Shanghai Trip Advice?

[chicagonoob]

I've been on the boards for a few months, having chimed in here and there on a small variety of topics. I also posted an intro thread a few months back...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=435428

Back to the topic at hand.....I'm schedule for a work trip to Shanghai in early January. This will be my first visit to China and I was hoping to get some advice/have some basic questions answered. I'll be there for 4 nights, staying in a prominent international hotel in Downtown Shanghai. I may have a half day of "leisure" time, with the balance being on-site with our client. My company is relatively small, with limited experience on Chinese travel. Please bear with me if some of the questions seem elementary in nature!

Given the diversity and global nature of the TRF Community, I thought I'd throw a few of them out to the forum for some sage advice...many thanks in advance!

-Cell phone: I currently have an iPhone 6s on ATT. Any recommendations on best practices while there? Purchase a temporary plan from my current carrier, etc?
-Power adapters: Is it necessary for me to bring this?
-Taxi/Transport: Should I have car service arranged for airport transport, or is taxi ok? Same question for daily/nightly transport (dinners, etc).
-Airport: Any pluses/minuses to Pudong vs Hongqiao?
-Airline: Flying from Chicago, my options are American or United. For domestic travel I primarily use Southwest (love the Companion Pass), so no allegiance to either as far as rewards are concerned.
-Other?: Any other macro tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks again for your input!!

[texex91]

If you can fly an Asian carrier I would. United and American international is deplorable, even in first.

[Old Geezer]

For your phone, get an international plan, you definitely don't want to get stuck with charges for roaming in China.
I have taken pre-arranged cars from airport to hotels and taxis. For a first timer, I would recommend a hotel car to pick you up and take you to your hotel.
For going to dinner, etc Taxis are fine. Get the hotel card before going out to dinner with the hotel name and address in local language. My experience is that taxi drivers do not speak or understand English. The guys at the hotel will tell the taxi driver where you want to go to dinner or sightseeing.
I prefer Pudong because there are many non-stop flights from USA.
Have fun. It's an amazing city

[Old Geezer]

No need for power transformers or connectors at most western style hotels. You may want to have the two pronged local connector handy just in case your client's office does not have a universal power strip or connectors for guests. Your iPhone and computer power cords should be dual voltage so no need for transformers.

[ecdc]

I second what Old Geezer said. I've flown O'Hare - Pudong on United business class. It was fine. There were fully lay-flat seats, and the food was pretty good. You can take a maglev into town from Pudong, which is cool. It goes about 250mph, and they say it's one of the world's fastest.
I love spending time in China, but Shanghai is my least-favorite city in China. Not really much in the way of Chinese culture. The exception to that is the Yu Yuan Gardens, which is a nice way to spend a couple hours. A night cruise on the river is worth it, too. Other than that, just walk along the Bund to get a feel for the city, and pop into any place that looks interesting.
Enjoy!

[CRM114]

I'll 3rd what Old Geezer and ecdc have advised, especially with regards to using hotel concierge to advise and speak to taxi drivers. Taxi rates are cheap. In Chicago one of your own bank branches may be able to exchange USD for some Yuan RMB before you go for incidentals/taxis/tips etc. Saves a bit of hassle/service fees later.

As far as airlines are concerned your non-stop options from O'Hare to Shanghai are United, American, and Air China. Air China may be an "Asian carrier" but they are NOT to be confused with Singapore Airlines, Cathay, or ANA in terms of service or competence. United or American is most decidedly your best choice in this case.

[texex91]

Take ANA out of CHI connecting in NRT. Think they fly out of CHI. Connection is worth it over United. I've flown all of them. United is like taking the bus. ANA, Sing Air all day everyday. First, biz or economy 1000% better than US carriers.

[Star Ferry]

Booking through United/American (if your company requires you) is okay as long as the flight is being operated through a partner airline like ANA, Cathay, or Singapore.

If you're at a 5 star foreigner-oriented hotel, then they can give you power adapter and can also order you taxis. To pick up a taxi elsewhere, you can download a "Taxi Card" app for your phone that translates locations from English and displays them in large Chinese characters for the driver. Otherwise he may not understand your request.

ATT can enable a temporary global voice/data plan for you - I believe it costs around 30-50 dollars and expires after a month. It's not worth getting a new phone or SIM card for a short trip. You can enable the global access plan on the ATT website, it's a quick fix.

For sightseeing, entertainment and food itinerary, there is too much for me to cover. There's plenty of good content about shanghai on the Web. Hope you enjoy your time in Shanghai.

[Passionata]

don t miss KTV it s quite an impression for firstcomers :-)

[Rolex addict]

If you're taking a laptop, the charging cable has a built in voltage converter. Just take a plug adaptor and charge all your devices through your computer. That way you don't have to worry about any voltage differences. I've only flown Delta into Shanghai and it is painful. Multiple layovers are not fun. I had an IPhone on Verizon with an international plan and it didn't work that well. Never received any phone calls or texts. It was money wasted. As for macrotips, the food is different. Very different from anything you're probably used to. Just make sure anything you eat is thoroughly cooked. It shouldn't be an issue, but do you really want to risk it? Also, many internet sites are blocked by the government so just be mindful that access is more limited than the USA.

[cedargrove]

It looks like most of your questions are answered, but I'll add the following tips.

At night it can be more difficult to get a taxi, but don't wait at the taxi stands - you'll recognize these as the long lines of non-Chinese people waiting for nothing. Look about 100 feet away and you will see the smart people (mostly Chinese) flagging down the taxis.

If getting on a busy elevator, get your elbows up and push in. I learned that my first day in the office, where I was first at the elevator, but was too polite and hence wasn't able to get on.

[chicagonoob]

All - many thanks for the quick replies and thoughtful input! I'm very much looking forward to this adventure and will be sure to circle back with a few photos and the obligatory wrist shot or two upon my return!

As this is my first request / question of the forum, I must say that I'm quite impressed with the depth and breadth of the collective knowledge of the members as well as their willingness to share with complete strangers. What a great community!

Thanks again and happy holidays to all!

[jon_jon]

There are plenty of Rolex ADs if you walk along Nanjing Road, the main pedestrian shopping district. Some speak English better than others. There are many other Swiss watch stores on the same road. Enjoy!

[pa30crewchief]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

There are plenty of Rolex ADs if you walk along Nanjing Road, the main pedestrian shopping district. Some speak English better than others. There are many other Swiss watch stores on the same road. Enjoy!

Nanjing Road is insane! Unexpectedly rich pickings. 2 Rolex ADs across the street (!). Almost all major Swiss brands present and accounted for. Pricing nothing special though. For that, stick to Southern Europe.




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[dera]

For food, book a table at Mr & Mrs. Bund. Great restaurant! Shanghai is a great foodie destination.
Paul Pairet ("owner-chef" of M.mrsB) also has Ultraviolet, but that is insultingly expensive.

GET A VPN! Remember, no Google, Facebook, Instagram and so on in Chinese internet. VPN helps you.

Oriental Pearl Tower has the best observation deck, skip the WFC, OPT with the glass floor is cool.

When you say "downtown Shanghai" it can be a 20 mile radius, so hard to give better ideas on where to head from your hotel, but generally, the best restaurants are in the Bund, opposite from Lujiazui.

Oh, and do fly to Pudong, and ride the Maglev. 270mph on a train is cool :)

With taxis, they often try to agree on a "set price"(which is always a massive ripoff). They are a good deal, if you have the balls and are going to a hotel or similar.

They will not turn the meter on, so ride them along and let the hotel doorman argue it out. More often than not (because the law says so), you get that ride for free... :P

[jon_jon]

Some good advice from dera above. Definitely consider a VPN as internet access is very restricted meaning no gmail, Google voice, VOIP, etc. However Skype seems to work OK if you have decent hotel WiFi.

On my trip to Shanghai, I didn't have any problems taking a taxi from the airport to downtown and I don't speak a word of Chinese. I printed a copy of my hotel information from the hotel website, written in Chinese, specifically for international visitors to give to taxi drivers. Just be aware some taxi drivers drive like maniacs. Taxi fee from Pudong airport to downtown was around $30 USD or 200 RMB.

[chicagonoob]

Originally Posted by dera

...

GET A VPN! Remember, no Google, Facebook, Instagram and so on in Chinese internet. VPN helps you.

Originally Posted by jon_jon

Some good advice from dera above. Definitely consider a VPN as internet access is very restricted meaning no gmail, Google voice, VOIP, etc. However Skype seems to work OK if you have decent hotel WiFi.

Gents - thank you for the head's up on the VPN.

Would you mind providing some more insight on how to "get a VPN" as well as expected cost, ease of use, etc? Would this be something to consider in addition to a temporary international voice/data/text plan through AT&T?

Apologies if these questions come off as ignorant on subject....admittedly I'm not as savvy as I'd like when it comes to most things tech over and above connecting to Wi-Fi!

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by chicagonoob

Gents - thank you for the head's up on the VPN.

Would you mind providing some more insight on how to "get a VPN" as well as expected cost, ease of use, etc? Would this be something to consider in addition to a temporary international voice/data/text plan through AT&T!

VPN is a virtual private network. Remotely connects you to a private network elsewhere in the world.

A common use of a VPN is to get around regional restrictions. Mostly I would use one in china to have Google search and Google Maps - both help a lot in an unfamiliar place.

VPN cost should be zero. There are VPN iPhone and Android apps. Also tons of short guides online for setting one up.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by chicagonoob

Gents - thank you for the head's up on the VPN.

Would you mind providing some more insight on how to "get a VPN" as well as expected cost, ease of use, etc? Would this be something to consider in addition to a temporary international voice/data/text plan through AT&T?

Apologies if these questions come off as ignorant on subject....admittedly I'm not as savvy as I'd like when it comes to most things tech over and above connecting to Wi-Fi!

Quick and dirty explanation; In China the government controls all access to websites for people using the internet, and it blocks many, many of them, such as Google. Having a VPN will get you around these roadblocks.

To get a VPN download and install VPN software offered by one of the VPN providers. Just Google "VPN" and a list will come up. Some are free, others require a low-cost monthly subscription to use (I believe some offer 1 or 3-month subscriptions for appx $5 to $9/month). The software isn't heavy.

To use the VPN, after you are logged-on to the internet in your hotel but before you start using your browser to blocked websites you open the VPN software. There will be internet connection points in various countries around the world the VPN company manages that you can select to connect to. Pick one, and if it doesn't work, pick another. The different VPN companies have different controls for managing this, but they all do about the same thing and they'll show you when your connection onto their network has been successful. When it is, you're now able to use the so-called Virtual Private Network.

Once this connection to the VPN site is logged-on and made you can use your internet browser to access the government-blocked websites because essentially you're making the connection to those websites from the VPN connection point outside China, not directly from China. The internet might seem a bit sluggish compared to home, but at least it's working, and nothing is more sluggish than websites that never load at all.

Hope this helps.

[callidus]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Quick and dirty explanation; In China the government controls all access to websites for people using the internet, and it blocks many, many of them, such as Google. Having a VPN will get you around these roadblocks.

To get a VPN download and install VPN software offered by one of the VPN providers. Just Google "VPN" and a list will come up. Some are free, others require a low-cost monthly subscription to use (I believe some offer 1 or 3-month subscriptions for appx $5 to $9/month). The software isn't heavy.

To use the VPN, after you are logged-on to the internet in your hotel but before you start using your browser to blocked websites you open the VPN software. There will be internet connection points in various countries around the world the VPN company manages that you can select to connect to. Pick one, and if it doesn't work, pick another. The different VPN companies have different controls for managing this, but they all do about the same thing and they'll show you when your connection onto their network has been successful. When it is, you're now able to use the so-called Virtual Private Network.

Once this connection to the VPN site is logged-on and made you can use your internet browser to access the government-blocked websites because essentially you're making the connection to those websites from the VPN connection point outside China, not directly from China. The internet might seem a bit sluggish compared to home, but at least it's working, and nothing is more sluggish than websites that never load at all.

Hope this helps.

I was there a few months ago (Shanghai) and for the most part our company VPN (cisco) was blocked/did not work in the hotels/airports. A pain in the a$$.

[CRM114]

Yes, a VPN is a must if you expect to use the internet for anything approaching normal use.

Originally Posted by texex91

Take ANA out of CHI connecting in NRT. Think they fly out of CHI. Connection is worth it over United. I've flown all of them. United is like taking the bus. ANA, Sing Air all day everyday. First, biz or economy 1000% better than US carriers.

Yep I've flown them all (US, Asian, Euro, ME) as well as a passenger more times than I care to count living and working as an expat for the last couple decades based in Asia and the ME/Europe, but with family in the U.S. True, a few carriers are better than others in terms of cabin service, but IMO extra connections when you don't need to make them aren't worth the additional time spent traveling even on a good day, the increased chance(s) luggage won't make the transfer, or experiencing arrival/departure delays at the connecting airport (s) due to mechanicals or weather.

Extra pampering doesn't decrease the extra time or negate those increased chances and I assume since the man is traveling a fair distance for a short business stay where he's working (not vacation where even the flight can be part of "the experience" and resting then resting at his leisure) he'd prefer to minimize the time spent enroute and reduce the chance of further delays or luggage lost in transit and the associated hassles since he has more important things to do than sort them out once he arrives. If those other Asian carriers offered nonstop flights (or he had had to connect using UA or AA), sure, good recommendation, but they don't.

To me, all airline travel is like taking the bus, a necessary evil to be endured (and I'm saying that as a former airline pilot). It's just another halfway-around-the-world commute now and the less time spent doing it (whether it's spent on ANA or SQ vs UA or AA even in First or Business Class), the better. The differences between "The Best" and the "Pretty Good" seem pretty minimal to me since all the larger associated hassles exist for them all. If you truly want 1000% better travel you'll need fly on your own private or company jet.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Yes, a VPN is a must if you expect to use the internet for anything approaching normal use.


To me, all airline travel is like taking the bus, a necessary evil to be endured (and I'm saying that as a former airline pilot). It's just another halfway-around-the-world commute now and the less time spent doing it (whether it's spent on ANA or SQ vs UA or AA even in First or Business Class), the better. The differences between "The Best" and the "Pretty Good" seem pretty minimal to me since all the larger associated hassles exist for them all. If you truly want 1000% better travel you'll need fly on your own private or company jet.

Well with 2.5m miles in the air, I do understand quite well. However, most of my seat time has been in in Bus or First and there is a huge difference. But to each there own

To OP enjoy your trip and post plenty of pics. And yes VPN is mandatory over there.

This is ANA F a few weeks ago--believe me, night and day to United

[Hamish]

Have a drink at the Peninsula bar overlooking the city at night....it is quite spectacular

[Old Geezer]

Agree with other's comments about quality of carriers. If you can book a united non-stop flight to Pudong and the flight is operated by ANA, that's like winning the lottery. Unfortunately, ANA will probably connect through Narita in Tokyo and the Tokyo to China flight may be a Chinese carrier. The service varies greatly with some of the Chinese carriers.
Flying out of Chicago, you have a lot of options. If you're not concerned about a stop you can connect through any number of airports in the western half of the USA and have additional options for carriers.

[Gostang9]

I was in Shanghai 6 times last year and used VPN a lot. However, during most recent trip in November, VPN no longer worked and I suspect the government may be finding ways to prevent foreigners from using this tool to circumvent their controls.

[amg55]

A quick tip from someone who almost got run over twice in one night. When you cross the streets, please make sure that the cars come to a complete stop first. Quite a few idiots will not obey the light signals and drive right through.

[pa30crewchief]

Totally unexpected treat to stop in and enjoy Rolex's presentation of its "Rolex Experience" to the Shanghai Rolex audience at its flagship store on the Bund in the House of Roosevelt building (itself an amazing experience!).

Photos allowed! No real new ground covered but did learn from my few days in Shanghai that this is a market well catered to by all the famous name watch brands with some of the most astonishing marquee storefronts I have seen anywhere (and I live in Dubai!).

First Rolex branded wristwatch, first Rolex Oyster and first Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Also some insightful displays about the bezel on my Batman (itself a display item :-) ) and some PN Daytonas. Worth the visit.



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