Thursday, April 30, 2009

Hotels nearby Shanghai Pudong International Airport

A. Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai Hotel

Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai Hotel is located next to Pudong International Airport and is rated as 4-star international hotel. It has 3.4km (2.11miles) to the Pudong Airport.

Address: No. 1100 Qihang Road, Pudong Airport, Shanghai
Tel. : 86-21-38494949

Regular Price: 780RMB to 2380 RMB per night.

B. Jin Jiang Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport

Jin Jiang Inn at Pudong Airport is a budget hotel in Shanghai. There are two inns owned by Jin Jiang Group nearby Pudong Airport.

Jin Jiang Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport 1
Address: No. 8 Qihang Road, Pudong Airport, Shanghai
Tel.: 86-21-68353568 (May not speak English)

Regular Price: 259RMB to 359RMB per night

Jin Jiang Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport 2
Address: No. 850 Pudong International Airport Road, Shanghai
Tel.: 86-21-68853886 (May not speak English)

Regular Price: 319RMB to 359RMB per night

Tips:

1. Don't take taxi to the hotel or inns. Taxi drivers would not be happy because they usually take more than 2 hours in the taxi waiting queue. And they like to drive for passengers going to city center.

2. Ramada hotel provides free shuttle pickup service, and passengers may check with hotel's reception desk at No. 9 exit of Shanghai Pudong Airport.

3. Jin Jiang Inn has free shuttle bus to and from airport, and you may need to check with inn for detail.

4. If you really need a taxi to drive you to hotel or inns nearby Shanghai Pudong Airport, you could negotiate with taxi driver for price, I beleive above 50RMB is acceptable for drivers based on longer waiting time in the taxi pool.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

How to Get from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to People's Square

Distance between Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and People's Square: 13km (about 8 miles)

Choice A: By Taxi

Taxi fare is about 45 RMB. (Regular operation hour, extra charge may apply during late night operation hour. About how to charge extra fee, please check here)

Time: About half hour (Will depend on traffic)

Notice: The negative thing about Hongqiao Airport is its taxi waiting queue. You may need to wait more than 30 minutes to get your taxi ride.

Choice B: By Bus

Bus No. 925A

From Hongqiao Airport to People's Square

Bus Fare 4 RMB

You also could take airport shuttle bus to downtown. However, you need a transfer to get People's Square.

Choice C: By Metro

Metro Line No.2 is planning to extend to Hongqiao Airport. And it is under construction now.

Now, you still need to have a taxi or bus to get Songhong Road Metro Station first. And from there, you take Metro Line No. 2 to get off in People's Square.

Introduction to Shanghai Airport

There are two airports in Shanghai. One is Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and the other is Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).

Pudong International Airport is located in the east of Shanghai, and it is about 30km (18.64 miles) away from the city center of People's Square. It mainly services to international flights and some domestic flights which link to the most southern cities of China.

Hongqiao Airport is located in the west side of Shanghai, and called Puxi. It is about 13km (about 8 miles) west of the downtown. It mainly services to domestic flights which can link to most cities in China. Hongqiao airport also functions as a standby airport for international flights, in case unexpected situations shut down Pudong airport.

The distance between two airports is more than 40km (24.85 miles). Travellers could reach to other airport by taxi and shuttle bus. If by Metro, travellers should transfer in the Songhong Road Station of Metro Line No. 2.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Shanghai's Metro Extends its Operation Hours on May Day Sales 2009

The big sales event in the Xujiahui commercial circle is scheduled for the coming Thursday. So instead of closing down around 11pm, the Metro Line No. 1 Xujiahui station will remain in operation until 12:10am on Friday in order to help more of the midnight shoppers get back home.

For the first time since Shanghai's Metro system went into operation in 1995, the closing hours for Metro Line 1 are being extended by about an hour May Day sales and a mammoth prize giveaway in the Xujiahui shopping malls.

Trains will run through the station at 15-minute intervals during the extra hour of service.

The closing hours of Metro Line No. 1 are being extended mainly because many people had trouble getting back home after being attracted to the Xujiahui shopping malls by deep discounts on holiday seasons when stores also stayed open until midnight. Those missing the last Metro train had to fight for taxis.

It is a good news for the midnight bargain shoppers in Shanghai.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Travel by train from Shanghai

Travelling by train in China was perceived long distance and uncomfortable, crowded and full of migrant workers before. Those still exist today, but with the fast development of train services in China , you can have some fast and comfortable options.

Yangtze Delta economic zone, which includes Zhejiang province, Jiangsu Province and Shanghai , has the most advanced train network in China . (No doubt, it is also the most economically developed area in China !)

There are two train stations in Shanghai : Shanghai Railway Station and South Shanghai Railway Station. Trains going to North of Shanghai (such as Nanjing, Beijing etc ) usually depart from Shanghai Railway Station, while South bound trains such as Hangzhou, Ningbo, Yiwu etc) depart from South Shanghai Railway Station. But there are some exceptions, so do check each station before you buy the ticket.

The train stations are usually huge (you will be overwhelmed by the scale and crowds). So do allow yourself plenty of time to go through the process (security check, ticket check and a long walk to the train).

You can certainly buy the train tickets from the ticket office of each station. There are also authorised train ticket booking offices throughout Shanghai which will charge you 5RMB for each ticket sold as handling fee. (Click here to view train ticket booking offices by photo)

For example:

Shanghai – Hangzhou :

Single: 65RMB from Station Ticket Office but 70RMB from Ticket Booking Office

Return: 130RMB from Station Ticket Office but 140RMB from Ticket Booking Office

Usually you can buy return ticket while you are in Shanghai . However, return ticket for some short distance travel is not available in Shanghai . You can only purchase it after you arrive at your destination.

The price of the ticket is almost fixed regardless of being booked early or late, although government does increase the ticket price by 15% during Chinese New Year time to avoid big rush into the train. The price of return is just simply double the single, no discount at all. Normally, tickets are available 10 days prior to the departure date.

Each train service has a unique number starting with an English letter and followed by numbers or consisted of digits only. You can tell what kind of service it runs from this unique number.

D – Bullet train (latest train in China)

Z – Non-stop direct express train

T – Limited stop express train

K – Express train

N – Intercity rapid train

No letter, all digits: Local train

For example :

Z13 Beijing – Shanghai : non-stop express train from Shanghai to Beijing

T450 Shanghai – Nanjing : Express train with limited stops

K233 Shanghai – Yiwu: Express train from Shanghai to Yiwu

N580 Shanghai – Ningbo : Rapid train from Shanghai to Ningbo

D640 Shanghai Hangzhou : Bullet train from Shanghai to Hangzhou

Bullet express train offers first and second class, while the rest offer soft seat and hard seat two classes.

You can return or change the date of the ticket after your purchase. However return and any change have to be processed at the Shanghai Railway Station or South Shanghai Railway Station only. You can get 80% of original price back if you return and change the date once free of charge.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Beauty, Luxury Car, 2009 Shanghai Auto Show

2009 Shanghai Auto Show takes the spotlight this weekend.

Here are beauty, car, 2009 Auto Show Shanghai.
















How to Get People's Square from Shanghai Pudong Airport -- From Susan Bole

Choice 1:

Take Shanghai Maglev Train to Longyang Road Metro Station, Transfer to Metro Line No. 2, and Get off from People's Square.

Price: 50RMB (Maglev Train Ticket Price) and 4RMB Metro Ticket Price. If you have a receipt or other proof of same day air ticket, you will get 20% discount of Maglev Train Charge.

Time: No more than 1 hour. If you are lucky and with light luggage, time will be 8 minutes on Maglev plus 25 minutes on Subway.

Choice 2:

Take Taxi from Shanghai Pudong Airport to People's Square.

Price: No more than 160RMB in regular case. Will depend on traffic and late night operation time. (Learn more about Shanghai Taxi Fee and click here )

Time: No more than one and half hour in regular case. However, will depend much on traffic.

Choice 3:

Take Shanghai Airport Bus Line No. 5, and get off from Middle Yan'an Road nearby People's Square.

Price: 18 RMB

Time: No more than one and half hour in regular case. However, will depend much on traffic.

Choice 4:

You could book hotel pickup service too. But price will vary from hotels. Some will charge 500RMB for service while other will charge 700RMB or even more.

What People Said about Shanghai Maglev

1. Close call in making the flight from Shanghai to Melbourne. Lucky they have 430kmh maglev trains here!

2. On the Shanghai Maglev once again.

3. World Expo construction -> terrible 30-60 min traffic delays on the way to Pudong Airport. Go Maglev!

4. 430 km/hr maglev ride was sweet

5. boarding the maglev train. 430 kms/hr to shanghai airport. exciting.

6. Did the Maglev in Shanghai - fastest train on planet... Floats so no track noise or bounce. Beats plane travel!

7. Rode the maglev train at 431km/h between the airport and the city. Pretty cool!

8. So this is the view at 431KPH. That's right; the maglev goes so fast it bends space and time

9. It's kind of weird seeing farms, farmers, shoddy houses right next to the maglev station.

10. It was a cool ride. Worth it very much.

11. The maglev is a complete white elephant to be honest but it is a cool ride. I love trains and that thing is the best in the world.

12. The maglev is great if you're travelling with little to no luggage. If you are loaded down then it is not a good option.

13. Highly recommend going once just for the experience. Leaving HIGHWAY traffic behind in a flash is some experience. After the first ride you decide if/when you want to continue.

14. I use it whenever I can... and the extended hours to 9PM are very welcome! The only pain is trying to get your suitcase through the turnstile at the subway station before hand! Can only recommend it!

15. If you are like me and fly with little luggage then its the best way to get out of shanghai. Take the metro to longyang (from PuXi 5 RMB) then take the maglev to the airport (with ticket 50 RMB) . Total 55 RMB and about 1 hour .

16. Have to say that it was a cool experience 'flying' above the tracks and seeing the speedo tick over to 431km/h!!! It's well worthwhile, especially if you're on the metro line.

17. Its excellent, we use it all the time when travelling to and from the airport.

18. Took it yesterday...best 40 kuai (40 RMB) I spent! Goo goo goo jooob!

When arriving to the Pudong Airport late night, how could I do?

Tips:

1. In the Pudong International Airport, the last maglev train service is 21:32pm.


2. In the Pudong International Airport, the regular Airport Bus service closes at 23:00pm. However, starting from 23:00pm till the time of the last flight arriving at the Pudong Airport, there is one more Airport Bus from Pudong International Airport to Hongqiao Airport. It will have serveral stops in the city center.


But if you miss the last service of maglev train or bus, then:


Choice A:


You still could have a chance for a taxi ride. But from Pudong International Airport to downtown of city, the price is expensive, especially late night operation hour.


Choice B:


You could stay in hotel nearby airport for one night, then go to city center next day.


Choice C:


You could ask hotel pickup service. Definitely it will cost much.

Introduction to Shanghai Maglev Train



The Shanghai Maglev Train is the first commercial high-speed maglev line in the world.

The line runs from Longyang Road Metro Station to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It has 30km, roughly 18.64 miles.

The maglev train takes around 7 minutes from Longyang Road Metro Station to Shanghai Pudong Airport. The maximum speed of train is 431km/h (268 mph).

Longyang Road Metro Station is the conjuction between Metro Line No. 2 and Shanghai Maglev Train. It is a good choice to take Shanghai Maglev Train to Longyang Road Metro Station and then transit on Metro Line 2 directly to West Shanghai (Called Puxi).

The Shanghai Maglev project took ¥10 billion (US$1.33bn), it began to construct in March 2001 and took two and a half years to complete. The line is 30km (about 19.0 miles) track and has a further separate track leading to a maintenance facility.

Now, Shanghai government is planning to extend Shanghai Maglev Line to Hangzhou and even Beijing, but the plan is still under review and broad discussion.




How to Buy Train Ticket from Shanghai to Beijing

You could book train ticket in advanced. Or you could buy ticket when you take train.

You could not order train ticket online because Chinese Railway Stations don't have online service.

Tickets are always hot during Chinese holiday seasons, such as Chinese New Year, Labor's Day, National Holiday etc.

How to buy train ticket in Shanghai:

Choice 1: Go to Shanghai Railway Station directly, and buy from ticket booking office.

Choice 2: Go to any booking offices located in Shanghai, buy train ticket in advance, and with extra 5RMB service charge.

Choice 3: Go to ask for your travel agent in hotel or front desk, they may help you buy train ticket.

Choice 4: Call travel agent to buy train ticket & deliver to your home. However, service charge may apply.

Trains from Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing (2009 Edition)

There are several trains from Shanghai to Beijing every day.

1. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station

Train No.: D32 (Bullet Train)
Departure Time: 10:50am
Arrival Time: 20:32pm
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 544RMB for first class soft seat, and 453RMB for second class soft seat

2. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing Railway Station

Train No.: Z22 (Non-Stop Train)
Departure Time: 19:43pm
Arrival Time: 7:14am (Next Day)
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 499RMB for soft sleeper, and 283RMB for soft seat

3. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing Railway Station

Train No.: D314 (Bullet Train)
Departure Time: 21:41pm
Arrival Time: 7:40am
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 453RMB for first class soft seat, and 543RMB for second class soft seat

4. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing Railway Station

Train No.: D306 (Bullet Train)
Departure Time: 21:26pm
Arrival Time: 7:30am (Next Day)
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 453RMB for first class soft seat, and 543RMB for second class soft seat

5. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing Railway Station

Train No.: D302 (Bullet Train)
Departure Time: 21:31pm
Arrival Time: 7:35am (Next Day)
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 453RMB for first class soft seat, and 543RMB for second class soft seat

6. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing Railway Station

Train No.: T104 (Express Train)
Departure Time: 21:58pm
Arrival Time: 11:17am (Next Day)
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 179RMB for hard seat, 317RMB for hard sleeper and 499RMB for soft sleeper

7. From Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing Railway Station

Train No.: T110 (Express Train)
Departure Time: 22:04pm
Arrival Time: 11:23am (Next Day)
Distance: 1463km, roughly 909 miles
Ticket Price: 179RMB for hard seat, 317RMB for hard sleeper and 499RMB for soft sleeper

Shanghai Maglev Train or Shanghai Transrapid Time Schedule (2009 Edition)

Shanghai Maglev Train Operation Hours

From: Longyang Road Metro Station
To: Shanghai Pudong Airport

Earliest Train: 6:45am
Last Train: 21:30pm

6:45am to 17:00 every 15 minutes
17:00pm to 21:00pm every 20 minutes
21:00pm to 21:30pm every 30 minutes

Max. Speed: 430km/h from 9:00am to 16:45pm

From: Shanghai Pudong Airport
To: Longyang Road Metro Station

Earliest Train: 7:02am
Last Train: 21:32pm

One Way Ticket Price: 40RMB (with same day air ticket)
One Way Ticket Price: 50RMB (regular price)
One Way Ticket Price: 100RMB (VIP only)

Round-trip Ticket: 80RMB
Round-trip Ticket: 160RMB (VIP only)

Longyang Road Metro Station will connect to Metro Line No. 2, and passengers could easily transit from here to downtown Shanghai.

Enjoy it, experience of high speed on land is fantastic. What people said about Shanghai Maglev experience and click here.

If you want to know more about Shanghai Maglev Train and click here.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Shanghai Beauty


Shanghai Pudong Airport to Yiwu Non-Stop Bus Time Schedule

Bus Operator: Yiwu Hopeful Forward Company

From Shanghai Pudong Airport to Yiwu City (Daily Operation)

Departure: 1:10pm and 4:50pm

From Yiwu City to Shanghai Pudong Airport (Daily Operation)

Departure: 7:30am and 9:30am

Ticket Price: 180 RMB

Ticket Office: Pudong Airport Arrival Terminal Gate No. 6 & 7, and Gate No. 8 & 9

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

How much to take a taxi from Shanghai pudong airport to Oriental Pearl TV Tower? -- From Julie Chen


Answer:

It will cost you about 120 to 160 RMB dependent on traffic.

It will take more than one hour from Shanghai pudong airport to Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

What is Shanghai Public Transportation Card?

Shanghai Public Transportation Card is a prepaid contact-less smart card with RFID enabled technology.

You should pay 20 RMB for the deposit of the card itself and you could buy and recharge it at most of the metro stations and convenience stores around the city.

There are five types of Shanghai Public Transportation Card avaible:
  • Standard
  • Memorial
  • Mini
  • Personalized
  • Watch
Only standard card deposit is refundable when you return to metro station service center.

The card can be used to access different forms of public transportation in and around the Shanghai, such as the taxi, subway or light rail, bus, ferry etc.

If you will stay shanghai for a longer time, better to get one as it is convenient for your daily in and out.

Notice:

1. If you try to reload your card by machines at Metro stations, be aware there is possible for standard-sized cards only. However, some Metro stations are equipped with machines which are capable of taking different card size to recharge.

2. If a cardholder attempt to board whatever forms of public transportation without sufficient funds in the card, an overdraft will be allowed once and the fare is less than 10 RMB.

Read more on "Shanghai Public Transportation Card"

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Transportation Expenses in Shanghai (2009 Edition)

Bus:

Most bus routes are charged in one price: 2 RMB. However some buses to satellite cities of Shanghai are higher (4 RMB to 20RMB) and their prices are dependent on distances you travel.

And some non-air-conditioned buses are 1 RMB, but they are less now.

Subway & Light rail:

Subway ticket price starts from 3 RMB, and up to 8 RMB dependent on distances you travel.

Taxi:

Taxi is paid by meters and starts 11RMB for first 3km and then 2.1RMB per km after that.

If you take the taxi from 11pm to 5am, night fare applied which 13RMB for the first 3km and 2.6RMB per km after that.

Ferry:

Ferry costs 2 RMB (with air-condition), and some are 50 cents or 1 RMB. Most ferries are used to crossing Huangpu river which has separated Shanghai into several districts.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Daily Food Expenses in Shanghai (2009 Edition)

An ordinary "white collar" daily food expenses are as follows:

Breakfast:

choice A: 1 RMB's steam bread with meat stuff & 0.6 RMB's soybean milk at street food stall

choice B: 3 RMB's glutinous rice roll & 2 RMB's sour milk from local convinence store, such as Lawson, and C-Store etc.

Lunch:

choice A:10RMB to 30RMB for lunch special

choice B:Average 20RMB to 40RMB per person for dining in a restaurant shared with colleagues

Supper:

cook at home, generally 10 RMB/per person

However, food cost can vary significantly dependent on your life style. A meal at high-end restaurant may cost you like more than 1000RMB per person. Organic and imported foods always triple your food budget or even more.

Get around Shanghai by Taxi

Taxi is another convenient way to get around Shanghai . Taxi is paid by meters and starts 11RMB for first 3km and then 2.1RMB per km after that. If you take the taxi 11pm – 5am, night fare applied which 13RMB for the first 3km and 2.6RMB per km after that.

You can pay the taxi fee by cash or public transportation card. Do ask for the receipt which is a printed out slip. It helps if you lost anything on the cab or you would like to complain if the driver overcharges you.

Usually you can get hold of a taxi in the street, but you will find it is extremely difficult to get a taxi during rush hours in the business area. So plan your trip earlier if you do need a taxi in the rush hour. I recommend you to book a taxi in advance by phone to secure one. It does charge 4RMB as the book fee if you book a taxi by phone. Usually they will ask your mobile number for contact.

There are four major and well known taxi companies in Shanghai . You can recognise them by the painted colour on the car.

Dazhong: Light green

Qiangshen: Yellow

Bashi: Green

Jinjiang: White

Major taxi booking hotline as below:

Shanghai Taxi Service Information Centre: 96965

Dazhong: 96822 (English service available)

Qiangshen: 62580000

Bashi: 96840

Jinjiang: 64648888

You can also text message to order a taxi via your mobile:

China Mobile : 555596965

China Unicom: 2196965

Below is the normal rate if you take a taxi from the airport to city centre for your reference.

From Pudong airport – city centre: about 150RMB

From Hongqiao airport – city centre: about 50RMB

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Shanghai Beauty


Get around Shanghai by Metro

Metro might be the fastest way to get around Shanghai especially when the taxi/bus is stuck in the traffic and takes forever to get to the place you want to go during the rush hour;

The metro can be very crowded during the rush hours (7:30am – 9:30am and 4:30pm – 6:30pm). Everybody is squeezed like a sardine in a can.

Shanghai introduced its first Metro Line (Metro Line 1) in 1995 by collaborating with German. Till now, there are 8 lines in operation (Line 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9) and 7 more by the end of 2010. Each Metro line is simply named by numbers.

Currently Line 1 and 2 are the busiest lines not only because they were the first but also it connects the main CBDs.

To take the Metro, you can either buy a public transportation card or purchase a single ticket (currently no return ticket available). The ticket price depends on the distance you are taking starting from 3 RMB.

There is ticket office available in each Metro Station where you can buy ticket from a staff. You can tell the staff where you want to go; he/she will tell you the price. Ticket vendor machine is also available even in English. First choose the destination on the touchable screen, and then the machine will tell you the ticket price. Then you enter the number of how many tickets you would like to purchase. Insert the coin/note as total showed on the screen. OK, you get your tickets!

If you use the public transportation card, you just need to scan your card when you enter and exit. The remaining value in your card will be showed on a small screen. If you use the single ticket, you scan the card to enter, but insert the card into the card slot located on the side of the exit gate.

Please note the Metro service in Shanghai is not 24 hours. Don't miss the last train!

Shanghai Public Transportation Card

A new comer will always be confused by the taxi driver’s question when he/she arrives at the destination and ready to pay: how would you like to pay for the meter: Cash or Card? No, no, no… they are not asking your credit card or debit card. What they are asking is the Public Transportation Card which can be used in any public transportation (Metro, Bus, Taxi etc) in Shanghai .

Basically the Shanghai Public Transportation Card is stored value card where you deposit certain amount of money. It is like a kind of e-wallet. The fee you need pay for any public transportation service will be taken out from the card when you use it.

The card company is now expanding the usage of the card. You can use the card at Metro, Bus, Taxi, Ferry, Toll Gate, Shanghai Tourist Travel Centre, Maglev Train or even some McDonalds and KFC.

To encourage people to use public transportation, it also offers 10% off discount if you spend more than 70RMB on Metro within a month. For example, on 25th July, you have already spent 70RMB on Metro. From this point, you will get 10% off for your rest of Metro trip in July.

To use the card, just simply place the card on the card reader. The machine will deduct the fee from your card. The card allows you to make an overdraft once if the balance cannot cover the transportation fee except for taxi, for which you need to pay for the gap by cash.

How to purchase and top-up a Public Transportation

Purchase:

The easiest way to buy your first card is from the ticket office of any Metro Station in Shanghai . There are also 1900 selling points throughout Shanghai where you can buy the card, but it might be a bit difficult for a new comer to tell which is authorised and which is fake.

For the first purchase, there are three face values you can choose: 100RMB, 200RMB and 500RMB, in which 20/30RMB deposit is included. For example, you give 100RMB and then get a face value of 100RMB card. You actually have 70RMB to spend and the 20RMB will be stored in the card as a deposit.

There are two type of card: normal card and special card (issued for some special events, occasions. Usually has a special design on the card). The normal card asks for 20RMB refundable deposit while the special one asks for 30RMB non-refundable deposit.

Top-up

Not matter what kind of card you purchase (normal or special), how much of the face value the card has when you first purchase it, you can always top up your card via the following three way.

- Metro Station: you can top up your card either by the ticket machine with top-up function at the Metro Station or go to the ticket office to have the staff to top it up for you

- Bank: Currently three banks provide the top-up service at their self-service centre. (Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Communication Bank, China Construction Bank) if you have a bank account with any of these three banks, you can use their self-service machinese to top up your transportation card.

- Convenience Store: two convenience store chain in Shanghai offer top-up service: Kedi and Buddies. They have a lot of stores throughout Shanghai . Make sure to find the nearest one for you.

Terminate and return the card

If you would like to terminate and return the card, to get the deposit back, you can take it to any of the following office. If the remaining value less than 10RMB, you can get the refund back right away free of charge. If it is between 10RMB and 2000RMB, you will be charged by 5% of the remaining value as handling fee. For value more than 2000RMB, it takes three working days to process with 5% charge fee.

Rent a flat or apartment in Shanghai HOW MUCH

Following the last post about the basic procedure of renting a flat or apartment in Shanghai, now I am talking about the price. Shanghai is a place where renting cost can vary significantly. The price largely depends on: Location, Location and Location. Here I am only talking about flat or apartment, not single house/villa, which is far beyond my affordability.

Generally speaking, the rent of the flats or apartment in Shanghai CBD and near the metro station within inner ring is higher than the flats with same quality and condition in other areas.

Usually CBD areas are most expensive. Main CBDs in Shanghai include:


West Nanjing Road
East Nanjing Road plus Bund area
People Square
Lu Jia Zui financial district
Huaihai Road
Xu Jiahui.

CBD area does offer high end serviced apartment. For example:

Lu Jiao Zui (Financial area in Pudong):
YanLord Garden (仁恒滨江花园): 8000-10000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat


Huai Hai Road (Xin Tian Di):
LakeVille Regency (翠湖天地): 15000-18000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat, 20000-25000RMB per month for a three bedroom flat

Apart from those high end serviced apartment, you can also find some other cheaper options.

For flats rather new around those CBD areas saying built after 2000, the rent is about 5000-7000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat and 3000-4000 for a one bedroom flat.

For flats built in 1990s, the rent is about 3000-4000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat.

There are also some quite old flats, which Shanghainese call Lao Gong Fang (老公房). The rent is about 2500-3000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat and 2000-3000 for a one bedroom flat.

For those flats near Metro Station within Inner Ring, the rent ia about 6000-8000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat if was built after 2000 and 3500 – 4000 for those built in 1990s.

Take an example of Century Avenue Metro Station on Line 2, which is only two stops away from Lu Jia Zui financial district.

Zhu Yuan (Bamboo Garden 竹园):Lao Gong Fang, built before 1990. With its convenient location, just 5-10 minutes walk to the metro station, the rent is:

3500RMB per month for a two bedroom flat
2300RMB per month for a one bedroom flat

ChampsElysees Garden (香榭丽花园), built around 2000, 10 minutes walk to the metro station, the rent is:

6000RMB per month for a two bedroom flat
7000RMB per month for a three bedroom flat

For those not near CBD or any metro station, the price can drop significantly depending on how far it is from the city centre and other conditions.

A one bedroom flat near Long Yang Road Metro Station (15-20 minutes walk), the rent can be 1000-1500RMB per month.

A two bedroom flat near Yaohua Road Metro Station (very new, built in 2004, 20 minutes walk), rent is about 1500RMB per month.

So now you can tell the price really depends on the location. Sharing a flat with one or two people would also be cheaper than you rent a flat all by yourself for the same location.

Take the Zhu Yuan (Bamboo Garden 竹园) above as the example,3500RMB per month for a two bedroom flat 2300RMB per month for a one bedroom flat

Two people sharing the two bedroom flat would only cost 1250RMB per person for the exactly same location.