Sapore di Cina

Learn Chinese, Travel or Work in China

How to Rent an Apartment in Shanghai: The guide for Expats

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rent apartment in shanghai

This is a complete guide to rent an apartment, or just a room in a shared flat, in Shanghai.

How to rent an apartment in Shanghai – Index

  1. Looking for an apartment on the internet
  2. Another option for getting a room in a shared apartment
  3. Looking for an apartment through an agency
  4. What are the expenses beside the monthly rent
  5. Why you need a regular contract
  6. How should the contract looks like?
  7. The most common scams while renting an apartment in China
  8. Where to live in Shanghai if you care about your social life
  9. Frequently asked questions

P.s. Click here if you need an hotel
for your first days in Shanghai

Looking for an apartment on the internet

If you are just landed to China and you don’t know anybody, the fastest way to find an apartment is probably to check the websites in English language. I recommend Flat in China, Smart Shanghai, Craigs List and Inter Shanghai.

The pros are that you won’t have to hunt for an agency on the street and most luckily you will deal with a landlord (or an agent) that can speak decent English.

Also, if you are in a tight budget (less than 3,000 RMB per month, that is about 500 USD) and you don’t want to live too far away from downtown, getting a room in a shared flat will be your only choice. [Read more…]

Living and Working in Shanghai: The Complete Guide

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living in Shanghai

This guide is a collection of resources and practical advice for living in Shanghai.

Living and Working in Shanghai – Index

  1. The cost of living in Shanghai
  2. The Shanghai transportation system
  3. Shanghai weather
  4. Where to live in Shanghai
  5. Tourism in Shanghai
  6. Hospitals and clinics in Shanghai
  7. Schools and universities in Shanghai
  8. Shopping in Shanghai
  9. Addresses and useful numbers in Shanghai
  10. Forums and directories on Shanghai
  11. Frequently asked questions

[Read more…]

How to Study Chinese in Shanghai

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study chinese shanghaiFudan University

Before you begin

The objective of this article is to guide people who are in one of the following situations:

You are thinking about studying Mandarin in Shanghai but you aren’t quite sure whether it is the right city for you or not.

Conversely, you are already living in Shanghai and would like to start taking Chinese classes but you don’t know what school to choose.

P.s. If you’re interested in a more general overview of studying Chinese in China, such as the difference between studying Mandarin at a university or a private school, click here.

Click here to get up to 5 free quotations to study Chinese in Shanghai!

Study Chinese in Shanghai – Index

  1. The cons of studying Mandarin in Shanghai
  2. The pros of studying Mandarin in Shanghai
  3. Private Schools in Shanghai
  4. Universities for studying Chinese in Shanghai
  5. Free quotation request

[Read more…]

The 130 Top Things to See and Do in Shanghai

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Traveling to ShanghaiShanghai in a small model on display at the Shanghai World Financial Center

Travel to Shanghai – Index

  1. Main tourist attractions in Shanghai
  2. Shopping in Shanghai
  3. Where and what to eat in Shanghai
  4. Bars and clubs in Shanghai
  5. Museums and shows in Shanghai
  6. Parks and amusement parks in Shanghai

Before you begin

This article contains a brief review of the main tourist attraction in Shanghai. For every attraction we’ll also specify the address and closest metro stop. Here you’ll find an interactive map of the Shanghai metro, while here you’ll find our guide designed for those who wish to move to Shanghai.

To conclude, here you’ll find our reviews on the best hotels in Shanghai.

Note: in this article we indiscriminately use the words “Road” and “Lu”. The meaning is the same, since both have the meaning “way” or “street” (the difference is that the first word is in English and the second is in Mandarin).

[Read more…]

How to Choose the Best China Tour or Travel Agency – The Complete Guide

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How to book a tour in China

China Tours – Index

  1. What are the most popular China tours
  2. How to spot an honest travel agency
  3. What you should look at before booking a tour to China (visa arrangements, past customers’ referrals and so on)
  4. When you shall book a tour and when you shall travel by yourself
  5. What are the pros and cons of private and group tours
  6. How to prepare your trip and what to bring to China
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. Get in touch with our recommended travel agency

Before getting started

This article is based on my personal experience taking tours in China, first with a French company, later with a Chinese company to go to Tibet, and last of all, two “free” tours that I was invited on (one by the local Chinese government and another with a local travel agency, both of which were looking for opinions and advice from foreign tourists).

If you’ve already decided to book a China tour but you aren’t sure what travel agency to choose, we can suggest a reliable agency to you. Click here to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

[Read more…]

The Book Market near the Temple of Confucius in Shanghai

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The book market near the Temple of Confucius in Shanghai

Xuegong Jie (学宫街) and Laodaoqian Jie (老道前街) are two small streets in the Huangpu District of Shanghai.

The streets are packed, full of life. There are low houses, street food, and there’s no lack of bicycles and electric bikes that weave through passersby and merchants. But what makes it special is that the two roads house a beautiful temple: the Temple of Confucius in Shanghai (文庙).

The temple seems out of place with the liveliness of the area that surrounds it, there’s just a small sign outside, the ticket counter consists of two holes in the wall before the temple, there’s a guard at the entrance who also handles the tickets, and for those coming from Hunan Nan Road it’s hard to find the entrance amid the small roads.

Fortunately the tourist guides haven’t forgotten the temple, and when reading about which were the best attractions in Shanghai, not only did I learn about the existence of the Temple of Confucius, but also its details: every Sunday there’s an extraordinary used book market held here.

An entrance ticket costs 10 Yuan, but to walk among the stalls of used books that invade the temple all you’ll need to do is buy a ticket for the symbolic price of one Yuan. [Read more…]

How to find a job as an English Teacher in China

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Teaching in ChinaTeaching kids in China

This is a complete guide to finding a job as an English teacher in China. It’s around 10,000 words, so take your time to read it. You can also click on one of the links below to jump directly to the sections that most interest you. Here you’ll find:

[Read more…]

Traveling in China with a newborn: The complete guide

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The use of a sling for traveling in China is highly recommended! (My family and I in Jiuzhaigou) – Photo by Matteo Bosi

This article is for couples who are planning a trip to China with their baby, and really wish to do so with the same levity that they had before: namely two hearts and a backpack.

I’ll be speaking to you in particular about my recent experience: I traveled with my one-year-old since she was three months old all around the country, on completely different planes. There are feasible choices and others worth taking another look at. Changing diapers and preparing food need not necessarily be an obstacle for discovering the Middle Kingdom.

Carrying around a screaming baby need not be a reason to worry. And you don’t necessarily have to go crazy thinking you’ll have to do it on your own. Mamma China will take care of some things!

The basics

[Read more…]

4 Reasons Shanghai’s Metro is the Best

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Shanghai Metro

Shanghai is home to one of the best metro systems in the world, fulfilling the needs of the city dwellers facing rapid urbanization. Modeled after Hong Kong’s stellar MTR system, Shanghai’s metro network keeps expanding and improving.

In the ramp up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, massive infrastructure expansions were seen along China’s coastal cities. Since then, large investments have been allocated to metro projects allowing Chinese cities to advance much quicker than their global counterparts. The systems were designed to be extensive and affordable, and people of all demographics are being brought onto the system. As China continues to invest in infrastructure, Shanghai has an ambitious plan to continue expanding its metro system to service more people.

Here are a few reasons why Shanghai’s metro system beats the rest.

1) It’s cheap, fast, and convenient

Riding the metro in China feels like living in the future. With the rapid growth and development of the systems in just the past couple of decades, the facilities and trains are modern and user-friendly, as well as safe. [Read more…]

5 Reasons to Move to Shanghai Right Now

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Shanghai Skyline

Shanghai, the world’s largest city proper, is an ever-changing metropolis with so much to offer. With a population of 24 million, the city does have its challenges but is also brimming with endless opportunities for employment, fun, and life in general. Shanghai is the city of contrasts, where on the same street corner you’ll see a baby taking a poo on the sidewalk while a Lamborghini rolls by. Here are five reasons why you should consider moving to one of the world’s most exciting cities!

1. It’s an international city with endless opportunities

Shanghai is an international city with incredible opportunities for work, play, and lifestyle. Being an international city, most people under 40 speak English. All of the street signs are in English, and most restaurants will have the menus in English, if not pictures to point at. This will certainly reduce the cultural shock. As the economic and financial powerhouse of China, Shanghai offers a lot opportunities for employment in many fields. [Read more…]

Living in Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong? Pros and Cons

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living in ShanghaiShanghai’s skyline

People often ask to us what is the best city to live in China, Shanghai or Beijing? And is Hong Kong an option? What about second or third tiers cities?

Obviously there isn’t a right answer: it depends on what you’re looking for. In this article we’ll focus on Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong and look at the most important factors (cost of living, carrier opportunities, quality of life and so on) in order to solve some of the most common doubts.

Before we start…

If you’re looking to move to China and you didn’t read it yet, make you a favor and get our free e-book.

Also, keep in mind that Hong Kong S.A.R. (Special Administrative Region) is a Chinese Province only since 1997 (before it was a British colony). [Read more…]

The Best Hotels in Shanghai, The Pearl of The Orient

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Shanghai is the biggest city of China and here you’ll find hotels for all the taste, from the cheapest hostel to the most expensive 5 stars hotel. Given its extension, finding the right hotel may be a challenge, especially if you don’t know the city. This guide features a selection of the best hotels in Shanghai, whatever your budget may be.

In this guide we have selected hotels in three different areas, downtown, near Pudong Airport and, finally, near Hongqiao Airport.

If your looking for a general recommendations on booking hotels in China you can click here to read our guide.

Reviews of Luxury Hotels (5 Star) in Shanghai

The Puli Hotel and Spa


The The Puli Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel in central Shanghai, located only 11.3 km from the Hongqiao airport and a short walk away from the airport shuttle express. The hotel features well equipped 229 rooms, a restaurant serving international cuisine, nightclub, fitness center, spa and sauna, and a business center. Some of the other amenities include airport transfer, babysitting services, valet parking, and free Wi-Fi in public areas and all the rooms. The hotel is closely located to malls, shopping arenas, and restaurants. The staff is well-versed in English, friendly, and welcoming. The hotel is perfect for couples, families, and business travelers.

[Read more…]

The guide on what and where to eat in Shanghai

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Shanghai food

If you’re about to travel or move to Shanghai and are dying to try some typical cuisine but don’t know where to start, then this article is for you.

But before describing my favorite dishes, I would like to make a premise: China is larger than Europe and possesses a comparable variety of cuisines – actually, in my opinion it’s even greater than the Old Continent.

The difference is that due to the one way immigration that has seen an enormous quantity of workers from nearly every Chinese province stream to the great coastal metropolises, in Shanghai it’s possible to try any typical dish from all parts of China – prepared according to original recipes and ingredients – without leaving the historic center, or the Puxi area that extends from the Huangpu River to the east, as far as Zhongshan Park to the west.

Since it would be a sin to come to China and then limit yourself to only dishes from Shanghai, whose cuisine is known as Benbang Cai (that literally means “local cuisine”), I’ll tell you about ten dishes – or styles of cooking – that you can find in Shanghai. [Read more…]

Moving to China with Family

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moving to china with family

A few months ago, we did a survey to subscribers of our newsletter and asked, “Are there any subjects which you would like to read about on SDC?” and lots of people asked us for an article more oriented towards families.

However, how can we write an article oriented towards families if neither of us has a family?

So, a few days ago when I received an email from a Spanish family which had moved to Shanghai and wanted to share their experience and suggestions, I didn’t hesitate for a moment.

This article was written by Julio Cesar Castro, who recently moved to Shanghai with his partner and daughter.

P.D. In my opinion, this article helps to complete my previous article: “How to move to China to study or work“ [Read more…]

Life on Nanchang Lu, Shanghai – Interview with Fiona Reilly

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Interview with Fiona Reilly

Today I’ve the honor to interview Fiona, the soul of Life on Nanchang Lu, the place where you shall go if you want to learn more about food – especially street food, – in Shanghai.

Food

Fiona, you define yourself as a Foodie, Writer, Photographer and Expert dumpling taster. I want to start with the most important question: What is, in your opinion, the best dumpling’s fanguanr of Shanghai?

I have a soft spot for The Humble Room at 601 Nanchang Lu. Now it’s opposite the bright and shiny IAPM Mall so it looks even more humble, but it has some of the very tastiest (and cheapest) xiaolongbao in the city.

In your series about Shanghai Street Food, you list 36 different kind of street foods. Let’s say I’m in Shanghai only for a day and my goal is to learn as much as I can about the topic. Where should I go and what would you suggest me to taste?

The great thing about street food is that you can begin your education at any time of day! [Read more…]

Shanghai Strawberry Music Festival (Photo Essays)

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Shanghai Strawberry Music Festival

While in 2012 it took me eight months in order to publish the photos of the Shanghai Strawberry Music Festival, in 2013 I did even worse because I’m publishing them only today, 14 April, that is eleven months and an half after the festival.

If this was not enough, I’m publishing this photo essays only because this week I got no time to write the article that I wanted to publish originally. Anyway, I hope you’ll like the photos and the short stories that come with them. [Read more…]

Discovering Taiwan: Interview with Teresa

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Live in Taipei

Today we discuss with Teresa Pisanò who, after living for five years in Shanghai, in 2011 moved to Taipei, where she still lives.

Teresa, you told me that you studied at the Department of Oriental Language and Culture of University of Venice, which I believe is the most prestigious department in Italy, when it comes down to Oriental languages. I know it because I receive many inquires from students of Chinese language that would like to move to China but don’t know how to realize their dream. When did you arrive to China and, most important, how were you able to arrive to China and stay here five years?

The first time I went to China was in 2001. I was doing an internship at Beijing Languages and Culture University and, during that period, I spent some days in Shanghai. I liked Shanghai so much that in 2004 I decided to go back with my husband, that at the time was my boyfriend. We arrived without a job, without a place where to stay and without a return ticket. I guess we were lucky because in a few time we were able to make new friends, find an apartment and even a job. Personally I’ve worked in a architectural firm and, later, as a language teacher. [Read more…]

The singles market of People Square, Shanghai

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singles market shanghai

After publishing The Chinese Sex Symbol: What are Chinese women looking for? we received several messages of people claiming that if twenty years ago it was true that in China there was some pressure to get married as soon as possible, nowadays the situation has changed, especially in the big cities.

Really?

Even if I acknowledge that the Chinese society has evolved tremendously in the last years (I’m not blind), the reality is that the pressure to get married is still there, even when it comes down to the so called international metropolises such as Shanghai and Beijing.

But I’m not here to waste your time with my theories. Today I’ll only expose facts. If there wasn’t any pressure to get married, how the hell are you going to explain the photos that I’m sharing today? [Read more…]

Why the hell I’m going back to Shanghai?

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In February 2012 I was back to Pudong airport. I was coming from my hometown, in Sardegna, after the holiday of Spring Festival.

In Sardegna as usual there was the sun, the sky was blue and nobody ever heard of 2.5 PM particles.

Instead, the air of Shanghai was highly polluted and, as usual, it was pouring down.

“Why the fuck I’m back to China?” was my first thought.

But it was a rhetoric question. Both my job and my [Read more…]