A day in the life in Shanghai

Shanghai is a busy city bustling with about 21 million people. Living in Shanghai is like living life in the fast lane where everything is hectic – the people, the traffic and undeniably, the bikes. Just learning to cross a street in Shanghai is a skill everyone must master.

Shanghai is China’s most Westernized city, and the most comfortable one for expatriates when they choose a city in China. Shanghai is easy to get around since there are more people who know how to speak English, and taxis are inexpensive and easily available. Although taxi drivers don’t speak English, expatriates quickly learn the names of common destinations — or rely on taxi cards, cards with the names of destinations written in Chinese. The clean, modern subway system is equally easy to navigate.

The shopping in Shanghai is excellent, from street market bargains to designer duds, although larger sizes will have to stick up at home or have things tailor made. After shopping for 6 hours straight, one may feel a bit hungry. Not to worry! There are cafes, restaurants, and hundreds of convenience stores that line Shanghai’s streets.

Shanghai is busy cleaning up its act with regard to pollution, but it is a slow process and the city today varies with some areas being more polluted than others.

The shopping in Shanghai is excellent, from street market bargains to designer duds, although larger sizes may have to resort to having things tailor made. After shopping for 6 hours straight, one may feel rather hungry. Not to worry! There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and hundreds of convenience stores lining Shanghai’s streets.

Needless to say, Shanghai has really good food especially in the French concession area. Local eats are available at any time of night and day. If you fancy hot spicy Sichuan soup, for example, you can just walk two blocks from your apartment and enjoy it immediately.

Night life is plentiful and varied in Shanghai. There are a number of clubs, bars, massage parlors and Karaoke TV places that you can frequent with a group of friends.