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Shanghai Visitor's Survival Manual
This brief information on Shanghai is geared toward visitors who will just be spending a few days within the city. It aims to focus on the city's top attractions, provide basic orientation information, and warn about some potential gotchas (these would be highlighted in red). In the extensive use of references, it may also aims keep as up-to-date as they possibly can, and provide transparency precisely up-to-date details are. It's created to be usable when printed out.
The view from the Bund( )
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Money The currency would be the Renminbi (RMB), as referred as the Yuan. Click the following links for current exchange rates:
American dollar
Eur
Gbp ATMs are everywhere in Shanghai, and it's possible there are plenty surrounding the tourist hotspots which accept foreign bankcards. Venture further afield however and you also could have more difficulty finding one which uses your card. Chinese ATMs generally don't present you with your card back automatically - it is important to inquire about it. This makes it so simple to go away your card inside the machine.
For the airport
The maglev at
its top speed( )
International visitors arrive at Pudong airport (PVG), that's inside the eastern suburbs. There are 4 ways of signing up with town:
By metro - line 2 has recently been extended to the Pudong airport and it is among the simplest ways to get into town. Be warned, the road is not continuous - it is important to change trains at Guanglan Road. In case you have a flight to catch, consider a number of extra minutes because of this. The Pudong airport extension is open between 6.30-21.00.[1]
By taxi - this can not will cost in excess of 150RMB ($¬) to have a ride on the city centre.
By maglev - the ultra-modern German-made magnetic levitation train will whisk you area of the way into town for 50RMB ($¬) (40RMB if you show your flight ticket).[2] A good you're staying within the places on town most tourists stay in, you'll still need to accept a taxi or metro ride get it done your journey.
By bus - a number of city buses normally takes anyone to most locations inside the city. They flies from the same place since the taxi rank. It is definately the cheapest option, but unless you can chat Chinese, you even already know an appropriate bus to move, forget it.
Of the various methods to begin your Shanghai experience,taxi is your most convenient option, maglev the foremost spectacular, and bus is your cheapest.
Getting all about
Taxis
Taxis in Shanghai are much cheaper than generally in most western countries. The minimum fare is 12RMB ($¬). This goes up to 16RMB ($¬) for journeys starting between 11 o'clock at nighttime and 5 o'clock after you get up.[3] The per-mile cost also goes up by about 30% at nighttime. Hardly any Shanghai taxi drivers can talk English. In practice, this provides you two choices: make use of a phrasebook and say the destination yourself, or draw hotel to jot down your destination for the card in Chinese characters, and show that to your driver.
Metro
The metro system is cheap, efficient, and really new. It possesses air conditioning, frequent trains (at the very least on the major lines), and almost 100% reliability. Signage and recorded announcements are in each of Chinese and English. The minimum fare since summer 2008 is 3RMB and more trips surrounding the centre of town will surely cost no more than 5RMB. The metro has undergone rapid expansion recently, and some of the new lines are less convenient to use than the original lines, with smaller trains and also lesser frequent services.
Buses The most affordable way of relocating town, however not for faint hearted. Bring your phrasebook, watch your bag, get ready to have. On the plus side, they're a terrific way to get to know true Shanghai.
Ft
China leads the globe in eco-friendly, ultra-silent electric mopeds and bicycles. With the undeniable fact that many riders cycle around the pavement and break other traffic rules, this creates a significant hazard to pedestrians. Watch bikes silently whizzing up behind you once you least expect it.
Making yourself understood The important difficulties of Chinese coming from a foreigner's perspective are its tonal nature, along with the character-based writing system. However, taxi drivers quite some time in a way advantageous at understanding common destinations as mispronounced by foreigners, with incorrect or missing tones, due to the fact they've included large amount of practice.
The free and open-source mobile phone software Dictionary for MIDs uses a Chinese-English version what can prove extremely useful, if one was to don't speak any Chinese. For instance inside a shop, you can lookup the item you're attempting to find and show the characters because it to an assistant. However, it will only work if your phone supports Chinese characters.
Staying connected Phone Foreign-made GSM phones work fine in China, as well as the local mobile operators have roaming agreements with most major international networks. If you wish to utilize a local SIM, you should buy China Mobile "EasyOwn" SIM cards at newspaper kiosks, corner shops, and China Mobile offices. On the street the package costs 110RMB, which blends 50RMB of call credit.[4] It's cheaper should you attend a China Mobile office, but they'll want your passport to officially register you.[5] You are able to check your balance by texting YECX to 10086.[4] Once your balance drops below 10 RMB you'll start getting regular text reminders automatically. You can buy top-ups from convenience stores and newspaper kiosks.
Internet Many coffee shops have free wifi - ask before you buy your cappucino. The notable exception is Starbucks which persists with making customers pay money for access. A reliable chain for getting online will be the Coffee Bean Tea Leaf - there are over 20 branches around town, including ones near People's Square, Jingan Temple, and Xintiandi. China Mobile SIM cards come pre-configured which includes a GPRS profile for getting online, but it's pretty expensive to use. You can achieve the price down by texting KTG5 to 10086 and after that replying 1 to the confirmation SMS. This buys you 30MB of bandwidth for five RMB per month[6], however the package will undoubtedly take effect firstly of a typical next calendar month. You can find other packages available for larger amounts of bandwidth: look at the China Mobile website for SMS codes and charges.
Puxi and Pudong Puxi is west of your Huangpu river, Pudong is usually to its east. A lot of the sights that a short-term visitor to your city will be fascinated by are in Puxi, but Pudong does have an extremely nice waterfront area in Lujuiazui with cafes and bars in the heart of the riverside, the Jinmao and SWFC towers, and the excellent Science and Technology museum.
Google Map
Fom left to right, the shaded areas are People's Square, the Bund, and Lujiazui.================================================================================
Places to go, some things to watch
Shanghai Art Museum( )
People's Square Shanghai's foreign occupiers built a racecourse here during the colonial era - the clubhouse now houses a method museum and fancy restaurant. All other traces from the equestrian past only been erased: the square is home of the massive Shanghai Museum, a brace of other cultural venues, several hotels and shopping centres, and People's Park. Be cautious about the open-air double your dating event which occurs most weekends inside the park, where anxious parents conspire to marry off their offspring (who usually aren't present). The most beneficial spot for their catch your breath and become a little distance from crowds is the peaceful roof garden at Starbucks, just besides the skill museum.
Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Museum( )
What: Massive bunch of cultural artifacts spanning China's 6000 year history. You are able to easily spend twenty-four hours just in this museum.
Admission: Liberal, open 09.00-17.00 (no admission after 16.00), seven days a week.[7][8] The admission charge has only recently been abolished, and also the ensuing increase in visitor numbers signifies that sometimes the museum has to stop admitting visitors for safety reasons.
Getting there: People's Square metro station. Take exit 1[9] and head for your circular building between the park and the expressway (pictured).
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The BundWhat: Embankment around the Huangpu River built during the colonial era. Gives fine views of Pudong's 21st century skyline, and backs onto a distinguished variety of colonial era buildings. New and improved to work around the Expo - the promenade has long been widened and also the six lane highway replaced by using a traffic calmed road.[10]
Getting there: Nearest metro station is Nanjing East Road (Line 2). Turn straight out of exit 3 (i.e. in the other direction into the skyscraper housing the Le Royal Meridien Hotel, in the twin radio masts) and keep walking until you reach the river. Spot that the Chinese don't say "The Bund" - they think of it as "Wai-tan", and i really few taxi drivers know the English name.
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Yu Garden (Yu Yuan)
The Bridge of Nine Turnings as well as the
Mid-Lake Pavilion tea house together with the
Yu Garden inside the background( ) This peaceful formal garden sits in the center associated with the overcrowded store. The Bridge of Nine Turnings zigzags round the lake facing the yard, with all the famous Mid-Lake Pavilion tea house at the centre. Despite its tourist-trap location, the tea residence is actually very nice and definitely worth an outing. Prices are between 40-60RMB to have a pot of tea.[11] The Taoist City God Temple is unremarkable but only costs 10 RMB to have into[12] (machine-translated website).
Getting there:
A new Yuyuan Garden station on metro line 10 is correct around the edge of the backyard.
The yard completely
This dates that come from the mid-sixteenth century, and was built when the private retreat of the Ming dynasty bureaucrat.[13] The admission charge is extremely reasonable compared with a number of attractions in Shanghai.
Opening hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm
Prices: Adults 30RMB, children 10RMB.[14]
Hard at work in the kitchen of your Nanxiang dumpling restaurant( ) Probably the best dumpling restaurant on earth
There exists dumplings. Then you can find the xiao long bao (steamed dumplings) produced by the Nanxiang restaurant in the Yu garden. Many Chinese domestic tourists regard going to see this takeaway dumpling restaurant as an essential part of their holiday here, a reputation which guarantees a long queue further from restaurant at almost any time. Should you don't fancy queuing up, you are able to use a peek along at the preparation process in the restaurant's plate glass windows.
Where: It's to the left of those Bridge of Nine Turnings as viewed in the photograph above - though you can't really miss the queue.
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Tianzifang (ç°åÂÃ¥, Taikang Road Art Street)
It was only recently that inside the 'Off the beaten track' section of this guide, this attractive, laid-back network of longtangs just off Taikang Road has become firmly on the tourist trail, aided by the brand new metro station directly opposite along with a new name. A lot of its advantages over Xintiandi still apply - these would be real Shanghai longtangs, not faux ones, there also are usually more bars and low shops than before to choose from. But it can now get unpleasantly crowded on weekends. Make an effort to visit throughout the week.
Getting there:
Exit 1 of Dapuqiao station on metro line 9 is directly opposite the gate. (¢)
Take a taxi into the intersection of Ruijin Road and Taikang Road, then walk some hundred yards up Taikang Road. The entrance to Tianzifang is on your left.
=================================================================================Lujiazui This business district on the other hand of the river from the Bund boasts Shanghai's tallest buildings (the Jinmao, SWFC, and Pearl towers), Asia's largest shopping mall (the Superbrand Mall), along with a riverfront strip of bars and low shops where one can sip your cappucino as the container ships slide by. The area has grown to be a victim of their own popularity and also the riverfront and Superbrand Mall are unpleasantly crowded on weekends. Try to visit on a weekday.
Getting there:
Lujiazui metro station on line 2. The Superbrand Mall and Pearl Tower are impossible to miss once you exit the station. The riverfront is further the Superbrand Mall - walk much later to its right.
The gloriously daft Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (aka Bund Tourist Tunnel). This can be is toy train within a tunnel with psychedelic flashing lights. Entrance is in the underpass which connects underneath of East Nanjing Road with all the Bund. One approach ticket 40RMB, return ticket 50RMB.[15] The ticket office also sells various packages combining the tunnel with all the Pearl Tower, aquarium, Jinmao Tower, and so on.[16]
Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) The SWFC Observatory opened at the beginning of September. It provides three viewing floors: the 94th, 97th and 100th. The even taller 632m Shanghai Tower is under construction in an adjacent lot.
Prices: For adults, 100RMB gets you to the 94th floor, 110RMB gets anyone to the 97th, and 150RMB to the 100th. Pensioners and students pay about two-thirds, and infants get in for half price.[17]
Opening hours: 8am-11pm, last admission 10pm.[17]
Getting there: Take metro line 2 to Dongchang Road, take exit 4[18] and head west down Century Avenue.[19] Alternatively, walk up from Lujiazui metro station.
SWFC - the brand new block on your block( )
Jinmao Tower veranda Recently upstaged by way of the adjacent SWFC, the Jinmao comes with an deck on your 88th floor. Of the clearest view, choose a fine morning after it possesses rained overnight and become there early. Otherwise you might find there's not a whole lot to view - even on a day that appears to be fine and clear at ground level.
Prices: 70RMB for adults, 35RMB for little ones, 60RMB students and elders.[20]
Getting there:It's next door towards the SWFC.
Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai's original supertall building is truly classified as a freestanding tower other than a skyscraper. It uses three large spheres suspended from its three structural columns.
Prices: 150RMB to crash all three spheres, 135RMB for the lower two, 100RMB for middle level one (prices only accurate to August 2008).[21]
Getting there: Directly opposite Lujiazui metro station.
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium It is a short way down the road to your right of those Pearl Tower, as viewed at the time you exit Lujiazui metro station.
Prices:120RMB ($¬) for adults, 70RMB for seniors, 80RMB for infants.[22]
Opening hours: Chinese public holidays, and July and August: 09.00-21.00. Remaining times: 09.00-18.00.[23]
Dongchang Riverfront Garden
Dongchang Riverfront Property
As the Lujiazui riverfront staggers with the weight of visitors for the weekend, quite a few blocks over
flood
this newer waterfront development is pleasantly quiet and empty. There are not exactly many eateries to select from - the pricey Rouge Morille represents the only option. However a coffee there won't bankrupt you best can savour a great view of the river involving no crowds.
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Public education poster:
"A delicate warning from Hai Bao
(the Expo mascot). The highway is
not your bedroom and night
clothes aren't good style. Overall for your image
and the of the city, please
dress in a civilised way,
and don't allow night
clothes and pyjamas to
become the road 'view'."Shanghai Expo site The Shanghai Expo ran between May and October, 2010. Although over, the foremost roads from the site are actually public roads as well as some of a typical larger structures have been left intact. The Lupu bridge viewing platform gives a commanding view of the site (see below).
Getting there:Metro Line 7 runs along the Pudong side of those Expo site.
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Attractions off beaten observe
1933Built to efficiently drive frightened bulls to their death, this former slaughterhouse is all angles, inclines, and ramps. It's being gradually redeveloped into restaurants and bars, and hasn't been discovered from the hordes yet as well as a wide selection on weekends. The roof gives a fine view of the relatively undeveloped shikumen buildings of your surrounding district.
Lupu Bridge observation deck Climb the staircase towards the viewing deck onto the world's longest steel arch bridge, and receive a 360 degree view of the town (so the bridge's staff keep a wary eye in your vehicle). Overlooks the Shanghai Expo 2010 construction site. If you have vertigo or anything fitness difficulties, this attraction will never be for you. It's totally open-air so provide it a miss in case the weather is below excellent. Entrance fee 80RMB ($¬).[34]
Getting there: Take metro line 4 to Luban Road, and walk or have a taxi south along Luban Road.[34]
Pudong's canals Not really in the past they had been industrial cesspools, but now several of Pudong's canals have been beautified. Eliminate the metro to Dongchang Road from internet 2, then getting a taxi along Pudong South Road going south, and put a stop besides the Pudong hotel. Consider the towpath coming from the bridge on the nearby canal. It'll take you all the way to Pudong's Century Park - although in a couple of places you have to cross an active road. In the warm summer months it's an incredibly peaceful scene - couples strolling, old men and their grandchildren fishing, but not a tourist in sight.
Pudong's animals
Praying mantis, Pudong
Clouds of dragonflies, vigilant bats patrolling car parks, a kingfisher watching over a canal, and swallows swooping down before your bicycle and racing you - not exactly what you'd go with among the world's biggest cities. But these are all common sights in Pudong, because the downtown is de facto not which faraway from the countryside. There are dragonflies during summer around Century Park as well as the science museum. And bats can be found all over Pudong - you may also see them on Century Avenue between the SWFC and Donchang Road metro.
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Overrated destinations
Looking down East Nanjing Path
from People's Square( ) East Nanjing Road Overpriced and overcrowded, the stretch of Nanjing Road running between the Bund and People's Square is touted as Shanghai's shopping mecca - but those in the know head elsewhere. Be cautious about the assorted tea shop and art exhibition scams along here, often perpetrated by smiling young "students" who are billed as "on holiday from Beijing".
Xintiandi Best when compared with London's Covent Garden, this district of cafes and bars is overpriced and uninspiring. Perhaps the architecture is fake - the buildings are supposed to appear like traditional longtang (lane) buildings, but it's all reinforced concrete with the brickwork. If ersatz culture is thing, test it out. But if you wish to consume in a real Shanghai longtang, head for Taikang Road Art Street. The beers are cheaper there too, and you also won't be in the midst of throngs of other tourists.
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Clothes shopping
As noted elsewhere while in this guide, Nanjing East Road well-spred choice with tourists. Except for the real bargains, head for starters of them alternatives, and be prepared to bargain hard.
Xinyang Market Conveniently located inside Science Museum metro station from internet 2. The touts are certainly not too aggressive and belief give you alone should you politely rebuff them, and also the place is fairly very clean yet tidy. Furthermore, it is possible to combine it with visits towards the immediately adjacent Shanghai Science Museum and Century Park. The name is a play on your legendary Xiangyang market in Puxi, now closed.
Getting there: Shanghai Science Museum metro station on line 2.(¢) The niche carries in an identical underground area as the booking hall.
Qipu Road
Qipu Path
Pronounced something similar to "cheap-oo" road, the market place is actually an assortment of large and rather rundown shopping centres centred at the intersection of Qipu Road and Henan North Road (¢). This is definitely the destination for your cheapest bargains in Shanghai, as well as many shops buy wholesale from here. But the area is unpleasantly chaotic and dirty, and also the touts are so aggressive they will actually tail you from shop to go.
Getting there: Take metro line 2 to Nanjing East Road, turn onto Henan North Road, and cross the Suzhou Creek. It's a 10-15 minute walk or perhaps a short taxi ride.
Shanghai South Bund Soft-Spinning Material Market ("material market") Located nearby the Puxi side of the Nanpu bridge, here is the spot for a come for affordable tailored clothes and, er, fabrics. It's lively but pleasantly lacks the touting at some of the other markets.
Getting there: 399 Lujiabang Road, at the corner of Nancang Street.[35]
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Where to stay - hotels and hostels
Captain's Hostel With a bar and rooftop terrace overlooking the river, what's not to love? Prices start from 70RMB ($¬) per night.[36]
Getting there: Use taxi to your intersection of The Bund and Fuzhou Road (tell the driver "Wai-tan - Fuzhou Lu"), and walk a number of yards up Fuzhou Road.
Park Hotel At one time the tallest structure among asian countries, its interior is an art deco masterpiece. Whether or not you're not staying, practice here to examine the exhibition on the second floor relating to the building's history, and the "ground zero" bronze plaque in the middle of the lobby. Prices start from 600RMB ($¬) per night.[37]
Getting there: It's around the Nanjing Road side of People's Square, about halfway under the side of your square.
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Where to eat Take an excellent choice of restaurants at reasonable prices, and further from tourist trap areas, head for Superbrand Mall in Lujiazui (see Lujiazui section above for directions). The upper floors are full of restaurants offering nearly any conceivable type of cuisine, plus some which includes a fine view of the river. Other shopping centres which has a great idea of restaurants are Raffles Plaza on People's Square, and Cloud 9 Store at Zhongshan Park metro station on line 2.
Spicy ribs, Di Shui Dong
Should you haven't tried Shanghai cuisine before, you're about to witness it quite different from your existing ideas about Chinese food, and possibly quite hard to get used to. Around the plus side, it really is generally very low fat and healthy.
Di Shui Dong (æ»´æ°´æ´)Deservedly popular Hunanese restaurant. Spicy ribs are its signature dish, but you'll work hard to look for anything on your menu which doesn't set your mouth inflamed. Lashings of beer set out the flames. Second floor, 56 Maoming Nan Lu, Puxi.[38] (Avoid the Dongping Lu branch - the location is incredibly slow).[39]
Smart Noshery Makes You Slobber (好é£é)Its English name has ensured plenty of free publicity due to this Pudong institution (the owner says he chose it because it sounds "high class and distinguished"). A meals is awesome too, despite the modest decor. Don't miss the breaded beef. 1028 Nanquan North Road, Pudong.[40]
Bali LagunaWith a dining area which looks out at water level across peaceful Jingan Park's lake, this Indonesian restaurant's location is difficult to scientifically. But a variety of complacency has affected both the food and service. Still, it's a smart decision to get a romantic meal. 189 Huashan Road, inside Jingan Park, Puxi.[41]
Quick edibles
If you really must, branches of McDonalds and KFC are scattered all across the city - even within neighbourhoods where foreigners rarely venture.
A more satisfying choice for semi-fast food is Ajisen Ramen, a franchised chain of Japanese-style noodle shops. Clean, efficient service as well as a healthy menu indicate that these restaurants are favored by local Chinese and foreigners alike. Don't be put off by way of the Chinese-only website: the menus by the restaurants are bilingual and easy to request from if one was to don't speak any Chinese, and even though the staff generally don't speak any English. Within the car of noodles or rice costs between 20-30RMB, by using a starter expect to pay between 40-50RMB per head.
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Where to drink
Time PassageTucked down a side street off Huashan Road, this is among the list of oldest bars in Shanghai, and one of the most worrying nicest. A house band on Saturday nights thumps out their signature tune, Xu Wei's anthemic Lan Lianhua. Catler the mustachioed house moggie prowls grumpily. 25 RMB per pint. 183, Lane 1038 Huashan Lu, nearby the intersection with Fuxing Lu.
Bar 88Bling bling! From the Captain Nemo styled interior into the princeling's Ferrari slung across the kerb outside, there's nothing subtle or tasteful here. Though if you do naff, it's enjoyable. Bottled beer 50 RMB. 291 Fumin Lu near the intersection with Donghu Lu.
(All photographs are by and copyright of your author)
physical exam -Newborn Normal: Positions-Ventral Suspension
