Q & A when you are travelling in Shanghai

Is it necessary to get epidemic prevention injection before departing ? 　　 Generally speaking, there's no specific requirement for epidemic prevention injection in Shanghai. While as the health regulation may get changed at any time, you are advised to check the up-to-date regulation before departing. The tourists who pass through Shanghai also need to check the health regulation of the destination.

What about the Entry Regulation and Customs Declaration ? 　　 The domestic tourists (including tourists from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region) do not need a tourist certificate to enter Shanghai, while valid documents are needed for tourists from Taiwan and overseas countries. Please check the Shanghai Customs website for prohibited and restricted articles when enter and leave Shanghai. http://shanghai.customs.gov.cn/Default.aspx?tabid=5674

What are the languages and dialects spoken in Shanghai ? 　　 As residents in an international metropolis, local Shanghai people speak both Mandarin (Putonghua) and Shanghai dialect. Moreover, many people, especially the young generation are learning English as a foreign language. They are willing to communicate with you in English if you need help. In the meantime, most people working in travel agencies and other service industry (e.g. taxi drivers, shop assistants, waiters and waitresses) can speak some basic English.

How is the transportation from PVG (PVG) to downtown Shanghai ? 　　   Option 1: 　Airport Bus Line Eight airport shuttle bus lines link Pudong airport, Hongqiao Airport and Shanghai's major resorts or transport hubs. 　Line 1:　From PVG to Hongqiao airport. 　Express buses leave Pudong every 10 minutes between 7am and 11pm and th 　one-way fare is 30 yuan (US$3.74). The service from Hongqiao to PVG operates 　from 6am to 9pm. 　Line 2:　From PVG to the City Air Terminal (near Jing'an Temple). 　This is also an express line and a one-way trip will cost 22 yuan. Buses leave every 　10 minutes at peak times, but the off-peak interval will be longer. Buses from Pudong 　operate from 7:20am to 11pm. The first bus from the City Air Terminal to PVG leaves 　at 6am and the last at 9:30pm. 　Line 3:　From PVG to the Galaxy Hotel 　　　　　(No. 888 Zhongshan Road W., near Yan'an Road W.) 　These buses stop at Xujiahui (link to Shopping), Dapuqiao (in Luwan District), and 　Longyang Road Station on Metro Line No. 2, which is also the maglev train station. 　The maximum one-way fare is 20 yuan and buses run every 15 to 20 minutes. The 　service from PVG operates from 7am to 11pm and from the Galaxy Hotel from 　5:30am to 8pm. 　Line 4:　 From PVG to the Hongkou Football Stadium (near SISU) 　If you're going to northeastern Shanghai, you can take this line, which will also stop 　at Deping Road in Pudong, and Wujiaochang (near Fudan University) and Da Baishu 　in Puxi. A one-way ticket for the entire route costs 22 yuan, and the service interval is 　15 minutes. Buses leave PVG from 7:20am to 11pm and Hongkou from 5:40am to 　9pm. 　Line 5:　 From PVG to Shanghai Railway Station. 　These buses stop at People's Square, the Oriental Hospital and Luoshan Road 　in Pudong. Maximum fare is 22 yuan, and there is a service every 15 minutes. The 　first bus leaves PVG at 7:20am and the last at 11pm. The service from Shanghai 　Railway Station begins at 5:30am and ends at 9pm. 　Line 6:　 From PVG to Zhongshan Park. 　This line has stops at the Zhangjiang High-tech Park, Longyang Road and Dongfang 　Road in Pudong, and Laoximen and Huashan Road (near Jing'an Temple) in Puxi. 　A one-way trip costs up to 20 yuan. Buses from PVG run every 20 to 30 minutes from 　7:35am to 11pm. The first bus leaves the park for PVG at 6am and the last at 8pm. 　Line 7:　 From PVG to Shanghai South Railway Station. 　The whole one-way journey costs 20 yuan. Buses from PVG operate from 7:50am to 　11pm and from Dongfang Road from 6:50am to 9:30pm, with an interval of 30 　minutes. 　Line 8:　 This line has three routes. 　The normal one has 19 stops between Pudong airport and Lingang New City near 　the Yangshan Deep-Water Port. It costs 16 yuan to travel the whole line one way. 　Buses from the airport run every two hours from 8am to 6pm and the service from 　Lingang operates from 6am to 4pm. 　The other two routes are shorter. One is between Nanhui Dongmen and Pudong 　airport. The whole trip costs 6 yuan. Buses from the airport operate from 8:30am to 　7:30pm and those from Nanhui between 6:30am and 6:35pm. Buses run every 30 　to 60 minutes. 　The other one has six stops between Pudong airport and Shiwan Town. The line, 　of which a one-way trip costs 4 yuan, has only two services in the morning every day. 　Buses leave Pudong airport at 7:05am and 7:50am and Shiwan Town at 7:25am 　and 8:20am.   　Airport Bus Line No. 1: 　PVG - Hongqiao International Airport 　RMB 30 　Airport Bus Line No. 2: 　PVG - City Air Terminal (Jing’an Temple) 　RMB 22 　Airport Bus Line No. 3: 　PVG - Galaxy Hotel 　RMB 20 　Airport Bus Line No. 4: 　PVG - Hongkou Football Stadium 　RMB 22 　Airport Bus Line No. 5: 　PVG - Shanghai Railway Station 　RMB 22 　Airport Bus Line No. 6: 　PVG - Zhongshan Park 　RMB 20 　Airport Bus Line No. 7: 　PVG - Shanghai South Railway Station 　 (South Square) 　RMB 20 　Airport Bus Line No. 8: 　PVG – Linggang New City 　RMB 16   Option2: 　 Hotel Shuttle Bus 　Hotel Shuttle Bus Line A: 　City Hotel, Okura Garden Hotel, Jinjiang Hotel, 　Jinjiang Tower, Shanghai YMCA Hotel, Pudong Airport 　Hotel Shuttle Bus Line B: 　Jing'an Hotel, Equatorial Hotel, Hilton Hotel, 　Shanghai Hotel, Pudong Airport 　Hotel Shuttle Bus Line C: 　Metropole Hotel, Broadway Mansions Hotel, 　Peace Hotel, Sofitel Hyland Hotel, Howard Johnson- 　Plaza Hotel, Central Hotel Shanghai, Pudong Airport 　Hotel Shuttle Bus Line D: 　Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel, Olympic Hotel, Huating- 　Hotel, Jianguo Hotel, Jinxuan Hotel, Pudong Airport 　Hotel Shuttle Bus Line E: 　Da Zhong Merrylin Hotel, Hongqiao State Guest Hotel, 　Xijiao State Guest Hotel, New Garden Hotel, Shanghai－ 　Worldfield Convention Hotel, Marriott Hotel, Cypress- 　Hotel, Yihe Longbai Hotel Pudong Airport 　Hotel Shuttle Bus Line H: 　Regal International East Asia Hotel, Hengshan Hotel, 　Xingguo Hotel, Crowne Plaza Shanghai, Renaissance 　Yangtze Shanghai Hotel, Rainbow Hotel, Pudong Airport   Option3: 　 Maglev Train The 30-kilometer trip will take only eight minutes from PVG to Longyang Road Metro Station. The operation interval is about 15-20 minutes. The round trip ticket cost 80 yuan and the one way ticket cost 50 yuan. Passengers with current day flight ticket can buy a one way ticket of Maglev Train at 20% discount.   Option4: 　Taxis Please line up in the queue for taxis. Normally, taxi fare from PVG to downtown Shanghai ranges from 160 RMB to 200 RMB.

How is taxi fare charged in Shanghai ? 　　   0~3 KM 3~10 KM Above 10 KM 　Daytime: (5:00~23:00) RMB 12 RMB 2.4 / KM RMB 3.6 / KM 　Night: (23:00~5:00) RMB 16 RMB 3.1 / KM RMB 4.7 / KM   Detention charges: charged as 1 KM per 5 min. Dazhong Taxi charge 4 yuan for the appointment service. This fare will be collected by the taxi driver and be printed on the receipt. Bridges and tunnels in downtown area are free of charge. Charges of the three highways out of the outer ring (Huning Highway , Huhang Highway and Hujia Highway) and the Guest Passage of PVG should be paid by passengers. Check the charge standard marked on the windows of a taxi before taking it. Pay taxi fare as displayed on the counting screen. You can refuse to pay in case of the driver don't start the counting screen or don't give you a valid receipt.

How is the public security situation in Shanghai ? 　　   Shanghai may be one of the safest cities around the world. Most people in the city seldom worry about to be robbed when they walk on the streets while burglaries are also not easy to be heard, watched or read from media reports, say nothing of being killed by guns or pistols. But, you should still pay enough attention on your wallet, briefcase or knapsack when you wander among people on main streets, shopping malls or markets in the city. Walking at night is also safe, at least on the main streets of the city. Foreigners, especially women, won't get nervous when they return home at night. Up till now, people haven't got the news that foreign women insulted or hurt by criminals in the city. But still try to avoid those unfamiliar places, such as small dark lanes, and the suburbs of the city. Foreigners may be attracted by the rich nightlife of the city, especially parties, nightclubs and pubs. Temptations will surround you. Drugs, gambling or commercial sex are banned here. Though policemen won't check your room unless they get your permission or have a search warranty, it will be wise enough for you to fence out from those troubles.? You should also have an eye on cheat or fraud. Some local cheats often aim on foreigners, especially the newcomers to the city. In case of emergencies, please call 110 for police, 119 for fire emergency and 120 for ambulance.

What about public telephone, mobile phone, media and post services in Shanghai ? 　　    ● Public telephone At any telephone booth dial with coin or phone card. Telephone calls within Shanghai are charged 1 yuan every 3 minutes. Every public telephone booth has using and charging instructions.    ● Mobile Service GSM and CDMA networks are available in Shanghai. 60% of population in Shanghai have mobile phones. The Shanghai Communications Administration Office has advised that the penetration rate of mobile phones in Shanghai has exceeded that in the EU. Almost every Shanghainese between 18 and 65 years old owns one at least.    ● Media information Local English papers are: Shanghai Daily, Shanghai Star. A wider range of Chinese papers are provided in Shanghai: Shanghai Morning Post, Jiefang Daily, Labor News, Shanghai Securities News, Travel Times, Shanghai Wednesday, The Bund, Shanghai Weekly, Modern Weekly, Shanghai Times, Shanghai Business, etc.. Tourists in most restaurants can watch satellite TV and cable TV. There are altogether 13 television channels, 12 radio channels in Shanghai . In addition, tourists also have access to BBC English, CFII, CNN, RB, American CN-8, BTV-1, Star TV, Channel V, Hongkong Phoenix TV, China Sun TV, ESPN, National Geographic, Discovery and other international news and music TV channels.    ● Post Shanghai is an international transportation center, which brings great convenience to its postal services. 11185 is the 24-hour hotline of Shanghai Postal Services. Check Shanghai Post website for more information.

Where to enjoy internet service ? 　　   Most hotels, public libraries, some restaurants and downtown cyber cafes provide free internet service. Tourists with laptops can enjoy wireless broadband Internet accessing service in these places.

Is it easy to find a public toilet in Shanghai? 　　 All the public toilets in stores and restaurants are free of charge and open to every tourist. Public toilets in other places usually charge, but no more than 1 yuan. The specific charge standard is displayed at every public toilet.

Is it safe to walk in Shanghai? 　　 Walking is great for sightseeing, but it's easy to get lost. Embrace the crowd. Don't expect smiles because we Chinese don't often look into others' eyes and smile to each other, even though most people are very friendly to foreigners. You will find that Shanghai is a city much more than hustle and bustle. When you decide to go out on foot, remember to take paper and a pen along. Once you are confused by the labyrinth-like streets, which are famous for not following straight directions, you may write down your destination and ask a passersby for help. Generally, youngsters in Shanghai can more or less speak some English. Turning to the traffic policemen is another way when you need help. Be patient with them, for their English is not perfect, yet. Be wary of aggressive drivers when crossing the streets. When the streets become extremely busy, to get rid of the traffic jam, drivers may even ignore the traffic lights. Even with the law on your side, you still need to be careful to avoid shocks. We do see a lot of foreigners cursing at rude cabbies and drivers who rush ahead of pedestrians to turn a corner. Nowadays, some streets are equipped with countdown timers to tell you the time left for you to get across the street. Sometimes it is accompanied with a "beeper." The downtown area is often crowded at weekends. Beware: thieves and frauds are always with the crowds. Keep an eye on your valuables and never bother to reply to any doubtful stranger.

Is it safe to drink water directly from the tap? 　　 No. You are encouraged to drink bottled water. Normally, complimentary bottled water are provided for hotel guests.

Is tipping necessary when dining in Shanghai ? 　　 Consumer taxes are included in price tags on goods. Cafeterias and bars in all hotels and some restaurants and bars outside hotels may include a service charge of 10% to 15%. Tipping is not expected in most restaurants and hotels. But, tipping can be a way to show your satisfaction with the services.

What is the dining hours of all kinds of restaurants in Shanghai ? 　　 In Shanghai, hotels offer breakfasts in their cafeterias and generally breakfasts are offered in snack bars and fast food restaurants. The lunch time often ended at 2 pm, dinner will be refused after 1 pm9. Most west restaurants and top-class Chinese restaurants do not operate between launch time and dinner time. Noodles restaurants and cafes usually run all the day. You can enjoy launch tea in the cafeterias of hotels or in fast food restaurants. Of course, snack bars are located in many streets where local snacks are available. Chinese restaurants' dinner time usually start from 6 p.m., while west restaurants start its dinner time an hour later in Shanghai . Remember to make a reservation before dinning in a top-class restaurant.

What is the etiquette of having dinner in Shanghai ? 　　 Shanghai is a metropolis where eastern culture meets western culture. Usually those who pay the bill order dishes. Ladies get served first, and then the guests and hosts. Generally speaking, Chinese restaurants are relatively noisy, but VIP rooms are quiet and comfortable.

What are some of the wine customs of China ? 　　 China 's wines date back to over 5,000 years ago. And wine culture is a distinct form of Chinese culture whose traditional roots give it a very special place. Celebrations with wine are invariably found on many important occasions. At the beginning of the event, the host will usually say a few words before giving the first toast. At that point, guests will rise from their seats and the host will finish all the wine in his cup. Afterwards, he will turn his cup over to show everyone that he has indeed finished the wine as a show of respect and sincerity. Guests usually finish their wine as well, and during the rest of the event the host will individually toast each table. Depending on age, job position, and status, the order by which toasts are given by the host will be considered. Guests should drink only what they can. If lifestyle or health issues prohibit drinking, it is acceptable to have a family member, subordinate, or junior drink in your stead. Using other non-alcoholic drinks, tea, or water to receive toasts is also acceptable; the one giving the toast must be sympathetic to the other's circumstances. Guests can also toast their host, or each other. During these times it is not uncommon for continual toasting among friends. They will come up with all sorts of reasons for the other to drink, and if the one being toasted cannot think of a way to refute these reasons he must drink. During this time when two people are playfully engaging in a battle of wits does their relationship become closer. Without losing face and without disrespecting the host, if one does not know how to drink or cannot drink anymore, it is acceptable to have someone else drink for you instead. Another distinct custom is the notion of drinking as a form of ‘punishment,' akin to Western ‘drinking games,' it is a playful gesture, with any number of games and rules. One of the commonest ‘rules' for example, is that latecomers to a party must first drink three glasses in order to be forgiven for their tardiness.

What are some of the important customs to keep in mind during the Spring Festival ? 　　 During the Spring Festival, people will give each other well wishes. These predefined traditional well wishes are a way to welcome the New Year and wish each other well. Commonly used sayings are Xin nian Hao (“Happy New Year”), Gong Xi Fa Cai (“Wish you wealth”), Shen Ti Jian Kang (“Good health”), Yi Fan Feng Shun (“Clear sailing in all that you do”), Wan Shi Ru Yi (“Everything your heart desires”), Gong Zuo Shen Li (“Hope all your work goes smoothly”), Sheng Huo Mei Man (“Full and fruitful life”), Xue Xi Jin Bu (“Advance in your studies”) . Commonly seen phrases that are posted on banners in the home are loosely translated as: “The Spring wind brings luck, good tidings arrive at your door;” “Spring comes to the land, and warmth to the people;” “Good tidings to every door as Spring comes to every neighbor.” A myriad of other auspicious phrases all serve to welcome in the New Year and bless the home.

What are the business hours for entertainment places in Shanghai ? 　　 The business hours of entertainment places in Shanghai are usually from 8pm to 2 am.

What are the working hours for organizations and government at all levels in Shanghai ? 　　 The organizations and government at all levels stipulate a five-day workweek that spans Monday to Friday. Normal working hours are from 8: 30 a .m. to 5:30 p.m.. Shops usually open from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays and start business half hour earlier on weekends. Specific working and business hours are subject to the practical situation of every organization and government. Time Difference City Time City Time 　Baghdad 06:00 　Helsinki 06:00 　Pyongyang 13:00 　Bangkok 11:00 　Ho Chi Minh City 11:00 　Rangoon 10:00 　Berlin 05:30 　Honolulu 18:00 　Rio de Janeiro 01:00 　Berne 05:00 　Irkutsk 12:00 　Rome 05:30 　Bombay 09:30 　Jakarta 11:30 　Rwanda 05:00 　Brussels 04:00 　Karachi 09:00 　San Francisco 20:00 　Bucharest 06:00 　Khartoum 06:00 　Santiago 24:00 　Budapest 05:00 　Kuala Lumpur 11:30 　Seoul 13:00 　Buenos Aires 01:00 　Leningrad 07:00 　Singapore 11:30 　Cairo 06:00 　Lisbon 04:00 　Sofia 06:00 　Calcutta 09:00 　London 04:00 　Stockholm 05:00 　Cape Town 06:00 　Manila 12:00 　Surabaya 11:30 　Casablanca 04:00 　Melbourne 14:00 　Sydney 14:00 　Colombo 09:30 　Mexico City 21:00 　Teheran 06:00 　Conakry 04:00 　Montreal 23:00 　Tirana 05:00 　Copenhagen 05:00 　Moscow 07:00 　Tokyo 13:00 　Damascus 06:00 　New Delhi 09:30 　Tunisia 05:00 　Geneva 05:00 　New York 23:00 　Vancouver 20:00 　Guatemala City 22:00 　Osaka 13:00 　Vienna 05:00 　Haiphong 11:00 　Panama City 23:00 　Warsaw 05:00 　Hanoi 11:00 　Paris 04:00 　Washington 23:00 　Havana 23:00 　Prague 05:00 　Wellington 16:00 　Beijing 11:30

How can I get tourist brochures on Shanghai? 　　 If you are overseas outside of China and would like to get some tourist brochures on Shanghai, please visit or call one of the tourist offices of China National Tourism Administration. The list is as follows:    ● China National Tourism Administration Tokyo Office Add:　105-0001 Air China Building 8F, 2-5-2 Toranomon, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan Tel:　0081-3-35918686 Fax:　0081-3-35916886    ● China National Tourism Administration Osaka Office Add:　556-0017 OCAT Building 4F,Minatomachi,Naniwa-ku,Osaka, Japan Tel:　0081-6-66353280 Fax:　0081-6-66353281    ● China National Tourist Office, Singapore Add:　7 Temasek Boulevard, # 12-02A Suntec Tower One, Singapore 038987 Tel:　0065-63372220 Fax:　0065-63380777    ● China National Tourist Office, Kathmandu Add:　P.O.Box 3639, Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel:　00977-1-4255936 Fax:　00977-1-4267695    ● China National Tourist Office, Seoul Add:　(100-706)15F Daeyongak Bldg., 25-5,1-Ka, Chungmu-ro, Chung-ku, Seoul, Korea Tel:　0082-2-7730393 Fax:　0082-2-7573210    ● China National Tourist Office, New York Add:　370 Lexington Ave, Suite 912 New York, New York 10017 Tel:　Tel：001-212-760821 Fax:　001-212-7608809 Email:　ny@cnta.gov.cn Web:　www.cnto.org    ● China National Tourist Office, Los Angeles Add:　550 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 910 Glendale, California 91203 Tel:　001-818-5457507 Fax:　001-818-5457506 Email:　la@cnta.gov.cn Web:　www.cnto.org    ● China National Tourist Office, Toronto Add:　480 University Ave. Suite 806, Toronto, Ontario M5G1V2, Canada Tel:　001-416-5996636 Fax:　001-416-5996382    ● China National Tourist Office, London Add:　71 Warwick Road, SW5 9HB, London, UK Tel:　0044-20-73730888 Fax:　0044-20-73709989    ● Office du Tourisme de Chine, Paris Add:　15 Rue de Berri, 75008 Paris, France Tel:　0033-1-56591010 Fax:　0033-1-53753288    ● Fremdenverkehrsant der VR China in Frankfurt Add:　Ilkenhansstrasse 6, D-60433 Frankfurt / M Deutschland Tel:　0049-69-520135 Fax:　0049-69-528490    ● Oficina Nacional de Tourismo de China en Madrid Add:　Plaza de Espana 18, Edificio Torre Madrid, Oficina 7-13, 28008 Madrid Tel:　0034-91-5480011 Fax:　0034-91-5480597    ● Fremdenverkehrsamt der VR China in Zürich Add:　Genfer-Strasse 21, CH-8002 Zürich, Schweiz Tel:　0041-1-2018877 Fax:　0041-1-2018878    ● China National Tourist Office, Sydney Add:　11th Floor, 234 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Tel:　0061-2-92529838 Fax:　0061-2-92522728    ● China National Tourist Office, Moscow Add:　Novy Arbat 7, Moscow, 119019, Russia Tel:　007-495-9566612 Fax:　007-495-9566616    ● Asia Tourism Exchange Centre Limited Add:　B1, 20/F, Far East Finance Centre,16 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong Tel:　00852-28630000 Fax:　00852-28611371    ● China National Tourist Office, New Delhi Add:　D-64, Malcha Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, India Tel:　0091-11-41680540 Fax:　0091-11-41680541    ● China National Tourism Administration Rome Office Add:　Via Nazionale 75, 00184 Rome, Italia Tel:　0039-064828888 Fax:　0039-0648913429

Before you enter Shanghai, China, please DON’T FORGET: 　　 1. You must get a visa before coming to China. 2. Your passport with a validity of 6 months at least. 3. Cash. It's better for you to have some cash at hand. You can change RMB at exchange points in the airport. About 300 yuan (US$37.50) is enough at first for a casual traveler. 4. Anti-diarrhea tablets, antibiotics and any specialty medicines from home are useful. You should also take along some basic medicines, such as painkillers. 5. Daily necessities. It's easy to buy things in China but when you first arrive, it may prove difficult. Bring shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush for your first week and then you should be able to buy them at various local stores. They have imported products suitable for expats, such as hair dye and cosmetics. 6. Clothes. It's not easy for tall or bigger boned Westerners to buy clothes in China, as the Chinese are typically far smaller. 7. Electricity adaptor. The most common plug types are the dual and three-pointed prongs, which are different from the West. China runs on 220 volts, which will burn 110-volt appliances. 8. A good travel guide is necessary.

Not necessary, but very handy 　　 1. Photocopies of important documents. 2. Several passport photos. 3. Your hotel's contact details in Chinese so you don't get lost.