Insight Guides: Explore Shanghai

The best routes around the city

Insight Guides

• Publisher: Insight
• ISBN:
  9781780057996
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Travel

Glamorous Shanghai is one of the most exciting cities in the world, where the remnants of a fabled history combine with the rapidly expanding skyline of a contemporary economic powerhouse. Explore Shanghai is part of a brand-new series and is the ideal pocket companion when discovering this dynamic and atmospheric city: a full-colour guide containing 15 easy-to-follow routes which lead you from the famous waterfront Bund and Old City's neighborhoods to Pudong's glittering skyscrapers and out to the landscaped gardens of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Insight's trademark cultural coverage perfectly sets the routes in context, with introductions to Shanghai's fabulous cuisine, wealth of architecture and historical significance. Each route guides you through an interesting area with clear directions, a detailed map and authentic places to eat and drink along the way. The directory section contains a wealth of practical information and a range of carefully selected hotels to suit all budgets. All routes are also plotted on the pull-out map. Whether you are new to the city or a repeat visitor, and however long your stay, Explore Shanghai will guide you to the best of the Paris of the East.

A-Z

A

Addresses

Buildings are usually sequentially numbered, odd numbers on one side of the street and even numbers on the other. As the major streets often run the entire length of the city, it helps to know what the nearest cross-street is when trying to locate an address, such as Central Huaihai Road near (kaojing) Gao’an Road. It’s easier with newer buildings, as the street address now indicates building numbers within an area – for example, Central Huaihai Road 1000–2000.

Old and modern Shanghai

Dreamstime

Chinese New Year parade

David Shen Kai/Apa Publications

Age restrictions

It is illegal to sell alcohol and tobacco to those under 18 years of age in China, although the law is not strictly enforced. It is not uncommon for children to be given small amounts of beer or wine at family dinners, and it is relatively easy for teenagers to buy alcohol and cigarettes without ID in shops and clubs.

B

Budgeting

Shanghai is China’s most expensive city, although you can still enjoy some good bargains. Accommodation can cost from as little as RMB 100 for a dorm bed to upwards of RMB 3,000 for one of the city’s deluxe five-star hotels.

Similarly, a meal in a simple Chinese restaurant can cost as little as RMB 50 per person, while you can easily pay RMB 500 at the one of the city’s swankier Chinese or Western eateries. Local beer costs as little as RMB 25; imported beer is three times more. A glass of wine at an expensive restaurant costs RMB 60 and upwards.

The city’s efficient public transport system is cheap – a bus or metro ride within the downtown area won’t cost more than RMB 5. Taxi rides are also inexpensive, running about RMB 14–30 for trips within the city centre, or slightly more after 11pm, when flag fall starts at RMB 18.

Entry fees to most attractions are under RMB 20, except for prime attractions that can cost around RMB 100. In 2007, many parks and museums stopped charging admission, and provincial art galleries across the country are now following suit. Most temples charge a nominal entrance fee.

Business cards

In business and other formal situations in Shanghai, you will be expected to present a business card. Present cards with both hands, and accept them the same way.

C

Children

The Shanghainese love children. There is not a museum, restaurant or theatre where your child will feel unwelcome. The downside is a loss of privacy: your kids will be touched, stared at, talked to and photographed – just take a positive attitude about the whole thing and you’ll meet new friends and gain fresh insights.

Hotels often allow children to stay with parents in a double room at no extra charge. Extra beds are available for a small surcharge. Reliable babysitters, called ayi (aunty), are easily available. If you’re planning to be in Shanghai for any length of time, consider a serviced apartment with kitchen and laundry facilities.

Climate

Shanghai has a northern subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Rainfall is plentiful throughout the year, though most of it falls during the rainy season from June to September. Expect hot and muggy summers with daytime temperatures hovering in the low to mid-30s°C (90–95°F) in July and August, and chilled-to-the-bone damp winters in December and January. January is the coldest month, with daytime temperatures usually below 10°C (50°F), occasionally dipping below zero at night. Snow is rare in Shanghai, although there are sometimes late December/January flurries.

The city’s most comfortable (and sunny) weather is in spring (mid-March to May) and autumn (September to early November), although even then it is hardly reliable.

Clothing

Shanghai errs on the side of casual, but it is a city of unrelenting style: you’ll be forgiven for not wearing a tie, but never for looking like a bumpkin. Light, breathable clothes work best in the hot, humid summer months, with a light cover-up for overly air-conditioned restaurants and offices. In winter, several layers of clothing are the key to staying warm – coats, scarves, hats etc. Savvy travellers always carry a foldable umbrella with them to protect against sudden showers.

Crime and safety

Shanghai is a relatively safe city, but petty crimes such as pickpocketing do occur in crowded areas like train stations, markets and busy streets. There is very little violent crime against foreigners, but tourists should be aware of scams that generally begin with a request from the scammer to practise their English or visit a student art exhibition. Avoid unlicensed cab drivers or motorcycle taxis.

Shanghai is a safe city for women, who are able to walk alone, even at night, without being harassed – but again, you should be on your guard.

Every neighbourhood has its own police station or post, often labelled in English. This is the place to report any crime, although you might have to wait for the Public Security Bureau officer in charge of foreigners to handle your case. Otherwise, contact the Public Security Bureau directly.

Customs

Duty-free allowance per adult is as follows: two bottles of liquor (75cl each), 400 cigarettes, 50g of gold or silver, and perfume for personal use. On arrival, tourists have to fill out a baggage declaration form and hand it in to customs. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency and Chinese Renminbi traveller’s cheques that can be brought in; the unspent portion may be taken out. There is a long list of prohibited items, including animals, firearms, plant material and media deemed ‘detrimental’ to China’s social and political security. For up-to-date details see www.china.org.cn. Note: antiques require a government stamp in order to be exported; most reputable dealers can take care of the necessary p...