Shanghai travel information: travel tips and useful istructions to visit Shanghai

Emergency: 120
Police: 110
Fire Department: 119
Tourist Office: 021 64393615
Code number for China: 0086
Shanghai Telephone: 021
Pudong Airport (information): 96081388 / 38484500
Hongqiao Airport (Information): 62683659 / 62688918
Office of Consumer Protection: 12315
Exact time: 117
Weather: 121

Area: 6350 sqm
Population: 18.8 million
Language: The local language is Shanghainese (a dialect of Wu Chinese), while the official language is Standard Mandarin. The local dialect is unintelligible with Mandarin.

Deliveries
Letters and parcels can be sent by hotel reception or by post offices. Many department stores offer a special service: the delivery of goods directly to the countries of customers.

Electricity
The electricity used throughout China is 220V. In the bathrooms of the hotels are suitable for plug socket Italian 2 poles.

Water
Tap water in hotel is usually not potable. So it is advisable to use hot water (contained in the omnipresent thermos) or mineral water or soft drinks.

Newspapers and magazines
Many hotels provide free newspapers, "China Daily" and "Shanghai Daily" and other publications in English. There are also several bookstores where you can buy magazines, books, travel guides and maps in foreign languages.

TV Programmes
CCTV (Chinese Central Television) and other television networks and local news channels in English and other languages. Also many hotels you can see satellite channels English and Japanese.

Medical
Many hotels provide international medical service. In an emergency, type the number 120, or contact the nearest hospital.

Working hours and rest
Banks, post offices, shopping centers, restaurants, supermarkets, hairdressers and beauty centers provide continuous service 7 days on 7. Public offices are open from 9:00 am to 18: 00, except one hour lunch break. On Saturdays and Sundays are closed.

Major holidays
1 January New Year (1 day)
Chinese New Year, Spring Festival (between February and March, 3 days)
1 May, International Workers Day (3 days)
1 October, National Day, the anniversary of the founding of the PRC (3 days)