Visitor Information in Shanghai

Online Travel Tools

All the Web sites listed below are in English. If you want to read Chinese-only Web sites in English, try using Google's "Translate this page." It might not read like Shakespeare, but you'll get the gist of the information.

All About Shanghai

China Digital Times (chinadigitaltimes.net/) is an excellent Berkeley-run site tracking China-related news and culture in serious depth. China National Tourism Office (www.cnto.org) gives a general overview of traveling in China. China Travel Services (U.S. site) (www.chinatravelservice.com), the state-run travel agency, is a helpful starting place. Chinese Government Portal (english.gov.cn). Shanghai City Weekend (www.cityweekend.com.cn) is an online version of the local magazine with top-notch searchable listings on just about everything in Shanghai. Shanghai Municipality (www.shanghai.gov.cn) is the comprehensive (if slightly dry) government guide to the city. Shanghai Tour (lyw.sh.gov.cn/en/) is the official government tourism Web site, with advice on sightseeing, hotels, and restaurants.

That's Shanghai (www.urbanatomy.com/thatssh/) is the Web address of Shanghai's oldest and most in-depth English monthly, with exhaustive arts, events and dining listings.

Business

American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (www.amcham-shanghai.org) has a Web site packed with useful business information and links to other resources. China Business Weekly (www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/bwtop.html) is a weekly magazine from the China Daily newspaper. Chinese Government Business Site (english.gov.cn/business.htm) has news, links, and information on business-related legal issues from the Chinese government.

Culture

China Vista (www.chinavista.com/experience) has incredibly detailed information on all aspects of Chinese arts and culture. Chinese Culture (www.chinaculture.org) is a detailed, searchable database with information on Chinese art, literature, film, history, and more.

Currency Conversion

Google (www.google.com) does currency conversion. Just type in the amount you want to convert and an explanation of how you want it converted (e.g., "14 Swiss francs in dollars"), and then voilà. Oanda.com (www.oanda.com) also allows you to print out a handy table with the current day's conversion rates. XE.com (www.xe.com) is a good currency conversion Web site.

Local Insight

Enjoy Shanghai (www.enjoyshanghai.com) has searchable listings for eating out, shopping, and finding Wi-Fi spots. Shanghai Expat (www.shanghaiexpat.com) has advice and listings from foreigners living in Shanghai. Shanghai-ed (www.shanghai-ed.com) provides expat expertise on the city. Shanghaiist (www.shanghaiist.com) is the city's most popular expat blog, run by the same company as NYC's Gothamist; it gives a different take on what's going down in town. SH Magazine (www.asia-city.com) is a quirky weekly rag whose online version gives the lowdown on just about everything happening in town. Shanghai Eats (www.shanghai-eats.com) lists hundreds of local restaurants, bars, and clubs, all authoritatively reviewed. That's Shanghai (shanghai.urbanatomy.com/thatssh/) is a glossy local monthly that's also available online.

Newspapers

China Daily (www.chinadaily.com.cn) is the country's leading English-language daily. People's Daily (english.peopledaily.com.cn) is an English edition of China's most popular—and most propagandistic—local daily. Shanghai Daily (english.eastday.com) is the city's English-language newspaper.

Weather

Shanghai Weather (weather.china.org.cn).

Other Resources

CIA World Factbook (www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html) has profiles of every country in the world. It's a good source if you need some quick facts and figures.

Visitor Information

For general information before you go, including information about tours, insurance, and safety, call or visit the Web site of the China National Tourist Office.

Shanghai Tour, the government tourism Web site, is a good planning resource. It runs the official Shanghai Tourist Information and Service Centers, which have branches all over town, usually identifiable by big aquamarine signs. Reasonably informed staff dole out free maps and leaflets, and can also book hotels, restaurants, and flights. Compare prices with other travel agencies, as Shanghai Tour is often not the cheapest. The Web site lists branch details.

The two best-known Chinese travel agencies are China International Travel Service (CITS) and China Travel Service (CTS), both under the same government ministry. Although they have some tourist information, they are businesses, so don't expect endless resources if you're not buying a tour or flight through them.

Contacts

China National Tourist Office (New York:. 888/760-8218. Los Angeles:. 800/670-2228. www.cnto.org). China International Travel Service (CITS. Shanghai:. 021/6289-8899 or 021/6289-4510. U.S.:. 626/568-8993). China Travel Service (CTS. Shanghai:. 021/6247-8888. New York:. 800/899-8618. www.chinatravelservice.com). Shanghai Tour (021/6252-0000. lyw.sh.gov.cn/en/).

Government Advisories

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling abroad, consider registering online with the State Department (https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/), so the government will know to look for you should a crisis occur in the country you're visiting.

General Information & Warnings

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (www.smartraveller.gov.au). Consular Affairs Bureau of Canada (www.voyage.gc.ca). U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk/travel). U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov).

Passports & Visas

All U.S. citizens, even infants, need a valid passport with a tourist visa stamped in it to enter China (except for Hong Kong, where you only need a valid passport). It's always best to have at least six months' validity on your passport before traveling to Asia.

Children traveling with only one parent do not need a notarized letter of permission to enter China. However, as these kinds of policies can change, being over-prepared isn't a bad idea.

Visas

Getting a tourist visa (known as an "L" visa) in the United States is straightforward. Standard visas are for single-entry stays of up to 30 days, and are valid for 90 days from the date of issue (not the date of entry), so don't get your visa too far in advance. Costs range from $50 for a tourist visa issued within two to three working days to $80 for a same-day service.

Note: The visa application will ask your occupation. The Chinese don't look favorably upon those who work in publishing or the media. People in these professions routinely state "teacher" under "occupation." Before you go, contact the embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China to gauge the current mood.

China officially denies visas (and thus entry) to anyone suffering from infectious diseases, including leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, and contagious tuberculosis. You must complete information regarding these on applications and on entering the country. However, this information is almost never checked for tourist visas; medical tests are required for longer visas.

Under no circumstances should you overstay your visa. To extend your visa, stop by the Entry and Exit Administration Office of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau a week before your visa expires. The office is known as the PSB or the Foreigner's Police, and is open weekdays 9 to 11:30 and 1:30 to 4:30. It's extremely bureaucratic, but it's usually no problem to get a month's extension on a tourist visa. You need to bring your passport and a registration of temporary residency from your hotel. You generally need to leave your passport for five to seven days, so do any transactions requiring it (and make copies!) beforehand. If you are trying to extend a business visa, you'll need the above items as well as a letter, from the business that originally invited you to China, stating it would like to extend your stay for work reasons. Rules are always changing (Visa to Asia has up-to-date information), so you will probably need to go to the office at least twice to get all your papers in order.

Passport & Visa Information

Chinese Consulate, New York (New York:. 212/244-9456. www.nyconsulate.prchina.org). U.S. Department of State (877/487-2778. travel.state.gov/passport). Visa Office of Chinese Embassy (202/338-6688. www.china-embassy.org). Visa to Asia (www.visatoasia.com/china.html).

U.S. Passport & Visa Expediters

A. Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors (800/806-0581 or 202/338-0111. www.abriggs.com). American Passport Express (800/455-5166 or 603/559-9888. www.americanpassport.com). Passport Express (800/362-8196 or 401/272-4612. www.passportexpress.com). Travel Document Systems (800/874-5100 or 202/638-3800. www.traveldocs.com). Travel the World Visas (866/886-8472 or 301/495-7700. www.world-visa.com).

Visa Extensions

Entry and Exit Administration Office, Shanghai Public Security Bureau (No. 1500, Minsheng Rd., Pudong. 021/2895-1900. www.shanghai.gov.cn).

Shots & Medications

No immunizations are required for entry into China, but it's a good idea to be immunized against typhoid and hepatitis A and B before traveling to Shanghai, as well as routine tetanus-diphtheria and measles boosters. In winter, a flu vaccination is also smart, especially if you're infection-prone or are a senior citizen.

Trip Insurance

Comprehensive trip insurance is especially valuable if you're booking a very expensive or complicated trip (particularly to an isolated region) or if you're booking far in advance. Who knows what could happen six months down the road? But whether or not you get insurance has more to do with how comfortable you are assuming all that risk yourself.

Comprehensive travel policies typically cover trip-cancellation and interruption, letting you cancel or cut your trip short because of a personal emergency, illness, or, in some cases, acts of terrorism in your destination. Such policies also cover evacuation and medical care. Another type of coverage to look for is financial default—that is, when your trip is disrupted because a tour operator, airline, or cruise line goes out of business.

Consider buying medical-only coverage at the very least. Neither Medicare nor some private insurers cover medical expenses anywhere outside of the United States besides Mexico and Canada (including time aboard a cruise ship, even if it leaves from a U.S. port). Medical-only policies typically reimburse you for medical care (excluding that related to pre-existing conditions) and hospitalization abroad, and provide for evacuation. You still have to pay the bills and await reimbursement from the insurer, though.

Even at Shanghai's public hospitals foreigners need to pay fees to register, to see a doctor, and then for all tests and medication. Prices are cheap compared to the city's fancy foreigner clinics, where you pay $100 to $150 just for a consultation, but most doctors don't speak English and hygiene standards are low even at better public hospitals.

Expect comprehensive travel insurance policies to cost about 4% to 7% of the total price of your trip (it's more like 12% if you're over age 70). A medical-only policy may or may not be cheaper than a comprehensive policy. Always read the fine print of your policy to make sure that you are covered for the risks that are of most concern to you. Compare several policies to make sure you're getting the best price and range of coverage available.

Trip Insurance Resources

Insurance Comparison Sites

Insure My Trip.com (800/487-4722. www.insuremytrip.com). Square Mouth.com (800/240-0369. www.quotetravelinsurance.com).

Comprehensive Travel Insurers

Access America (800/284-8300. www.accessamerica.com). CSA Travel Protection (800/711-1197. www.csatravelprotection.com). HTH Worldwide (610/254-8700 or 888/243-2358. www.hthworldwide.com). Travelex Insurance (888/457-4602. www.travelex-insurance.com). Travel Guard International (715/345-0505 or 800/826-4919. www.travelguard.com). Travel Insured International (800/243-3174. www.travelinsured.com).

Medical-Only Insurers

International Medical Group (800/628-4664. www.imglobal.com). International SOS (215/942-8000 or 713/521-7611. www.internationalsos.com). Wallach & Company (800/237-6615 or 540/687-3166. www.wallach.com).