[Shanghai] 7 things you need to know before you go so you don't miss out!

Warning before traveling to Shanghai! 7 things you need to know before going so you don't miss out ✈️🇨🇳 1. Ordering food and shopping I traveled for 4 days and 3 nights and didn't exchange a single yuan. I survived with 2 apps. At first, I only downloaded Alipay, but I wanted to have a backup plan, so I downloaded WeChat as well. I linked my credit card before traveling. It was a UnionPay credit card from AEON, KTC because if I swiped more than 200 yuan, I wouldn't be charged extra. ✅ Metro/Shopping/Calling Didi, use Alipay. I tried it and it worked. ✅ WeChat is used to order food because some restaurants tried scanning Alipay and couldn't order. 🛍️ Shopping in Disneyland, use the AEON UnionPay card, show the card to the staff, it works fine (get 3% cashback). If they ask for a password, just say no, press OK. I've tried it. ⚠️ Don't forget to call the credit card call center to inform them that you will be using it abroad. 2. Check the temperature and prepare your clothes 🌦🧥 It's spring season in Shanghai now. The weather is cool but it rains often. Flowers are blooming beautifully. You have to prepare yourself well because the average temperature from March to May is around 10-20°C. You should prepare clothes that you can adapt to, such as thin sweaters, umbrellas ☔, and waterproof shoes because you may encounter frequent rain on some days. 🌸 3. Shanghai is very beautiful for taking pictures! 📸✨ Don't miss taking pictures at The Bund, Pearl Tower, Wukang District, Anfu Road, and Xintiandi. There are beautiful views both day and night. But my favorite spot is the North Bund, which is on the riverside. The flowers are very beautiful in spring and the weather is cool and comfortable. If you have a chance to go there, don't forget to stop by Manner Coffee, a riverside cafe that will make your morning coffee a very special experience. ☕🌷 4. Smoking in public 🚭 When visiting Shanghai, be prepared. You will see people smoking in public almost everywhere. No matter where you go, you will see them. It is something that many people are not familiar with because in some places it can be inconvenient. Especially in tourist attractions or places with lots of people, such as Disneyland, there are still people smoking. So if you bring small children or the elderly, be extra careful. Always carry a face mask 😷 to protect yourself from cigarette smoke pollution. And if you see someone smoking nearby, try to avoid them as much as possible. 5. Traveling in Shanghai is convenient and cheap 🚇💸 Shanghai has a very convenient and cheap transportation system! The subway is an extremely convenient way to travel. It is cheap and has routes covering the whole city. If you use Didi (a ride-hailing app similar to Grab), you will get a cheap price. But if you want to travel to important tourist attractions, it is recommended to use the subway, which is convenient and fast. There are also English signs, making it easy to understand. And for those who use Apple Maps, you can look up the route in the app. But you should write down the name of the place in Chinese. In case there is a problem or you can't find the location in Apple Maps, we will be able to search for it in the Chinese app more easily. 📱 6. Recommend visiting Shanghai Disneyland 🎢🏰 If you visit Shanghai and don't go to Disneyland, it's a mistake! It is full of theme parks with exciting rides and a very cute atmosphere for the whole family. Children will get to meet familiar Disney characters up close. And most importantly, there is a spectacular show in the evening that you shouldn't miss. The atmosphere in the amusement park is both romantic and fun. There are also many shops and food to choose from. P.S. The castle here is the largest in the world. 🏰 7. Travel insurance 🛡️🌍 Normally when traveling abroad, I always buy insurance. Especially in China, you should have travel insurance because unexpected events can happen at any time, such as accidents, illnesses, or flight cancellations. Choosing insurance that provides comprehensive coverage will help you feel more confident. This time, I chose MSIG again because I read reviews from many groups and concluded that it was easy to make a claim. My personal opinion: If you are traveling abroad for the first time in your life, you shouldn't come here because people here don't speak English. Communication is difficult. #TravelChina #Shanghai