Shanghai is noisy (Other Locations in China)

Member Name: johnboyle007

Product:	Other Locations in China
Date:	14/07/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great people great shopping

Disadvantages: Traffic Congestion

Some tips for travel to Shanghai

a) Changing your money at airport avoid the cashpoint it will give only 100RMB notes. Taxis and shops do not like them and will refuse them .

b) Change your money get lots of 10 and 5 notes in centre of Shanghai taxi ride starts at 11RMB and averages about 15

c) travelling in Shanghai ask the reception desk to write out in Chinese your destination and if you have a street map ask them to mark it on map as well

d) When leaving hotel make sure you have hotel address in Chinese

e) Always carry your passport with you . Checks are carried out at random especially if you are near sensitive buildings and you can be fined

f) Health risks be sensible with drinking water ice salads etc as in many Asian countries hygeine not as good as you expect in Europe

g) Being a pedestrian you have no rights in Shanghai. Their driving is crazy and to add to that you have cyclists and mopeds coming from every direction.

h) If lights are on red cars can turn right even if pedestrians are in the way.

i) General safety crime is very low and non existent in centre of Shanghai but still be aware of crowds pick pockets etc.

j Avoid money changers in street they will give you bad rate possibly forged notes and you could be arrested as it is illegal

k) Eating out is an adventure many restaurants have menu with English on them in preparation for Shanghai Expo in 2010 however the description does not always match the food served - just go with the flow and enjoy and order something else

l) IF you are low risk tourist plenty of Western restaurants and if desperate their is KFC Burger King and MCDonalds

m ) Shanghai is noisy and people are noisy

n ) Shopping all western names are here even Marks and Spencer. Many markets exist where you can haggle and boy do they haggle. They start very high, you offer 10% of asking price and slowly work up to 30% ish. To get best best price walk away and they will usually call you back for LAST PRICE. If you dont buy at this price expect to be shouted at as a time waster

o) Serious one if you have any breathing problem eg asthma bring your medication and consider a face mask on a still day the pollution can be over pwoering

Hope this helps someone Common Sense really but sometimes we need reminding

Summary: Would come again