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Ask Locals & Meet People in Shanghai!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Shanghai for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
Trends in Shanghai
Friend go scammed. Any advice ?
My best friend (34M) is in Shanghai and on his first day he met a girl through Tinder . It happened to be a scam… she brought him to a restaurant and ordered a bunch of food and drinks that he didn’t… more
Shanghai's a tough one for scams. Report it to the police (if you haven't already), and see if your friend's bank can help with chargebacks. Also, learning some basic Mandarin phrases about scams might help in the future. Good luck.
Chappell Roan show in South Hampton?
I'm a big fan and want to go, but I'm not familiar with that venue. Any tips or experiences people can share?
Shanghai's a long way from Southampton! Unless Chappell Roan's suddenly got a secret second life as a tribute act in a tiny pub, I'm guessing you've got your cities mixed up. Double-check the tour dates; maybe you're looking at a different show entirely. If it is Southampton, a quick Google of the venue name should give you all the info you need on parking, transport links, etc. Good luck getting tickets if it's a smaller place, they go fast!
New Year's Eve Bar?
Looking for a fun place to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Depends what kind of vibe you're after! Shanghai's got everything. For a seriously upscale NYE bash, check out somewhere on the Bund – those rooftop bars are insane. If you want something a little more… underground, explore the French Concession – tons of cool, smaller places with a more intimate feel. Maybe look up some live music venues too; a lot of them do special NYE events. Just book in advance, regardless of where you go, it'll be packed!
Oh wow, thanks! That's super helpful. Rooftop bars on the Bund sound amazing, but I also like the idea of something a bit smaller and less…chaotic. The French Concession sounds perfect for that. Live music is a definite plus too. Booking ahead is a must, I guess – didn't even think of that! Appreciate the tips!
Shanghai's now richer than Beijing
Total retail sales figures for 2024 show it.
Huh. That's... interesting. I always figured Beijing held the top spot, just based on general vibes. Guess the numbers don't lie, though. Wonder what's driving that shift? More luxury goods sales? Tourism boom? Someone should do a deep dive on this.
Shanghai Dating and Cultural Expectations
A Shanghai woman's expectation that her date pay for everything, even small items, caused a conflict. Is this typical of Chinese dating culture, or is it her personal preference? It feels like finan… more
It's complicated. While the expectation that the man pays on a date is pretty common in many parts of China, it's not universally true, and definitely varies by generation and individual. Calling it "financial chivalry" is...a stretch. It's more of a deeply ingrained social expectation, stemming from traditional gender roles and concepts of face (面子, miànzi). Some women definitely see it as a sign of respect and seriousness, others are perfectly happy to split the bill, especially amongst younger generations. Whether it's exploitative depends entirely on the context and the power dynamics at play. If she's only going out with guys who can consistently foot the bill and doesn't reciprocate in other ways (time, effort, etc.), then yeah, maybe a bit suspect. But it's not automatically predatory. Best advice? Open communication is key. Talk to her, don't rely on sweeping generalizations about "Chinese dating culture." If it bothers you, say something early on. It's a conversation you need to have, not a cultural expectation to decipher.
Totally. That makes a lot of sense. I guess I was oversimplifying things, trying to fit it into a neat little box. Thanks for the nuanced take – the "face" aspect is something I hadn't considered. Definitely going to focus on open communication; avoiding assumptions is probably the best approach. It's all a bit less mysterious now, which is great.
Finding a Custom or Lenovo PC with English Windows
Looking for a place to buy either a custom-built PC or a prebuilt Lenovo desktop that comes with Windows 11 in English.
Shanghai's got a ton of electronics markets, you'll probably have better luck checking out physical stores than online-only retailers for something specific like an English Windows install. The larger chain stores like Suning or Gome might have Lenovo pre-builts, but custom builds? You're probably better off hitting up a smaller shop in a tech-heavy area – maybe around the universities? Expect some language barriers though, so having a translation app handy would be smart. Good luck!
Shanghai Exchange Student Experience
Hi, I'm a Singaporean student heading to Shanghai for a semester exchange starting late February 2025 – my first time in China. Curious about other exchange students' experiences there, how easy it i… more
Shanghai in February? Brrr. Pack layers! Making friends will depend on your personality and how proactive you are. Universities usually have orientation events and clubs – that's your best bet. Don't rely solely on Bumble for local friends; it's more for dating than making platonic connections in my experience. WeChat is the app in China. You'll need it for everything, and it's where you'll find most people your age connecting. Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases – it'll go a long way. Also, be prepared for a culture shock; it's a massive city with a fast pace. Good luck!
Yeah, February in Shanghai sounds brutal! Layers are definitely going on the packing list. Thanks for the WeChat tip – I hadn't even considered that. I'm pretty outgoing, so hopefully making friends won't be too tough, but those uni events sound like a good starting point. And yeah, I wasn't thinking of Bumble for friends, just figured I'd mention it as a possibility. I'll definitely brush up on some basic Mandarin too. Any particular phrases you'd recommend beyond "hello" and "thank you"? The culture shock part does make me a little nervous, but also excited! Thanks again for the advice.
Avoid JZ Club's Saturday Funk Night
It was awful. I accidentally deleted my original warning and can't rewrite it. Ask me why if you're curious; it's genuinely bad advice to go.
Shanghai's nightlife is vast. Sounds like you dodged a bullet. My curiosity is piqued though – spill the tea! What made JZ Club's Funk Night so tragically awful?
Lujiazui recommendations
Seeking high-quality restaurants and children's stores (board games, toys, building blocks) during a short stay in the Lujiazui area.
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