/r/shanghai

Photograph via snooOG

A subreddit for redditors living in, visiting, or interested in China's most populous and ever-expanding city, Shanghai (上海).

Share your experiences of the city, photos of shiny things, noteworthy places to go, your favourite restaurants, bars, clubs, tourist traps, and everything else here!


A subreddit for redditors living in, visiting, or interested in China's most populous and ever-expanding city, Shanghai (上海).

Share your experiences of the city, photos of shiny things, noteworthy places to go, your favourite restaurants/bars/clubs/tourist traps, and everything else here!

Join the /r/shanghai Discord server


  • New around here? Moving to Shanghai soon?

  • First, check out the subreddit rules!

  • Check out the helpful "Rookie Mistakes" thread for answers to a bunch of common questions, and the "China Digital Starter Pack" thread to get you up and running.

  • Take a look at the /r/shanghai FAQ/Wiki, and search/look over older threads before asking questions! It's likely that someone has already asked the same thing.

  • Got a Shanghai/China blog? Feel free to submit it here, but please don't spam it.

  • Want to watch a sporting event in Shanghai? Try The Camel, The Big Bamboo, or The Shed.

  • Like video games? PC gamers can join the /r/shanghai Steam group, console gamers can find everybody's Nintendo friendcodes, Xbox gamertags and PSNs here.

  • Confused about Chinese visa rules? Ask around in /r/chinavisa.

  • Need to visit the Exit/Entry Bureau for some reason? Check out /u/dumplingserialkiller's extensive guide.

  • Want to know about live music around town? Bookmark Shanghai 24/7 and keep an eye on the other sites in the 'listings' section below.

  • We practise reddiquette here - if somebody is being helpful, upvote them! And don't downvote just because you don't agree - reply and tell them why you disagree instead of being a coward.

  • Stressed out and have nobody to talk to? Lifeline Shanghai are a 100% confidential, anonymous non-profit providing information and emotional support to expats in Shanghai.

  • No submissions on where to buy drugs or any other illegal activities, please.

  • No circlejerking or trolling here. Your thread/comment will be deleted.

  • Can't believe this needs to be said, but no racism or bigotry. This includes disparaging terms popularised on other China-related subreddits such as "nong", "rainy", etc. This is not a hate subreddit, please take your toxicity elsewhere.

  • Please note that the vast majority of people on this subreddit are English speakers. We do not remove submissions or links posted in other languages, but be wary that your post will likely get downvoted unless there's an English translation.






  • Milestones

  • 500 subs April 2nd 2012

  • 1000 subs October 15th 2012

  • 1337 subs February 21st 2013

  • 1500 subs April 15th 2013

  • 2500 subs January 27th 2014

  • 3000 subs June 25th 2014

  • 6000 subs sometime in 2016, I dunno, I forgot we were doing this

  • 20,000 subs sometime before 2020

/r/shanghai

83,942 Subscribers

2

Best conversation translator app?

There are many apps out there to translate Chinese (spoken) to English text and vice-versa, which one do you find works best?

2 Comments
2024/11/03
02:30 UTC

7

Checklist for leaving Shanghai?

Hey guys, planning my permanent exit from the city/country. Been here a decade, anyone have a full checklist of things to do before leaving?

Thanks in advance!

18 Comments
2024/11/02
19:38 UTC

1

Speed dating and such

Hey all! Are there any speed dating or similar kinds of events that happen in Shanghai? My friend and I would like to try something like that.

0 Comments
2024/11/02
15:17 UTC

1

Wetshaving supplies

I'm looking for a place in Shanghai that sells Wetshaving supplies. Safety razors, shaving soap, brushes, etc. I heard that there used to be a shop in Shanghai that had quality stuff, but I don't know if they exist anymore. Does such a place exist, or should I stick to Taobao?

0 Comments
2024/11/02
16:39 UTC

0

Animal Cafes in Shanghai

I’ll be visiting Shanghai at the beginning of December and wanted to ask what animal cafes are there to visit? 🐕🦙🐈🐾 Thank you in advance!

3 Comments
2024/11/02
14:24 UTC

5

Will’s gym (again)

I know that Will's gym is in difficulty, and it's been discussed regularly. Today, I walked past a gym I was using and it's been shut down. I still had a few months left.

Any idea what's happening and what the note says. I translated it in wechat and it seems I have to go to another location, but it's not 100% clear to me.

Any help gratefully received. Thanks

5 Comments
2024/11/02
14:09 UTC

0

any fun places and activities me and my friends can do in shanghai?

So this winter break me and my friends are planning on taking a one month long trip during christmas and new years. what we are looking for are events and fun activities we could do during our long trip to shanghai. We are also really big nerds who watch anime,play genshin,and i am a really big gundam fan. we are mostly looking for fun activities indoor and go to events any places yall know off?

1 Comment
2024/11/02
09:58 UTC

0

Can't find a shanghai location on the map

hi! does anyone know where this location is located on the map? preferably google maps, as i searched everywhere but is still unsure where this place is on the map.  LG106+LG107, -1st Floor, West Lane, Suhewan Wanda Plaza, No. 100 Fujian North Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China

9 Comments
2024/11/02
09:00 UTC

8

Place to chill with wonderful weather today?

Absolutely elated to see the sun after all the days of drizzles here, I really want to just chill and bask in this brilliant sunshine, any recommendations for parks or cafes/bistros that ain’t completely indoors?

10 Comments
2024/11/02
03:58 UTC

1

Can anyone help understanding Shanghai PVG airport?

Hello guys, before anyone tells me to use the search bar of the sub, I have quite an urgent question and was hoping maybe someone could help out and I'll be immensely grateful.

My friend is flying right now to PVG airport from Europe and will land in a few hours and I am trying to do research asap to understand best course action. His plane was delayed and it seems he will have only 1 hour to catch a flight to Seoul (its the last flight of today for Seoul, so I really wish he would not get stuck in Shanghai).

Is it even doable realistically (I don't think he has checked luggage)? What is the best way to find info about the gates? I cannot seem to find which terminal he will arrive and where it will leave to Seoul, where can I find this information? Will he have to go through security again or document checks?

1 Comment
2024/11/02
02:35 UTC

0

Where can i watch Arsenal games?

Football fans of r/shanghai, where can i watch Arsenal games in the city (other than Cages)? Are there specific pubs or bars that screen the premier league or Arsenal games?

Looking for the game against Newcastle tonight.

(I live near Jiangsu Rd metro station, in case it helps with the recommendations)

Cheers!

8 Comments
2024/11/02
02:28 UTC

2

Beef Xiao Long Bao?

Does anyone know where I might be able to find xiaolongbao in shanghai made of beef instead of pork?

2 Comments
2024/11/02
01:19 UTC

1

Which German School? Hongqiao vs Yangpu

Hello all, I am soon to be German Expat moving to Shanghai next year. I will be moving with my family and kids and I am looking for advice on which German School it is best to enroll my kids. I see that there are two locations: Yangpu and Hongqiao which are also shared with French schools. Is there anyone in this subreddit who has any experience to share on these two locations? It seems there are much more kids in the site in Hongqiao. Is there a German or French community or group of people that live nearby the schools to quick start the first connections? Hongqiao seems quite far away from the city center compared to Yangpu. Which area is best to live in? I would appreciate any suggestion. Thank you very much in advance!

0 Comments
2024/11/01
23:02 UTC

1

Moving to Shanghai - Which German Schools?

Hello all, I am soon to be German Expat moving to Shanghai next year. I will be moving with my family and kids and I am looking for advice on which German School it is best to enroll my kids. I see that there are two locations: Yangpu and Hongqiao which are also shared with French schools. Is there anyone in this subreddit who has any experience to share on these two locations? It seems there are much more kids in the site in Hongqiao. Is there a German or French community or group of people that live nearby the schools to quick start the first connections? Hongqiao seems quite far away from the city center compared to Yangpu. Which area is best to live in? I would appreciate any suggestion. Thank you very much in advance!

1 Comment
2024/11/01
22:47 UTC

3

SJTU courses in english

I'm looking into applying for an exchange semester at SJTU and I just can't figure out if courses in computer science (undergraduate) are offered in English or not, can sb help me out? On their site, there is no information regarding the language of the courses, but apparently there is something called the cluster program, which includes computer science, where courses are offered in English. So are there courses in English? Are all courses in English in computer science, or none at all?

3 Comments
2024/11/01
16:42 UTC

0

Shanghai or SoKor, can't decide

I am torn between going to Shanghai this Autumn or Seoul this Winter. Shanghai because of the architecture and Disneyland. And Seoul because I like highend stores and would like to experience ski/snow as well. Which one would you suggest?

18 Comments
2024/11/01
18:53 UTC

1

Halloween Party with new friends

Hello Im from Uruguay and want to go to a halloween party today Saturday. Any recommendation? Im solo traveling so if anyone want to join text me, i speak english and spanish

2 Comments
2024/11/01
17:36 UTC

2

Meeting People

Hi everyone, I’m 24F, and will be in Shanghai for the next 20 days, I’m looking to meet new people who I can explore the city with and socialise with, please give me leads as to where I can meet people!

0 Comments
2024/11/01
16:13 UTC

7

Any bars streaming the US election on Wednesday morning?

👆🏼That’s my question

11 Comments
2024/11/01
15:16 UTC

1

recommendations of coffees or bar to dates in Shanghai .

Hello everyone. I’m currently on a business trip in Shanghai and have been using a few dating apps, where I’ve gotten some matches. I’ve read about some bad experiences, especially around the Nanjing area, so I’m looking for safe, tourist-friendly spots for a first date to avoid any potential scams or uncomfortable situations. Any recommendations would be appreciated—thanks.

0 Comments
2024/11/01
15:04 UTC

4

Bringing my dog to Shanghai

I used to live in Shanghai but haven’t had a dog back then, so never paid attention. Now I’ve got an offer, job starts in Jan-Feb 2025. He’s a larger Italian greyhound (7,5kg and a tall boy) I’ll be probably living in pudong, either in the proximity of Pudong dadao station, or near shangcheng lu station. Is there anyone who lives in the same area with a dog, how is it? Where do you walk and socialize them?

17 Comments
2024/11/01
14:52 UTC

1

Freelancer Writers' Community

Hello, Redditors. Just wondering if there are any Freelance Writers' Communities. Quite interested in joining one. I would appreciate some leads guys. I am an article and blog writer on the side.
My WeChat ID is wxid_eqnai8astapw22
Thanks.

0 Comments
2024/11/01
13:56 UTC

1

Drive from Shanghai to SEA?

How possible is it for Europeans to buy a car in Shanghai and drive all the way to Malaysia?

2 Comments
2024/11/01
04:54 UTC

2

Social welfare contributions

Does anyone know the latest policy regarding social welfare contributions in Shanghai?

Until last year my company would collect our social welfare payments and then reimburse them in one big payment every January. But now they no longer do that. If I email HR I just get a vague reply like “the policy changed”.

Are foreigners even eligible to use social welfare? And if not can we get the payments back? All of it? Some of it? How?

3 Comments
2024/11/01
08:51 UTC

4

What is the Angus Steakhouse of Shanghai?

Our friends on r/London have been spilling the beans on this glorious establishment to entice influencers/visitors to visit and keep the actual good spots a secret

Which eatries would be the Angus Steakhouse of Shanghai?

7 Comments
2024/10/31
21:40 UTC

1

Any smart retail stores recommendations to visit in Shanghai ?

On a business trip to Shanghai , would love to see concepts that I don’t usually see back home in Singapore. Things that I’m looking out for would be stores that are powered by AI (computer vision , sensors etc)

Any other cool recommendations are welcome too 😀

Thank you all in advance

2 Comments
2024/10/31
11:07 UTC

3

In door activities during bad weather

A friend from seoul is visiting me over the weekend. According to the forecast Shanghai is to experience a lot of rain. What indoor activities could you recommend during bad weather were he could still experience Shanghai. We will be both staying near Gutang/Jinhai road if that matters, but it doesnt matter if its further away.

3 Comments
2024/10/31
11:04 UTC

1

What English-speaking WeChat groups to follow for culture/joined sports/spiritual/nightlife events?

Facebook groups seems to be naturally much less of a thing here to learn about a bit off-the-beaten-track events in the city and whats listed on smart shanghai often seems very commercial and mainstream.

With that said, are there any WeChat groups worth following? I have subscribed to niche ones like Runnesrshai etc

Checked the pinned "Guidance and info for visitors" post but nothing in there; open to any pointers for English-speaking information even outside of WeChat.

0 Comments
2024/10/31
04:44 UTC

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