Shanghai

Visa-Free Policies (2026 Updates): Citizens from over 30 countries—including Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia—can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days. New for 2026: Passport holders from the UK and Canada can now enter visa-free for up to 30 days.

The 144-Hour Transit Visa: If your attendees are from the US or other non-exempt countries, they can utilize the 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit policy. Crucial rule: They must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region (e.g., US -> Shanghai -> Japan -> US). A round trip (US -> Shanghai -> US) does not qualify.

Arrival Cards: Everyone must fill out a yellow arrival card at immigration and scan their fingerprints at the automated kiosks before lining up for the border agent.

The Maglev Train (PVG): Tell your attendees to take the Maglev. It reaches speeds of 430 km/h (267 mph) and shoots them from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station in exactly 8 minutes. From there, they can easily transfer to the standard subway or grab a taxi to their hotel.

Ride-Hailing (DiDi): Uber does not exist in China. Attendees should use DiDi, which has a fully translated English interface and is built directly into the Alipay app.

Taxis: If taking a traditional taxi from the airport line, tell them to have their hotel name and address written in Chinese characters. Most drivers do not speak English.

Alipay is Mandatory: Tell everyone to download Alipay before leaving their home country. They can register with their foreign phone number and link their international Visa or Mastercard directly to the app. They will use Alipay to scan QR codes for everything—from upscale dinners to buying a bottle of water.

Cash (RMB/CNY): While new 2026 regulations strictly enforce that merchants must accept cash, many small vendors simply won't have change for a 100 RMB note. Tell them to carry a couple hundred RMB as an emergency backup, but rely primarily on Alipay.

Zero Tipping Culture: Tipping is not expected, not required, and in many cases, outright refused. Leaving money on a table will result in a waiter chasing the attendee down the street thinking they forgot their change.

The Great Firewall: Google (including Gmail and Maps), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and many western news sites are blocked in China on local Wi-Fi and local SIM cards.

The eSIM Bypass: The best workaround for modern phones is to buy a travel eSIM (like Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly) before arriving. Because these route data through a foreign network, they naturally bypass the firewall, allowing attendees to use their standard apps without needing a VPN.

Plugs and Voltage: Shanghai uses 220V. Sockets are usually a hybrid that accepts US-style flat pins (Type A), European round pins (Type C), and the angled three-pin Australian style (Type I).

Local Culinary Highlights: The undisputed king of Shanghai food is Xiaolongbao (delicate soup dumplings filled with pork and hot broth). They must also try Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns with a crispy bottom).

Dietary Restrictions: Due to a rich Buddhist tradition, finding dedicated vegetarian/vegan restaurants is actually quite easy in Shanghai, but communicating strict cross-contamination needs at standard restaurants is very difficult due to the language barrier. Halal food is easily found at distinct "Xinjiang" restaurants across the city (look for green signs with Arabic script).

Tap Water Safety: Do not drink the tap water unless it has been thoroughly boiled. Every hotel room will provide an electric kettle and bottled water.

The City Divide: Shanghai is split by the Huangpu River. Puxi (West of the river) is the historic, cultural, and nightlife heart of the city. Pudong (East of the river) is the ultra-modern financial district with massive skyscrapers.

The "Must-Sees": The Bund: The iconic waterfront promenade featuring colonial-era architecture on one side and a view of the futuristic Pudong skyline on the other. Yu Garden: A stunning classical Chinese garden located next to a bustling traditional bazaar. The Former French Concession (FFC): A beautiful, walkable neighborhood filled with tree-lined streets, boutique coffee shops, and hidden speakeasies.

Punctuality: Time is highly respected in Chinese business culture. Remind your attendees that arriving exactly on time is considered late; they should aim to arrive 5–10 minutes early to any formal conference events.