Tips for your business trip to Shanghai
Where to go, what to see, and how to navigate China's stunning metropolis
What you’ll need to know when travelling to Shanghai on business
As China’s financial capital, Shanghai is a place people come to do business. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the world and incorporates over 6700 skyscrapers, including the Shanghai Tower - the third tallest building in the world. It serves as the largest base for industrial technology, hosts countless trade shows, and remains one of the most important seaports in China.
But it’s not all work work work. Shanghai is an exhilarating city with a buzzing nightlife, a rich cultural heritage and lots of exciting attractions to explore.
Shanghai essentials
Shanghai is divided into 16 districts and the centre is split into two main areas either side of the Huangpu River: Pudong on the east, and Puxi to the west. Pudong is the business district where you’ll find an economic zone with banks, skyscrapers and new residential areas for workers.
The historic Puxi side is where you’ll find The Bund, a mile-long waterfront promenade with impressive colonial architecture. Local Tai Chi practitioners come here to exercise every morning. At night, you can see Pudong lit up in neon splendour across the way. Xuhui Riverside Green is an 8.5km pedestrian-only strip along the Huangpu River which is ideal for your morning jog, and there’s even a rock-climbing wall here.
Top tip - To help you find your way around more easily, download Chinese navigation map apps such as Baidu Maps. Changing your Google Maps setting to the Chinese language will offer better accuracy.
Getting around
Shanghai is a huge city so there might be large distances between your key locations. The metro is the most convenient and budget-friendly way to commute. As it’s used by most of the Shanghai population, try to avoid morning and evening rush hours if possible. Tickets can be bought at self-service machines (most signs and announcements are in English as well as Chinese) and prices depend upon the distance covered. You can also buy passes to cover several trips. Shanghai also has an extensive bus network and prices are reasonable, although not all buses have signs in English, or even numbers! You could flag down a taxi, but this will be a pricier option. Foreigners are unable to access Uber here, but you can book a cab through the Didi Chuxing app. Although Shanghai Airport is around 30km from the centre, the impressive 430km an hour maglev train will get you to Shanghai in just eight minutes. From there, the metro will take you to the city centre or Pudong.
Top tip - Hop on a public transport ferry for a quick ride across the river which is a terrific way to avoid traffic and crowds.
Networking Opportunities
Along with your business objectives, there might be opportunities to build relationships with international colleagues away from the office. From authentic street food stalls, to Michelin-starred dining and celebrity haunts, this city has something to suit every taste and budget. The lilongs, or alleyways, of Tianzifang (regarded as the SOHO of Shanghai) are where you’ll find many Western-style restaurants serving everything from burgers to Moroccan tagines, Indian curries and veggie brunches. To sample authentic Shanghai cuisine (known as Benbang or Hu), head over to South Yunnan Road or Huanghe Road.
As you’d expect from a modern global city of this size, you can find pretty much everything here from craft beer breweries, to wine cellars and award-winning cocktail bars. Shanghai is a 24-hour city with a vibrant nightlife. KEV (formerly Bar Rouge) at the top of Bund 18 is one of the best-known rooftop bars.
Top tip - Typically, the most senior people are seated first and you should wait until they start eating before you dig in! And be mindful of chopstick etiquette by mirroring the behaviour of your colleagues.
Business etiquette
Although Shanghai is a thoroughly modern city at the forefront of innovation, it is also steeped in tradition and culture. Local customs and manners, like using two hands when giving or receiving items for example, is a sign of respect. Most Chinese people like to be addressed by their surname followed by their job title, and its customary practice to exchange business cards. Learning key phrases in Mandarin like “nǐ hǎo” (hello) and “xiè xiè” (thank you) could help make a good impression. Polite small talk is encouraged but avoid politically sensitive topics! Responding with a blunt ‘no’ can often be perceived as rude, so soften any negative responses to “maybe” or “we’ll think about it”. Chinese are sticklers for punctuality - especially for business meetings, so don’t be late!
Top tip - Remember to ask for permission before taking people’s photographs and we recommend you don’t take pictures of military or government buildings.
Money talks
It’s a good idea to have access to multiple ways to pay when you visit Shanghai. The local currency is Renminbi (RMB) or Chinese Yuan, and cash is useful for paying smaller vendors at local markets and even some restaurants prefer it. International credit cards are accepted in larger establishments and mobile payment apps, such as Alipay or WeChat Pay, are widely used in China. Make sure you find reputable places to exchange money.
Top tip - In a business setting, the person who extends the invitation to a restaurant is expected to foot the bill, although splitting the bill is becoming more common among the younger generation in less formal situations.
Make the most of your downtime
If you find yourself with a few hours to spare, there are plenty of must-see places in Shanghai. Some of the tallest skyscrapers in Pudong have observation decks offering 360-degree views of the city. For a view with a thrill, brave the 340 metre (1,115 feet) high glass Sky Walk at the Jin Mao Tower if you dare. You’ll be given a safety harness, but there are no rails or fences.
Shanghai is a shoppers’ paradise with malls in every district. Shop ‘til you drop on the bustling 5km-long Nanjing Road, day or night, where you’ll find large shopping malls and department stores selling everything from traditional souvenirs to luxury goods.
There are around 78 theatres in Shanghai showing opera, ballet, theatre, and music performances. Head over to Shanghai Circus World to catch some traditional Chinese acrobatics. If your corporate front hides your inner child, you might be tempted to spend your day off at Disneyland Shanghai - it’s a great excuse to pick up some souvenirs! Need to relax and recharge in more natural surroundings? There are around 25 public parks and green spaces to enjoy as well as around 250 temples and monasteries if you need a little calm contemplation.
Top tip - A night-time boat ride on the Huangpu River from Shiliupu Wharf is the perfect way to appreciate the diverse skyline of old and new Shanghai.
With cheap flights to Shanghai from Manchester Airport with Juneyao Air it’s never been easier to book your business trip to Shanghai. Manchester to Shanghai flight time is 11hrs and 10 minutes, and the direct service runs three times per week on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays, operating on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Want to find out more? Check out our ultimate guide to Shanghai.
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