So, you’re interested in coming to one of the biggest and most modern cities in not only China, but the world? Shanghai has entered the chat!
Here’s a quick guide on what you need to know about Shanghai before you arrive 
but if you have any additional questions about life in the big city, drop them below and we’ll get back to you asap!
APPS
You’ve probably heard of the Great Firewall. Popular western apps like Instagram, X, Whatsapp, and YouTube etc cannot be accessed without a VPN.
– VPNs || This is a MUST-DOWNLOAD. Make sure you’ve got at least 2 on your devices before arriving in China (downloading these inside of China can be a nightmare). The best VPN seems to change all the time. We’ll keep this read updated but right now Let’s VPN and Shadowrocket appear to be the best. Historically Astrill is the best performing but recently it’s had issues, and it’s more expensive so stick with the aforementioned two.
– WeChat || THE social media app in China. It’s not just a messaging service, it’s used in almost every aspect of life in China. For a more detailed breakdown of WeChat, check out our guide:
– Alipay || You can pay for things on WeChat but it’s good to have a backup - sometimes payments can be buggy. Alipay will help you not only pay for things, but order taxis, book trains etc.
If you’re not sure whether to go for Alipay or Wechat Pay, check out our latest comparison guide below
– Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图) || In China, most international map apps like Google Maps are restricted or don’t work effectively due to local regulations, so you’ll need one of these local map apps instead. They work in pretty much the same way and show you directions for driving, walking, cycling, and public transit.
– 美团 (Meituan) || Ordering takeaway food in China is more convenient than you could ever imagine. If you want to order food or drinks delivered to your home in a flash, download this and get our team to help you in China.
– Pleco || Your Mandarin language safety net! Pleco is a Chinese dictionary in your pocket that allows you to translate words both ways. Struggling with that restaurant menu? Pleco has your back.
– Google/Baidu Translate || Bear in mind with Google Translate you’ll need a VPN for it to work, but either of these apps are super useful as mentioned with Pleco - especially the picture function to translate a big chunk of text in one go!
For a list of blocked websites and apps in China, check this out:
WEATHER
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons.
Winter (December to February) is chilly but not freezing, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 10°C (36°F to 50°F)
Spring (March to May) is mild and rainy, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F)
Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching 35°C (95°F), and occasional typhoons bringing heavy rain.
Autumn (September to November) is generally the most pleasant season, with comfortable temperatures from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) and lower humidity.
Most people agree the best times to be in Shanghai are during the autumn and spring months.
SAFETY
– Shanghai is a big, bustling city, so people may not seem super friendly at first - they’ve got places to be! BUT if you need help with something, Shanghai dwellers are usually happy to lend a hand.
– Shanghai is a very safe city, you’ll even see people leaving their belongings unattended in cafes while they go for a bathroom break! Whilst it’s always best to exercise caution, in Shanghai crime isn’t usually something you have to worry about.
You may want to exercise caution when getting taxis late at night, especially from party areas - you might get overcharged. It’s usually better to use a ride-hailing app like 滴滴 (Didi) for a hassle-free experience.
TOP TIPS
– Whilst cash isn’t widely used, you can still find places that use it. Come to China with some cash in hand for emergencies.
– Shanghai is a top tourist destination in China. For that reason, hotspots like the Bund and Yu Garden can get VERY crowded. If you can, enjoy these places during the week and avoid on the weekends.
– For cheap, quick, and convenient coffee, Luckin’ Coffee is about as popular as it gets. There’s even one in the same building as LTL Shanghai! You can use the app to order ahead of time and pick it up on your way to class 
– If you want to ask for something and don’t know what it’s called, your friend is 这个 (Zhège, pronounced like ‘juh guh’, meaning this one). Don’t be scared to use it!
– You can link your foreign bank card to your WeChat and Alipay allowing you to buy things in China with your foreign card. You can follow our guides to learn how to do this. Do this before coming to China if you can.
MORE USEFUL RESOURCES
– Discover how to use Alipay as a foreigner
– Learn how to maximise WeChat
– The Shanghai metro is HUGE and has over 400 stations 
Here’s what you need to know:
– Fan of dumplings? You’re in the right place! Here’s our top Shanghai recommendations:
We could go on, and on, and on… but for now we’ll leave it there.
Any questions? Drop them below and we hope to see you in Shanghai soon!