For those not acquainted with the fast-paced urban centres of Asia, moving to Shanghai and living in Shanghai can be a shock to the system. As Mainland China’s economic capital and most cosmopolitan city, Shanghai is packed with glittering skyscrapers, impressive bridges and elevated highways, massive malls and shopping districts, not to mention enormous crowds.
Moving to & Living in Shanghai – Community Guide
To learn even more, we invite you to download our Community Guide.
Download
Moving to Shanghai can all be overwhelming at first, but you will quickly grow accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the city and will manage to find your oasis of calm within it. Even this modern metropolis has plenty of hidden treasures that showcase China’s richer heritage and offer you a wide range of unforgettable experiences.
Why is it worthwhile living in Shanghai?
Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) remains Shanghai’s cultural, residential and commercial centre. It is not an administrative division or district in Shanghai, but a term often used to describe the historical urban area of Shanghai. Pudong (east of the Huangpu River), officially known as Pudong New Area, is a district of Shanghai. Since the beginning of its development in 1990 when plans were first announced.
Pudong has emerged as China’s financial and commercial hub. Pudong is connected to Puxi by several tunnels, four major bridges and eight metro lines (Lines 2, 4, 7, 8, 9,11, 12 and 13). One of the things you will learn about living in Shanghai is that the more you explore the city, the more quickly you will discover just how much it has to offer.
What are the best things about living in Shanghai?
The cost of a ticket is cheaper on a weekday than it is at a weekend, so if you have a weekday off, this is a good option. They also offer three annual passes:
– Crystal annual pass: Subject to the Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass Calendar and quota limits, offers a minimum of 256 Reservation Days during the Pass validity period. Pass holders are required to choose a visit date from the Reservation Days menu and make a reservation before entering the park. Reservations are subject to the quota limits on each Reservation Day.
– Gold annual pass: Subject to the Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass Calendar, this pass offers a minimum of 256 days of park access.
– Diamond annual pass: 365 days of park access, may exclude some park hours for special events.
What is the weather like in Shanghai?
Shanghai has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, so those who live in Shanghai enjoy four distinct seasons, marked by generous sunshine and abundant rainfall. Its spring and autumn are relatively short compared with its summer and winter. The average annual temperature is 16°C (61°F). Shanghai starts the year shivering in midwinter, when temperatures can drop below freezing and the vistas are grey and misty. Spring brings warmth; April to mid-May is probably one of the best times to visit, along with autumn (late September to mid-November). In the summer months, living in Shanghai is a hot and humid experience. Conditions outside can be uncomfortable, with temperatures sometimes as high as 40°C (104°F) in July and August.
Relocating to Shanghai with limited Mandarin skills?
While many young locals living in Shanghai speak very good English, some families find it useful to have a few Mandarin lessons before moving to Shanghai, to learn the basics. If you choose to do this, set learning the characters aside to begin with and focus instead on basic oral comprehension and pronunciation. After you move to Shanghai, you will find that Mandarin courses are plentiful, as are opportunities for one-to-one tuition at very reasonable rates.
Getting around the Shanghai with Public Transportation
Transportation cards are available for purchase at most metro stations. They can be used for the metro as well as taxis, buses and ferries. You will need to pay RMB 20 as a deposit, which can be refunded when you surrender your card. A final word of warning: Taxis are very difficult to find when it rains in Shanghai, so bear that in mind when making plans. Didi is an exceptionally useful and popular mobile app that allows you to hail nearby available taxis.
For more information, please complete and return the form below, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
ENQUIRE NOW