ABOUT SHANGHAI

The city started as a small farming village and developed rapidly during the Qing Dynasty era (1644 – 1912). The first group of western businessman arrived in the city in 1854. These early group of Europeans and Americans were known as Shanghai landers.

The city of Shanghai is located on the east side of China bordering the Jingshu province in the north and Zhejiang province in the south. A total population of 25 million people live in Shanghai. About 98% of native Shanghainese are of the Han Chinese ethnicity with the minority 2% comprising of Japanese, Korean, Russian and Ugyhur ethnicity.  

SHANGHAI ATTRACTIONS

• The Bund is a waterfront area that showcases the city’s historical past along the Huangpu River with colonial era historical buildings. The city was once an important trading port for the region. Now the historic icon stands on the backdrop of a sleek modern skyline. The colonial era buildings here are in Gothic and Baroque styles. The Treaty Of Nanjing took place following the defeat by the British in the Opium War in 1839-1842. The city was opened to unrestricted foreign trade with the British, French and Americans taking possession of preferential locations in the city where they were granted special rights privileges. Later in 1895 the Japanese were also granted special rights and privileges under the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
• Yuyuan Garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty featuring rock designs with ponds and intricate pavilions.
• The National Museum has an extensive collection of Chinese art and artifacts like ancient ceramics, jade, calligraphy and old traditional costumes. Admission is free.
• The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China. The observation deck on the 118th floor offers panoramic views of the city.
• The vibrant streets of Xintiandi is a pedestrian area with traditional Shikumen houses where restaurants, cafes and boutiques are located inside offering a fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT SHANGHAI

The peak tourist season in Shanghai is between April to November. Blooming flowers in early spring and cool comfortable temperatures in autumn are the ideal situation for roaming the city streets. 

SHANGHAI TRAVEL TIPS

• VPN: Download a VPN app before your trip to bypass internet restrictions and access blocked websites.
• Mobile Payments: Familiarize yourself with Alipay and WeChat Pay for convenient transactions.
• Learn Basic Mandarin: Even a few phrases like “Hello” and “Thank you” in Chinese can be helpful.
• Pack Smartly: Bring comfortable walking shoes, adapters and consider weather conditions based on your travel dates.
• Book Accommodation in Advance: Especially if visiting during peak seasons or holidays. Secure your hotel reservations early.
• Be Mindful of Crowds: Weekends and public holidays can be very crowded for popular attractions.

SHANGHAI DO’S AND DON’TS

• Don’t give anyone white flowers. They are for funerals.
• Don’t give clocks as gifts (especially to the elderly) as it is equivalent of telling someone that their days are numbered.
• Don’t stick your chopsticks upright into your food or bowl of rice. This resembles offerings to the deceased.
• Don’t point your finger at someone. It is considered hostile and extremely rude.
• Don’t use first names unless they tell you to. Always address them formally as “Mrs.” or “Mr.”
• Don’t whistle. In China it is considered a nuisance especially at nighttime. It is said to attract spirits.
• Don’t: Give sharp objects (like knifes) or use number # 4 as they symbolize death or severed relationships.
• Do: Wrap gifts in festive colors like red. Do not use all white or all black wrapping paper as it represents offerings to the dead souls.
• Don’t: Finish all the food on your plate (have some left overs). An empty plate implies you are still hungry and want more food.
• Do: Avoid sensitive topics like politics or criticism of the government.
• Do respect local customs: Avoid loud conversations in public spaces and be mindful of cultural sensitivities.
• Tipping is generally not expected: It’s not a common practice to tip in China.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and scam tactics.