“If I were to suddenly become sick, where should I go?” – one of the most important questions an expat in Shanghai will want to know the answer to. Fortunately, Shanghai is home to a number of high quality international hospitals and medical centers ... Read More>>
Need to de-stress from life in the city? Shanghai has hundreds of choices where you can get a massage. We’ve found you a handful of expensive places that are luxurious and peaceful and some inexpensive alternatives that offer a clean environment and good ... Read More>>
Counterfeited products are readily available throughout China; from DVDs and CDs, to electrical products, jewellery, bags and clothing. Some of them are so good that even the most envious stares won’t be able to tell the difference between an original and ... 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>>
So your time in Shanghai is coming to a close. Whether it's because you're changing jobs, changing significant others, or just tired of playing the China game, leaving this place can be harder than you expect. While you've had plenty of experiences – both ... 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>>
With a history stretching back 3,000 years and countless billion devotees through the generations, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is not something to be scoffed at. Concentrating on balancing the body’s vital forces –cold, dark yin and warm, bright ... 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>>
Many of the international schools in Shanghai are well-known by the expat community. Dulwich College, the British International School Shanghai, the American International School, Concordia and many more have earned a solid reputation as a reliable source ... Read More>>
While on the surface Shanghai may not seem like the most musical of cities, it actually has a lot to offer. From hard-to-find but worth-the-hunt music stores selling original vinyl records, to dozens of instrument stores providing a vast selection of ... Read More>>
Shanghai is a shopper’s paradise. Her streets are branded with labels in both boisterous plazas and glossy boutiques, but the blaring billboards and bright lights overshadow striking examples of real craftsmanship. The fabric market is popular destination ... Read More>>
Having an ayi (housekeeper) is one of the perks of living in China. Chances are high that most Westerners could not afford to hire weekly or bi-weekly cleaning services back in their home country. Thanks to the relatively cheap cost of labor over here, ... Read More>>
Need to start budgeting in Shanghai? See where all your money goes. Read More>>
There are a plethora of smartphone and it can be exhausting trying to find the right apps for travelling and living in Shanghai. Well, we’ve tried out a few of the more useful ones and aggregated a list of the ones that are worth downloading. Read More>>
Therapy in China has come on in leaps and bounds over the past decade or so. Whether you need to quit a nasty habit, or just need to work out some issues, there’s a range of options to suit your needs in Shanghai. Read More>>
Moving to Shanghai can be a daunting prospect. In a city so huge, choosing a good apartment can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Because of Shanghai’s enormous population there are residential buildings everywhere, even right in the centre ... Read More>>
Accidents happen, so in case you find yourself in my position after a heavy chomp on a chopstick, or if you’re just looking for a good teeth cleaning or another procedure, I’ll save you the trouble and list the best dental offices in the Pearl of the Orient ... Read More>>
The weather is getting colder, the days are getting longer, and it's only a matter of time before Sherpa's is reinstated on my speed dial. But while it's certainly nice to have the option of ordering everything from Turkish to Mexican to German food, ... Read More>>
Having someone else do your washing, cleaning, tidying and even cooking for you is one of Shanghai’s great pleasures. Many an expat struggles to imagine what life would be like without their beloved ayi there to pick up after them. For new arrivals to the ... 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>>
Adopting a pet in Shanghai is a big decision. Aside from all the rules and regulations you have to adhere to in order to appease government regulations, taking on the responsibility of full time pet-ownership requires commitment, time and most importantly, ... 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>>
Shanghai is a cosmopolitan city where chic western lifestyles compliment its timeless oriental heritage. On any given street, high-rise apartment buildings sit alongside authentic concession-era villas and old lane houses, and gleaming SUVs grace the same ... Read More>>
Congratulations! You have made that big step and are preparing to commit yourself to the one you love for life. Read on for the basics on how to get married in Shanghai, covering everything from invitations to wedding rings to the legal process itself. Read More>>