CITY BASICSMoving to Shanghai can come as a confusing and at times frustrating shock even to the most seasoned of Expats. The Municipality, which over 16 million people call home, leaves many first time visitors at a daze. Nevertheless, once you become accustomed to the city's speed, its noise and the remarkable behavior of some of its denizens, you will regret not having been here longer. In order to make the transition as smooth possible, below is a crash course in Shanghai Basics to get you started. All About Shanghai Shanghai District Shanghai 101Shanghai does not exactly boast the most fortunate of climates. Summer from June to September can be incredibly hot and humid, while the winters are bone-chillingly reminiscent of central Europe. The coldest months are January and February, with temperatures ranging from 3°C-5°C. In March and April the temperature has been known to climb up to 20°C though it generally hovers at 10°C until May and the first weeks of June usher in the most pleasant weather in Shanghai. Spring is generally so fleeting this part of China that summer usually arrives before you have had time to stow away the winter gear. The temperatures in late June, July and August rise to 35°C, with a pretty constant 90% humidity. During September and October Shanghai is witness to some beautiful autumn days as temperatures cool, and in November and December, the Shanghainese turn the air conditioner setting from Cool to Heat. Business dress in Shanghai is smart, comparable to any other international city. In their leisure time, the Shanghainese used to dress modestly; in recent years, however, clothing has become increasingly fashionable and modern. While older generations look on disapprovingly, Shanghai is well on its way to becoming the most fashionable city in China and perhaps even Asia. For comfort, bring warm clothing for the winter, especially as houses and offices are usually badly insulated. Much to the confusion of many first-timers, Shanghai has two international airports, Hongqiao International Airport and Pudong International Airport. Pudong International Airport has been in operation since 1999, and is located 40km east of Shanghai, and handles most international flights, as well as domestic flights to southern China. A ride on the Maglev, the world's premier magnetic levitation train (top speed of 430kmh), will bring you from the airport to the outskirts of the city in 8 minutes, which is unfortunately probably not where you want to go. The metro system or taxi is needed to continue onward into town. After a year in operation, the Maglev has become more of a tourist attraction than a means of transport. Tickets cost 50RM one-way, 90RMB same-day return. A Taxi ride from Pudong airport should not cost more than 150 RMB, as long as you make sure the driver uses the meter. There is also a very convenient bus service that brings you into the heart of the city for 19 RMB. Hongqiao International Airport is located in western Shanghai about 20 kilometers from the city center, and despite its name, now mainly handles domestic flights. A taxi from Hongqiao takes between 20-30 minutes to downtown, and should not cost more than 50RMB. The taxi queue at Hongqiao can be frustratingly long, but it is advisable to stick to it and avoid the using an unlicensed taxis. All foreigners require a valid Visa of one of three types to enter China:
L and F Visas are available through Chinese Consulates and Embassies abroad, with F-Visas requiring a special invitation letter from a host company in China. Z-Visas are subject to employment records and health checks in mainland China. For visa extensions and new applications, you'll need to bring your passport and registration of temporary residency from your hotel as well as a letter from the host company to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Division for Aliens at 333 Wusong Lu (tel: 6357-6666) on weekdays from 9-11am and 2-5pm. Please contact us at:
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for any further questions regarding visa and immigration issues. The currency in China is the Renminbi, in spoken Chinese also referred to as the Yuan or Kuai. Credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted in major hotels and shops, and many ATM machines now also accept international bank cards. Upon arrival, all passengers are required to fill out a health declaration form before crossing Customs. Since the Severe Acute Respiration Syndrome (SARS) episode of 2003, many international airports still run infrared temperature checks before you can retrieve your luggage. To maintain your good health after you have arrived, make sure only to drink boiled or bottled water, and avoid unwashed foods, especially in the summer months. Pneumonia and influenza are common problems in China, particularly during the winter. According to the government there is further (limited) risk of hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, malaria, tuberculosis, dengue fever, tetanus and rabies, particularly in rural areas. It is therefore recommended that your immunizations be up to date, especially if you're planning to travel. China's mobile phone network is based on the GSM standard. You can buy pay-as-you go SIM cards at almost any mobile phone store. Official business hours are 9.30am to 10.00pm daily. Privately owned shops often stay open later. Shanghai also features a vast range of competing 24-hour convenience stores stocked with midnight snack food, drinks and other essentials. Banks and Government offices open from 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Commercial offices are open from 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Some companies have expanded their business hours to include Saturday mornings. Shanghai, like the rest of China, has three official holiday periods for Chinese New Year in February, Workers' Holiday in May and National Holiday in October. In addition there are a number of shorted holiday periods throughout the year. The dates and length are published by the local labour bureau every year. GMT + 8h. All China is on Beijing time, and there are no time differences between the provinces, or for Hong Kong and Macao. Tipping is not customary in China, and is often not even accepted by the waitstaff. Exceptions are international hotels and fine dining restaurants, where a standard 15% might be added to your bill. Most local expatriates will only try to tip if they felt the service was really exceptional. Standard VAT on most products is 17%, with the occasional 13% on selected goods. Most services will charge a 5% Business Service Tax for standard transactions. Electricity is supplied at 220 volts, 50 cycles. Most hotels have converters and plug-ins for hairdryers, mobile phones and laptops. China's official language is Putonghua also called Mandarin. Roughly over 50% of the Chinese people speak Putonghua as their native language, though the vast majority are at least familiar with it. China has a baffling panoply of dialects that vary geographically. The local dialect in Shanghai is known as Shanghainese, although virtually everyone understands Mandarin. Most hotels and leading restaurants have English-speaking staff. China is atheist by political decree although many traditional religious customs have recently enjoyed a popular resurgence. Officially only 3% to 4% of the population practices Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism and Islam. An estimated 1% are Christians. In Shanghai there are a number of Catholic and Protestant Churches offering regular services and mass. Contact us at Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spambots geschützt! JavaScript muss aktiviert werden, damit sie angezeigt werden kann. to help you find the right one for you.
Welcome to Shanghai! Shanghai is by all measurements a giant of a city. The urban part of Shanghai Municipality covers an area of over 6,200 sqkm, and more than 13 million people call it home. (Lots more wish they could.) It is essential that anyone moving to China and finding a new home in Shanghai understand the principles of Shanghai's urban layout. The environment and infrastructure of the individual parts of town differ dramatically, so selecting the right district is an important decision. Shanghai is situated south of the Yangtze River facing the East China Sea. The Huang Pu River, which runs into the Yangtze River Delta in the north, is Shanghai's economic artery and divides the city into two main areas: Puxi, west of the Huang Pu, and Pudong, east of the Huang Pu. Since Shanghai's beginnings as a treaty port over 150 years ago, Puxi has remained the main center of town—home to the Old Chinese Quarters, the French Concession and the International Settlements. Today the area remains the center of all cultural and social life, and most people moving to Shanghai will opt for a home on the west bank of the Huang Pu. Until 20 years ago, Pudong was primarily composed of large tracts of farmland, hard to imagine given the area's glass and steel skyline today, the symbol of Shanghai's inexorable economic development over the last two decades. Pudong houses the city's banking and financial center, as well as the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Besides being an economic hub, Pudong also offers a large variety of foreign housing estates and compounds that provide families an alternative to crowded downtown life. There is no sure-fire formula to determine the best place to live. Much depends on personal choice and budget. Nevertheless, there are some obvious demographic trends:
So which district is best? There is no single ‘best’ district – each offers its own special features, advantages, and disadvantages. In order to understand the which is best for you, some research and a personal visit are important. Life in Xintiandi (Luwan District) Xintiandi on the Puxi side is one of Shanghai’s most sought after residential areas, and technically still part of the Former French Concession. The shopping centers and excellent bars and restaurants along Huaihai Middle Road make this a top downtown location for living. Xintiandi itself is a retail and F&B development established by one of Hong Kong’s largest developers – Shui ON Group. It occupies 2 blocks, and is filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. The surrounding area has seen a large influx in the number of high-end, high-rise apartment complexes in recent years, but also sports a number of individually re-developed town and lane houses. Advantages of living around Xintiandi
Disadvantages of living around Xintiandi
Luwan is also perpetually noisy, so if you crave peace and green surroundings, you may want to consider other areas such as Hongqiao or Xuhui for your home in Shanghai. To see the most outstanding apartments, villas, lane houses, and garden homes in Luwan district, please visit our Hot Homes Page. Jing'an Jing'an District is famous for its 750-year-old Jing'an Temple, one of the few temples in Shanghai to survive the Cultural Revolution. Unfortunate recent renovation has turned the temple facilities into a rather tasteless tourist attraction, complete with souvenir shops and significantly less charm than its former incarnation. Jing'an is Shanghai's main business district and many of the city's largest office towers are located along Nanjing Road, its main drag. The district is also home to an astounding number of high-end malls, the swankiest 4- and 5-star hotels in town and a large bar and entertainment street on Tongren Lu, which can get very busy on the weekends. Jing’an now contains many high-rise good quality and good value apartment blocks and some lovely restored colonial properties. Next to plenty of shopping Jingan also offers the convenience of the metro (line 2) which goes to Pudong and Hongqiao. Advantages of living in Jing'an
Disadvantages of living in Jing'an
To see the finest apartments, villas, lane houses, and garden homes in Jing'an district, please visit our Hot Homes Page. The Former French Concession The area of Former French Concession is a narrow (approximately 1.5km wide) corridor stretching East to West across Xuhui and Luwan districts. As the name suggests, the area was under French administration during Shanghai's 'wild days' in the 1930s and is now also known as Frenchtown, a highly sought-after residential area for expats who want the convenience of the city, but also enjoy the romantic ambiance of "Old Shanghai." (Note: the French, like the rest of the Colonial powers, did not actually own the lands as with other colonies, but were "granted" the right to administrate the district under their own rules – hence Concession.) This area has a large range of low and high-rise apartments, but is particularly famous for its restored colonial properties. The former French Concession has seen an influx of boutiques, galleries, stylish bars, coffee shops and restaurants in recent years, making it ideal for young couples and singles. Advantages of living in the French Concession
Disadvantages of living in the French Concession
To see unique apartments, villas, lane houses, and garden homes in Xuhui district, please visit our Hot Homes Page. Huangpu Huangpu is home to Shanghai's most famous tourist attractions, such as the Bund, Yu Gardens and People's Square. The district is also one of the city's most authentically Chinese neighborhoods, with plenty of food markets, small street kitchens, and low-rise original lane houses—and a of course lot of noise! Huangpu gives an idea of what the rest of the country's urban landscapes look like in their transition from traditional to modern. Unfortunately the area does not have a lot to offer in terms of international accommodation. Also the authentic surroundings in Huangpu are not necessarily convenient, and it can be quite a hassle to get around—unless you have a bike! Nevertheless, if the few upscale shops or restaurants and the lack of infrastructure do not bother you, Huangpu offers some very affordable low-rent accommodation. To see a selection of premium apartments, villas, lane houses, and garden homes in Huangpu district, please visit our Hot Homes Page. North of Suzhou Creek The area north of the Bund, across Suzhou Creek is officially named Hongkou district. This part of town used to be part of the Japanese concession, and was also home to the Jewish settlement. Since the opening of Shanghai to the Western world, this part of town has – until recently – seen less expat-orientated development than other parts of the city. However, for the last 2-3 years several privately re-developed apartments have turned up on the shores of Suzhou Creek, set among former warehouses and commercial buildings. Although the area still offers few western-friendly shopping and dining facilities it can be a great housing destination for anyone looking for something "a little different." People's Square People’s Square is Shanghai's official centre and the intersection of the two most trafficked metro lines (lines 1 & 2) as well as the two major overhead highways. People's Square is home to many museums, theatres, hotels and other tourist destinations, so it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Although it is extremely convenient to reach the rest of the city, particular China's most famous shopping street, Nanjing East Rd, it only offers limited expat-orientated housing options. Advantages of living around People's Square
Disadvantages of living around People's Square
Everbright City/Zhabei Everbright City may seem dull and grey in daylight but it certainly lights up like a carnival at night, which is supposedly how it got its name. Located close to Shanghai's Railway Station with train connections to just about anywhere in China, it is known as a basic district and does not have a lot to offer in terms of western accommodation, shopping and entertainment. Many foreign students on tight housing budgets prefer this area as cheap apartments are easy to find, and the train station and subway system make it easy to get around. Hongqiao and Gubei Gubei has been a long-standing favorite with foreigners in Shanghai, especially Asian expatriates and those wanting access to excellent facilities while still being on a lower budget than downtown. Gubei was Shanghai's first expatriate apartment area, built in 1994, and is located within Hongqiao. Further west of Gubei, the area close to the Hongqiao airport features a wide range of high-end villa complexes and can be regarded as Shanghai’s original family-oriented suburb. The housing here is rather pricey as the demand is very high. The compounds are stable and there are very few new expatriate housing options being built in this area and prices reflect this. Advantages of living in Hongqiao
Disadvantages of living in Hongqiao
For complete listings of our apartments, villas, lane houses, and garden homes in Hongqiao, please visit our Hot Homes Page. Minhang A number of International Schools are now housed in the Minhang area towards western Shanghai. It is connected to downtown by metro lines 1 & 5. There are many new villa compounds and apartments being built in the area along with a number of new international schools and kindergartens. The area used to have very limited western amenities, but there is a large influx of shops and restaurants in the area catering to the expatriates living near the large international schools. Qingpu Qingpu, like Minhang, has seen an increase in international schools and western-style housing has followed. Like Minghang, the distance from downtown makes the land prices more reasonable, and the convenience of the HuQingPing Highway (an extension of YanAn Elevated road) has made this a popular place for expat families. Still you need to budget at least 30-45 minutes for a trip to downtown. The area of HuQingPing/Gao Jin Road has a large supply of new villas, close to the new French/German and Western Academy schools and 20 minutes from the American, Singaporean and British Schools. Also like Minhang there has been an increase in shops and restaurants in the area. Sheshan (in Song Jiang District) There are a number of golf courses around the Sheshan "mountain" whose lush surroundings and resort facilities and deluxe villas have attracted expats for whom a location so far from downtown (around 40-60 minutes by car) is not an issue. Across the river: Pudong & Lujiazui Until 20 years ago, Pudong was primarily composed of large tracts of farmland, hard to imagine given the area's glass and steel skyline today, the symbol of Shanghai's inexorable economic development over the last two decades. Besides being an economic hub, Pudong also offers a large variety of foreign housing estates and compounds that provide families an alternative to crowded downtown life. Pudong’s roads are more orderly and less busy than those of Puxi, the air feels cleaner and it is becoming increasingly popular as western amenities including supermarkets, shops, restaurants and hospitals are opening up at a rapid rate. Lujiazui is Pudong's main business district, the "downtown" area east of the Huangpu. This area is famous for its magnificent skyscrapers, including the Jinmao tower and Oriental Pearl Tower, and the newly built Shanghai World Finance Center. Within just a couple of minutes by car or 15 minutes walk from the subway you can find yourself in one of the high quality apartment complexes that have great river views and fantastic facilities. There are also a number of lower budget properties that give you large apartments for a great price. Access to downtown Puxi on the other side of the river is only 3 to 5 miles away and will take 10 to 45 minutes through the main tunnel linking Puxi with Pudong, depending on traffic conditions. Advantages of living in Pudong
Disadvantages of living in Pudong
The most outstanding apartments and villas available in Lujiazui district are listed on our Hot Homes Page. Alternatives to Lujiazui As not everyone wishes to live among skyscrapers and shopping malls, Pudong luckily also offers a number of new suburban developments, closely located to the internationals schools and many foreign-focused supermarkets. Jinqiao With a number of International Schools, Carrefour, Dragonfly Massage, Bluefrog Bars, pines supermarket and a number of villas and deluxe apartment complexes, this area caters perfectly to the expatriate lifestyle. Green city is located in Jinqiao Export Development Zone, which has attracted companies such as Philips, NEC, and GM. This area is ideal for families that have children in one of the number of International schools in the area as many of them are walking distance from several well-managed housing complexes. Kangqiao A relatively new area in Pudong to become popular with expatriates is Kangqiao. With a number of international schools and villas developments interspersed with industrial and rural areas there are good deals to be found with easy access to the schools and downtown. This area is limited in amenities so most people still drive into Green City for shopping and entertainment. There are of course dozens of more options of where to live. With the years the choices have developed together with the city’s great economic and social achievements. The question of where to live if definitely not an easy one anymore – but surely it is better to be spoiled for choice than having almost no options at all! It is important that you ask your real estate agency to give you an in-depth overview over the different areas, even before you start your housing search. Don’t forget, it is a giant of a city after all. To see a selection of the finest apartments, villas, lane houses, and garden homes available in Pudong, please visit our Hot Homes Page. |
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