Shanghai Adventure: DIY Tips for Malaysian Travellers
So, a friend shared a video about their tough time in Shanghai. Here's my list of tips to help you explore Shanghai independently and smoothly, based on my recent trip!
1. Stay Connected: 4G is Your Best Friend
Grab an eSIM before you fly from Malaysia. It's way better than a physical SIM card. Why? Because with an eSIM, you can access Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Google Mail without any hassle.
2. Cash is King (Sometimes)
It's a good idea to exchange Ringgit for Chinese Yuan before you go. Not everywhere accepts Visa or Mastercard. Many places prefer Alipay and other local apps. While these apps are convenient, setting them up with your Visa can be a lengthy verification process.
- Most places accept cash, but smaller denominations are super useful. Sometimes, they might not have change.
- You can still use cash to buy metro cards and intercity bus tickets.
Having some USD as backup is smart. If you run out of Yuan, you can exchange your USD at a bank. Don't forget to bring your passport for the exchange.
3. Getting Around: Public Transport is the Way to Go
Shanghai's public transport is cheap and convenient. A trip from the airport to my accommodation, which took over an hour, cost only about 7 Yuan (roughly RM4.50)! It's clean, efficient, and affordable.
Consider buying a 1-day or 3-day metro pass for even better value. You can purchase these at the counters inside the metro stations. Just remember to bring your passport and use Google Translate to communicate with the staff if needed.
- Amap is your go-to app for checking train, bus, and walking routes, as well as intercity transport. Think of it as a Google Maps, but it offers the info in English.
- Metro Man app is great for double-checking train routes.
- Use Google Maps as your backup for walking directions to ensure accuracy.
4. Metro Mastery: Tips for Riding the Subway
- Buying a 1-day or 3-day pass saves money. Use cash and your passport for the purchase. If the card doesn't work, ask the staff at the counter to reactivate it.
- For single tickets, use the automatic ticket machines. They have an English interface. Select English, choose your destination, pay, and insert your cash. If the machine rejects your money, ask the staff to exchange it for coins.
- To find the right train direction, look for the colored arrow (it should look like the number 1 laid on its side) and the name of the next station above the platform. It might be a bit confusing at first, but it's easy once you get the hang of it.
- Pay attention to the gate numbers on Amap or Metro Man to enter and exit the stations correctly.
- Double-check the English station names on Amap or Metro Man with the signs at the platform as sometimes the locals won't recognize the english station names.
5. Accommodation: Finding the Right Place to Stay
Your choice of location depends on your budget. When booking your hotel, check if Agoda or Booking.com mentions English-speaking staff. This ensures you'll have someone who can assist you.
- Use Trip.com to check for hotels. It often has more options and deals than Agoda and Booking.com. It also features detailed information about tourist spots in Shanghai, including hours, prices, and booking requirements.
I was surprised that most of the staff at my accommodation spoke English and the WiFi allowed access to Facebook and WhatsApp. Perhaps this place is popular with international tourists who stay long term.
6. Communication: Breaking the Language Barrier
- Download Google Translate. Its voice translation and image translation features are incredibly useful for communicating with locals and understanding signs.
- Prepare a list of Chinese names translated into English. This helps with searching for directions on Amap and Metro Man.
