Shanghai

JamesReeves

Hey,

I'm heading to Shanghai in September.

Can anyone suggest some things to do while there? How to get from the airport PVG to the center.

Any tips while there

rossie1977

From airport take maglev (which is experience in itself) to terminus at Longyang Road. Transfer to metro which has easy access to city centre https://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/shanghai/subway-map.jpg

Shanghai is surprisingly walkable with some nice parks and dining/bars areas that could be missed if not on foot exploring. The Bund is one of the most popular areas day or night, completely different experience depending on time of day. Obviously Pudong is big draw for tourists, my advice if you are going up on one of the four extremely tall buildings (Pearl Oriental, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Centre or Jin Mao) try and pick as clear as day as possible. Shanghai can get very hazy. If you can't see top of tower from ground don't bother going to observation deck.

Nanjing Road for shopping. Shanghai has a Disney, I didn't visit but if you haven't been to Paris/Orlando or Anaheim versions might be worth visit.

Homer

Word of caution.. Unlike most other major cities you can't download offline maps for Shanghai to your phone so if you don't know where you are going it will make life difficult. Compounded by the fact that a LOT of the taxi drivers and locals have no English and can't even read English so be prepared with cards from your hotel with the name in Mandarin etc
Amazing city and the bund at night is fantastic.

killbillvol2

Just make sure you take the Maglev. Not the most direct route but you'll never again get to travel on the fastest train in the world.

davepatr07

An earlier post mentioned the issue with maps...

Maps.me

This app works a treat for offline map guidance, I use it on my travels after someone recommended it a few years ago and it is brilliant, GPS and all.

Havnt heard of anyone having problems using it in China.

JamesReeves

thanks for the suggestions / advice so far folks. Anyone used a VPN while over there?

killbillvol2

JamesReeves wrote: »

thanks for the suggestions / advice so far folks. Anyone used a VPN while over there?

Express VPN worked for me earlier this year. Most of them don't. You'll need to research what's currently working.

clever user name

Some tips:

- First off, get a chinese sim card at the airport when you arrive. Will make your trip 10 times easier. Can't emphasize this enough. That is unless you your mobile carrier has some sort of affordable overseas data plan.
- Download 'Baidu translate' to your phone. Great translator and you can can also take pictures of Chinese characters and it will translate them.
- Download Didi. This is the Chinese version of Uber and there is an English version available. You can link a foreign credit/debit card. Just type in a place you want to go and it will show up. Hassle free. When you're using it, choose the express option, not metered taxi. Much cheaper.
- If you want a VPN download it BEFORE you arrive in China, otherwise you won't be able to. Astrill or ExpressVPN are the most popular, with Astrill being more reliable.

As for what to do in Shanghai, as people have mentioned take the Maglev. It's pretty cool. Then there is obviously the bund, that has great views of the skyline and plenty of bars/restaurants. Captains Youth hostel has a great rooftop bar with some amazing views. Nanjing road for shopping.

Don't got to the top of the Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Tower is better (and higher). Or just do both.

If you have time go and see Zhujiajiao water town. Other than that; Peoples Square, Yu gardens, French Concession are all worth a visit.

And for the craic, take the metro a speak rush hour

SuperS54

clever user name wrote: »

Some tips:

- First off, get a chinese sim card at the airport when you arrive. Will make your trip 10 times easier. Can't emphasize this enough. That is unless you your mobile carrier has some sort of affordable overseas data plan.

Be aware that a Chinese sim card will be completely internet censored, no access to Facebook, most google products and many of your favourite websites. If you can get a good data plan from your current carrier they are more often than not uncensored.

Internet on my overseas SIM card is not censored in China so negates the need to use a VPN.

JamesReeves

SuperS54 wrote: »

Be aware that a Chinese sim card will be completely internet censored, no access to Facebook, most google products and many of your favourite websites. If you can get a good data plan from your current carrier they are more often than not uncensored.

Internet on my overseas SIM card is not censored in China so negates the need to use a VPN.

It’s only a mere €7.12 per MB with Three to use mobile data in China 😂

SuperS54

JamesReeves wrote: »

It’s only a mere €7.12 per MB with Three to use mobile data in China ��

Then, welcome to censorship!