the british international school
Shanghai, China
SECOND EDITION
THE ESSENTIALS
GUIDE SHANGHAI W W W.B IS S H AN GH AI.COM
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THE ESSENTIALS
GUIDE SHANGHAI
THE ESSENTIALS
GUIDE SHANGHAI Essentials Guide Shanghai 2nd Edition Copyright Š The British International School 2011 All Rights Reserved Chief Editor - Travis Murray Primary Design - Valle DMG inquiries@valledmg.com Secondary Design - Travis Murray, Richard Restell Primary Copywriting - Tom Bewick Secondary Copywriting - Travis Murray, Mark Angus, Mike Embley Copyediting/Proofreading - Aelred Doyle Special thanks to Richard Restell for his excellent photography. While every possible effort has been taken to ensure that the facts contained within this guide are accurate, The British International School cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that this guide may contain. No part of this guide may be reproduced or distributed, by electronic means or any other, without the prior permission of The British International School.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PREPARING TO GO
Culture Shock p 82
Introduction p 8
Education p 84
History p 20
Education Supplement p 92
People and Culture p 22 Language p 26 Climate p 27 Geography p 28 Administrative Preparations p 32 Address, Phone and Finances p 33
LIVING IN SHANGHAI Health and Wellness p 146 Practising Religion p 151 Eating and Drinking p 154 Shopping p 160
Consulates p 34
Tourist Attractions p 170
Books, Films and Music p 38
Parks and Recreation p 174 Golfing p 180
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Family Activities p 182
Landing p 44
Getting Involved p 190
Getting Around p 46
Neighbourhood Descriptions p 192
Money and Banking p 52 Getting Connected p 54 Health Care p 58 Temporary Accommodation p 64 Finding Housing p 70 Getting Settled p 80
Neighbourhood Supplement p 207
the british international school
Shanghai, China
helping others to be the best they can be 6
WWW.BISSHANGHAI.COM
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ducation and learning have always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be. HELPING We do everything to support people and be useful to them, always keeping their best interests at heart. OTHERS Our communities: students, parents, policy makers, the societies in which we live and, of course, our own people. Our work reaches all of them. THRIVE To grow. To flourish. To learn. To be inspired. To stretch yourself further than you, or anyone else, thought possible. To experience more. To keep going, onwards and upwards, closer and closer to your aims and dreams.
CONTACT admissions@bisshanghai.com TO ARRANGE A VISIT TO OUR SCHOOL OR TO ORDER A SCHOOL PROSPECTUS
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Introduction
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f you’re moving to Shanghai, prepare to be surprised. The outside world may perceive the city as a smoggy, teeming industrial hub. To most foreign residents however, Shanghai is a dynamic, vibrant, inspiring and cosmopolitan metropolis. Most expats reveal experiencing an overall feeling of ‘this is where things are happening.’ At the same time, Shanghai startles newcomers with its beauty and street-level charm amid alarmingly rapid growth.
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The charm lies in the city’s cultural and architectural vestiges that echo its unique colonial past, combined with its unrelenting drive into the future. Although an outsider will always be the laowai (foreigner), the people of Shanghai are welcoming. Look forward to good friendships and respectable business relationships with the local people.
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hanghai has a way of luring people in and keeping them. Be prepared to hear from expats and Chinese alike that they came to Shanghai to work or study years ago and then couldn’t bring themselves to leave.
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iving and working in the city of Shanghai means amazing career opportunities, exciting language challenges and cultural immersion. You can enjoy food from all over Asia, mingle in a large and diverse expatriate community and be a part of the fastest growing economy in the world. However, this also comes with frustrations. Shanghai is crowded, noisy and chaotic. People push on the Metro.
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The air quality is often low. Adjusting to a new language, a new culture and a new government can be frustrating. Acclimating to a vastly different environment takes time, patience, flexibility and a good sense of humour.
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his Essentials Guide Shanghai is designed to help you prepare for Shanghai and settle in once you get there. Despite its challenges, Shanghai is now a much easier place to live as an expat. It has world-class hospitals, Western-standard accommodation and highquality accredited international schools. Newcomers can find countless cultural events, interest groups and organisations that make them feel like Shanghai is a home away from home.
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CONTENTS
PREPARING TO GO INTRO
Preparing to go will be as much a mental journey as it will be a practical one. Understanding more about the dramatically different culture you are about to encounter will help prepare you for the experience. You can read a book or watch a movie we recommend, or you can engage in your own research. Either way, the process will reward you. The practical aspects of preparation are, of course, vital to ensuring that your journey begins on a positive note. This section will help you prepare on both fronts.
History p 20 People and Culture p 22 Language p 26 Climate p 27 Geography p 28  Administrative Preparations p 32 Address, Phone and Finances p 33 Consulates p 34 Books, Films and Music p 38
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HISTORY History
‘Bund’ literally means an embankment along a waterfront or an organisation – both of which have relevance for the Bund in Shanghai.
The Bund today
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odern Shanghai has been shaped by its position as a port city on the Yangtze Delta and the Chinese-Western business coalitions first established in the 19th century. Originally a fishing and textile port on the Yangtze Delta, Shanghai (‘on the sea’ in Chinese) emerged as a popular export base for the British East India Company in the late 18th century as Chinese tea, silk and porcelain became more popular in Great Britain. However, neither the isolationist Qing Dynasty nor Chinese consumers desired any British products in return, creating for Britain an unsustainable trade imbalance. To redress this situation, the enterprising British capitalised on the Chinese fondness for opium by importing a superior product from India. In order to protect this dubious trade from Chinese resistance, the far more industrialised British overpowered the Chinese army in what came to be known as the First Opium War. In the resulting 1842 Treaty of Nanking, the Chinese ceded Hong Kong and extraterritorial concessions in five other Chinese cities, including Shanghai. The British named their settlement along the Huangpu River the Bund, and later consolidated with the American community to form the International Concession. France also claimed a concession from a weakened Qing Court. Throughout the second half of the 19th century, Shanghai grew rapidly and the foreign residents built an impressive infrastructure. Shanghai boasted China’s best roads and hotels, its first gaslights, telephones, electric power, cars and trams. The city continued to prosper throughout the early part of the 20th century, welcoming more immigrants from Russia and Japan, each bringing with them their customs and culture. During the 1920s and 30s, the city became legendary for money, gangsters, drugs and brothels. The party ended soon after Shanghai was liberated by the Communists in 1949. The dance halls and villas were converted into “cultural palaces” and stylish Parisian
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HISTORY apparel was traded in for grey unisex tunics and caps. Shanghai was the headquarters of the Gang of Four, who made it their business to rid the city of the “Four Olds”: old culture, old customs, old habits and old ways of thinking. Of course, what was deemed ‘old’ was left to their discretion. By the time Richard Nixon visited Shanghai as part of his historic meeting with Zhou Enlai in 1972, the city was completely dark after nightfall. Even in 1988, ten years after Deng Xiaoping launched the economic reform era, the tallest building in town was the Park Hotel, built in 1934. In the 1990s, the lights came back on, and in a big way. The government decreed that Shanghai was to become the country’s new economic powerhouse. The skyline, and the city, changed beyond recognition. Skyscrapers, roads, trains and bridges were built at breakneck speed. By the time Shanghai was awarded the bid to host the 2010 World Expo in 2002, it was a modern megalopolis, with a population approaching 20 million, and once again a centre of global commerce and innovation. Not to be outdone by 2008 Olympics host and rival Beijing, the city spared no expense – or architectural relic of its past – to impress international visitors to the World Expo. However, strolls along the Bund, the French Concession and the Old City still allow visitors a glimpse of Shanghai’s rich and colourful history. Shanghai is now regarded as mainland China’s centre of finance and trade and the driving force behind China’s booming economy. Modern development began with the economic reforms in 1992 and economic growth has been in double digits for 18 straight years. The city is undertaking massive public works projects at an unparalleled pace and scale. Besides being a major international manufacturing and financial services centre, Shanghai is also one of the world’s busiest ports, surpassed only by Singapore.
The lights of Shanghai have come back on... in a big way.
REALITY CHECK You are moving to one of the world’s great cities... prepare to be overwhelmed.
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PEOPLE AND CULTURE Population While China is strongly unified, it remains very diverse. Understanding traditional regional rivalries and differences will help you understand China and the Chinese people better. These differences can be understood by a north-south eastwest relationship. You will find that southerners are different than northerners and easterners are different than westerners. Sound familiar?
Estimates of Shanghai’s population vary, depending on whether long-term and temporary migrants are included in the calculation. The residential population is projected to have been 19 million by 2010, which does not include a floating population of 2-4 million unregistered migrants. Included in the first number are about 120,000 registered foreigners. According to government statistics, 70 percent of the foreign population works in joint venture companies.
Shanghai's Foreign Population Japan Korea US Singapore Germany France Canada Malaysia UK Australia Other
Culture Getting to know a new culture is one of the most exciting aspects of travelling. A city as vibrant and diverse as Shanghai presents endless wonderment to Western visitors. The city is composed of migrants from all over China and the world. Shanghai’s history of business and technological innovation and as the nexus of East and West in China creates a dynamic energy that lures many visitors in... and keeps them there. In China, the city is known for its ‘ocean culture’ (haipai) or even ‘overseas culture’ (yangpai), characterised by an acute and receptive sensitivity to foreign ideas, attitudes, styles and opinions. This is commonly referred
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PEOPLE AND CULTURE to as the distinguishing feature of Shanghai’s culture compared to that of other Chinese cities. The Shanghainese are self-confident; they don’t fear the erosion of their past by international trends, since it was largely these very forces that shaped their city in the first place. They have always been ardent consumers of Western brands and ideas. Their compatriots tend to view this East-meets-West mentality with a degree of scepticism, feeling that they should be more reverent of local tradition. The city is, and has always been, a melting pot of different ethnic groups, both domestic and international, all drawn here for the same reason:
HELPING OTHERS TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE
to make money. Evidence of this can be found everywhere. Western businessmen flash their gold cards at high-end bars alongside tycoons from all over the world. Meanwhile, migrant workers are pulling an all-nighter at a high-rise tower construction site, hoping to send a few extra yuan back to their families in the countryside. Shanghai is also the birthplace of China’s new white-collar professional. The arrival of foreign
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PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Expect to see an interesting fusion of Eastern and Western fashion when you arrive in Shanghai. What you may consider inappropriate at home does not necessarily apply in Shanghai.
corporations in the 1990s raised the demand for educated employees, and salaries are considerably higher than in public sector jobs. The media image of this group has been rather glamorous and, for the Chinese white collar worker (bai ling), working for a large overseas corporation is a status symbol. Despite these distinctions, Shanghai is still in China and in many respects very Chinese. There are a few intricacies of Chinese etiquette to be aware of before arriving in Shanghai.
Face The concept of ‘face’ is prevalent throughout China and can never be underestimated. People go to great lengths to acquire it through displays of wealth or generosity. For example, never insist on paying for a meal hosted by a local as this would be a serious faux pas. Complimenting someone on their appearance or business acumen – especially in front of their pals or colleagues – is a sure winner. Confrontation and public criticism are guaranteed face-destroyers and will inevitably be counterproductive. When in doubt, be lavish with compliments, or at the very least be quiet and respectful.
Prepare to sacrifice personal space in public areas.
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PEOPLE AND CULTURE In business, understanding ‘face’ can mean the difference between success and failure or promotion and demotion. If you want to become a master, study how locals handle social situations and pay attention to those situations where subordinates are deferential to their superiors.
Public Behaviour Avoid expansive gestures, emotional displays, unusual facial expressions and sarcasm, as these will generate confused reactions. The Chinese dislike being touched by strangers. Conversely, the Chinese generally stand closer to each other than Europeans or North Americans when they’re speaking. Putting your hands in your mouth is considered vulgar, so nail-biting and flossing in public are big no-nos. Shanghai is a smoker’s paradise. Cigarettes are cheap and smoked by many. A few restaurants are finally offering smoke-free sections. Spitting is very popular, ranging from minor spittle to a full-throttled, lung-rattling, expectorant cough. To many, this is inappropriate. However, the belief is that it’s healthy to expel noxious fluids from the body and, despite half-hearted public efforts to encourage civility, it’s hardly on the wane.
REALITY CHECK If you want to be happy in China, leave your preconceptions at home and open your mind. Everything will be very different and confusing at times... but the experience will help you understand the world better.
The Chinese are generally not fond of public displays of affection such as kissing. While you may see women holding the arms of their loved ones, bolder displays are uncommon.
Conversation Negative replies are considered impolite. Instead of saying ‘No’, answer indirectly. Replies such as ‘Maybe’, ‘I’ll think about it’ or ‘We’ll see’ will generate a much better reaction and allow the questioner to save face. When addressing a group, acknowledge the most senior person first. Questions about your age, income and marital status are common. If you don’t want to reveal this information, prepare non-specific responses. Don’t be surprised if there are periods of silence during dinner. It’s a sign of politeness or thought and need not be broken with uncomfortable small talk.
Politics Avoid controversial topics such as the Falun Gong and Tibet. You’ll immediately be faced with hushed silences and possibly even suspicious stares. Googling these same issues could lead to your server being shut down. Avoid being openly critical of the Chinese state or Chinese culture around people you don’t know well, even if it happens to be the topic of conversation. For many Chinese people, it’s OK if they complain about government policy or activities, but they may take offence to foreigners doing so. When in doubt, it’s best to commiserate by lamenting similar problems within your own government or culture.
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LANGUAGE Language
Don’t be surprised if some locals don’t understand you even if you’re speaking perfect Chinese.
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hanghai’s official language is Mandarin Chinese. A notoriously difficult language to learn, it has no set alphabet and instead uses characters, which number approximately 50,000. Fortunately for Mandarin learners, not all are in everyday use and mastery of about 3,000 is enough to read a newspaper. Learning spoken Mandarin is made easier through the use of Pinyin, a phonetic transliteration system that uses the Roman alphabet to represent pronunciation. Nonetheless, Mandarin is still tricky to learn because it’s a tonal language. Each character is assigned one of five tones in spoken form: first tone (high and level), second tone (rising from medium to high), third tone (starting low, dipping lower and then rising again), fourth tone (sharply falling from high to low) and a fifth neutral tone. Depending on which tone is employed, one Pinyin word will have numerous meanings. For example, the word ma can mean ‘mother’, ‘hemp’, ‘horse’ or ‘to swear or reprimand’. This, of course, can cause embarrassing misunderstandings. Shanghainese, or Shanghaihua, is derived from the Northern Wu dialect. It exists only as an everyday spoken lingo, with no written form. For a beginning Mandarin learner, it can be frustrating to wholeheartedly attempt a new language only to be confused on the streets and in the shops by hearing another foreign language. However, Mandarin is the official language of Shanghai and most people speak it well. The Chinese are generally much more patient and forgiving with Westerners struggling through Mandarin than vice versa. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to learn their language, and speaking a few phrases is seen as a sign of respect and will help you interact and integrate with the locals. It’s advisable to learn some words and phrases right away. Pick up a phrase book and watch or listen to a tutorial a few times before you go. All of these resources are easy to find at bookstores or online.
The Chinese consider calligraphy an art form and place a high value on continuing the tradition.
English is becoming more widely spoken in Shanghai in most central neighbourhoods, particularly in establishments frequented by Westerners. Hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars, banks, museums, fitness clubs and boutiques will normally have at least one English-speaker on hand. However, do not expect to find English spoken by the average passer-by on the street, in taxis or buses, in local restaurants and markets or generally in neighbourhoods outside the city centre that are not near expat villas. Many signs, notices and publications in Shanghai are written in what is often called ‘Chinglish’. This new, developing form of communication is derived from poor translations carried out by Chinese English-speakers. Chinglish is usually decipherable with a bit of patience and a keen eye for humour.
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CLIMATE Climate
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hanghai is a subtropical city located at 31°12 N 121°30 E, roughly the same latitude as Savanna, Georgia in North America and Seville, Spain in Europe. It has four distinct seasons, with grey and cold winters, hot and humid summers and beautiful springs and autumns. Thanks to its proximity to the sea Shanghai rarely sees snow, though it occasionally experiences sub-freezing temperatures; however in recent years, perhaps due to climate change, the city has experienced heavier snowfalls than is the historical norm.
Take advantage of spring and autumn weather as it doesn’t last long and the summers are very hot.
Summer temperatures can hit 40ºC, although the average high is around 32ºC. Most of Shanghai’s rain falls between April and September in three periods: spring rain, plum rain and autumn rain. The plum rain season, a phenomenon of the lower Yangtze region, is named after the fruit that ripens with its arrival between mid-June and early July. Typhoon season lasts from June to October and the storms bring strong winds, heavy rain and storm surges, which sometimes cause flooding in downtown areas along the Huangpu River.
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GEOGRAPHY Geography
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he geography of Shanghai is characterised by its location on the Yangtze River Delta on China’s east coast and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean via the East China Sea. The city is centred around the Huangpu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, and extends outwards in all directions. The suburbs and satellite towns reach east to the East China Sea, north and west to Jiangsu Province, and south to Zhejiang Province over Hangzhou Bay.
REALITY CHECK
The vast majority of Shanghai’s 6,340 sq km of land area is flat, apart from a few hills in the southwest corner. This is due to its location on the alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta. The city has many rivers and lakes and is known for its rich water resources. Its coastal, riverside location and warm climate ensure easy access to China’s interior.
On any given day, you may ask about the haze that seems at times to be everpresent. Expect locals to tell you, “It’s just mist!” While there may be mist in the air, the source of that mist is not altogether certain. The suburbs tend to have more clean air days.
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GEOGRAPHY Cityscape
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hanghai city proper is bisected by the Huangpu River and therefore can be split into two sides: Puxi, on the west side, is the historic centre of the city, and is a term used to describe as a whole the districts of Yangpu, Hongkou, Zhabei, Putuo, Changning, Xuhui, Jing’an and Huangpu. Pudong is located on the east side and is the location of Shanghai’s rapid development, including its famous new skyline and the Lujiazui financial district. The outer districts, or suburbs, surrounding the city proper, are Baoshan, Minhang, Jiading, Jinshan, Songjiang, Qingpu, Nanhui, Fengxian and the rural eastern part of Pudong. Shanghai’s only county, Chongming, is in the far north of the municipality and consists of the islands of Chongming, Changxing and Hengxia. Chongming Island is the site of one of the most ambitious green development projects in the world, which will see the formerly sleepy ‘rice bowl of Shanghai’ home to more than 500,000 residents when complete. The island is also the site of one of the largest migratory bird populations in China.
Changes are occurring in the cityscape of Shanghai at breakneck speed. Expect to see many examples of development that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. In advance of the 2010 World Expo the city underwent an intense beautification process which has left it in top shape.
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ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS Administrative Preparations
Most people tend to pack much more than they need when moving to China.
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he process begins with the administrative matters. Do not put them off. In fact, this is the only part of the moving process you cannot put off, as China is strict about its bureaucratic procedures and you don’t want your transition to be interrupted by a preventable hiccup. Ship any necessary items through a private company such as DHL or FedEx. But remember, pretty much everything can be purchased in Shanghai. If you are shipping items to China, make a detailed inventory of all shipped and stored items. Here are some of the administrative matters to consider before you leave for China.
Visas & Documents
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his is a key issue and should be your top priority, especially if you are travelling with children. All visitors, including tourists, require a visa. These are obtained through a Chinese embassy or consulate. Most tourists are issued with a single- or double-entry visa valid for 90 days with the possibility to extend. Processing times and costs vary by consulate so allow at least a week, although many consulates can expedite the process for an additional fee. Americans tend to have to pay a great deal more than citizens of other countries. Costs and waiting times are subject to change, so consult the Chinese consulate website as the time draws near. Business and student visas are usually multiple entry valid for three to six months, and allow the visitor to stay for the full specified period. They require a letter from the business or university. Long-term residency requires a ‘green card’ or residence permit. The formidable amount of paperwork needed for a green card includes at least ten passport photos – one for each of the ten application forms necessary. It is a five-step process that begins with a tourist visa. Employers will need to help you with the process, and they should be familiar with the procedures. Check the following websites for updated procedures and regulations: British citizens: www.chineseembassy.org.uk American citizens: www.china-embassy.org Canadian citizens: www.chinaembassycanada.org If you’re moving to Shanghai as a family, you’ll need to bring medical records, as schools and universities will require these. You must also be prepared to provide your child’s previous school records and birth certificate. Contact your child’s current and previous schools as soon as possible to get the process moving. Even if you’re not going to enrol in school, bringing at least a copy of your birth certificate is a good idea. This document is especially helpful at a consular office in the event that something happens to your passport.
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ADDRESS, PHONE AND FINANCES Here is a list of documents to bring for a long-term stay in Shanghai: • • • • • • •
Passport and visa Extra passport-size photos Children’s birth certificates (copy for adults) Marriage certificate Children’s school records Diploma and CV (for applying for work permit) Driving licence (serves as back-up ID and allows you to obtain a Chinese licence) • Inventory of everything shipped • Medical records
Be aware that business hours may be completely different in your home country so taking care of business by phone may be very inconvenient.
Address & Phone
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end change of address notices to banks and credit card companies. Even if you don’t yet have a permanent address in Shanghai, you should let your bank know that you are in China. Many banks block use of debit or credit cards in foreign countries if they have not been officially notified of the user’s travel plans. Check to see if your phone will work in China. However, if it’s a long-term move, it’s a better idea to drop or suspend your phone plan and get a Chinese phone number. This process is easy and inexpensive once you arrive in Shanghai.
Finance
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t is always more complicated to organise and maintain your home finances from abroad. For any monthly payments, such as to credit card companies, arrange for online payments and banking. It is easy to forget monthly tasks from a new home. Check the status of your taxes and pension plans and make the necessary arrangements for these to be processed while you are away. Contact your bank to get details on procedures for transferring money back home.
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CONSULATES Consulates
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nowing where your consulate is can be important when you get into a sticky situation, or need advice.
American Consulate 1469 Huaihai Zhong Lu
淮海中路1469 (6433 6880) Mon-Fri 8am-5pm http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn, shanghaiacs@state.gov
The Consulate General of Argentina
Sun Plaza Building (West Tower), Suite 402, 88 Xianxia Lu
A lot of consulates hold cultural events or bazaars every year for the community, a good chance to meet other nationalities.
仙霞路88号百联西郊购物中心，西峰402室 (6278 0300) Mon-Fri 10am-12pm, 1-4 pm www.consuargensh.com, consuargensh@online.sh.cn
The Consulate General of Australia CITIC Square, 22/F, 1168 Nanjing Xi Lu
南京西路1168号中信泰富广场22楼 (5292 5500) Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm www.shanghai.china.embassy.gov.au, consular.shanghai@dfat.gov.au
The Consulate General of Austria Qihua Tower, 3/F, No. 3A, 1375 Huaihai Lu
淮海路1375号启华大厦3楼3A (6474 0268) Mon-Fri 9:30am-2pm www.bmeia.gv.at/botschaft/gk-shanghai.html, shanghai-gk@bmeia.gv.at
The Consulate General of Brazil ASA Building, No. 703, 188 Jiangning Lu
江宁路188号亚盛大厦703室 (6437 0110) Mon-Fri 9:30am-1pm (2:30-5pm for phone service) www.brazilshanghai.cn, brazil@brazilshanghai.cn
The Consulate General of Canada
Shanghai Centre (West Tower), No. 604, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu 南京西路1376号上海商城西峰604室 (3279 2800) Mon-Fri 1-4:30pm www.shanghai.gc.ca, shngi@international.gc.ca
The Consulate General of Denmark International Trade Center, No. 701, 2201 Yan’an Xi Lu 延安西路2201号世贸商城701室
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CONSULATES (6209 0500) Mon-Fri 9am-5pm www.gkshanghai.um.dk, shagkl@um.dk
The Consulate General of France
Haitong Securities Building, 2/F, 689 Guangdong Lu 上海市广东路689号海通大厦2层 (6103 2200) Mon-Fri 9am-12pm (2-6pm with appointment) www.consulfrance-shanghai.org, accueilconsulat.shanghai@diplomatie.gouv.fr
The Consulate General of Germany 181 Yongfu Lu
永福路181 (3401 0106) Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30am (by appointment after) www.shanghaidiplo.de, info@shanghai.diplo.de
The Consulate General of India
Shanghai International Trade Center, No. 1008, 2001 Yan’an Xi Lu 延安西路2001号上海世贸大厦1008室 (6275 8882, 8885, 8886) Mon-Fri 9:30am-12pm www.indianconsulate.org.cn, cgoff@indianconsulate.org.cn
The Consulate General of Ireland
Most consulates have short opening hours and you often need to book an appointment; check with the consulate beforehand.
Shanghai Centre (West Tower), Suite 700A, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu 南京西路1376号上海商城西峰700A室 (6279 8729) Mon-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm, 2-5:30pm www.embassyofireland.cn, shanghai@dfa.ie
The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran 17 Fuxing Xi Lu
复兴西路17号 (6433 2997, 2998) Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm www.iranconsulate-sh.com/en/index.asp, consulgeneral@iranconsulate-sh.com
The Consulate General of Israel New Town Mansion, 7/F, 55 Loushanguan Lu
娄山关路55号新虹桥大厦7楼 (6126 4500) Mon-Fri 9am-12pm http://shanghai.mfa.gov.il, Info@shanghai.mfa.gov.il
The Consulate General of Italy The Center, 19/F, 989 Changle Lu
长乐路989号世纪商贸广场19楼
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CONSULATES (5407 5588) Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm www.consshanghai.esteri.it, info.shanghai@esteri.it
The Consulate General of Japan 8 Wanshan Lu
万山路8号 (5257 4766) Mon-Fri 9am-12:30pm, 1:30-5:30pm www.shanghai.cn.emb-japan.go.jp/cn/index_cn.htm
The Consulate General of Korea 60 Wanshan Lu
万山路60号 (6295 5000) Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, 2-5:30pm http://shanghai.mofat.go.kr
The Consulate General of Mexico
Dawning Center (Tower A) 10/F, 500 Hongbaoshi Lu 红宝石路500号东银大厦A栋10楼 (6125 0220) Mon-Fri 9am-12pm http://portal.sre.gob.mx/shanghai, atencion.consultas@consulmex-shanghai.com
The Consulate General of the Netherlands Dawning Center (Tower B), 10/F, 500 Hongbaoshi Lu 上海浦东新区张杨路500号华润时代广场B栋10楼 (2208 7288) Mon-Fri 9am-12:30pm, 2-5:30pm www.hollandinchina.org, sha-vz@minbuza.nl
The Consulate General of the Philippines Metrobank Plaza Building, No. 301, 1168 Yan’an Xi Lu
延安西路1168号首信银都大厦, 301室 (6281 8020) Mon-Fri 9am-12pm http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn, pcg@philcongenshanghai.org
The Consulate General of Russia 20 Huangpu Lu
黄浦路20 号 (6324 8383, 2682) Mon-Fri www.russianembassy.net/iservice.nsf/Cons/ConsulateGeneralOfRussiaInShanghai, consul@online.sh.cn
The Consulate General of Singapore 89 Wanshan Lu 万山路89号
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CONSULATES (6278 5566) Mon-Fri 8:30am-12pm, 1-5pm www.mfa.gov.sg/shanghai, singcg_sha@sgmfa.gov.sg
The Consulate General of the Republic of South Africa Suite 2706, 220 Yan’an Dong Lu
延安东路220号2706室 (5359 4977) Mon-Fri 8am-4:30 pm www.saembassy.org.cn/shanghai.html, shanghai@foreign.gov.za
The Consulate General of Spain 13/F, 2 Zhongshan Dong Lu
中山东路12号3楼 (6321 3543) Mon-Fri 9am-1pm www.consuladoenshanghai.maec.es, cog.shanghai@maec.es
The Consulate General of Sweden
Check with your consulate to see what networking events it holds.
Central Plaza, No. 1521-1541, 381 Huaihai Zhong Lu
淮海中路381号香港新世界大厦1521 – 1541 室 (5359 9610) Mon-Fri 9-11:30am www.swedenabroad.com/shanghai, generalkonsulat.shanghai@foreign.ministry.se
The Consulate General of Switzerland
Far East International Plaza, Building A, 22/F, 319 Xianxia Lu 仙霞路319号远东国际广场22楼 (6270 0519, 0520) Mon-Fri 9am-12pm www.eda.admin.ch/shanghai.html, sha.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Royal Thai Consulate General
Crystal Century Mansion, 15/F, 567 Weihai Lu 威海路567号晶采世纪大厦 (6288 3030) Mon-Fri 9:30am-12pm, 1-5:30pm www.thaishanghai.com, thaiconsul.sgh@gmail.com
The Consulate General of the United Kingdom Shanghai Centre, No. 301, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
南京西路1376号上海商城301室 (3279 2000, 6279 7651) Mon-Thur 8:30am-5pm; Friday 8:30am-3:30pm www.ukinchina.fco.gov.uk, britishconsulate.shanghai@fco.gov.uk
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BOOKS, FILMS AND MUSIC Books, Films and Music
Not all media about China is available in China due to government regulations. If you want to get informed it’s best to find the relevant media before departure.
T
he more you learn about China and Shanghai before arrival, the richer the experience will be when you get there. There are a lot of excellent books and films, either about Shanghai or using it as a compelling backdrop, that will inspire you to explore the city and think creatively while doing so. If you have time, pick up a couple of these books or films for different perspectives on your new home.
Books: My Country and My People Lin Yutang (1936) Written by the inventor of the Chinese printing press, this book is an exploration of the foundations of Chinese character. Though written more than 70 years ago it continues to be relevant today. My Country and My People will help you understand the sometimes immense differences between Eastern and Western character. One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China James McGregor (2007) This is an interesting read for those travelling to do business in China. One Billion Customers explores case studies, personalities and the lessons they offer. What Does China Think? Mark Leonard (2008) A probing and detail-oriented investigation into the Chinese psyche. Leonard is a rising star in Western foreign policy circles and offers enlightening and surprising insights into intellectual and bureaucratic thinking in China. Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China Leslie Chang (2008) Shows the underside of China’s rapid economic development. Building Shanghai: The Story of China’s Gateway Edward Denison & Guang Yu Ren (2006) Shanghai’s rapid growth and lack of coherent long-term planning is explored. Shanghai: The Rise and Fall of a Decadent City Stella Dong (2000) This is a historical account of the decadent times of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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BOOKS, FILMS AND MUSIC China Candid: The People on the People’s Republic of China Sang Ye (2006) A Chinese journalist’s interviews about life in modern-day China.
FilmS: Code 46 Michael Winterbottom (2003) A dark, Orwellian sci-fi thriller with Shanghai as the backdrop. Jasmine Women Hou Yong (2004)
Getting informed before you leave will help you avoid culture shock and greatly improve your enjoyment of your time in Shanghai and China.
A story about three generations of Shanghai women. Shanghai Triad Zhang Yimou (1995) A gangster film set in 1930s Shanghai. This is Shanghai’s version of The Godfather. Suzhou River Lou Ye (2000) A very surreal tale of lust and lost love set in poor, industrial Shanghai. Mission: Impossible III JJ Abrams (2006) Tom Cruise swings and leaps from the city’s skyscrapers, landing in the canal town of Xitang.
Music: Cold Fairyland Their style combines Eastern melodies and rhythms with Western symphonic rock and classical music. The Original Shanghai Divas Collection Ian Widgery (2003) This album takes top Chinese pop stars from the 20s and 30s and remixes them with up-tempo grooves and laid-back beats. Fragrance of Night Li Xianglan (2003) This album combines famous anthems from 1930s Shanghai with 16 other tracks.
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