Shanghai - Travel Information

Population

18.6 Million

Language

Shanghainese (Shanghai dialect) of Mandarin Chinese

Climate

Temperatures  in spring can be as high as 30 degrees and you are likely to get less rain in the autumn months. Summer months (July and August) can be  hot with temperatures above 95°F (35°C) and 80 percent humidity. In winter, evening temperatures often drop below zero (32°F).

Country Area

Similar geographical size to Brisbane, Queensland.

Visa Requirements

Visa is required for all foreign nationals

International Airports

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Currency

Yuan (officially known as the Renminbi) RMB

Historic Exchange Rates $1AUD-RMB:6.3(2007), 6.0(2006), 6.3(2005)

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +08:00

Eating & Drinking

The lion's head meatball and Shanghai-style nian gao are also uniquely Shanghainese, as are Shanghai fried noodles, a regional variant of chow mein that is made with Shanghai-style thick noodle. Lime-and-ginger-flavoured thousand-year eggs and stinky tofu are other popular Shanghainese delicacies.

Water

It is not advisable to drink tap water in China.

Getting Around

Shanghai has a comprehensive subway system

Electrical Plugs & Power

Mostly 220 volt 50Hz, Plugs tend to be type A,type C, type I

Banks

9:00 - 17:00, From Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 13:00, Saturday
Most banks in Shanghai open from Monday to Saturday. Getting a cash advance is possible if your card is Cirrus and Maestro enabled.

Mobile Phone

GSM networks provide good coverage in every major city. GSM 1800 and 900 networks

Internet

Internet cafes are numerous. Hotels generally have internet access.

Phone Calls

China Country Code +86
International code to dial out is 00
00 + Country Code + City (if applicable) + Local number

Tipping

0 - 15% in restaurants and hotels

Dress Code

Shanghai is a modern city and comfortable casual clothing is acceptable. 

Clothing

Don’t forget a jacket or cardigan as autumn temperatures can vary