If we are just sightseeing and going to things like the Shanghai Acrobat Show and Dinner, how dressy do we need to be? Is China pretty informal? Shorts, jeans, etc? Would there be any need to bring dresses, tie/jacket, etc?

Casual is fine.

Thanks!

Agree with rkkwan. Personally I wouldn't wear shorts, but that's more my taste than a matter of offending Chinese sensibilities. Chinese dress standards for dining out etc. are very casual and jeans are fine.

I should have said that I'm not so sure about shorts if the sightseeing includes temples. I think there was an earlier thread about this as it applies to China, and opinions were mixed. We never wore shorts anywhere so the question didn't come up. Not sure about Mao's mausoleum (which we missed) either - maybe rkkwan knows? Shorts and other revealing clothing are certainly a no-no at Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum in Hanoi, but China could be different.

Sorry, I don't know about Mao's. I also never wear shorts or sandals in China. Too dusty and crowded at most places.

But doesn't matter in most Chinese temples, except those belonging to Tibetan Buddhism, which are under different authorities whether they are in Tibet or not.

We visited a Burmese Buddhist Temple in Yunnan last year, and like in Thailand, no shoes.

The "mainstream" Chinese Buddhist temples want your admission fees; that don't care what you wear.

I understand June/July will be very hot. You mean you toured in long pants? That could get pretty sweaty.

Yes, I wear long jeans even in summer, but I'm a guy. Women may do it differently. There's just too little personal space in many parts of China. I feel more comfortable and "protected" that way, but that's just me.

Good to know.

I find jeans a bit heavy in hot weather and a while back switched to light cotton cargo pants, which are cool enough. They also have lots of zip-up pockets for wallet, travel camera and whatnot.

Again, good idea. I would think jeans would be very uncomfortable too. Also I thought shorts would be easier to use the squat toilets. Cargos with all the pockets are an excellent idea. Thanks!