Shanghai is Chinas most comprehensive industrial and commercial city, ranking the first in population and population density. As a tourist city, it attracts travelers from both home and abroad by its commercial activity rather than scenic beauty.
Climate
Weather during November to April is the coldest and temperatures range between 1 to 13.7 (34H to 56.7H). Weather in May, June, September and October is cooling, ranging between 18.6 to 23.5 (65.5H to 74.3H). Climate in July and August starts to turn warm and temperature can go up to 32 (89.6H).
Clothing
Dressing in Shanghai is casual but modest. Bring along some heavy clothing for the winter whereas light clothing is adequate during summer.
Currency
The currency in China is Renminbi. Credit cards widely accepted in hotels and major shops.
Customs
Visitors to China must fill out a customs form upon arrival. When you enter the country you are asked to declare electrical goods and luxury items such as cameras, computer equipment etc. Keep this form until you exit to avoid paying duty on goods you brought into the country. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency you can bring into the country. However, one must declare any cash exceeding US$5,000 or the equivalent.
Electricity
Electricity is supplied at 220 volts, 50 cycles.
Emergency Call Numbers
Police 110
Fire Services 119
Ambulance 120
Health
Visitors to China are required to fill in a health declaration form at the Customs. Medical facilities are generally adequate in Shanghai. It is advisable to drink only boiled and bottled water.
Local Area Information
Shanghai is situated on the bank of the Yangtze River Delta, with East River in the east and Hangzhou delta in the south. Housing a population of over 20 million at present, it was once a small town supported by fishing and weaving before the first Opium War. Late in 1990, the central government started developing the area, and has since become the well-known booming metropolis city.
Mobile Phones
Network accepted in Shanghai is GSM. 3G.
Shopping and Business Hours
Shops are usually open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. everyday.
Banks and Government offices
Banks and Government offices are open from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday only.
Offices
Commercial offices are open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
Taxes
Taxes are not applicable.
Time Zone GMT + 8
Tipping
It is not a custom to tip and not necessary to do so.
Airport
Hongqiao International Airport in western Shanghai, about 15 kilometers from the city center.
Hongqiao Airport Transportation:
By buses, taxis and hotel buses all provide transfers to the airport. From Hongqiao International Airport to the city center, seven bus lines provide regular services.
By Taxi: The taxi fare from Hongqiao International Airport to the People's Square in the city center is approximately CNY 50CNY70 and it takes about half an hour. A taxi from the Hongqiao International Airport to Xujiahui costs about CNY 30CNY40 and takes 20 minutes.
By Airport Bus: There are several hotel buses shuttling between Hongqiao International Airport and dozens of hotels in the city center including City Hotel, Garden Hotel, Jing'an Hotel, Equatorial Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Xincheng Hotel, Peace Hotel, Regal East Asia Hotel, Dazhong Merrylin Hotel, Rainbow Hotel and others. The buses depart every hour and cost CNY 30 per person.
Pudong International Airport. It is about 30 kilometers from downtown Shanghai, and handles all international flights.
Transportation between Pudong Airport and Shanghai City Center
By Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus
Ten airport bus lines handle transfers from Pudong International Airport to the city center.
By Maglev
Transportation Signs
Shanghai Maglev Train operates between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Rd. metro station. The whole journey takes only eight minutes. The charge is CNY 50 for an ordinary single trip and CNY 100 for VIP, CNY 80 for an ordinary round trip and CNY 160 for VIP. You can buy an ordinary single ticket at a preferential price of CNY 40 if you have an intraday air ticket. When you get off at Longyang Rd. Station, you can transfer to Subway Line 2 running westward and passing many of Shanghai' s prosperous areas such as Century Park, Lujiazui, East Nanjing Road and People's Square.
By Subway Line 2
Shanghai Subway Line 2 is a long and busy line connecting Pudong and Puxi. After extentions, now, it has stretched to Pudong Airport, led to Hongqiao Airport either. Passengers have to get off the 4-car metro train at Guanglan Road Station (between Longyang Road Station and Pudong Airport) and then change another 8-car metro train to go ahead. Vice versa, passengers get off at the same subway station from a 8-car train and get on a 4-car train to enter Pudong Airport. It costs CNY9 for the whole trip and CNY8 from Pudong to Hongqiao airport. It needs more than one hour between the two airports.
By Taxi
A taxi costs approximately CNY 200 or so, at night CNY260 or so from Pudong International Airport to People's Square, the center of Shanghai, and it takes about 50 minutes.
