In Emergency

It is possible you may find yourself in an emergency situation during your stay in Shanghai and so with this in mind, it is advisable to register at your country’s consulate as soon as you settle in the city. Informing them of your existence is important in the event of any major disturbances or health…

Children

Shanghai, for the most part, is pretty kid-friendly. Hongqiao’s Hongmei Lu pedestrian street holds Moon River Diner and Blue Frog, which both have inside and outside play areas and extensive kids’ menus. Mesa restaurant in the French Concession offers a great family Sunday brunch, complete with highchairs, kids’ corner and on-hand nannies. Shanghai also has…

People With Disabilities

The fact that you rarely see any of the city’s half a million disabled people in public is a telling sign that Shanghai is not particularly accommodating for people with disabilities. Most metro stations don’t provide lifts, disabled public toilets hardly exist, very few roads have ramp access, only one bus route offers barrier-free facilities…

What To Wear

In terms of fashion, Shanghai is a modern, open-minded city, so visitors should feel free to dress as they do in their home country. Do keep in mind, however, that westerners already stand out from the crowd, so unless you are looking for extra attention it may be better to avoid anything too racy or…

Dos & Don’ts

In a country where 70% of adult males smoke 30% of the world’s cigarettes it is hardly surprising that smoking is allowed in most of Shanghai’s bars, restaurants and other public places. Chinese drinking laws are pretty relaxed, but remember that being found drunk and disorderly on the streets could mean a few days in…

Photography

Although most Chinese people don’t mind having their photo taken, it’s always best to ask before doing so. Even in touristy areas, locals rarely ask for cash in exchange for a snapshot; a quick showing of their image in the digital viewer will often suffice. Airports are off limits for photography, although photos taken from…

Crime & Safety

In general, Shanghai is a safe city with a relatively low crime rate, although petty crimes are on the rise within the city. Often working in groups of two or three, pick-pocketers focus on crowded tourist hotspots, markets, and other expat-popular areas like Hengshan Lu and Huaihai Lu. Scams are also increasingly common so watch…

Police

The relatively well-trained Shanghai police come in different forms. Everyday officers wear light and dark blue uniforms and navy blue peaked caps and man the local police stations or patrol the streets in white Volkswagens. Traffic police wear similar uniforms with white metal helmets, ride motorbikes, and bravely try to instil some sort of order…

Tourist Information

Shanghai has a handful of tourist information offices: the ones located inside Hongqiao Airport (6268 8918 ext 2 or 6439 0630/www.shairport.com) and Pudong International Airport (9608 1388/www.shairport.com) are useful if you are flying into the city, and the main Shanghai Tourist Information Service Centre, located at 303 Moling Lu near the south exit of Shanghai…