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.

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 -

Welcome to Shanghai

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

get Started

Explore Shanghai

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

Discover more

Latest Updates

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

Learn more

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.

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

2.

Tips to Get Started

Prepare yourself for a positive culture shock on all aspects.

Culture Shock

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

Don’t Judge

Know the Mandarin fundamentals to survive in China.

Learn Mandarin

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

Get a VPN

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

Download the Apps

3.

Must-Have Apps

The default app when it comes to messaging in China.

WeChat

The default app when it comes to payments in China.

Alipay

The default app when it comes to transportation in China.

DiDi

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

Meituan

Taobao

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

4.

First Week in Shanghai

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

Police Registration

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

SIM Card & Wifi

Bank & Payments

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

Accommodations

Get your accommodation with Here or local agents.

Explore Neighborhood

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.

Jing’An District

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

Discover JingAn

Putuo District

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

Discover Putuo

Huangpu District

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

Discover Huangpu

Xuhui District

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

Discover Xuhui

Changning District

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

Discover Changning

Hongkou District

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

Discover Hongkou

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.

Download Shanghai Map

Download Metro Map

Welcome to Jing'An

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Welcome to Jing'An -

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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

Welcome to Putuo

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Welcome to Putuo -

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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

Welcome to Huangpu

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Welcome to Huangpu -

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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

Welcome to Xuhui

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Welcome to Xuhui -

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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

Welcome to Changning

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Welcome to Changning -

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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

Welcome to Hongkou

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Welcome to Hongkou -

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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

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

Nature

+++

🇪🇺

$$$

+++

Huangpu

+++

🇨🇳

+++

Xuhui

+++

🇪🇺

$$$

+++

Changning

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🇪🇺

$$$

+++

Hongkou

+++

🇨🇳

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 -

Discover 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.