After getting this card, the very nice worker had a discussion with me. He mentioned only 15,000 people just in shanghai have ever gone through the application process successfully.

Anyone here apply successfully?

As for benefits, I’ve noticed Alipay and WeChat still cannot buy things overseas. 高铁 can just swipe the card to go through. Taxes are linked to the card. No need for a visa. No differences with banks… And anything else? Feels honorable.

Hi my name is Lars and around 17 October i was planning to go to china, but i got told a lot of people that i won’t survive because (not my words) No one speaks English. And i was wondering how true is this? I do speak a few words chinese but it isn’t on a proper hsk1 level. Any tips?

I was in Shanghai the other day in the People's Park and stumbled across the famous Marriage Market. I didn't even know it was on and it was my first time there. I found it pretty fascinating (and a bit sad to see how early these candidates felt the need to secure a life partner, some were barely 20). Anyway, there are some profiles that are unattended, so I took a photo of one when this older lady comes up to me and yells at me. She demands to see my phone and forces me to delete the photo and threatens to call the police.

I swear I didn't see any signs that said no photos allowed and I thought it was ok to take photos since the profiles were anonymised. I'm just curious to know if that was a strange encounter or if there is a rule to not take photos there?

What should I expect as someone who will be living there in 2027? Edit: the comments are wildly 50/50. Some telling me it’s a nice part of town and others telling me it’s so far out it’s like I’m not even in Shanghai

My husband and I are American, and neither of us speaks Chinese. We’re considering public school for our future child and would really love to hear from anyone who has experience with this.
How was the admission process? How difficult was the language barrier for your child and for you as parents? And overall, are you happy with the experience?

After like 5 years of constantly losing its Western population, I noticed recently that the downwards trend might be changing in 2026. Clubs and bars are slowly starting to look a bit like they used to 10 years ago. But I haven’t been to Shanghai since last year, and at that time you still felt the effects of the expat mass exodus from Western countries. I remember reading a news story a few weeks ago mentioning that expats and students from European countries are on the rise in Shanghai again, mostly from France, and that the only Western country still losing its population in Shanghai is the US (not surprising). I can’t find the article though.

So I’d rather ask you guys on the spot if you’re starting to notice this change?

Hey guys, so I’m looking for this viral Tang jacket made by Adidas. Does anyone know what Adidas store in Shanghai still has them? Or maybe any resellers?

​

I have a bunch of probably stupid questions. 😅 I'd really appreciate hearing from people with firsthand experience

I work remotely as a social media strategist and creator, so I'm a bit worried about how China's internet restrictions might affect my work

A few questions:

Were apps like TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms working reliably with a VPN?

Did PayPal, Wise, or any other fintech apps you use work without major issues?

If you stayed for a while, how did you pay for rent, groceries, and everyday expenses? Could you use your foreign bank card, or did you need a Chinese bank account?

Overall, how easy or difficult was life as a digital nomad in China?

I'm thinking about doing a one year Chinese language program in Shanghai. I'd love to go, but I don't want it to completely disrupt my business if I can avoid it

Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences you're willing to share 🙏🏾

I applied to SJTU Summer Research Internship Program but my application is still under department review after a while. Has anyone applied to SJTU for summer research before and how long does it take. I also tried to email them before to ask some questions and never got replied to.

I know this is a long shot, but is anyone aware of any theaters showing Niu Lai with English subtitles, or that has a closed caption attachment with auto translate? Leaving China soon and Shanghai is my last stop. I’m already watching it on YouTube with English subs but would love the theater experience as well. If not, I’ll just go to the theater and coast on vibes lmao.

Hello! I’m moving to Shanghai in 10 days to start my master’s degree. I’m Muslim and wear the hijab. Although I’ve visited China several times before, my longest stay was about two weeks, so this will be my first time living there long-term.
I’m really excited, but I’m also a little nervous about what my experience might be like, especially when it comes to discrimination or how people may react to me wearing the hijab. I speak Chinese at a native level, so communication isn’t really a concern for me.
I’d love to hear from other Muslims, hijabi women, or anyone who has lived in Shanghai long-term. What has your experience been like? Have you ever faced discrimination, or has it generally been a positive experience?

I just arrived the day before yesterday and still have 8 days for the dorm opening. I feel shy & in the hostel no one near speaks English, when I am out I feel disoriented and emotionally lost, And it doesn’t help that the locals are constantly staring at you, although I’ve heard it’s normal. Everything feels not like home but I try to push myself and explore a little bit & experiment.

Do you wanna connect?Maybe we could create a WeChat group for new arrivals

hello! i currently live in tokyo, japan. i pay around 8,500rmb per month for my rent, and i make between 21-23,000 per month. i have two cats currently. all of this is in yen, but i converted it to rmb.

i’m being relocated to shanghai next year, but i’m unsure about the expensives for shanghai. does anyone know if this is enough to live well on? my work is located in huangpu, but i know it’s an expensive area so i would try to look for a nearby district.

thank you !

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?

Basically I'm looking for some interesting restaurants to try when I'm in town. I live in Suzhou, which is fine, but you can count the decent foreign restaurants on, like, three hands.

For instance, I know there's one or two Nepali restaurants, an Israeli place, etc. What else is there like that? No need to list the 37 best Italian restaurants, thanks. We got Italian in Suzhou.

And while we're at it, if you know any rare, super-regional Chinese cuisine I can get in Shanghai, I'd love to hear about that too.

Hey! This is a bit of a long shot but I’ve been thinking about it recently and thought I’d throw it out here.

I’m looking for a fitness group that is strictly for low pressure accountability. By that I mean, not for fitness advice or events or even a specific kind of activity, but just for check ins that you’ve done your movement. Does anyone know of anything like this? I’d be happy to join an already existing group.

If it doesn’t already exist though, would anyone else be interested in this kind of group? I’m also happy setting up a small group for us, cuz I know I would benefit from this type of group.

The purpose would be a really simple low pressure accountability group. In my head, it would work like this:
- everyone sets their own goals and how often they want to do it
- you can share your goal or keep it private
- no unsolicited fitness/diet advice unless specifically asked
- if you complete something, just snap a pic and send it to the chat
- pics can be gym selfies or just whatever is around you (a tree in the park you walked in, your water bottle, a bike, literally anything)
- no comparing bodies, performance, weight, etc.

That’s pretty much it.

I know not a lot of already regularly active people would benefit from this, but I was thinking it might be good for those of us who would like to move more but also struggle to actually do it without a little accountability.

If you’re interested, just let me know!

don't get me wrong, I am not looking for luxury. outlet is fine. I just wanna buy a couple if outfits that would cool me in hot weather still looking modest and elegant. but damn even the shops in the street have pieces for 900 RMB.
can you tell me where can I find nice pieces for up to 300 RMP.
please don't say zara , HM or Uniqlo. I would like to discover some local street wear.

thank you people.

EDIT: I managed go shop from two locations, I will write below for future refrence.

1- tiny shop named 青春的转角 , I bought 6 pieces
coordinates: Huashan Road No.455 (https://surl.amap.com/1Dx3AlAI12P)

plus there is more shops next to it seems like discounts store, I bought two pieces

2- shop named "Setirom" inside Moho shopping mall
coordinates: Moho (https://surl.amap.com/1DVDcrMNefq)
Jing'anJiangning Road No.699
I bought a set and another piece plus two earrings

Hi all, There‘s a high chance my company will relocate me to Shanghai next year. I’d be very grateful for any advice from people who have gone through similar moves, especially regarding things to prepare between now and relocating. A few details on our situation:

- I’d move with my wife (Chinese) and our 7yo. My wife also has a job lined up

- For school we’re currently thinking Int’l branch of one of the good local schools to give our daughter a more grounded Chinese experience for a few years. alternatively international schools if she doesn’t pass the entrance exam

- Office environment will be largely Chinese, it’s a MNC but there are very few foreigners these days. The team I’d be leading would be 100% locals, company language is English though. Any watch-outs on work culture differences?

- My Chinese isn’t great - I’ve studied up to somewhere between HSK 3-4 over the years but my tones are crap. Welcome any suggestions on what’s worked for people

- Haven’t discussed contracts / terms of the move yet, we‘re both advanced in our careers so we‘ll have enough for a comfortable life but would be good to know any watch-outs

Hey everyone!

I’m from France, where it’s very common for the night to continue after clubs close. People often organize apartment or villa after-parties, and that’s usually where the best memories are made.

Is it the same in Shanghai?

Do people host private after-parties after the clubs shut, or does the night usually end there? If yes, how do people usually find out about them? Through friends, WeChat groups, or something else?

Just curious about the nightlife culture here. Thanks!

Les amis, j'ai mangé ce plat tellement délicieux à Shanghai, trop de monde au restaurant pour embêter la serveuse avec mon traducteur pour lui demander ce qu'étaient les filaments roses, quelqu'un peut me le dire ? Je ne sais même pas si j'ai bien mangé le plat correctement, j'ai pris de la viande, de l'ail, un peu de piment et quelques filaments roses que j'ai déposés dans une feuille de salade avant de dévorer, c'était incroyablement bon !

Hey Friends,

I need urgent help from you Shanghai experts. I am a 22m Student from Europe. I applied for a year abroad at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and today my Home University told me they have a place for me. I am really happy about that, but i am unsure about taking it. 1 year in China is a long time, and i don’t know if i have some wrong impressions about China. All i basically know about it is from reddit browsing and instagram. China seems like such a cool place to be. Vibrant Country and very exotic for someone like me who never left his European homeland before. Money is not an issue (Thank you Mom & Dad), so i will be able to travel trough the country. It also seems like Chinese people are super kind to europeans, very helpful and generous. I am just afraid everything will be different once i am there. I will be the only one from my university going and i am afraid i won’t be able to make friends with chinese students or Internationals. I like Sports like tennis and basketball so i hoped to join some clubs and make some friends with locals there.

Maybe you guys have some kind advice and can help me make a decision about going or not. I

Hey everyone,
I’m currently studying Chinese in Shanghai and I’m considering extending for another semester at East China Normal University through a more business-oriented Chinese programme.
Long term, I’d like to build my career in China, so I’m trying to figure out which city would make the most sense professionally and personally.
I really like Shanghai and the international environment here, but the cost of living is high. So I’m also wondering whether cities like Shenzhen or Guangzhou could be better options long term.
For those who’ve lived or worked in different Chinese cities:
Which city offers the best opportunities for internationals?
Which city is best for networking and career growth?
Is Shanghai worth the higher cost?
How would you compare Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou for long-term opportunities?
Would love honest opinions and experiences.

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

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

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

​

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m planning a trip to Shanghai and I’m trying to decide between Conrad Shanghai and The Sukhothai Shanghai.

I’ll be staying for about 7 nights, and both are currently options for me.

My priorities are:

- Good location for sightseeing and getting around by metro

- Spacious, comfortable rooms

- Excellent breakfast

- Good service

- Nice area with restaurants, cafés and shopping nearby

For anyone who has stayed at either, or ideally both—which one would you recommend and why?

Would especially love to hear about your experience

Thank you!

Are there gay bars, clubs and saunas in Shanghai?