The Shanghai expat guide is a comprehensive international relocation guide that tells you everything you need to know about this major chinese city. Exotic and commercial, modern and old-fashioned - all at the same time. Shanghai--the "City on the Sea" offers old-Chinese-world charm along with a progressive and ambitious attitude toward the future. It is international and provincial, simply beautiful and, often times, mystifying.

All of these conflicting, yet exciting, facets of the city can be somewhat confusing to any foreigner relocating to Shanghai. While approximately 250,000 expatriates call Shanghai home that does not necessarily mean it is an easy move to make. There is Communist bureaucracy, challenges in finding accommodation, language barriers, Chinese traditions and a plethora of other issues that make settling into Shanghai difficult.

Shanghai expat guide contents

The Expat Info Desk Shanghai expat guide contains a wide range of information that can help you before, during and after your relocation and covers the following topics:

1) Living legally in Shanghai
Chinese culture and language difficulties can make securing a visa a difficult, uphill task. Our step-by-step guide to the visa application system in China contains all the information you need to ensure that you acquire all the necessary paperwork to relocate to Shanghai in a stress-free manner.

2) Setting up home in Shanghai
Shanghai is a vast city with many distinct neighborhoods. This can make choosing a place to live very difficult. Our Shanghai expat guide contains a list of the top living areas in Shanghai, together with key facts about their location, local amenities, transport and environment so that you can make a decision of where to live that is based on the most up to date information available.

3) Navigating the infrastructure
The ExpatInfoDesk international relocation guide for Shanghai offers practical information about a city that may seem to defy feasibility. The particulars of every aspect of organizing your life here from choosing a school for your children, organizing your banking and amenities and hiring a reliable "ayi"; through to finding places to shop, worship and groom your pet, are covered in this indispensable and thorough guide.

4) Having fun in Shanghai
There are recommendations for expat networking venues, weekend activities for the whole family, where to shop, how to be entertained in one of the most vibrant and culturally interesting cities on earth and much, much more.

5) Staying safe and healthy in Shanghai
Moving to a new country can be daunting. We give you an honest lowdown on how you can stay safe and avoid problems. We also point you in the right direction for finding healthcare services and support.

6) Blending in
The Expat Info Desk relocation guide to Shanghai contains concise information about the local customs and etiquette in Shanghai and China. It contains information about what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish relationships with your hosts. It acts as a crash course in local customs and cultural etiquette and can help you to deal with culture shock and avoid any cross-cultural misunderstandings.

7) Reality bites
The idea of living in Shanghai, mainland China's true commercial and financial hub, could provoke a variety of differing emotions from those who are deciding whether to make the move and even for those who have already made the commitment. To be immersed in such an ancient and unfamiliar culture can be simultaneously terrifying and electrifying. Expat Info Desk are international relocation specialists, you can rely on our guides to take away the terrifying aspect of relocation by answering all of the questions you have and those you may not have even thought of asking. International relocation is never easy, but armed with the right guidance and advice, it can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially in a city like Shanghai.

The Shanghai expat guide; Feel at home abroad – Fast!