Here we collect some travel tips in Shanghai for foreign participants.
Currency Exchange:
We recommend exchanging 1000-2000 RMB cash per person before your international trip or at the airports. Since the number of ATMs has decreased recently. You can also exchange and withdraw RMB cash at some international banks in Shanghai, particularly at the branches of the Bank of China.
Cashless payment, Alipay or Wechat pay
While cash should be accepted, you may encounter problems because many vendors may not be able to give you changes. In China, cashless electronic payments based on Alipay or WeChat pay are widely used. Almost all locals use these two types of payments. These enable access to convenient services in China, including ride-hailing, bicycle-sharing, buying tickets and food delivery. Thus, for your convenient stay in Shanghai, we recommend install the Alipay or WeChat apps and setting it up in advance before coming to China（advise to have at least Alipay）.
Note that for usage of Alipay or WeChat pay, you need a data connection. Thus, please prepare the data roaming method (see next topic).
SIM card:
For using data roaming on cell phones in China, you can buy a prepaid SIM card working in China at the airports. In Shanghai, we cannot buy prepaid SIM cards in the convenience store. For more info.
Alternatively, you may prepare a mobile WIFI router.
Transportation:
For Metro, you can buy a single journey ticket from a ticket machine in the metro stations, or use Alipay (Transportation) for public transportation in Shanghai without buying a ticket.
Consider using local map apps such as Amap. or Baidu Map, which works better in China than Google Maps.
Way to reach the Conference Venue
From Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
- Option 1: Metro (Subway)
- Route: Line 2 (Green) → Line 4 (Inner Loop 内圈) [Change at Century Avenue Station (世纪大道站)]
- Duration: ~71 minutes
- Cost: ~7 RMB
- Details:
- At Pudong Airport, take Line 2 (Panxiang Road/National Accounting Institute direction).
- After 14 stops (approx. 49 mins), get off at Century Avenue Station (世纪大道站).
- Transfer inside the station to Line 4 (Inner Loop 内圈, Xiangcheng Road direction).
- Take Line 4 for 3 stops (approx. 7 mins) and get off at Tangqiao Station (塘桥站).
- Use Exit 3 and walk about 170 meters (~3 mins) to the hotel.
- Option 2: Maglev + Taxi 🚀 (Recommended)
- Total Duration: ~37 minutes
- Total Cost: ~70 RMB (50 RMB for Maglev + 20 RMB for Taxi)
- Details:
- Maglev: From Pudong Airport, take the Maglev train to Longyang Road Station (龙阳路站). The journey is 1 stop (approx. 7 minutes).
- Taxi: Upon exiting, take a taxi for the final 5.3 km (approx. 15 minutes) to the hotel.
- Option 3: Taxi (/Didi)
- Duration: ~40-60 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Cost: ~110-150 RMB
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Please follow the official signs to the regulated taxi stand outside the arrivals hall.
From Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
- Option 1: Metro + Taxi
- Total Duration: ~59 minutes
- Total Cost: ~19 RMB (5 RMB for Metro + 14 RMB for Taxi)
- Details:
- Metro: At Hongqiao Airport T2, take Line 2 (Pudong Airport direction). Get off at Pudong South Road Station (浦东南路站, formerly Dongchang Road Station).
- Taxi: Use Exit 6 and take a taxi for the final 3 km (approx. 13 minutes) to the hotel.
- Option 2: Metro
- Route: Line 2 → Line 4 (Inner Loop 内圈) [Change at Century Avenue Station (世纪大道站)]
- Duration: ~55 minutes
- Cost: ~5 RMB
- Details:
- At Hongqiao Airport T2, take Line 2 (Pudong Airport direction).
- After 13 stops (approx. 39 mins), get off at Century Avenue Station (世纪大道站).
- Transfer to Line 4 (Inner Loop 内圈) and take it for 3 stops (approx. 7 mins) to Tangqiao Station (塘桥站).
- Use Exit 3 and walk about 170 meters (~3 mins) to the hotel.
- Option 3: Taxi (/Didi) 🚀 (Recommended)
- Duration: ~40-50 minutes
- Cost: ~80-100 RMB
- NOTE: Please use the official taxi stand located outside the arrivals hall.
Destination slips
Conference Venue (Sheraton Grand Shanghai Pudong Hotel )
Four Points Sheraton Grand Shanghai Pudong Hotel Venue
Please Note:
If your hotel is the Four Points by Sheraton Grand Shanghai Pudong, you can follow the directions above, as the two hotels are adjacent.
VPN:
Many websites such as Facebook, Google, and Instagram are blocked here in China. See the link below of the best China VPN recommendations for paid and unpaid subscriptions:
The Best VPNs for China (Free and Paid)
Download and set up your VPN before arriving in China, as app stores in China may block VPN downloads.
Converter and Adapter:
China operates on 220V and 50Hz electricity. Ensure you have the appropriate power plug adapter and/or voltage transformer for your devices.
