Arriving in Shanghai will almost certainly be more daunting in theory than reality.
First things first: the emergency number to call an ambulance is 120.
Greater Shanghai is massive. Learning how to get around may initially feel like an overwhelming task. Keep in mind, however, that you don’t need to know the entire city.
Shanghai isn’t one of those places where you can use US dollars or Euros as a parallel currency – it’s RMB (renminbi, the People’s Currency) all the way.
The Shanghainese love to talk, and they love to talk loudly.
Initially, the prospect of relocating to a new country and culture may seem exciting, daunting or frightening (or all three).
As one would expect in a city of Shanghai’s stature, there are hundreds of hotel options spanning the ratings spectrum.
Serviced apartments are a popular option for relocating singles and families who need something temporary while they get settled, providing most of the comforts of home while being flexible and convenient.
If you are responsible for the often arduous task of opening your company’s office in Shanghai, you will probably be looking at a serviced office, at least initially, as your base of operations.
Shanghai is no different to any other city: where you work and how you want to live will dictate your housing choice – as will your budget.
The Former French Concession is perhaps the most charming part of Shanghai’s truly unique appeal – the juxtaposition between the ultra-modern and the colonial past.
If you’re considering living downtown, then the sought- after Jing’an District will be one of your primary options.
Xintiandi (literally ‘new heaven on earth’) tends to polarize expats.
The area known as Xujiahui has a rich history dating back to the nineteenth century when Saint Ignatius Cathedral was built on land donated by the family of Xu Guangqi, Shanghai’s most notable Catholic convert and the area’s namesake.
The Hongqiao area of Shanghai strikes a balance between the truly suburban feeling of Huacao or Jinqiao and downtown living.
There kids can ride their bicycles or walk to school, the traffic is comparatively nonexistent and in the context of Shanghai one could go so far as to describe the setting as tranquil.
Jinqiao is arguably the most popular area in Shanghai for expat families.
Lujiazui’s iconic skyline is used ubiquitously to depict the city and is, in many ways, not only a symbol of Shanghai but of the rise of China as a whole.
No matter what kind of place you’re renting, it should have all the basics - air conditioners, TV and DVD player, washing machine and so on.