Shanghai

Lying on the estuary of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), Shanghai is regarded as the economic capital of mainland China and one of the most influential cities in Asia. Strategically located in the Yangtze River Delta on China’s eastern coast, it serves as a vital connection between inland China and the world.

Arriving in Shanghai, you’ll be immediately struck by the energy of the city—its crowds, vehicles, modern malls, and soaring skyscrapers. This dynamic metropolis blends ancient Chinese heritage with cutting-edge innovation, offering endless opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and urban living.

• The city is divided by the Huangpu River into two major sections:
  Puxi, located west of the river, remains Shanghai’s cultural, residential, and commercial heart. Although not an official administrative district, it refers to the city’s historic urban core, home to museums, traditional neighborhoods, and classic architecture.
• Pudong, east of the river and officially known as Pudong New Area, began its dramatic development in the 1990s and has since evolved into China’s financial and commercial hub, home to iconic landmarks like the Shanghai Tower and the Lujiazui financial district.

Shanghai has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons, generous sunshine, and abundant rainfall. Spring and autumn are relatively short but considered the most pleasant times of the year, offering mild temperatures and lower humidity. The average annual temperature is around 16°C.

The year begins with cold, damp winters, temperatures can drop below freezing, and the city is often wrapped in gray, misty skies. Spring brings a welcome warmth, and the period from April to mid-May is one of the best times to experience Shanghai’s charm. Autumn (late September to mid-November) is another ideal season, with crisp air and clear skies.

Summers, by contrast, are hot and humid, especially in July and August, when temperatures can soar up to 40°C. During this time, outdoor activities can be uncomfortable, and the monsoon season brings frequent rain showers.

The main languages spoken in Shanghai are Mandarin Chinese and Shanghainese. As part of the People’s Republic of China, the official language is Standard Mandarin, also known as Putonghua. It is a tonal language written using Chinese characters, and its romanized phonetic system, commonly used for learning and pronunciation, is called pinyin.

However, the traditional local language of the region is Shanghainese, a variety of Wu Chinese. This dialect is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin and is mainly spoken among locals, especially older generations. Unlike Mandarin, Shanghainese has no standardized written form and is rarely used in formal writing or education.

In most universities, businesses, and international environments in Shanghai, Mandarin is the primary spoken and written language, and English is increasingly common, particularly among younger people and professionals. That said, learning some basic Mandarin will greatly enrich your experience and help you navigate daily life more comfortably.

Shanghai is a vibrant blend of East and West, tradition and innovation. You’ll find centuries-old temples and colonial-era buildings alongside futuristic skyscrapers. The city is famous for its dynamic arts scene, fashionable shopping districts, and diverse food culture, ranging from street snacks like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) to high-end international cuisine. It’s a city that never sleeps, with countless options for entertainment, nightlife, and cultural exploration.

Getting around Shanghai is convenient thanks to its extensive metro system, which is one of the largest and most efficient in the world. Buses, taxis, and bike-sharing services are also widely available. The city is pedestrian-friendly in many areas, and for longer trips, high-speed trains connect Shanghai to cities across China.

This is a type of prepaid card for public transportation in Shanghai. The Alipay virtual card is more convenient because it doesn’t require a pre-load or deposit, and it can be carried on your phone at all times. However, if you prefer, you can purchase a physical transit card.

It applies to both the subway and buses and ferries across the Huangpu River.
With a transit card, whether physical or virtual, transfers between buses and subway lines within 120 minutes will be 1 RMB cheaper.

There’s also a 20% discount on taking the Maglev train, which connects Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Subway Station.

The physical card is unregistered and can be used multiple times. There’s no need to report a lost card. If the balance isn’t sufficient to pay for transportation, you may have an overdraft. The maximum overdraft is 8 RMB. The overdraft will be deducted when you top up the card. You can only have one overdraft before you top up. If the balance is zero or negative, the card cannot be used.

For more information, visit the official website at http://sptcc.com/.

If you don’t have a public transport card, you can purchase a single-use ticket from self-service machines at metro stations.

Process:

1. Choose your destination metro line and station.
2. You’ll see the ticket price on the screen. Then, choose the number of tickets.
3. To obtain your ticket, insert the money into the machine or scan the QR code to pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay.

NOTE: Some machines only accept bills or coins.

Different stations have different schedules for the first and last trains of the day.

These are posted on signs at the stations and can also be found at http://shmetro.com or on the MetroMan app.