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Living in Shanghai

Tips and suggestions of how to REALLY live in Shanghai.

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Electronic TV Guild in China Feb 18, 2008
Below is the current TV program and their channels. Sorry that I only have Chinese version. google.load("feeds", "1"); function initialize() { var feed = new google.feeds.Feed("http://www.tvmao.com/tools/rss/"); feed.load(function(result) { if (!result.error) { var container = document.getElementById("feed"); for (var i = 0;...
TV Guide in Shanghai Feb 18, 2008
Hi Jian Shuo, I've been subscribing to your blog for years, and I really enjoy reading your posts about Shanghai. I think it is great that you write about topics and questions that your readers ask you. I also...
Foreigners Individual Income Tax in China Dec 26, 2007
This is a FAQ, as you can see from the discussion under my entry: Personal in Tax in China. I am not a lawyer, and I don't want to pretend to know everything, or the accurate information (even a lawyer...
Is RMB and Yuan the Same? Yes Aug 26, 2007
This may seems a very easy question, but it is frequent one - trust me, I receive several emails everyday from visitors to Shanghai, and many people got confused of the difference between RMB and Yuan. For example, yesterday, when...
What you Miss in Shanghai? Aug 20, 2007
Cartera did an interesting survey on ShanghaiExpat's forum: What things do you miss in Shanghai?. Here are some of the answers: Fresh Air, Food Hygiene, Cleaniliness, Politeness, Patience and Walkers Prawn cocktail crisps, British Sunday Roast Dinner and Sky Sports!!...
China's Social Resources Jul 2, 2007
This morning, I took one morning leave to go to hospital to inject the immune for my son. He is one month old now - exactly one month. Due to Chinese tradition, people often celebrate the date with a ceremony...
Shanghai not as Safe as Before May 16, 2007
The other day, when Wendy and I was talking about the safty in Shanghai, we both agree that Shanghai is not as safe as before. There are several reasons for us to have that kind of feeling. 1. There are...
Life in a Crowded World Jan 14, 2007
Life in Shanghai is tough. Who should we complain when there are so many people asking for the same service? Long Lines in Banks "Never, ever try to use any bank in Xujiahui area", warned Wendy. This is true. Last...
The Changing Shanghai Jan 13, 2007
This is a normal Saturday. It is cloudy. Ihad a short walk with Wendy near my home in Pudong. This is a normal place in Pudong. Here are some random photos I took today. This is the beginning of 2007....
120K Self-Claim Tax in Details Jan 10, 2007
Disclaimer: Just like previous post, this is just want I *THINK* it works. It is NOT an official explain of the tax issue. The source of this explanation came from the tax summary paper I received in mail and this...
Personal Income Tax in China Jan 8, 2007
Disclaimer: Tax in China is like many other things. It is a blur concept, and confusing most of time. I am not a professional on this. To be honest, if I were not to prepare this article, I never really...
You'v Got (Registered) Mail! Sep 24, 2006
How important is mail (traditional mail) in our daily life? No so important. In the last few years, I didn't receive any written mails, and all the mail in my mailbox are either "Direct Mail", or the fly-er of commercial...
Going to Movie (Cinema) in Shanghai Aug 15, 2006
An (almost) complete cinema list in Shanghai, including Super Cinema World, Golden Cinema-Friendship, Golden Cinema-Haixing, Studio City, Shanghai Film Arts Centre, UME International Cineplex, Grand Cinema, Heng Shan Cinema, International Cinema, Paradise Warner Cinema City, Nextage Film Art Center, Peace Cinema, Stellar Cinema City and Cathay Theatre.
Coins are Popular in Shanghai Aug 14, 2006
This article explains the usage of coins in Shanghai, and explains why it is more popular than other cites.
962288 Hotline for Foreigners May 30, 2006
Good news for foreigners living in Shanghai. The government opened a 24 hour hotline dedicated to help foreigners to survive in Shanghai. The telephone number is: 962288 If you are not in Shanghai, but in China, you need to dial...
Do You Believe in Living Cost Index? Sep 25, 2005
The big difference between really living in a city and not is, you have better sense of the relative environment of a city. There are many reports on living cost. Shanghai sometimes ranked very high in the list - in...
Is this Water Safe to Drink? Sep 23, 2005
Wendy and I was in a decent restaurant the other day. A well-dressed couple from Florida were seated next to us. We chatted a little bit when they seek for help to order the Chinese dishes. After they completed the...
Complicated Paying Process Jun 7, 2005
I heard a very interesting story today. My friends (two foreigners to Shanghai) went to the DaShiDai (a mall of all kind of meal venders) for lunch. It may be the first time for them to visit thier and order...
How to Complain in Shanghai Feb 5, 2005
Living in Shanghai is not easy. You often find out something does not work or you were treated badly, you need to know how to complain. My reader sent me the story that his wallet disappeared when he passed he...
To Tip or Not to Tip Jan 13, 2005
Yesterday's entry on tipping received many responses. It was a very interesting discussion and reflects the difference of culture. I found the explanation of tip in Wikipidia A tip (also known as gratuity) is a small amount of money received...
Why We Use English Signs? Oct 24, 2004
When I am pushing on correction of the misspellings in Shanghai Metro, I hear about debate whether we should put on English signs in Shanghai. For me, there is no doubt that we have to do it. It is interesting...
Public Transportation in Shanghai Jul 7, 2004
There are the following options for a visitor to get around in Shanghai. Public Transportation Card If you stay in Shanghai for more than one week, I suggest you to buy a public transportation card immediately after you arrive in...
Frequently Used Phone Numbers in Shanghai Jun 18, 2004
Here are important phone numbers you need to be aware of in Shanghai. Police - 110 Although Shanghai is rated as the safest city in China (according to sina.com), you still need to be aware which number to call during...
I am a Tough Customer Jun 13, 2004
"Tough customers help to improve the service level in a country." Michelle said. I love this idea. If there is no complain from customers and no feedback, the service industry cannot improve. I have been in the customer service business...
Outdoor Theater in Pudong Jun 7, 2004
I found an outdoor theater event in Pudong. It is in the square of a large residential area. People came out from their home and gathers to enjoy the fresh and cool breeze of the summer night and the film...
Call 96900 for Navigation Direction May 17, 2004
If you are in Shanghai, and you don't know which bus to take from one place to another, you can call 96900 for navigation instructions. They also provide foreign language service and for bus information to nearby cities. They charge...
Night Life in Shanghai May 14, 2004
Night life in Shanghai? Nick commented:I have been using your site for awhile and you have some of the best info on the city there is. All you lack is a nightlife guide. I see two forms of night life...
Shanghai Consolidated Guide May 13, 2004
Tour to Shanghai? What you need to know about the city? I have spent two years working on this topic and now, I want to look back and give people some handy link to the most important stuff you must...
Learn Shanghainese Apr 11, 2004
I believe the first question jumping out when a foreigner decide to relocate to Shanghai is, should I learn some Chinese to survive there? The variation of the question for people who can speak Chinese is, should I learn some...
Hardship of Living without Twix Mar 1, 2004
Image courtesy of Twix. Twix logo is trademark of Mars, Incorporated nostaljia's blog described her boy friend's life in Shanghai without Twix: He's American, and he really likes Twix. The times I was in the United States before, I...
Pudong or Puxi Feb 21, 2004
I am facing the hard decision to move to Pudong or stay in Puxi. The decision leads to two completely different lifestyles. Pudong is very attractive as an ideal place to live - the green lands, the fresh air, wide...
Vegetarianism in Shanghai Feb 7, 2004
There is a special restaurant on the 4th floor or Metor City (map) - Larbre de Provence. They only serve vegetables and they always have a lot of customer. Why not have a try? I didn't yet. :-D © Jian...
10 Things You Love/Hate About Shanghai Dec 23, 2003
I found a very interesting thread titled 10 things you love/hate about Shanghai? on Shanghaiexpat.com. It looks so interesting to me as a local resident. I have request permission from the authors so I can publish the list here. Here...
Discrimination Against Foreigners in Shanghai? Dec 19, 2003
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely based on my personal observation. Always keep in mind that I am a young man with university education and living in Shanghai. Before you draw any general conclusion, be sure you...
Hand-Made Map of Pudong Area Oct 23, 2003
Pudong Map The result of last Saturday's driving experience raises my interest in the Pudong Area. After I get off the Dapuqiao Tunnel, which is one of the 10 tunnel/bridges connecting the Pudong and Puxi, the roads become wider and...
Went to Shanghai Community Church Oct 19, 2003
Believe it or not, this is only the second time I visit a Christian church in my life. 5 years ago, I have been to the church at the Chendu road. It was a Christmas and we rushed to a...
Mandarin or Shanghaiese? Oct 3, 2003
Question from Mike looks like this Hi there Shanghi blogger ... My name is Mike and I am very seriously considering moving to China for a year or two. I had decided to move to Beijing but am now considering...
Relocating to Shanghai Sep 3, 2003
This article is to answer questions from my friends who are planning to relocate to Shanghai from Beijing. Most of the tips only apply to people born and grow up in China, especially north China. My Own Story to Relocate...
Crime and Beggars in Shanghai Aug 5, 2003
I feel guilty that I have promised Maria to answer her questions about critical issues of living and working in Shanghai as a foreigner Shanghai. Hello, yeah sure i will explain what i mean with critical issues, i mean things...
Shanghai Hand-Made Map May 24, 2003
Shanghai Map I used MSPaint.exe to draw a brief Shanghai map and marked some places to live. This map may answer questions from my friends like where to rent a house.... The blue line in the map is Huangpu River....
East Radio Station Goes Online Apr 20, 2003
People kept asking me what it really is to live in Shanghai. I have talked about the living cost before, now, let's talk about radio stations. Recently, the most popular radio station in Shanghai - the East Radio Station (ERS),...
Really Living in Shanghai Dec 5, 2002
Really living in Shanghai My other concern is the lack of media attention in other countries, to inform people of the new modern Shanghai. I have had friends from America ask: "Do you have electricity there?", "Do you dress funny...
Two Tall Buildings Outside my Window Nov 16, 2002
Grand Gateway to become taller With two 54-storey office buildings to set up in each side of the Grand Gateway,the symbol shopping mall in Xujiahui after two years,the commercial center of Xujiahui area will be upgraded into a business trade...