Language
Shanghainese is a dialect of Wu Chinese spoken by about 15 million people in the city. There is no standard written form of the language so it rarely appears in writing. Though the language is the everyday spoken language of Shanghai, it isn't used in education and is only occasionally heard on local radio stations. Almost all the people of Shanghai also speak Mandarin. Fluency in foreign languages is unevenly distributed. Most senior residents who received a university education before the revolution, and those who worked in foreign enterprises, can speak English. Those under the age of 26 have had contact with English since primary school, as English is taught as a mandatory course starting at First Grade.
Currency And Tipping
The Chinese currency is known as Renminbi (RMB) or ‘People’s Money.’ Formally, the basic unit is the yuan (Y), which is divided into ten jiao, which is again divided into ten fen, although this has so little value these days that it’s rarely used. The Bank of China issues bills in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan. Tipping is not customary or expected in China. The only exception would be a small tip for the bellhop in the hotel (10 – 20 RMB) if they deliver your luggage.
Safety
Shanghai's crime rate is quite low, particularly for a metropolis of this scale and verve, and streets are generally safe day and night. Petty crime does occur in tourist areas like the riverside area, the Bund, so the usual precautions apply – keep valuables out of sight and zipped up.
Beggars are a problem in Shanghai. Some of them are pretending to be destitute, disabled or whatever. Best to keep walking.
Traffic is a major danger in the city. It’s essential to look in five directions at once when you cross the road - including above you in case of falling construction debris. Don’t ever expect any vehicle to stop for you.
China’s ‘national sport,’ spitting, is not as widespread in Shanghai as in the rest of China. Government campaigns to stamp out the practice have been reasonably successful and spitting is prohibited in many buildings and the Nanjing Donglu pedestrian zone. But there will be times – particularly in the early morning - when you hear the unmistakeable sound of a throat being cleared and you’d be advised to look away.
Weather
Shanghai experiences all four seasons, with freezing temperatures during the winter season and a 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) average high during the hottest months of July and August. Temperature extremes of -10C (14F) and +41C (105F) have been recorded. Heavy rain is frequent in early summer. Spring starts in March, summer in June, autumn/fall in September and winter in December. The weather in spring, although considered the most beautiful season, is highly variable, with frequent rain and alternating spells of warmth and cold. Summer is the peak tourist season, but is hot and oppressive, as the humidity makes it almost impossible for people not used to the environment to breathe properly. Clothes tend to get fairly wet after minutes of walking. Autumn is generally sunny and dry, and the foliage season is in November. Winters are typically grey and dreary, with no snowfall. The city has a few typhoon spells during the year, none of which in recent years has caused significant damage.
Getting Around
Public transport in Shanghai is extremely cheap and generally very efficient. The Metro system is growing rapidly throughout the city in terms of its reach and connectivity. It's a new system so has smart, air-conditioned trains, clean walkways and will generally get you around the city faster than any other means. At peak times it does get incredibly crowded - especially at the People's Square interchange. During rush hour and at the weekend, buses are also often packed to the doors and, at times, impossible to board. The main problem with taking the bus (once you’ve found the right number and right route and actually managed to get on) is that you can never be sure where it’s going to stop. The bus route may run straight past your destination but you may find the nearest stop up to half a mile away. In general, try to get on at the terminus, avoid rush hours and stick to a few tried and tested routes. There are plenty of taxis in the city. They’re reasonably cheap and you can flag them down. Bring a map with Chinese characters or have your destination written down in Chinese characters.
Travel Tip #1: Stored value cards (called Jilting) are valid for buses, metros and taxis and can be bought at subway stations, convenience stores, hotel bookshops and the airport.
Travel Tip #2: Jinjiang Shanghai Tour operates a hop-on hop-off bus service that departs from outside the Okura Garden Hotel on Maoming Nan Lu every 45 minutes Monday-Friday 0900-1715, Saturday and Sunday 0845-1745, arriving at each stop every half an hour. Tickets can be purchased on the bus. The tour takes in Pudong, Yuyyan Gardens, the Bund and Renmin Square, returning to the Jinjiang Hotel. There are multi-lingual commentaries available.
One other form of transport you’ll see a lot of is the bicycle. Hundreds of people on bikes is one of the most enduring images of China. Many parents take their young children to kindergarten by bike and often cycle to restaurants and bars in the evening.
