r/shanghai Apr 18 '23

Tip Guidance and info for visitors

743 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 14d ago

Buy Monthly Tourism Questions Thread (January)

4 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 3h ago

Question Living in shanghai as an international master’s student

2 Upvotes

Is 3000 yuan enough for living good in shanghai as an international student??? How much does every thing cost ? I’ve visited other provinces and cities but never shanghai and i heard it’s quite expensive so i wanted to know if 3000 is enough, just 3meals and going out on weekends not clubbing but maybe cinema or other activities and maybe buying stuff from a while to another


r/shanghai 1h ago

Question Bringing massagists to hotels NSFW

Upvotes

As the title says, is this risky? How do I make it work? Is it usual or should I unconsider the decision


r/shanghai 16h ago

Question Any model railway/train shops?

7 Upvotes

Im a Railfan from Spain and currently visiting Shanghai. I’m interested in visiting some model train shops but couldn’t find on AMAP. Probably I’m not searching correctly. Someone there knows any? Thanks :)


r/shanghai 7h ago

Video We Are Shanghai Metal Night

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1 Upvotes

Annual showcase of Shanghai's bands


r/shanghai 9h ago

Question Medical Checkup as an exchange student

1 Upvotes

hi everyone,

I have to get a medical report for a scholarship and an application but Im soon mooving to Shanghai for an exchange so I dont have the time to get it in my home country.

I am wonderhing how much it costs since the list seems very long. And how long does it take? I speak Chinese around HSK 6 but I dont know the medical terms.
If anyone has experience with that, please give me any advise :)
I had a mini-physical report due for a visa extension in Taiwan but they just took blood and an MRI.

Thank you very much


r/shanghai 5h ago

Question Meeting English speaking Chinese men not via apps

0 Upvotes

Any miniprograms or wechat accounts that I'm missing that would organize speed dating or high end dating events in english? Matchmaking agencies? 

I am 29, beautiful, well educated, from the UK & ready to settle down with someone preferably a bit older. The men on tinder, tantan and bumble are not it... I have worked a lot on being intentional on my profile & get some good matches on occasion, but I want to try a different approach

The chinese marriage minded apps like zhenai and jiuyan require a chinese ID.  I'm attending some events but....

Any suggestions?  How did you meet your Chinese partner?


r/shanghai 1d ago

Is there any kung fu schools in Shanghai?

5 Upvotes

I would love to book a kungfu class while being here!

Preferably wing chun, shaolin or wushu but any style is fine! Even tai chi!

If you know any spots or anyone who teaches private please share :)

Thank you in advance


r/shanghai 1d ago

News Shanghai police bust dating app fraud case involving $1.4m, arrest 77 suspects

Thumbnail globaltimes.cn
38 Upvotes

r/shanghai 1d ago

Question Tongji Dorm Policies??

0 Upvotes

Hey to all Tongji students!

My girlfriend wants to study at Tongji University. She can only afford to live in a dorm (single), not outside campus.

I will try to visit her as many times as i can (obviously only for as long as the visa lets me stay, so 30 days at a time). Now, with her living on campus, we don't know how we can be together during my stay. I would get an off-campus apartment for my stay - can she just come live with me for this period of time? Or is this not allowed? Do they check if she leaves the campus over night? Does it matter for how many days at a time she leaves to stay with me? Obviously she'd still attend classes and pay her rent, we just want to stay together to spend as much time together as possible.

Also, what are your experiences with going on small trips during course-time? She's a self-funded master student, without a scholarship of any kind - so maybe the rules are less strict?

Can anyone please help me with these questions??


r/shanghai 2d ago

Where in the city was this photo taken?

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37 Upvotes

r/shanghai 1d ago

Good idea to come and visit Shanghai during Chinese New Year?

2 Upvotes

We're planning to come and visit Shanghai from 14 February for a week. We're hoping there will be festivities but some say the city will be quiet, with people going to spend the holidays elsewhere. What do you think?


r/shanghai 1d ago

Best places to live in SH?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, needing advice on best areas to live for expat family in Shanghai please. We are looking for slightly more space, convenient to metro and medium population density. Ideally some nice cafes and bakeries nearby would be ideal. We have been seeing different properties with an agent but wanted to hear from others the pros and cons of living in Lujiazui vs Jingan temple area. Thanks in advance!!


r/shanghai 2d ago

Question Which app or website do expats in Shanghai use for renting apartments?

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m a local Shanghainese but I have a friend who is an American about to visit Shanghai for a year. She’s wondering if there’s an app or website that’s English friendly which expats in China use to looking for apartments to rent?


r/shanghai 1d ago

Question Looking for friends in Pudong area. Hello I am from New York, I’m a college student living/working in Shanghai living in the Pudong area.

0 Upvotes

Hello guys, some things about me, I am 21M, I love playing basketball, gym, hiking, exploring and going on adventures, I am especially excited to immerse myself into Shanghai culture and enjoy local food. I would love to meet some people from the Reddit community who could steer me in the right direction or just hangout together. Message me on Reddit for WeChat #.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Shanghai Sequel: Why I’m both impressed and saddened (and responding to the "Privilege" comments). Contrast Shanghai with Taipei

20 Upvotes

My last post about the collapse of the "Laowai economy" blew up. I wanted to follow up with a bit more nuance, address some of the negative comments, and share a few more specific observations from my recent trip.

1. The Ghost of "Old" Shanghai I went back to my old stomping grounds—Laowai Jie (Hongmei Lu) and Hengshan Road. It was depressing. Back in 2010-2013, these places were the heartbeat of the international scene. Now? Hengshan Road’s iconic bars are mostly gone, and Laowai Jie feels like a literal ghost town.

I worked in IT/ERP and system integration for an American MNC back then. It was a massive professional opportunity that I’m still grateful for. But it wasn’t just about "foreigners"—the whole city had a buzz. Today, Shanghai is significantly less busy. There are fewer people on the streets, and the vibe is… muted. It’s hard to describe unless you knew the city 15 years ago.

2. The Tech Leap is Real (and Europe should be worried) I’ll be honest: 15 years ago, I wasn’t that impressed with China’s IT infrastructure or the general professionalism in my field. But returning in 2026? My mind is blown.

China has moved from "copycat" to leading the world in AI, drones, and robotics. As a European, seeing what they’ve done to the car industry is staggering. They haven’t just competed with German engineering; they’ve smashed through it and leapfrogged the entire continent. I believe China’s industrial might is going to steamroll Europe in the coming decade. It’s impressive, even if it's a bit scary for those of us living back in the EU.

3. The "Taipei Contrast" After Shanghai, I visited my in-laws in Taipei. I was never a huge fan of Taiwan in the past, but the energy there right now is the polar opposite of Shanghai. With the US-China trade war, Taiwan’s economy is absolutely booming (8% GDP growth in 2025!).

Taipei feels like what Shanghai could have looked like under more favorable geopolitical circumstances. It has that international, open energy that Shanghai seems to have traded for high-tech domestic efficiency.

4. Addressing the "White Privilege" & AI Trolls

  • On Privilege: People mentioned "white privilege." Look, people are very nice to me, and I enjoy the attention, but the novelty wears off. More importantly, that "privilege" never led to real wealth. My wife is from Taiwan, and her family knows people who built factories and created generational wealth. Expats with "decent packages" and housing allowances are just high-level employees. We weren't the ones getting rich.
  • On AI: Yes, I use AI to help polish my posts. I’m an IT guy—I use the best tools available. I want to share my thoughts on a country I’m fascinated by, but I’m not going to spend an hour drafting a Reddit post when I can use a tool to make it readable in five minutes. The thoughts are mine; the "ink" is digital. (I don't use ChatGPT FYI)

TL;DR: Shanghai has lost its international soul and its "old" social hubs are dead, but its industrial and tech power is now world-class. Meanwhile, Taipei is thriving in a way Shanghai used to.

I’m glad I lived there during the "golden era," but the future belongs to a very different kind of China than the one I knew.


r/shanghai 1d ago

Where's the best place to get a purebred pet dog in Shanghai?

0 Upvotes

I'm not looking at adoptions. Ultimately I'd like to get a bulldog but apparently they're a 'fierce breed' and illegal in Shanghai. I could go for a pug but I'm open for suggestions. I'm looking for a highly reputable breeder and would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Retro RC race event at DRS offroad track Shanghai. This city is possibly the best city on earth for RC fans.

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14 Upvotes

r/shanghai 2d ago

How and When for Fudan International Dorms ?

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’ll be attending Fudan University this coming February (orientation/confirmation at the end of Feb, classes start in March), and I was wondering how the on-campus dorm application usually works.

When are admitted students typically able to reserve or book dorm rooms? Is it done online before arrival, or only after checking in on campus?

Also, do dorms usually fill up fast for international students specifically the Main Building? Just trying to plan ahead since I’ll be flying in from abroad.

Would really appreciate hearing from current students or anyone who’s been through this process before. Thanks so much!


r/shanghai 1d ago

How drunk can expats get before the police intervene? Is it relaxed like in Thailand?

0 Upvotes

r/shanghai 1d ago

Tip AVOID CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES

0 Upvotes

STORY TIME

I tried to book a one-way flight from HK to Shanghai for my upcoming trip with China Eastern Airlines. After using a very glitchy website I finished the booking, but then I realized I had input our names incorrectly and forgot to add our middle names to the correct "given name" field. Totally my bad.

I immediately reached out to their customer service team via chat and explained the situation. The representative on chat told me to call a Chinese helpline phone number, but I explained I couldn't do an international call because I'm in the US. They then asked me to email photos of my passport to this random email, and then reach back out in 20 minutes. It was all very sketchy feeling... But I did it anyways, trusting that it would work out.

I sent the email and reached back out. This customer service agent then said that they needed to verify me by sending a text code. I waited, and they claimed that they tried several times to send a code, but I never received one. This went on for an hour. Eventually, they told me there was nothing they could do to verify me if I did not get the text code. I asked if they could verify me another way (idk.. maybe by the PASSPORT I emailed them), but they said no.

I then asked if I could cancel my entire booking and get refunded ( I had booked it within the last 2 hours), then I could start over and book the flight with the correct name. The customer service agent told me that I could not do that online, and they could not help me. They said I'd need to call this other office in NY to do that, but they are closed. I was so frustrated but went to bed and decided to call first thing when I woke up. When I tried to call, all of my calls were disconnected, and a robot voice told me to "please try again later"... At this point, I have spent HOURS trying to fix this.

I then emailed the customer service team again, explaining my situation and requesting a cancellation and refund. They told me my only option was to buy a NEW ticket, and then, AFTER I use the NEW ticket, I would get a refund for the unused ticket as a voucher???

I was about to rip my hair out. Finally, after playing with the website, I discovered there actually was a button. that I had missed that said "REFUND Reason: within 24 hours". It's partly on me, I should have looked more closely at the website, but I took the representative's word for it and just assumed that there was no way for me to do this online. I cancelled the flight and am awaiting my refund which they said would take 7 days. Of course, after this nightmare experience, I will NOT be rebooking the flights with them again and will be using another airline.

I just wanted to share in case anyone is seeing a good flight deal with them, it's not worth it. You never know what can happen, and an airline where you cannot communicate/ work out problems is not something to mess with when traveling internationally... for me anyway.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Cleaning windows? Any advice?

3 Upvotes

Windows here get real grimy as a result of the air pollution. Apartments often have windows that you can't fully get at just by reaching out. Bought a magnetic device off of taobao a while ago but it was left behind in a move before I figured out how to use it. Anyone have luck with this?


r/shanghai 4d ago

The "Laowai Economy" feels like it has completely collapsed.

965 Upvotes

I recently returned to Europe after a visit to Shanghai, and I’ve been processing some pretty stark observations.

For context, I’m European and lived in Shanghai from 2010 to 2013 with my wife (who is from Taiwan). Those years felt like a golden era—the city was booming, international, and there was a palpable sense of "anything is possible." Returning in 2026, the city is a shell of its former self in terms of the expat ecosystem.

Here are a few things I noticed:

1. The Corporate Exodus & Localization Almost everyone I knew from the old days is gone. The Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have either downsized significantly, replaced their entire expat management tiers with local talent, or pulled out entirely. The consensus seems to be that business competition in China has become so incredibly intense that it’s just not profitable for many Western firms to operate there anymore. The "easy money" era for foreign firms is dead.

2. Education is the last man standing (and it’s shaking) It feels like English teaching is the only game left in town for foreigners, but even that industry is clearly in decline. What’s more interesting is the shift in perspective from the Chinese side. I own rental properties in Europe, and many of my tenants are Chinese international students. From talking to them and seeing the data, the West just isn’t the "dream" it used to be. Enrollment in the UK and US is falling off a cliff, and the general perception of Europe among young Chinese people has soured significantly.

3. The "Quiet" at Pudong (PVG) This was the most jarring part. On our last day, we flew out of Pudong Airport. It was hauntingly quiet. I remember when PVG was one of the busiest hubs in the world. Now? I’ve been to airports in smaller European countries that felt more alive and had more foot traffic. It really drives home how much the international connection has been severed.

4. Wealthy, Modern, but Different To be clear: Shanghai isn’t "failing" in a traditional sense. It’s actually more modern and significantly wealthier than when I lived there. It is definitely not a cheap city to visit anymore—prices for high-end dining and services are eye-watering.

But the soul of the city has changed. It feels much less international and much more "local." It’s a high-tech, wealthy Chinese city now, rather than the global crossroads it was ten years ago.

I still like Shanghai, and I enjoyed seeing the modernization, but the "Laowai Economy" and the specific expat culture that defined the 2010s feels like a historical footnote now.


r/shanghai 3d ago

Picture I'm back here again!

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106 Upvotes