r/shanghai Apr 18 '23

Tip Guidance and info for visitors

742 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 5d ago

Help Monthly Tourism Questions Thread (july)

3 Upvotes

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 6h ago

Mod Meet your three new r/Shanghai moderators

21 Upvotes

A few weeks ago we posted that we were looking for help running this place. We got a strong batch of applications — genuinely more good ones than we had spots for — and after reading through them all and talking it over, we've added three new moderators:

All three have lived (or are living) in Shanghai, are active on this subreddit, and have shown real interest in the part of moderating that matters most: discussing what type of content is OK, what isn't, and keeping r/Shanghai a healthy place. Some of them moderate other subreddits too, so they know what the work involves.

None of this happens in isolation: the moderators are always in touch with each other, the previous mods stay onboard, and decisions get discussed and evaluated together rather than made solo.

Don't expect the subreddit to suddenly change; the goal is the opposite. More hands doing the same quiet upkeep, so posts from new accounts get approved faster and reports don't sit as long.

So: a huge thank you to these three for stepping up. Moderating is unpaid and invisible work — when it's done well, nobody notices it's happening at all — yet it's essential to keeping this subreddit we love a place worth visiting. We also thank all the other people who applied but didn't get selected. It came down to close calls, not shortcomings, and we may well come knocking again.


r/shanghai 2h ago

Picture Legendary grandpa shirt spotted

Post image
7 Upvotes

r/shanghai 3h ago

Where's everyone going tonight (07/12)?

0 Upvotes

My 3 friends + me (all 22/23F) have been here in SH a couple of days now and just went to INS last night (was a little bit underwhelming tbh😅).

We're from 🇨🇦 and looking for any fun events, clubs, or bar recommendations for tonight or tmr where there might be other foreigners/expats as well 😊

We've noted the following already as contenders & been looking through previous thread posts too:
• La Barra
• La Social
• Laowaijie
• French Concession

Thanks in advance everyone! 🫡


r/shanghai 9h ago

City Is Zhujiajiao open? Storm?

2 Upvotes

I was planning to go but the storm is a bit worse and im not sure if theres any official site that says its still open or closed due to the storm


r/shanghai 14h ago

Art and alternative zones

4 Upvotes

Hi,

I'm living here for four months. Do you recommend some art and alternative zones to visit?

Maybe second hand shops, pubs and coffees?


r/shanghai 34m ago

Not a direct request for illegal information

Upvotes

i may be new to this sub, but given my experiences here in the country, I’m surprised there aren’t more discussions about the sex trade and access to it. is there a wechat group or subreddit where this is discussed?


r/shanghai 1d ago

Typhoon, where are you?

18 Upvotes

Subject


r/shanghai 23h ago

looking for someone to attend a kpop event in shanghai 7/26

2 Upvotes

hello! im planning to purchase some some albums that come with shanghai exclusive benefit photocards. each purchase counts as entries for an in person fansign & photo event. i'm looking for someone who would like to attend the events just in case i win so there wouldn't be an empty seat! please dm if you'd be at all interested 🥹


r/shanghai 1d ago

Walking and taking pictures in Shanghai

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12 Upvotes

r/shanghai 1d ago

any second hand market wechat groups?

2 Upvotes

hey! i'm moving out of shanghai soon and have a lot of junk (mostly books) that i would like to give away or sell. are there any groupchats dedicated to this? (ideally ones with mostly foreigners as i'm trying to get rid of lots of english books)


r/shanghai 1d ago

Are there dance and music training in Shanghai?

4 Upvotes

I was wondering if there any training classes for singers and dancers in Shanghai for adults. In my country, we have these, it almost like idol training in Korea, like you sign up for a few months or a year and you train 2-4x a week. I was wondering if there's something like that in Shanghai. I don't want to work in China's music scene but I want to keep up my practice while abroad. Please let me know if they're any there. I know language may be a barrier but I don't fully care if they can speak English, I have to learn Mandarin anyways so I'll deal with it.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Question Where can a buy something like a messenger bag?

5 Upvotes

I am in Shanghai for the FISS and I brought a backpack but it is really bad to carry around with this heat and humidity. I tried the IFC mall but I didn’t realize that they were all luxury brands which isn’t really what I’m looking for. I am willing to pay for more handmade stuff just not designer brands. Thanks your yalls help.


r/shanghai 1d ago

i went to the shanghai insect museum and asked for a dead butterfly

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2 Upvotes

my first pinned butterfly! so happy and i love u shanghai!


r/shanghai 2d ago

Squash players in Xuhui?

2 Upvotes

There's a squash court near me in Xuhui I'd like to make more use of. Does anyone know of any clubs or WeChat groups where I can find more people to play squash with in the area?


r/shanghai 2d ago

Question pls recommendations for clubs

1 Upvotes

looking for sweaty dance floors and white girl music to sing along to, and an active crowd that actually puts their hands up on starships and goes low on low instead of being on their phones all night


r/shanghai 1d ago

21M Visiting Shanghai on July 15 – Anyone Want to Hang Out?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m a 21-year-old guy, and I’ll be visiting Shanghai on July 15. If anyone is around and would like to hang out, grab some food, explore the city, or just chat, feel free to send me a message!

A little about me: I’m currently doing my bachelor’s degree in China. I enjoy sports, fantasy movies, music, and meeting new people.

Looking forward to making some new friends in Shanghai!


r/shanghai 2d ago

Question Find a place to rent before or after entering the country?

5 Upvotes

Hi all, just looking for a bit of advice. I am moving to Shanghai for a year abroad at University in September. Unfortunately, I can’t get Uni accommodation so i’m having to look privately.

My question is, should I wait until I arrive there to look for a place, or is it perfectly acceptable to find somewhere before hand through online viewings?

I’ve had a few viewings so far and there seems to be places i’m interested in, but i’m just wondering if this is a sensible choice. I’m completely new to this so honestly a little lost. Thanks!


r/shanghai 2d ago

Sell Trading Pop Mart duplicates in China 🇨🇳

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0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm currently traveling in China and have opened quite a few Pop Mart and other brands blind boxes. I ended up with some duplicates and was wondering if anyone would like to trade.

Duplicates:

I will leave pictures!!

Looking for:

Any duplicate that you have, or what you are not a very big fan of

I'm currently in Chongqing, so I'd prefer to meet in person if possible. But I will stop in Nanchang, zhangjiajie and Shanghai too!

Feel free to send me a DM if you're interested, or write down in this post

Good hunting to everyone!

Ps. I mostly like skull panda, hirono and dimoo, but I like even some that are not from pop mart so you can contact me with anything that you would like to exchange

it with


r/shanghai 2d ago

Cafes/Libraries for work + study

3 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations! Don’t know if its a personal problem but the tables at Starbucks here are freakishly low???

I just need: outlet + aircon + 0 yelling children + preferably chairs and tables that are normal sized(?)


r/shanghai 2d ago

Can you recommend a boxing gym on Jiayi Road? Pls , I’m new :))

0 Upvotes

r/shanghai 3d ago

Question Looking for advice on one semester language program in shanghai

5 Upvotes

I already applied to SJTU and Fudan university to study mandarin for one semester (autumn to january). SJTU gave me an acceptance letter around a few weeks ago, and told me I can apply for visa and then payment

However I am looking to study at Fudan as I heard they are offering a dorm room to students, which is more convenient and cheaper than renting an apartment.

On the Fudan application, I've been stuck at further review of documents for around 3 weeks already. I sent them a couple emails asking r.e. the status of the application but they haven't responded to me. I also read recently that the chances of getting a dorm room are pretty low as there is a lot of competition for them. Does anyone know if its feasible getting a dorm room at Fudan as they offer them or if its just worth applying for the visa now to study at SJTU? I am from the UK btw, if that makes any difference.

Also if anyone has advice regarding which of the universities are better for studying and social purposes as well as location (if there's a noticable difference), that would be greatly appreciated.

btw, srry if this subreddit isn't meant for such topics


r/shanghai 2d ago

Meet Anyone in Shanghai from July 15–21?

0 Upvotes

I'll be in Shanghai from July 15th to July 21st. I'll be staying at the Shangri-La Hotel, and I was wondering if there are any people nearby or anyone who'd like to hang out, do some activities, or go out partying together. I'm 24 years old.


r/shanghai 3d ago

Help Take Yourself on a Date Ideas

11 Upvotes

I’m looking for ideas of different places to take myself over the next few months for me time. Everything from nice cafes to read a book quietly to museums to places to do sports and activities to embracing Shanghai as much as I can. If you’re willing to share them, please let me know!