There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Shanghai each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national) January/February : Spring Festival (Chinese New Year, national)As China is still largely a rural country, Chinese New Year celebrations are exceedingly important, emphasizing rebirth and renewal. Coinciding with the new moon on the first day of the first lunar month, in ancient times the start of the festival marked the beginning of the new season for planting crops, the ideal moment to pray for a good harvest. For three days, celebrations involve merrymaking and entertainment of many kinds, both at home with family members and outside in the streets: firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and demons, fireworks, etc.
February/March – Fifteenth day of the first lunar month: Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Jie, national)Colourful paper lanterns line the streets of Shanghai and throughout China on this day. Children and adults parade through the city carrying long bamboo poles hung with smaller lanterns. This festival officially ends Chinese New Year celebrations.
May 1 : Labour Day (national) August – Seventh day of the seventh lunar month : Double Seventh Festival (Qixi, national)Also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, this romantic festival has been celebrated in China for centuries. Traditionally, this was the day when young, single women prayed for skill in needlework in order to attract a husband and bear children. The name of the festival refers to the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor, a weaving maid, who was only allowed by her father to see her beloved, a lowly cowherd, once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Gifts of bouquets of flowers or chocolates, special dates, romantic dinners, and dance parties are among the celebrations during this day, highly anticipated by all single people in Shanghai.
September/October – Fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month : Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu Jie, national)Also known as the Moon Festival, this is the day in the year when the moon is particularly round and bright, a symbol of unity and familial happiness. The main feature of this traditional festival is the sharing of cakes with family and friends.
October 1 : National Day (Guoqing Jie, national)Commemorates the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, proclaimed by Mao Zedong. Celebrations held throughout the city include fireworks, military parades, concerts and dance parties.
December 25 : Christmas (national)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/36 | 8/46 | 74/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 4/39 | 10/50 | 59/2.3 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 7/45 | 14/57 | 94/3.7 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 12/54 | 20/68 | 74/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 17/63 | 25/77 | 84/3.3 | Good period to go
|
| June | 22/72 | 28/82 | 182/7.2 | Good period to go
|
| July | 26/79 | 32/90 | 146/5.7 | Not the best period to go |
| August | 26/79 | 31/88 | 214/8.4 | Not the best period to go |
| September | 22/72 | 28/82 | 87/3.4 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 17/63 | 23/73 | 56/2.2 | Good period to go
|
| November | 11/52 | 17/63 | 52/2.0 | Good period to go
|
| December | 5/41 | 11/52 | 44/1.7 | Not the best period to go |
The Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of the city centre.
Shanghai covers an area of more than 7,000 square kilometres (2,700 square miles), which means that getting around requires a bit of advance planning! Although it might be easy to lose your way in this huge labyrinth, Shanghai has an excellent public transport system serving all points of the city.
For covering long distances, the Shanghai Metro is the ideal solution. There are 14 lines, four of which serve the centre of the city (Lines 1, 2, 3 and 4). The basic fare is CNY 3 for any trip of no more than 6 kilometres, plus CNY 1 for each additional 10 kilometres.
Despite the extensive coverage offered by Shanghai's bus network (over 1,000 lines), buses are often crowded. But they are still the least expensive way to get around the city. Tickets costs between CNY 1 and CNY 3, depending on the distance travelled.
Note: Air-conditioned buses are indicated with a snowflake motif next to the bus number.
Taxis are the mode of transport most used by visitors to Shanghai. Fares start at CNY 10.00 for the first 3 kilometres (2 miles), plus CNY 2.00 for each additional kilometre (0.6 miles). Night fares are CNY 13.00 for the first 3 kilometres, then CNY 2.60 for each additional kilometre.
Shanghai may also be explored by boat. There are more than 20 ferry lines, offering a fixed fare of CNY 1 per person.
The international driver's license is not valid in China. Foreigners who wish to drive in China must hold a valid Chinese driver's license.
In Shanghai, riding is quite a feat! Traffic is dense and chaotic; cars and motorbikes do not follow the rules and cyclists are therefore vulnerable.
Upon your arrival in Shanghai, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Shanghai Municipal Tourism AdministrationOffers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
At various locations throughout the city, the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration operates centres where you can obtain information and recommendations for your stay in Shanghai and its surrounding area. Listed below are the main addresses for the Tourist Information Service Centres in Shanghai:
The official website of the China National Tourist Office (CNTO), provides a wealth of information on Shanghai.
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Shanghai counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to China. However, obtaining a diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine plus a polio vaccine is strongly recommended before leaving for Shanghai if it has been more than ten years since your last booster dose.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no food safety risks in Shanghai.
WaterAs a general rule, it is recommended to drink sealed bottled water.
A valid visa is mandatory to enter China, except for residents of certain countries.
For further information on visa requirements, contact the Chinese consulate general closest to your place of residence.
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Shanghai, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country
Here are a few basic Chinese phrases that will make your stay in Shanghai a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Nǐ hǎo
Good evening: Wǎnshàng hǎo
Goodbye: Zàijiàn
Yes: Shì
No: Bùshì
No, thank you: Bù, xièxiè
Thank you very much: Fēicháng gǎnxiè
Please: Qǐng
I don't understand: Wǒ bù míngbái
Could you repeat ?: Máfan nín zài chóngfù yībiàn
What time is it ?: Qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn ?
Sorry / Excuse me: Bù hǎoyìsi
Airport: Jīchǎng
Train station: Huǒchē zhàn
Taxi: Jìchéngchē
Hotel: Jiǔdiàn
Hospital: Yīyuàn
Bank: Yínháng
Telephone: Diànhuà
I'm (…): Wǒ shì (…).
I'm looking for (…): Wǒ zhǎo (…).
How much is (…)?: Qǐngwèn duōshǎo qián (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Qǐngwèn nín yǒu ma (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ zhǎodào (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ mǎi dào (...) ?
I'd like (…): Wǒ xīwàng (…).
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Shanghai's restaurants and cafés. On the other hand, it is quite common to thank tour guides and drivers by offering a small gratuity. Of course, the amount you choose to give is entirely up to you.
