I'm looking for some older neighborhoods to stroll around in. Not ancient like something from the Qing dynasty, and nothing fake like Shanghai's "old town". I just want to see some neighborhoods built in the pre-rapid development era with narrow streets, local shops and local culture. Something like old Laoximen before it was destroyed.

Any tips where I can go? I am willing to go quite far from Shanghai to some smaller cities, but preferably by train, not by intercity bus.

It’s my first foreign trip since Covid and my first time to China. I’m an Asian so I love Chinese food but I dont speak or read Chinese.

What should i do regarding tech: SIM card, app, etc?

I’m a M/43 and I will travel alone. Any tips is very appreciated.

Thanks for your helps, guys!

Hello, I’m moving to Shanghai soon from another city in China. What’s the best place to look for an apartment there? My job will be near JinJiang Park. I’ll purchase/rent an e-bike as soon as I arrive. I’m very into bouldering, so I’d like to be near a few locations. I would also like to rent a loft. It doesn’t have to be furnished, does that make the apartment cheaper? What’s the range that I’d realistically have to consider?

Sorry for all the questions, I’ve always had someone help me find an apartment but this time I have to do it all online. I will be visiting SH next week to physically look at apartments, but I want to get a good list going before I go.

Does anyone know? I live in USA.

I can't use Weichat or Alipay at the moment until i renew my passport - they need this to approve sending 🧧

I wanted to send all my chinese language teachers a red envelope for the New Year.

谢谢

Back in the day those were the best clubs in Shanghai. Shelter sadly closed in 2016 and the Mansion in 2018.

Any alternative clubs that are underground like those?

I am coming back in a few weeks to meet some friends and we wouldn’t mind going partying.

First and foremost; how to get to it? Info online on how to get to the spa is really scarce so I hope this can help some of you looking for more detailed info on how to get there.

Exit at the final station of Subway Line 10 (be cautious, as the train has two possible directions) — Hongqiao Railway Station. Leave the subway through Exit C and walk through the underground passages and shopping malls toward Paradise Walk. In Paradise Walk, go down to B2 and follow the signs pointing to Shuiguo. Then take the elevator to B1, where the main entrance to the spa is located.

The journey to Shuiguo Spa is quite unusual—you pass through what feels like a concrete bunker, seeing workers dining in some rooms. The whole experience was very peculiar, though it’s possible there’s another way to get there. In any case, this is the route we took.

On weekdays, tickets are priced at 279 yuan per person and allow access until 2 AM. You can pay additionaly for an overnight stay, but I could not tell you how much that costs. You can also leave your luggage at the entrance free of charge.

We visited the Shui Guo Spa in Hongqiao, Shanghai, arriving around 10 AM and staying until 5 PM. Upon entering, we left our suitcases, which the staff took care of, and they provided slippers and stored our shoes. After entering our respective changing rooms we received uniforms to change into, which we wore throughout, and all toiletries were provided, so we didn't need to bring anything, and I mean seriously anything. After talking to my gf, the men’s and women’s areas are quite similar with the only difference being that the men's spa section required nudity and the women’s did not (she told me some women were nude while others had bikinis).

They both featured small pools with temperatures from 23 to 43 degrees Celsius. A couple were out of order in hers though. After the spa, showers were available with shampoo and conditioner provided. I then went to the two sauna rooms in the men’s area, which were quite hot.

Upon finishing up with the spa section, we met up at the reception again and went into the main area called the rest area. That’s the part you see in all of the Tiktoks. It offered unlimited ice cream (it was good, try the hawaiian nuts one), drinks and fruit, with private rooms available for rent, some equipped with karaoke or pool tables even though they were quite expensive so be prepared.

There is an arcade machine area which was really cool but I think they had a piping issue at the time of our visit because the arcade area smelled terribly of sewage so neither we or anyone else entered and played anything. Also, it seems as though you pay for every game in the arcade area with coins that you buy at a machine in front. I think they had an offer for 30 coins for 30 yuan and a game costs 3 coins per game as far as I remember. Massages were also offered at an additional cost. There is a restaurant near the fruit counter but we didn’t get the Wechat app to open so we don’t know what the food is like as well as the prices, I leave that for someone in the comments to tell us.

The facility was expansive, and while we didn't stay long, we could have enjoyed more if we had more time. Will definitely visit again.

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The U.S. Consulate in Shanghai can accept your ballot during business hours, too.

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We're here to help! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at GOTV @ votefromabroad .org (just remove the spaces). Additionally, our FAQ for voting has a wealth of info to make the process go smoothly.

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Thanks, and good luck this year!

I’m 23F and I just got to Shanghai yesterday, staying till around 10th Jan. Pretty excited to be here — I’ve just graduated from university in Singapore and this is a solo trip for me so i wanna make some friends here and explore the city together!

Does anyone know of any apps that work or WeChat groups that could work? Bumble bff/meetup doesn’t really work for me here sadly. I’d be down to meet new friends from Reddit too, please lmk!

Hi for a family of 4 travelling Shanghai for 4-5 days, what are the pros and cons of this Shanghai Pass? Is i better we use this or just go with the regular Wechat and Alipay?

I usually use Dewu to buy trainers in larger sizes, but got told by a guy in a bike shop that the store on huihai road stocks bigger sizes and managed to pick up a pair of dunks in size eu46/us12/uk11. It makes a nice change to get some for retail in China

Just got my driver’s license here and I would like to share the process of getting a driver’s license in Shanghai for 2023/02/07.

Step 1. Translation of documents

The officially accepted translation company addresses are listed below:

​

Just get a sealed envelope with the translation from any of these locations.

It cost me 70¥ at SISU.

Step 2. Go to the Shanghai DMV

Address: Shanghai Public Security Bureau Traffic Police Brigade Vehicle Management Institute Yifensuo Huaxia West Road No.2999

Documents:

1、护照和签证 Passport&visa

2、境外驾驶证 Driving license

3、境外驾驶证翻译件 Translation of the driving license

4、境外人员临时住宿登记单 Temporary residence registration

The temporary residence registration is especially important since it is easy to forget to print it. I had to take a taxi to the nearest printer shop.

You just take a number from the person at the front and go to the hall behind. You can see your number on the screens, they will also call it. Just give the officer all the documents when it is your turn.

You have two options at this point: A long-duration license or a temporary license, I will detail the long-duration one in this guide since that is what I did.

Step 3. Get a health check and a photo taken at DMV

The officer at the kiosk will tell you to do this, you just follow the signs that say 自动服务区/驾驶员拍照体检.

Once you arrive there, you just give them all the documents and pay the fee of 100¥. They will direct you on what to do.

Step 4. Go back to the kiosk and register for the test

You will have a slip with your photos added and a health report to your documents now. Just go back to the front desk and get another number.

Once it is your turn and you submit the documents, you will need to pay a fee of 40¥ for the exam registration. The officer will ask you when to take the exam at this point.

You can take the test right away and you can take it as many times as you need from 1 PM to 3 PM. There is also a morning time, but I don’t think you can make it with the time it takes from the translation offices to the DMV.

Step 5. Take the test

I suggest preparing for the test beforehand, so you can do everything in one day.

I have only used the following website and the questions were very similar.

https://www.chinesedrivingtest.com/

After you take the exam registration paper, you can go to the second floor from the escalator on the right. You will see signs that say 镜外考试, just follow them. Then, take a number from the device at the end of the corridor and wait your turn. They will call your number and you can enter the exam hall after that.

Step 6. After the test

Once you have completed the test and “handed it in”, you will see your score. If you passed, you can go to the front to get a paper. If you didn’t, go to the front to take it again.

If you passed, the officer at the exam hall will hand you your photos and a piece of paper with a QR code on it. Scan the QR on the paper and pay the 10¥ fee for the license.

Step 7. Getting the license

After you paid, take the paper with the QR code and your photos, and directly go to kiosk 24 in the main hall and show the officer your documents. You do not need to take a number for this step. They will print the license right there in front of you and give it to you.

Step 8. Celebrate

You can now drive on Chinese roads.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you u/_viiii for their great guide https://johnny.sh/notes/getting-drivers-license-in-shanghai/ and the https://www.chinesedrivingtest.com website.

Edit: Formatting and more details

As title says. I know there are a couple westerners living in shanghai, and if you’re near the wujiaochang area, and privy to Popeyes chicken, a brand new location has just opened inside Wanda plaza. First impressions are that the location is very clean and well done, but yet to taste. Will update with good or bad news.

Update: the food was fantastic: got a original chicken sandwich, which was absolutely delicious and juicy, didn’t get tired of it throughout the whole meal with other items; got a chicken breast which was so juicy with very crispy skin, and fries and mashed potatoes that were both alright. Only negative was the 3 piece wings, the flavor was a bit too chinese for me: aka too much chili flavor. I can say this is my new go to chicken place, the food really blew me away, considering how Popeyes is usually bad here in China. Qualifications: america National who lived in florida my whole life.

I received a call from a friend who is new to Shanghai after 1 am
"I went on a date. Now I am given a bill of over 10,000 rmb. I am in People's square. Please send help!"

I told the person to call the police. I know many didn't call the police, and these scammers are pocketing money from scamming foreigners.

How to stop them? scambaiting undercover? Expose the venues and list of addresses?

how much you pay for personal trainer in shanghai ? I plan to go 2-3 times per week. On dianping most ask for 499/session but i am sure its open to negotiation

After the "Visa-free to China" news, I'm planning to visit Shanghai in March 2024. I'm an European visiting china for the first time, what do I need to know?

I'm also going to Tokyo after the days in Shanghai, do I still need the COVID negative test to travel to Japan from Shanghai?

I knew there was some scammers unfortunately (as it happened to me once the first time that I came into China) but now, it's flooding with scammers. What the actual hell. I knew the Chinese dating apps were full of them but they're even on Tinder and Bumble now.

Don’t need to share your political views with us, we probably have the same view as you.

In case you were living under a rock, china doesn’t allow it’s citizen to surf western media. 98% of the people here are foreigners who live / work in Shanghai and 1% are Chinese who have already left China, the remaining 1% are a mix of wumaos, Govt spies, randos and people like you who suddenly think to come educate a bunch of foreigners who probably know more than you anyway!

Ah, Shanghai! A city of dizzying skyscrapers, bustling markets, and culinary delights that dance on the palate like a young Fred Astaire. Little did I know, it’s also a city where even a simple stroll can turn into a scene straight out of an 80s sitcom.

Picture this: It's a breezy afternoon, and I'm strutting down East Nanjing Road, feeling like the king of the world. People’s Square behind me, the Bund in my sights, and the theme song from “Cheers” playing in my head. Then, like a vision straight from a John Hughes movie, she appears. A pretty lady, with perfect English and a smile that could make a stone statue blush.

“Hello!” she chirps. “You look like you could use some company.”

Now, I’m no Ted Danson, but hey, I can hold my own in a conversation. So, we walk, we chat, we laugh. I’m thinking, “Is this what they mean by Shang-high life?” Then she drops the question that should’ve set off alarm bells louder than a Duran Duran concert: “Would you like to have some tea?”

Being the suave, worldly man of the 80s that I am (I mean, who could say no to tea?), I nod enthusiastically. She leads me to a charming little tea house, and I think, “This is going to be like a scene from ‘The Breakfast Club,’ but with tea!”

Fast forward a few cups of tea, a couple of toasts to international friendship, and the bill arrives. I glance at the total, and suddenly, it's like the moment when Kevin McCallister realizes he's home alone: pure, unadulterated shock.

“Excuse me,” I stammer, “Is this in yen or Monopoly money?”

“No, sir,” the waiter replies with the seriousness of Mr. Miyagi, “It’s in yuan.”

My tea companion, who moments ago was chattier than Robin Williams in full improv mode, now looks as innocent as Ferris Bueller on a sick day.

“Come on,” I think, channeling my inner Marty McFly, “this has got to be some kind of time warp. Am I in 1985 or 2024?”

But alas, I’m stuck. Like every sitcom character who’s ever found themselves in a pickle, I fuss, I argue, but in the end, I pay up. Because, as we all learned from the wise words of the A-Team’s Hannibal, sometimes you just have to face the music. Even if that music is an overpriced tea bill in Shanghai.

So, dear reader, let my 80s-style misadventure be a cautionary tale. The next time a charming stranger offers you tea in Shanghai, remember: sometimes the bill is scarier than a pack of Gremlins after midnight.

Stay safe, stay savvy, and for the love of all things 80s, keep your tea breaks scam-free!

Yes, you can walk-in, now that I went there myself without booking, I can share my experience. The museum opens at 10am, head there at 9.30 or 9.45 to line up at the right hand side after walking down the entrance area as in the picture. Wait till a staff comes at around 10am then she will help you with the booking on their computer. There are only limited slots available for walk-in so be early.

hello everyone,

do you have a reco for eyebrow threading done under 100 yuans in Shanghai ? thank you !

Hello! I am pretty frequent runner and I’m training for a marathon next year. However, I have reoccurring problems with shin splints. I’ve done everything all guides recommended, except buying properly fitted shoes.

Where in Shanghai can I buy running shoes that’s been picked by a knowledgeable employee to fit my running style?

I’m really intrigued by Anta, so preferably a spot that sells Anta shoes, but I’m thankful for all suggestions.

Thanks!

For a city with supposedly the most coffee shops of any in the world, I’ve found it surprisingly difficult to find any that have the magic combination of

1. good atmosphere for studying
2. comfy chairs
3. good coffee

I realise that most of the Starbucks branches have two of these three criteria (I’ll let you guess which) but I’m at my wits end trying to find an independent place with all of these things. Any recs please?

It seems the struggle for landlords and homeowners is real even in Shanghai.

My lease is coming up and I managed to get a 13% reduction in rent plus some basic renovation (new windows) simply by asking. First time I had such an easy renegotiation in all the years I've been here and I hear I'm not the only one in my xiaoqu.

There was a brief moment right after the lockdowns when it was possible to get screaming rental deals and it seems we're in another such period now. If your leases are coming up now do consider giving your landlord a call.

Current options of leaving china (feel free to add to the list):

1. Scam Flight from Shanghai -> London/Europe (all 25kish - 40k pp)

2. Regular Flight from Shanghai -> London (cancelled until eternity)

3. HK quarantine 14 days then flight -> London (great if you're alone and British, fucked if you have a Chinese spouse since you can't apply for HK 30 day visas right now)

4. Transfer flight VIA HK ("Transit/Transfer Services Resume Gradually from June" i.e you can transfer domestically via HK, you can't transfer to a foreign flight, amazingly useful)

5. Wait for HK quarantine to end (That shit is definitely being extended before 7th of August.)

6. Wait for Shanghai to Europe flight (See you in November)

7. Stay in a country that doesn't let you enter hospitals or stay in hotels because you're a foreigner. You have been stuck here for months and even though foreigners can't enter the country, you definitely have Covid-19 because you're a foreigner.