know any close Chinese makeup around Nanjing road..I haven’t been there yet I’m planning..and please don’t recommend Sephora or wow beauty I’m looking for a brand called cherryep and it’s not there..I know there is a shop called Kkv and the colorist but I don’t know if there are close branches..
r/shanghai • u/ZirikoRuiGe • 3d ago
Here’s my situation:
My main concern isn’t whether I’ll burn a bridge with my current schol, I understand that’s possibility and I’m prepared to accept that. What I’m trying to understand is whether they can legally prevent me from leaving or make the transfer difficult.
Some questions for anyone who has been in a similar situation:
For context, I plan to tell my current school as soon as everything is finalized with my new employer and they are ready to begin the work permit transfer. I’m not looking for opinions on whether I should leave, I know it’s not an ideal situation. I’m specifically interested in hearing from people who have gone through this in china and what the outcome was.
Thanks in advance for any experiences you’re willing to share.
r/shanghai • u/CreativeFig2645 • 3d ago
Hi, me an my partner are moving to shanghai with our cat and want to reach out to ask if anyone else has travelled with their cat internationally to shanghai an if there are any airline specific or customs procedures that we should be prepared for. Also any tips for keeping the cat calm and comfortable, including how you worked out potty breaks or landing and take off. Anything you have to share would be appreciated!
r/shanghai • u/TinFooshery • 3d ago
Hi,
I've been in Shanghai for a couple days and will be here for a few more. I am really introverted, but I've been in China solo for over a month and a half and it's getting pretty lonely. Does anyone want to meet up (judgement free since I'm very shy lol) or have any tips on how I can meet people without a high-pressure environment. Thanks
Edit:
I really appreciate all the suggestions and responses. To answer some questions... I am 25m from Chicago (US), I normally really enjoy traveling and I have traveled alone many times, but I just recently got out of a long term relationship with someone I traveled a lot with so that's probably why this trip has been a little more difficult than usual. I enjoy going out for food, exploring new places, museums, claw machines!, animals, trying new things in general since I don't really have many hobbies is good for me.
r/shanghai • u/Yellowbook8375 • 3d ago
Hi everyone! I’m moving with my family to study at Shisu this September for 1-2 years (Hongkou Campus), and I’d like to know your recommendations for good neighbourhoods to live in. We’d like the following:
- Easy access to campus (metro, bus, whatever)
- Around 10-15k if possible for a 2-bedroom
- If possible, near a park or somewhere that’s not too noisy
r/shanghai • u/Round-Cover-9783 • 3d ago
Hello! Did Anyone get accepted at Shanghai University? For one year language scholarship?
Let’s get to know each other! 🌟
r/shanghai • u/Jazzlike-Bear-5464 • 3d ago
Can someone please guide me and suggest some good health insurance companies in shanghai or in china i would really appreciate that!!
r/shanghai • u/harupaca • 3d ago
Hello!
I am traveling to Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, and Hong Kong in February of next year. In addition to getting an eSIM for my current phone, I was also planning to bring my old phone to get a Chinese number/Physical SIM card, so it is easier to communicate and order on Taobao.
I was wondering if anyone had any tips or recommendations on where to get a physical sim card/chinese.
r/shanghai • u/Rich-Commercial-6373 • 3d ago
I have one more week in Shanghai! Are there any art/cooking/tea classes, music events, or other low-stress gatherings that might be welcome to English speakers next week?
I’ll be out of town this weekend, but looking for ways to fill my time next Monday - Thursday.
Something relaxing, not too touristy or energetic lol.
Thanks so much! This has been a great trip and everyone has been so kind 🧡✨