| Shanghai is now a municipality directly under the Central Government, with the status of a province. |
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| Although there is evidence of human settlements in this area since around 4,000 B.C, Shanghai only became a major commercial centre producing cotton and textiles in the 16th century. The foreign presence, from the 1840s to early 20th century, contributed to the transformation of Shanghai into one of the greatest cities in the world: the Paris of the East and a "paradise for adventurers." Since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, Shanghai has become one of the major industrial bases in China. |
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| Area |
| 2,470 square miles (6,340 square kilometres) |
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| Geographic Info |
| Shanghai, which means "above the sea" is located on the Huangpu River at the beginning of the Yangtze River which flows out into the Yellow Sea. It is flanked by Jiangsu province on the north and Zhejiang province on the south. |
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| Visa |
| Visas are required for all foreigners entering mainland China except Brunei, Japan and Singapore passport holders who can enjoy visa-free access to China for not more than 15 days. |
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| Standard tourist visas, valid for 30-day visits, are generally easy to acquire, while visas valid for more than 30 days are usually difficult to obtain. |
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| Visitors are advised to consult their travel agent, China International Travel Service, China Travel Service, any PRC Embassy or Consulate for details. |
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| Currency |
| The unit of money in China is called renminbi. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as the shopping centres. |
| Use the Currency Converter to check the exchange rate that corresponds to your local currency. |
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| Shopping |
| The consumer industry once monopolized by the Friendship Stores, has expanded in terms of variety. Items such as jade, silk, jewellery, handicrafts, sculptures and antique vases are all popular items of purchase. In Shanghai, there is a rapidly expanding shopping industry to be found on the main streets. Nanjing Road and Yu Garden remain tourist hot spots with their numerous outlets dealing in Chinese arts and crafts. Large retail companies such as Yaohan, Isetan, Metro and Carrefour are present in Shanghai. |
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| Taxes |
| 15% tax & service charge |
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| Tipping |
| Tipping is not customary and is appreciated. |
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| Business Hours |
| Bank Hours: |
Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm |
| Office Hours: |
Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm |
| Shop Hours: |
Open from 10 am to 10 pm daily |
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| Dress |
| Dress is generally informal in China except on social diplomatic occasions. A suit and tie for formal occasions is widely accepted. Dressing modestly is advisable. In winter, temperature can drop to biting degrees with strong winds. Very light clothing in summer is adequate. |
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| Health |
| Visitors to China are required to fill in a health declaration form when entering the country. Bottled drinking water is available in the hotel room, compliments of Shangri-La. |
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| Weather |
| Month |
Average Temp oF (oC) |
Humidity |
Remarks |
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| Mar-May |
50oF to 59oF |
56% to 59% |
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(10oC to 15oC) |
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| Jun-Aug |
70oF to 104oF |
62% to 66% |
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(21oC to 40oC) |
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| Sep-Nov |
64oF to 82oF |
55% to 64% |
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(18oC to 28oC) |
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| Dec-Feb |
28oF to 45oF
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57% to 62% |
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(-2oC to 7oC) |
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