Discover or rediscover Shanghai like never before with Compass by Here, a dedicated media to share the best addresses in Shanghai to enjoy your stay to the fullest with us.

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Welcome to Shanghai

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Discover Shanghai

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Lastest Updates

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Welcome to Shanghai - Discover Shanghai - Lastest Updates -

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Welcome to Shanghai

Start your journey hassle free in Shanghai with our comprehensive guide to get you started in no-time.

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Explore Shanghai

Dive into Shanghai local culture and discover our curated selection of the addresses in town.

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Latest Updates

Get the latest updates about Shanghai with our dedicated blog articles to continue your journey.

Welcome to Shanghai

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Discover Shanghai

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Lastest Updates

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Welcome to Shanghai - Discover Shanghai - Lastest Updates -

Before Arriving

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Best Apps

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Lifestyle Tips

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Payments

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Visa

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Before Arriving - Best Apps - Lifestyle Tips - Payments - Visa -

Welcome to Shanghai

Discover a four steps guidance to get started in Shanghai in no-time from useful tips, to must have apps, your journey starts here.

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1.

Welcome to Shanghai

One of the densest populated city on the planet after Tokyo.

25,000,000+

Expatriates in Shanghai with people from around the world.

100,000+

Explore the districts of Shanghai historical concessions to new CBD.

16 Districts

Navigate the city with one of the best metro network on the planet.

20+ Metro Lines

Discover the two faces of Shanghai with Puxi (old city) and Pudong (new city).

Puxi & Pudong

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2.

Tips to Get Started

Prepare yourself for a positive culture shock on all aspects.

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Culture Shock

Be open minded and don’t judge local behaviors in China.

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Don’t Judge

Know the Mandarin fundamentals to survive in China.

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Learn Mandarin

VPN is mandatory to access western online services (Google, Meta, etc.).

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Get a VPN

Download the five must-have apps before arriving in China.

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Download the Apps

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3.

Must-Have Apps

The default app when it comes to messaging in China.

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WeChat

The default app when it comes to payments in China.

App icon with a blue background and a white Chinese character

Alipay

The default app when it comes to transportation in China.

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DiDi

The default app when it comes to food and groceries delivery in China.

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Elema

Taobao

Orange app icon with white stylized Asian character or symbol

The default app when it comes to online shopping in China.

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4.

First Week in Shanghai

Do not forget to register to the police station at your arrival.

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Police Registration

Got to China Telecom / China Mobile for all your online plans.

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SIM Card & Wifi

Bank & Payments

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Install Alipay and/or open a bank account at Bank of China (BoC).

Accommodations

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Get your accommodation with Here Real-Estate Agency.

Explore Neighborhood

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Get familiar with your neighborhood and transport system in Shanghai.

Before Arriving

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Best Apps

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Lifestyle Tips

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Payments

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Visa

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Before Arriving - Best Apps - Lifestyle Tips - Payments - Visa -

Jing'An

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Xuhui

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Putuo

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Huangpu

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Changning

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Jing'An - Xuhui - Putuo - Huangpu - Changning -

Where to live in Shanghai

Discover our recommendations on where to live in Shanghai with our top 6 neighborhoods to stay to enjoy your journey with us to the fullest.

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Jing’An District

Jing’An is the perfect place to stay to enjoy to the fullest in a vibrant and central environment.

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Putuo District

Putuo is the residential district  of Shanghai around the Suzhou riverside.

Aerial view of a modern city skyline with numerous tall skyscrapers, green parks, and busy streets under a partly cloudy sky.

Huangpu District

Huangpu is the original center of Shanghai, very central, many attractions (and tourists).

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Xuhui District

Xuhui is the “village” of Shanghai where the historical concessions were located. 

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Changning District

Changning is the quiet neighborhood of Shanghai, ideal for a peaceful stay.

Aerial view of Shanghai skyline featuring the Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower with a helipad on a high-rise building rooftop.

Hongkou District

Hongkou is another quiet yet modern neighborhood of Shanghai, located near the Bund riverside.

Jing'An

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Xuhui

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Putuo

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Huangpu

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Changning

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Jing'An - Xuhui - Putuo - Huangpu - Changning -

Maps of Shanghai

Get familiar by checking our map of Shanghai to get an overview of the city by checking the main districts, landmarks, malls and much more, and get started in no-time when arriving in Shanghai.

Map of Shanghai showing landmarks, parks, shopping centers, airports, and train stations with labels and icons.

Welcome to Jing'An

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Welcome to Jing'An -

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1.

Discover Jing’An District

What we Love about Jing’An

  • Dynamic and young neighborhood

  • Plenty of trendy restaurants and coffee shops

  • Nightlife atmosphere with many bars and clubs

  • Multiple modern malls for shopping

For Who?

  • Young professionals coming to work in Shanghai for the first time

  • International exchange students coming to Shanghai for a few months

The Good about Jing’An

  • Central location

  • Vibrant atmosphere

  • Easy to navigate around Shanghai

The Bad about Jing’An

  • Rentals are expensive

  • Most compounds are old

  • Could be too “youngster” vibe for some expats

  • Not the most beautiful neighborhoods of Shanghai

Map of central Shanghai showing landmarks, shopping centers, parks, and train stations with icon key and North arrow.

Welcome to Putuo

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Welcome to Putuo -

A city skyline with numerous high-rise buildings, a river curving through a green park area, and bridges connecting different parts of the city.

2.

Discover Putuo District

What we Love about Putuo

  • Ideal for family life

  • Nested along the Suzhou riverside

  • Plenty of compounds to choose from

For Who?

  • Family with kids to enjoy a more peaceful life with more space

  • Long term expats with limited budget

  • Young professionals with limited budget

  • International exchange students with limited budget

The Good about Putuo

  • Budget friendly

  • Great location

  • Green lands and riverside

The Bad about Putuo

  • High density, too residential

  • The district feels old

  • Not many attractions

  • Limited shopping

Map of Shanghai featuring landmarks, shopping centers, parks, and train stations with legend and north directional arrow.

Welcome to Huangpu

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Welcome to Huangpu -

A city skyline with tall skyscrapers, green parks, and a mix of modern and historic buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

3.

Discover Huangpu District

What we Love about in Huangpu

  • The historical center of Shanghai

  • Always new places to explore

  • Impressive number of landlmarks

For Who?

  • Long term expats with good budget

  • Young professionals with good budget

  • International exchange students with good budget

The Good about Huangpu

  • Super central location

  • Plenty of attractions

  • Very dynamic lifestyle

The Bad about Huangpu

  • Expensive district

  • Too many tourists

  • Bad traffic

Map of central Shanghai showing landmarks, shopping centers, hotels, parks, and train stations, with a legend indicating icons for each category and a north arrow at the top right.

Welcome to Xuhui

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Welcome to Xuhui -

A large house with a triangular roof, a balcony, and a front garden with bushes and a tree, located by a street with a crosswalk and a traffic light.

4.

Discover Xuhui District

What we Love about Xuhui

  • A village in the city of Shanghai

  • Unique architecture from the early 20th century (former concessions)

  • Plenty of trendy places to explore

For Who?

  • Family with kids to enjoy a more peaceful lifestyle

  • Long term expats with good budget

  • Young professionals with good budget

  • International exchange students with good budget

The Good about Xuhui

  • Peaceful and authentic lifestyle

  • Lots of greens

  • Ideal for going out and shopping

The Bad about Xuhui

  • Most homes are old and expensive

  • Bad traffic

  • Crowded with tourists during weekends and holidays

Map of former French Concession area in Shanghai, China, highlighting landmarks such as Shanghai Library, Wukang Building, and Xujiahui Park, with icons for train stations, shopping centers, hotels, and parks.

Welcome to Changning

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Welcome to Changning -

City skyline with modern high-rise buildings, shopping mall, and illuminated signs at dusk.

5.

Discover Changning District

What we Love about Changning

  • A peaceful neighborhood to enjoy a peaceful stay in Shanghai

  • Good neighborhood for shopping and going out daily

For Who?

  • Family with kids to enjoy a more peaceful life with more space

  • Long term expats with limited budget

  • Young professionals with limited budget

  • International exchange students with limited budget or studying at EM Lyon.

The Good about Changning

  • Ideal for family

  • Peaceful lifestyle

  • Budget friendly

The Bad about Changning

  • Not very dynamic

  • Very residential

  • Not recommended for a first time in Shanghai to enjoy the city

Map of Shanghai displaying landmarks, shopping centers, parks, hotels, train stations, and transportation routes.

Welcome to Hongkou

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Welcome to Hongkou -

Aerial view of skyscrapers in Shanghai, China, featuring the tallest buildings and a helipad on a high-rise rooftop.

6.

Discover Hongkou District

What we Love about in Hongkou

  • Nested between the Bund and the Suzhou river

  • Many futuristic malls along the riverside

  • Quiet place to enjoy the city from afar

For Who?

  • Long term expats with limited budget

  • Young professionals with limited budget

  • International exchange students with limited budget or studying at ESSCA / SISU campus.

The Good about Hongkou

  • A really nice district when you know Shanghai already

  • Close to the Bund and the Suzhou Creek

The Bad about Hongkou

  • Not very dynamic

  • Very residential

  • Not recommended for a first time in Shanghai to enjoy the city

Map of Shanghai highlighting landmarks, hotels, shopping centers, transportation hubs, parks, greenlands, and notable sites such as Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, and the Bund.

Compare all the districts at a glance to select the best option to enjoy your stay in Shanghai to the fullest with Here and Compass by your side.

Districts Comparison

Jing’An

Putuo

Expat

Family

Community

Cost of Life

Rental Cost

Transports

Going Out

Attractions

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Xuhui

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Changning

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Hongkou

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Restaurants

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Bars

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Coffee

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Shopping

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Promenades

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Restaurants - Bars - Coffee - Shopping - Activities - Promenades -

Explore Shanghai

Discover our curated selection of the best addresses in Shanghai from restaurants, bars to weekend activities, enjoy the city to fullest with Compass by Here.

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Eating & Drinking

Discover our curated selection of the best eating & drinking places in Shanghai.

A cityscape with tall modern buildings, with two prominent glass skyscrapers and a round, layered building at the base, during dusk or early evening.

Shopping & Lifestyle

Discover our curated selection of the best shopping & lifestyle addresses in Shanghai.

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Activities & Promenades

Discover our curated selection of the best activities & promenades to explore Shanghai.

Restaurants

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Bars

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Coffee

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Shopping

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Activities

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Promenades

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Restaurants - Bars - Coffee - Shopping - Activities - Promenades -

Latest Addresses

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Latest Updates

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Latest Trends

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Latest Addresses - Latest Updates - Latest Trends -

Latest Updates

Discover our latest articles with Compass, check our weekly updates about Shanghai and China on our blog.

Best rooftops bars in Shanghai in 2025

New

Best Rooftops

Bars in Shanghai

Cityscape with modern buildings, a river, green parks, and a cloudy sky.

New

Best Malls

in Shanghai

A peaceful park scene with a narrow canal lined by concrete walls, lush green trees overhanging and a wooden bridge in the background.

New

Best Parks

in Shanghai

Assorted baked goods including croissants, cinnamon rolls, and bread on display at a bakery counter.

New

Best Bakeries

in Shanghai

A bowl of ramen with slices of chashu pork, half a soft-boiled egg, shredded white radish, green onions, bamboo shoots, a sheet of nori, and a white spoon. In the background, a glass of beer and a bottle of Kirin Ichiban beer are on a yellow surface.

New

Best Ramens

in Shanghai

Latest Addresses

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Latest Updates

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Latest Trends

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Latest Addresses - Latest Updates - Latest Trends -

Check our Events

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Check our latest events photo albums by clicking the link below to revive all our events with Compass in Shanghai.