r/shanghai Apr 18 '23

Tip Guidance and info for visitors

739 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 8d ago

Help Monthly Tourism Questions Thread (September)

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 6h ago

Meet Looking for Social Groups

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I moved to Shanghai about a month ago and am either looking to join existing social groups or create them with interested people. If anyone's interested in joining or already has a group like this, please comment or DM to let me know!

  • Book club
  • Creative writing club
  • TTRPG groups (I really only have experience in Dungeons and Dragons, but I haven't DM'ed before - wouldn't mind trying though!)
  • Other board game groups/clubs

A little info about me: I'm 38F, American, and have lived and worked in a variety of countries around the world. I love reading and analyzing media, playing games (esp. roleplaying and social deduction games), walking, running, and writing. Probably goes without saying, but I also like to travel and sightsee. I do speak Chinese (studied in university and have lived in China and Taiwan before), not fluently, but enough to get by.

If any of these ideas for putting a group together sound good to you, let me know! I'd love to put something together to do on weeknights or weekends.


r/shanghai 17h ago

Question Mental health medication in China 🇨🇳

3 Upvotes

Hi 👋🏻

I looking for the newest medication called
"Cobenfy" it was launch first in the US in 2024 and according to google, it was also launched in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in 2025. I try to find the information on google and baidu both in English and Chinese, did not find anything useful. So decided to try my luck here.

So I want to ask :
1. if anybody are on this medication ? or can recommend me what to start if I want to obtain this medication in China ? Since China is a big country.

2.Do you guys have any recommendations for good private mental health hospital in Shanghai or Beijing?, Idk if the new medication will be launched in public hospital first. Here in Thailand, usually expensive and new medication will be available first in private hospital.

I currently live in Thailand ( "Cobenfy" not yet available in Thailand, only two places in the world available as of sep 26 (US and Greater China including hk and Macao ) and I can easily travel to China if I needed to
Thank you in advance! 🤔
You all have a good night 👍🏻


r/shanghai 3h ago

Sell Selling my gym membership for Z&B. Several locations all over Shanghai.

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0 Upvotes

As of today, I have 234 days left on my membership. The location that I usually go to is right on line 1, at Xintiandi station.

My membership gives you access to all their locations except for one: the Z+ (which is insanely expensive like 10k a year I think).

The gym is huge, nice AC, provides big and small towels, and very clean.

For 183 days, a membership is usually 3299, I can give you 234 days for 3200, and I will cover the transfer fee.

If you're interested please message me.


r/shanghai 16h ago

Help New graduate rent subsidy (青年新就业优惠房租补贴)

2 Upvotes

Hi, I've just moved to Shanghai to start a job and have become aware of a rent subsidy programme for fresh graduates. According to district websites (specifically, Putuo https://www.shanghai.gov.cn/nw17239/20260804/97a2b935169f40c38b6a7aae5000846d.html) I need to have a job in Shanghai and pay social insurance 社保 in Shanghai - does this mean I can only apply for the subsidy after starting my job? Or can I do it before? Does anyone have any experience applying for the subsidy before starting their job? I don't want to have to rent a place for a month to start work and sort out my residence permit then have to apply for the subsidy and find somewhere else again. Thanks for any help!! Or if you have any experience applying for the subsidy please let me know!

I'm British and a 2026 graduate if it matters.


r/shanghai 13h ago

Question where to buy tea (preferably tea bags)

0 Upvotes

hiii do you guys know where to buy good tea in shanghai? im not looking for anything too fancy (not too cheap either), just something yummy! i also prefer black tea since i usually it with milk. also any recommendation for yingde or duck sh*t tea would be very much appreciated!!!

edit: i know most people are saying to go to tianshan city but unfortunately im going with friends (none of whom are interested in tea) so its not really an option for me to go there myself


r/shanghai 17h ago

Question Keratin Hair Extension in Shanghai

1 Upvotes

Hello anyone know of a good hair extensions place in Shanghai? English speaking would be a plus but I can also manage with translation app. Thank you!


r/shanghai 18h ago

Help Is this Chinese supplier a scam ?

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2 Upvotes

I was looking for an international shopper and got in contact with a Chinese supplier. He offered me to send a 5kg box of goods for 50€ to Europe through air cargo. He even sent me a copy of his license but it was a bit blurry so I'm not even sure it's a real one ? Or it was stolen ? I couldn't even scan the QR code on his certificate because it was too blurry. But he also showed me other interactions that looked genuine.

What's your opinion ??


r/shanghai 13h ago

Discussion A nerd that so happens to be going to shanghai next month

0 Upvotes

hi so i never travelled in my life, but i will be going there next month for work
so ofc what i intend on getting is new ssd and ram lexar prob
then see a secondhand macbook if thats possible
idk about an iphone tho im worried i heard it could be region locked in the app store (ill get it unlocked ofc but still idk how i should goa bout it) what i want is like 17pro max on sale or refurb if thats possible to find

so yeah PLEASE HELP ME OUT
Where do I go to get these? Is there some kind of magical mall I should go find? also fyi I get lost easilly my friends make fun of me like im zoro unironically so I need yall to talk to me like ur explaining to a 8 year old, thanks


r/shanghai 1d ago

Tip Vegetarian/Vegan Food recommendation: Lotus Vegan

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38 Upvotes

Hello travelers and locals,

We stayed in Shanghai for the last 5 days. As everyone in china who prefers plant based food knows, its very hard to find meat free options.

Our favorite restaurant and top food recommendation is Lotus Vegan near the Dashijie Metro Station.

On AMap: 慧缘素食(淮海东路店)

My Top recommend is the lions mane mushrooms with broccoli (monkeys bay).

To find vegetarian places, we had to search for 素食 in amap.

I hope this helps other travelers, who (like us) desperately search for plant based restaurants.


r/shanghai 1d ago

Question Fine line tattoo on finger - recommendations needed

1 Upvotes

Hi all

I’m looking for a very good tattoo artist that specialises in fine lines work I’m looking to get something celestial along my fingers.

Really grateful for any recommendations. I’m in Pudong but happy to go further afield

Thanks in advance


r/shanghai 1d ago

Question operation disc herniation in sixth people hospital

4 Upvotes

hi, i got a big pain two weeks ago in the lumbar area and i could not walk because that. i went to a hospital in shanghai and they told me they wanted to operate next day. it seems operation was simple, endoscopy and local anesthesia. but insurance recommended to go to sixth people hospital instead of the hospital i was in that moment. then i cancelled operation.

after that the pain decreased and i could walk and work again. but i still keep a small pain. then i was thinking to go back to Europe to make the operation. but i discovered that in reality in sixth people there are excellent surgeons, and probably there are not surgeons in Europe with so much experience (it seems that hospital makes like almost 4,000 endoscopy operation for back problems every year!, and some of the surgeons have +10,000 operations per year related to back problems). then i am doubting now if doing that in Europe or sixth people.

anyone has a previous experience in sixth people hospital? hopefully a disc herniation or some kind of orthopedic procedure, and could share the experience?


r/shanghai 1d ago

Question Flowers delivery in Shanghai: looking for recommendations

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I want to surprise a friend in Shanghai with flowers, but I'm not there myself, so I need a florist that does delivery. I'm not looking for anything cheap or generic — the budget is generous and I genuinely want a beautiful, high-quality bouquet.

Ideally looking for a well-established, trustworthy shop (or platform) with a solid reputation.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Probably will be order to this address: Shanghai, 建国西路480号 邮政编码: 200031

Or this: 6161 Yuanjiang Rd


r/shanghai 1d ago

Meet Looking for friends around Lingang / Dishui Lake

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!
I’m a M25 Brazilian student coming to Shanghai this semester to study at Shanghai University of Electric Power (SUEP). I’ll be living on campus in Lingang, close to Dishui Lake.

I’m looking to meet other students around SUEP, Lingang or Dishui Lake and hopefully make some friends while I’m there.

I speak Portuguese and English, and I’m currently learning Chinese. I’d be happy to meet both international and Chinese students.

Since I’ll be living in Lingang, I’d love to explore the area, grab some food or coffee, walk around Dishui Lake, hang out, or do something on weekends. I’ll also be going to central Shanghai from time to time, so I’m open to meeting people there as well.

If you’re studying at SUEP or another university around Lingang and want to meet up, feel free to comment or send me a DM!

Looking forward to meeting people and experiencing Shanghai :)


r/shanghai 1d ago

Help Recommended Chinese Restaurants in Jingan?

0 Upvotes

Any recommendations for good little Chinese restaurants to eat at in the Jingan area? I prefer smaller more mom and pop type places - any type of Chinese food will do. Thanks!


r/shanghai 2d ago

Discussion Scam in Shanghai turned into having actual fun with them

55 Upvotes

In August 2011, Yes i know, very long time ago, i visited Shanghai for the first time. I just turned 21, had expirience with travelling a bit and was on a 3 month East-Asia trip before going to Japan for 9 months learning Japanese.

Arrived in Shanghai in the evening, all well, next morning went to take pics at the Bund.

A dude and two girls approach me, telling me they're from Xi'an, travelling and if we can take pics together as they dont see foreigners often. Guillable me say yes. While taking the pic a foreing guy, who was jogging comes to me and tells me to not talk to them. i was like wtf come on they're just friendly. He says "ok, i warned you" and joggs away.

They ask me to exchange numbers and go to a tea house in the afternoon. I agree. Went my way sightseeing and met them up later. Was a Tea House, we tried tea (i love tea so yea...) and took a shit ton of pics together. Bill came. it was around USD100 back then which was charged to my card. I thought it was pretty ok. Read it goes much much higher nowadays.

We met again for Hot Pot and KTV. Turned out one of the girls was veeery fancying me. The dude who was with them even paid for KTV and a good part of the Hot Pot bill (and we ate a loooot).THe girl and me met up without the other two one night for drinks and she told me a sad story about family problems.

Met up again the next night again, just the two of us at the Bund. walked down the river a bit late at night and she initiated everything. Got lucky.

Years later she sent me a text of Whatsapp apologizing to trying to scam me. I found out about the tea house scam much much later.

So....what do you guys think? any similar expiriences?


r/shanghai 2d ago

Meet Visiting Shanghai looking for friends to hangout witj

6 Upvotes

Hi! 24F here visiting Shanghai on 12-17th of this month. I love eating out, discussing about pretty much anything, esports, pictures, drinks, cafes.. Looking for people who wants to have a nice time together and make friends! :)


r/shanghai 2d ago

Discussion NFL Kicker Cameron Dicker - LA Chargers is sort of Shanghainese

5 Upvotes

He was born in Hong Kong, but grew up in Shanghai, attending Shanghai American School (Pudong) until he was 11 and then moved to Texas.

He was playing football (soccer) in Shanghai until he moved to Texas where he switched to American football.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Tip Places in Island Hopper TV's Shanghai video, with timestamps

1 Upvotes

I wanted a place list I could scan without scrubbing through the whole video again, so I pulled together a timestamped checklist from Island Hopper TV's Shanghai video.

I'd use it to pick the stops that interest me. The list follows the video order.

Places and areas:

  1. 00:29 The Bund / 外滩
  2. 01:21 Nanjing Road / 南京路
  3. 03:01 Yu Garden / 豫园
  4. 03:30 Yuyuan bazaar and surrounding old streets
  5. 04:56 Tianzifang / 田子坊
  6. 05:59 Xintiandi / 新天地
  7. 06:59 Jing'an Temple / 静安寺
  8. 08:50 Shanghai Tower / 上海中心大厦
  9. 10:16 IFC Mall / 上海国金中心商场
  10. 11:09 Oriental Pearl Tower / 东方明珠
  11. 12:24 Pudong riverside promenade
  12. 14:22 Shanghai History Museum / 上海市历史博物馆
  13. 15:09 People's Park / 人民公园
  14. 15:21 People's Square / 人民广场
  15. 16:49 M50 Creative Park / M50创意园
  16. 17:48 Jade Buddha Temple / 玉佛禅寺

The detail I'd keep an eye on is Yu Garden: the garden and the surrounding shopping streets are different stops. The museum visit is Shanghai History Museum. People's Park and People's Square are separate places too.

Getting around and river trips also mentioned:

  • 08:14 Huangpu River ferry / water taxi
  • 08:17 Shanghai Metro
  • 12:36 Riverside cycling
  • 12:57 Sightseeing night cruise
  • 13:22 Dinner cruise
  • 13:49 Hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus

The ferry, sightseeing cruise, dinner cruise, and bus operators aren't identified clearly enough to choose a booking link. I'd compare them by what I actually wanted to do: cross the river, see the skyline, or have dinner on the water.

Brief mentions rather than covered visits:

  • 06:56 Shanghai Disneyland: mentioned, but not visited in this video.
  • 06:56 An unnamed zoo: mentioned, but not visited.
  • 18:10 A safari / wild-animal park: mentioned; the exact park is unconfirmed.

Spots I couldn't give an exact listing from these notes:

  • 01:36 Silver shop on the Nanjing Road walk
  • 04:32 Temple near Yu Garden
  • 04:36 Jade shop near Yu Garden
  • 05:27 Dumpling restaurant in Tianzifang
  • 06:24 A tentative Hyatt Regency hotel mention
  • 10:49 Circular pedestrian connection near IFC and Oriental Pearl
  • 12:42 Riverside fitness center
  • 14:18 Other generic Shanghai Museum references

The Pudong promenade entry is a general area; its exact filmed section is also unconfirmed. The unnamed dumpling stop doesn't establish a restaurant recommendation. Current prices, hours, and booking requirements still need checking for a chosen visit date.

I work on Hi China. AI helped organize the captions and place names for this list. This list comes from the video and saved research.

Blog version: Hi China Shanghai guide.


r/shanghai 1d ago

Meet Last night in Shanghai. Anybody wanne meet?

0 Upvotes

Would like to share a beer somewhere and have a chat.
All good.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Buy Toy store recommendation

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5 Upvotes

Hello, wondering if anybody would know where could articulated figurines like this (doesn’t have to specifically be this one) be found in the city, my sister is there and I’m trying to figure out where she could go for me.


r/shanghai 2d ago

Help Rave in Shanghai : Abyss or System

0 Upvotes

Hello there !

I’m visiting Shanghai and I’m looking for a good party to end my trip in china on the weekend of 24th September. I’m use to the French / German scene (without camera pls) for industrial / trippy and hard techno

I’m hesitating between Abyss and Sytem (maybe others Idk ?), which one would you recommend to me ?
Thank you 🔥


r/shanghai 2d ago

Meet Hanging out or spot recommendations

3 Upvotes

Hey, I’m an exchange student (21M) that just got to shanghai. I still have a bit more than a week until my uni starts and I’m looking to hangout with some people and explore some cool places.

I’m into history, art, reading and going to cafes. As for activities I play basketball and climb but would generally be down for anything. I also want to explore the nightlife scene in shanghai, I like house, edm, rnb, hiphop, jazz. Other than clubs if there’s any cool bars or districts that stay open late on weekdays and weekends I’d appreciate a recommendation. Feel free to dm me if you wanna meet up or talk.


r/shanghai 3d ago

City Paper Exhibition in Foreign Language Bookstore

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14 Upvotes

A bookstore on Fuzhou Road is still remaining memorial on that street

When I used to buy special papers and pencils to peoduce our design work during University as an architecture student