Address grownups by an honorific title (family relationship or e.g. ‘teacher’: laoshi) or by the family name plus Mr. (xiansheng), Ms. (nvshi).
A handshake is the most common form of non-verbal greeting, or just a nod, though neither is necessary. The oldest person is always greeted first as a sign of respect.
Currency exchange service is available at most hotels, and all large banks. Credit card is widely acceptable as a means of payment in hotels, department stores, and boutiques. The credit cards commonly accepted in China are Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Main Banks in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Developing BankShanghai Pudong Developing Bank
Shanghai Branch of Citibank: Floor 20, China Shipping Building, 1, Pudong Main Street, 58791200
Shanghai Branch of Overseas Chinese Bank: Floor 23, 710, Oriental Road, 58200200
Yangpu Sub-Branch of Shanghai Branch of Huaxia Bank: 1207 Kongjiang Road, 65709961
The Shanghai Headquarters of Bank of Communications: 18 Xianxia Road, 62751234
Shanghai Pudong Developing Bank (Headquarters): 50 Ningbo Road, 63291188
Shanghai Bank: 476 Xianxia Road, 62955327
In Shanghai there are a number of International hospitals and clinics with modern medical facilities and English speaking staff. They can offer medical services to foreigners.
CanAM Int’l Medical Center, Shanghai Pu Xi Clinic
Address: 20F, 966 Huaihai Zhong Road (by Shanxi Nan Lu)
Tel: 5403 9133
Fax: 54038978
Shanghai International SOS
Add: Units 2907-2901, 2 Grand Gateway, 3 Hongqiao Road, Xuhui District
Tel: 52989538
Fax: 52989539
America-Sino OB/GYN Service
24 Hour Emergency Service
Add: 14F, Complex Building, Huashan Hospital, 12 MiddleUrumqi Road (near Changle Road)
Tel: 62493246
Hours: 8am–8pm
Huashan Worldwide Medical Center
Add: 12 MiddleUrumqi Road (Out-patient Clinic: 8F, Building 1; Night Emergency: 15F, Building 6)
Tel: 62483986/62489999
Bioscor Shanghai Clinic
Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Bioscor now has 20 branches in 12 countries. Bioscor Shanghai Clinic has Australian, American, and Chinese doctors specializing in plastic/cosmetic surgery, medical skin treatment and cosmetic dentistry.
Add: 5, Lane 89, Xingguo Road
Tel: 64318899
Fax: 64713888
Web: www.bioscor.com.cn
Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics
Address: 1139 Xianxia Road (General and Cosmetic Dental Center)
Tel: 51331900
Emergency call: 5133 1999
Fax: 51331919
Shanghai United Family Clinic-Minhang-SRC
Address: Lane 555, Jinfeng Road, Huacao Town, West Suburbs
Tel: 22010995
Web: www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
World Link Medical Center Portman Clinic
Address: Suite 203 West, Shanghai Center, 1376, West Nanjing Road
Tel: 62797668/ appointments: 62798678
Fax: 62797698
World Link Medical Center Hongqiao Clinic
Address: Unit 30, Mandarine City, 788 Hongxu Road
Tel: 6405 5788
Fax: 6405 3587
International Medical & Dental Center (IMDC)
Address: 1111 Xian Xia Road (near Bei Hong Road), Changning District
Tel: 62909558
Sino-United Health American International Center at Shanghai Center
Address: Room 1376, Nanjing Road West
Tel: 62798920
Fax: 62798921
Area Code: 021
Fire Emergency: 119
Police: 110
First you must dial “00” (international prefix), then dial the country code, then the area code and local number. E.g. if you want to call 434-5678 in California (area code 760) in the USA (country code 1), you need to dial 00-1-760-434-5678.
Internet: Most hotel rooms in China offer internet cables and Wi-Fi for laptops. Some public areas like airports, Starbucks, SPR, and a number of cafes and restaurants also provide free Wi-Fi. China Highlights offers Portable Wi-fi Rental so that you can surf the internet anytime and anywhere while traveling in China.
Electricity in China is 240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. A transformer may be necessary if you bring electric devices. It can be bought in China. As the shape of a socket varies between countries, a portable plug adapter may also be necessary. Some hotels can provide adapters for guests, but we suggest visitors bring one. Adapters can also be purchased from electronics stores in China.
Toilets in China are normally of the squatting type. Now airports and hotels all have Western toilets, and many public toilets have both Western style and squat style. Always carry tissues with you, just in case you need to go to the toilet (because most public toilets don’t provide toilet paper).
Tipping used to be very rare in China, but now, no doubt through Western influence, the idea is catching on. In restaurants a 3% tip is standard, bellboys and room service staff expect roughly $1 or $2. You can tip in U.S. dollars.
Chinese government stipulates a five-day workweek, from Monday to Friday, with no more than 8 hours a day. The normal business hours are generally from 8am to 6pm, with a break from 12pm to 2pm.
Restaurants: 11am–2pm, 6–9pm, in general
