Shanghai can be a lonely place, despite its population of twenty plus million. And while bar hopping and trying all the hottest restaurants can be fun, sometimes you just need a little… more. Whether you’re strictly religious and want to attend worship ... Read More>>
With the release of the iPhone 5 this winter, prepare yourself for another new wave of iPhone frenzy and brand new apps. For those of you who already have one, or are looking to buy, there are a few features you can buy or download for free that will make ... Read More>>
You may have noticed if you've jumped in a cab recently that the base meter prices have become a bit... steep. That's because the Shanghai Development and Reform Commission recently implemented a two Renminbi fare increase, which means daytime trips will ... Read More>>
Scooters, eBikes and bicycles are without question the best way to navigate the streets of Shanghai. Metro riders and taxi passengers miss out on a world of sights, sounds and unfortunate smells that the humble two-wheeler offers up in abundance. Read More>>
There's nothing that inspires exploration quite like warm weather. There are enough parties, happy hours, and new restaurants to keep us busy for months – but all that debauchery can take a heavy toll on the almighty wallet. With that in mind, here are ... Read More>>
Shanghai summers are infamous. Ranking right up there in expats' list of “Favorite Things to Kvetch About” (along with polluted air and the lack of rainy day taxis), hot weather seems to take us by surprise every year. The humidity that makes ... Read More>>
With the weather warming up and spring (hopefully) on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start thinking about outdoor sports. While Shanghai may not seem like the ideal place to pursue things like hiking, camping, or biking, there are plenty of places ... Read More>>
China, in general, is a very safe country to live in. Even in a big city like Shanghai, the violent crime rate is very low – the biggest worries here tend to be theft or pick pocketing. It is always better to be prepared, however, whether you have a sudden ... Read More>>
While it’s never easy adjusting to a brand new culture and way of life when moving to China, some milestones are easier than others. Many people struggle their first year in Shanghai, but find that the excitement and newness of everything more than makes ... Read More>>
As anyone with feet over a European size 38 (US 7.5) knows, finding decent shoes in Shanghai can be tricky. There’s nothing more disheartening than shopping with small-footed friends who seem to find exactly what they’re looking for among the racks, while ... Read More>>
Turning up in a new city where you know no one, nor speak the language, can be scary. We all need friends. No man is an island. So how do you go about finding comrades in Shanghai? Well, there are many strategies. Here are just a few options that should ... Read More>>
Having a haircut in Shanghai can be rather hit or miss. Many an unsuspecting laowai has headed to their local chop-shop only to emerge with a follicular massacre on their head. A mixture of language problems and Chinese salons not being used to styling ... Read More>>
Let's face it – Shanghai isn't exactly what you would call “green.” Depending on where you live within the city, the only glimpse of nature you may get during any given day is the occasional limp-limbed tree sitting near the sidewalk (that is, if the ... Read More>>
Exchanging business cards is a fairly common practice amongst businessmen. The idea that everything you need to know about a person can neatly fit onto a small piece of cardstock that fits in your wallet is not just for practical purposes, however. The ... Read More>>
Waiting in traffic is a part of life, especially when living in a big city like Shanghai. We've all experienced the boredom of sitting on the metro, waiting for a train or riding alone in a taxi. And with the increasingly long commutes that workers ... Read More>>
Chinese apartments aren't exactly known for their spacious kitchens. And while eating out is undoubtedly cheap here, sometimes you've just got to have a home-cooked meal! Below are some essentials that will not only make cooking easier, but also save you ... Read More>>
Let’s face it – Shanghai weekends can be expensive. The booze, the brunches, the drunken splurges… Sure you can keep it cheap if you only frequent the street food vendors and stay inside to watch pirated DVD’s (and trust me, I’ve done that plenty a ... Read More>>
Dentistry in Shanghai has come a long way since the days of patients sitting on rusty chairs out on the sidewalk while a “dentist” pulled abscessed teeth. No, now Shanghai is touted as a great place to come for good dentistry at a fraction of the cost of ... Read More>>
Tattoos are synonymous with rebellion and big city living, and Shanghai is certainly one big city, suggesting tattoo parlors aplenty. And shouldn’t China’s glitziest city boast a plethora of impressive tattoo parlors? However, not all parlors are created ... Read More>>
Imagine this: You’re having a great time out with your friends. The cab drops you off at home and you’re ready for bed. Then, as you watch the taxi speed away, you realize you’ve left your purse/cell phone/wallet/insert-important-thing-here in it. Great. ... Read More>>
So you’ve managed to buy a ticket for the Expo, booked a hotel, packed your bags, hopped onto a plane or train and arrived slap bang in the middle of Shanghai. Then what? Unless you just happen to see the Expo site from the window of your lodgings, you’re ... Read More>>
When you’re moving to a foreign country, especially for the first time, it can be a daunting task to choose where to live. How in the world are you supposed to know where the best areas are when you haven’t even visited yet? Certainly the same areas of the... Read More>>
After the recent earthquake in Haiti, many people’s thoughts have turned to charity. While the big world organisations are accepting donations, and doing all they can to get aid to the people who need it overseas, charities here in Shanghai are collecting ... Read More>>
The concept of networking is one that will fill you either with dread or excitement. For some people, the prospect of a whole room of strangers is daunting, while others see only golden opportunities. Whichever camp you’re in, our networking guide will ... Read More>>