Shanghai Travel tips

 

Tips for travelling in Shanghai
 
Language

Official Languages: Mandarin
Language of Business and Administration: Mandarin and English

Electricity

220 volts, 50 cycles

Emergency Number

Tourist Hotline: 5261179
Ambulance: 120 , 7213460
Emergencies: 110 (foreigner's section 552729)
Fire: 119
Tel No. Enquiry: 114
Police: 110
Foreign Affairs Office of Police: 7216795

Useful Emergency Phone No.
 
International assistance - 115

Fire brigade - 119

Police - 110

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Area code: 021

Tourist Hotline: 6252-0000 

Emergency Center: 6324-4010

Tourist Complaints: 6439-3615 

Port Passenger Station: 6326-1261 

People's No.1 Hospital: 6324-0100 

Shanghai Railway Station: 6317-9090

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport: 6268-3659 

Shanghai Branch, Bank of China: 7329-1979 

Shanghai East Airlines Air Ticket Reservations: 6247-2255

Shanghai Local Customs
 
In China people will always use your last name first. If you are invited to somebody's house for a meal, it is polite to arrive with an offering for your hosts such as chocolates or fruit. If you really want to impress, take something special from your home country, although such items as key rings embossed with your company logo will not be well received. When invited out, it is considered good manners to arrive slightly early. If you are hosting, then try to arrive even earlier - about half an hour or so.
 

Shanghai Tipping Advice
 
Tipping used to be very rare in China but now, no doubt through Western influence, the idea is catching on. In restaurants, a 3% tip is standard, and bellboys and room service staff expect roughly USD 1.00 or USD 2.00. You can tip in American dollars as hard currency is always appreciated.