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 • Sep 05 '26
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/New-Phone-3340 • 12h ago
Im a male international student (21 yo) there and want to meet new friends and have great time. If you want pls contact me.
r/shanghai • u/CaterpillarWestern88 • 7h ago
Anyone know of dance studios with ballet for adults in Shanghai? We will be near Changning/ Jing’an.
r/shanghai • u/Professional-Net1940 • 1d ago
Resident Evil is coming to theatres tomorrow and doesn't seem to be censored here. If you haven't seen it do yourself a favour and go watch it.
r/shanghai • u/Hypocritehypocrisy • 12h ago
The language of instruction would be chinese. Ideally the person would be effectively bilingual (ie speaking both english and chinese fluently), and able to do in-person classes in Shanghai twice a week. Thanks in advance!
r/shanghai • u/yakult-ok • 14h ago
I’m planning to take a 3-week trip to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, but I need to be able to access work-related websites and apps. If I couldn’t access these there, I could only stay for a week instead of three. Is anyone able to let me know if there would be no issues with VPN? I use Okta Verify, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint), Google Chrome.
r/shanghai • u/Conscious-Highway-24 • 20h ago
Hey guys. Are there any cat rescue/ animal rescue shelters or resources to use in Shanghai? We found 2 abandoned baby cats on the street inside a box , one of them is soaked and looks unwell . Thanks for the help in advance.
r/shanghai • u/mosenco • 12h ago
I went to Tokyo and enjoyed the view from the skytree and I love it a lot. I bought the most expensive ticket to be able to go to an upper floor where it's darker and quieter and had a nice Christmas music. I stayed 3 hours just to watch the city at night. The only colours that you can see is white. It felt like watching the stars in the night sky
Today I went to Shanghai tower where the observation floor is at a higher floor than Tokyo. I didn't like it but after comparing the photos between Tokyo and Shanghai, the Shanghai ones has more skyscraper, colours, neons, lights, so comparing the two pics it's obvious Shanghai is better
But when I was there I didn't enjoy it and left after a quick one and watched the light show (don't worth it)
I think what ruined it was the lights from the vending machines, neon signs too brights. The whole observation floor was too bright and reflected too much on the glass
What do you think?
r/shanghai • u/Few_Hovercraft7727 • 18h ago
Hi everyone, I’m a 30-year-old Australian-Chinese man, and my relatives are all based in Shanghai.
I’m planning to take my girlfriend back to China for a holiday, and we’ll be staying in Shanghai to visit family. I’d love some advice on what gifts to bring. There are two young children in the family—aged one and five—as well as older relatives.
I recall that years ago, people in China really loved Australian fur products, chocolate, and red wine, but things seem different now, so I’m not quite sure what would be appropriate.
I’d appreciate any suggestions!
r/shanghai • u/HarambeIsNotDead04 • 21h ago
Hello. We have a flight tomorrow from Pudong to Taiwan our flight time is at 9AM. I wanted to ask for everyones help on what’s the best way to go to the airport that early? I checked Amaps and the earliest metro leaves at 5:59?
How early do we need to be at the airport and what means of transportation we can best utilize. Thanks everyone
r/shanghai • u/Head_Chef_4395 • 19h ago
Im 17F living in Shanghai, puxi area currently taking a gap year. Born and raised here and I wanna talk to more ppl in order to practice my questionable English and just hang out. Just for information, im currently trying to get my IELTS cuz I’ll probably go Malaysia for my uni, it would be really nice if I can talk to people from SEA (also don’t worry abt accent I speak some singlish as well and no trouble talking to Malaysians)
I play a bit games from steam, but mostly just mobile games like valorant mobile. When I really got nothing to do I doodle and can play piano/guitar. But I smoke so if u r concerned I might not be the one for u lol.
I love love coffee, it will be rly nice if we can go out grab a coffee and just yap for hours haha
Please be roughly my age, I wanna talk to more highschoolers/ exchange students, I would say I don’t have a big problem in communicating and im also willing to help u for Chinese stuff cuz im very independent myself haha (like how to go hospital all alone, sign up for memberships, where to find nice food etc)
DO NOT dm me if u r above 20, im not being rude, it just will turn out weird. :)
r/shanghai • u/MordeTheChad • 20h ago
Prefer bar with good price if can because im on a budget rightnow, thanks everyone
r/shanghai • u/EdmanEets • 1d ago
Hello! I am a tourist coming to shanghai at the end of October.
I'm thinking of proposing to my girlfriend, and was considering doing it along Suzhou river after a nice dinner. I'd like it to be relatively quiet without too many people, and have a nice view of the river illuminated. Trying to avoid the busy-ness of the bund.
Are there any particular spots/ sections that would suit? Will there any sections that are lit up?
I've also read about Waibaidu bridge but worry it may be too busy.
Would appreciate your thoughts!
Thank you
EDIT: also considering North Bund Green Land at night (北外滩滨江绿地）
r/shanghai • u/Objective_Gap_3244 • 23h ago
Choosing the bar is only half the decision. At Beer Temple I’d browse the fridges; at Le Bec Bund I’d ask which floor I’m booking. Here are seven research-based picks for different evenings:
• 233, for comparing beer styles. Reports get into pilsner layers and IPA balance. Start with what you like, ask what’s pouring, and allow for a queue.
• Beer Temple, for a slow fridge browse. Bottles and cans supplied several visitors’ memorable choices. Small tables suit one or two people; check food availability if dinner matters.
• Le Bouchon, for a proper dinner. Frog dishes and beef tartare recur in the praise. Ask which wines are open by the glass.
• Le Bec Bund, for dinner that carries on upstairs. Morel chicken and pork trotter with potato have repeat support. The floor matters: confirm the room and menu when booking.
• Pudao, Wukang area, for learning by comparison. Reports describe small wine flights with explanations and aroma cards. Confirm the branch, current theme, total price and a seat.
• Bar Cerino, for a more specific Martini choice. Sesame brings aroma and texture; Terroir goes earthy and savoury. Garibaldi is the orange-led alternative.
• Yoka Balance, for smoke and bitterness. One regular kept returning for the smoky-cherry “猎人烟斗”. Sweetness comments on other classics suggest telling the bartender how dry or tart you like it.
I’m the creator of Shanghai After Dark. This free English guide combines local input and Xiaohongshu visitor reports, with AI-assisted research and drafting. Tasting descriptions come from those visitors. Recheck current menus and opening hours.
Free preview: seven deep reviews, source links and four themed routes:
https://shanghai-after-dark-tianyao.tianyao-ding.chatgpt.site
For the free working guide, email [tianyao.ding@outlook.com](mailto:tianyao.ding@outlook.com) with “Shanghai guide / Reddit” in the subject. I’ll send it manually: 19 venues, with seven researched in depth so far.
Been recently? What would you correct or add before sending a friend here?
r/shanghai • u/Cool_Thought6422 • 1d ago
I was hoping to see the hoards of crowds but only got one evening in central Shanghai just before golden week and it wasn't too bad.
If anyone could send a picture of how busy it is, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thansk
r/shanghai • u/V_Stunners • 1d ago
Hi there guys.
A question to all Britons living in Shanghai at the moment. How do the two cities compare? I myself am not British but I’ve been living in London for the past 7 years so I’m curious if there are any similarities between the two. I’d love to hear any advice and things to expect before moving in.
r/shanghai • u/Democrats_Abroad • 2d ago
Ballots have started going out and the deadline is approaching. If you're an eligible US citizen living in Shanghai (or elsewhere overseas), here's how to get yours:
Steps to Request Your Ballot
Register or update your registration through https://voteabroad.org/RedditVote26. If you know any eligible US citizens overseas, please send them the link.
If you're already registered, request a ballot! You need to request a ballot every calendar year that you want to vote.
Fill Out and Return Your Ballot: Once you receive your ballot, follow the instructions carefully to complete it and return it by the specified deadline.
Need Assistance?
We're here to help! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at help @ votefromabroad .org (just remove the spaces). Additionally, our FAQ for voting has plenty of info to make the process go smoothly.
If you'd like to find out what we're doing near you, you can check out our in-person events. Feel free to ask any additional questions here on Reddit!
r/shanghai • u/TubularEleotridae • 1d ago
I will be in Shanghai next week and I am wondering if there are any stores or streets where I can find independent sellers for pokemon. I am really looking to get some individual cards or sealed product that isnt available in the official gyms/stores.
Also looking to get some anime figures but pokemon is my main focus.
Any recommendations are appreciated.
r/shanghai • u/MatterHuman888 • 2d ago
I tried a few but it doesn’t seem to work. Does anyone have recommendations?
r/shanghai • u/SJDBurgess • 2d ago
Fight VGM Fight is back in Shanghai.
International professional wrestling exchange (Shanghai stop). Live matches, not a stage show: international and Chinese wrestlers on one card, including Big Sam, Zombie Dragon, Fiony, Nate Grimm, Minoru Tanaka (田中稔), Chen Wenbin (陈文彬), Junjie (俊桀), Lin Dongxuan (林栋轩), SAGA, GOKASEI, Neil Chen, and others on the poster.
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Bell: 18:30
Venue: Yiyuan 36space (谊园36space), Building E, Aimujia · Yiyuan, No. 36 Caobao Road, Xuhui District
Address in Chinese: 上海市徐汇区漕宝路36号艾慕嘉·谊园E座
Metro: Caobao Road station is the nearest stop
Tickets (RMB):
VIP ¥788
A ¥599
B ¥499
C ¥399
Standing ¥299
Buy by scanning the ticket QR on the poster (WeChat). The other QR is customer service. Card is still filling in, so the poster is the current lineup.
标题： 上海职业摔跤｜Fight VGM Fight 国际职业摔跤交流赛（上海站）11月7日
Fight VGM Fight 上海站来了。
国际职业摔跤交流赛，现场比赛，不是舞台剧。卡司见海报，包括 Big Sam、Zombie Dragon、Fiony、Nate Grimm、田中稔、陈文彬、俊桀、林栋轩、SAGA、GOKASEI、Neil Chen 等。
日期：2026年11月7日（周六）
开始：18:30
场馆：谊园36space
地址：上海市徐汇区漕宝路36号艾慕嘉·谊园E座
地铁：漕宝路站
票价：
VIP ¥788
A座 ¥599
B座 ¥499
C座 ¥399
站票 ¥299
扫海报右侧二维码购票，左侧二维码咨询客服。对阵还在更新，以海报和现场公布为准。
r/shanghai • u/V_Stunners • 1d ago
Hi there guys I’m a 27M European moving to Shanghai next week. One of my hobbies in London is organising Japanese parties where locals can mingle and practice Japanese with Japanese nationals. Could you maybe let me know if there are any parties or events I could join? I’m more or less fluent in Japanese and most of my friends in London are Japanese so I might be a bit home sick when living in Shanghai. Thanks a lot!
r/shanghai • u/CommunicationHead582 • 2d ago
Visiting Shanghai for 7 days and Beijing for 4 days
Does anyone have recommendations for family hanfu photographers?
Also I know bian lian is mostly in sichuan area
But are there any bian lian performances in either city?
Thank you for your help!
r/shanghai • u/Sea_Injury9032 • 2d ago
I came to the city 4 days ago, in these 4 days I visited the bund, nanjing street, people square, the observatory on the nearest tower, the history museum and the art museum near the expo park. I plan to visit yu garden and wild animal zoo. I am interested in what other interesting things I can visit in the city in the next 5-6 days
r/shanghai • u/Greedy_Dog_8823 • 2d ago
not like ap plaza or other cliche places for tourists
but the markets where local chinese buy stuff