Register with the police
Any foreigner arriving in China must register immediately with the local police. If you are staying in a hotel, they will take care of this for you. Otherwise, simply go to the nearest police station in your neighborhood, present your passport, along with a photocopy of your identification and visa pages, and report where you are staying and for how long. Once registered, you will receive a form, which is your temporary residence permit. Wait for this, as you will need it when applying for a longer-term residence permit. If you move to a housing complex, ask if the landlord will handle this for foreign tenants. Always re-register every time you change residence in Shanghai. Late registration results in a nominal fine. If you do not register, it could generate big bureaucratic problems.
Transportation in China
During the first weeks, even months, it is a good idea to carry a map of streets and subway. Shanghai is not a network, and the sporadic labyrinth of alleys, streets, boulevards and freeways is difficult to navigate, even for the experienced veterans of the city. The morning and evening traffic is characterized by dense and aggressive traffic and frequent traffic jams.
Despite the massive size of Shanghai, most of the central areas are grouped and are manageable in size. Once inside a neighborhood, moving on foot is relatively easy.
Shopping ... and toiletries
On a good day, shopping in Shanghai is a charming and interesting experience, where one can enjoy all the sensations of the city, discover hidden gems and feel completely immersed in the flow of China's prosperous consumer culture. On a bad day, however, the lines and crowds are soul-destroying, the offers are fleeting and it takes too long to find something simple. Either way, it's an adventure. And as Shanghai's consumer infrastructure matures, good morning is becoming more frequent for expatriate buyers. You can find anything in Shanghai, from Christian Dior in Nanjing Lu to President Mao's dolls in the Donation antique market.
It is very important that you bring your own toiletries, as these can be difficult to find in Shanghai, especially deodorant.
Banking in China
There are several branches of each of the Chinese national banks in almost all the districts of Shanghai, all of which allow foreigners to open accounts in yuan or US dollars. The most common are the Bank of China, ICBM, China Merchant's Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and China Construction Bank. They all offer debit cards, Internet banking and currency exchange services. Many expatriates choose banks with an intercontinental approach, which include the Bank of China and the ICBM, which accept the transfer of money to and from their country of origin. For credit card services and access to funds in the country of origin, it is best to maintain a global bank account. Banks usually open from 9 a.m. at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings.
Wait for long lines at the banks. If you want to spend less than 30 minutes for any visit, choose a location near the door before it opens and race to the ticket terminal to pick up your number. There will be others, especially on Mondays, when weekend earnings are deposited.
Mobile phones in China
The mobile phone market in Shanghai is thriving. It seems that almost everyone who is between 8 and 80 years old has a mobile phone. They live, sing and sound constantly anywhere in the city, a testament to a clear and functional network, and affordable pay-per-use calls. Most mobile phones that are compatible with GS (Global System for Mobile Communications) do the job all over China, and it is possible that China's SIM cards work on your phone. However, if you move to Shanghai, it is much cheaper to hire a local plan as soon as you move here. China Mobile, the country's largest telecommunications service provider, generally recognizes two dual frequencies: 900 Hz and 1,800 Hz. Network coverage in China is excellent. If you did not bring a compatible phone, you can buy a prepaid mobile phone for RM 600-700 plus the cost of a SIM card.
Social Life in China
There are entire communities based in Shanghai, from expatriates to cycling and photography groups. Whatever your interest in your home country, you can be sure that Shanghai will have a group that matches.
Food in China
In a vast country with different standards of health and compliance, Shanghai is known throughout China for serving the cleanest food. Most restaurants and supermarkets
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