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In this town your concierge is your best friend, keep their direct number on your mobile’s speed-dial The best times to visit weather-wise are Apr-may and late Sep to mid Nov. Jun is rainy, Jul and Aug roast, and Dec-mar are parky The currency is Renminbi/yuan (RMB/¥). US$1 ≈ ¥6.1 If you stray from the guide, have your hotel write your destinations in Chinese for your driver/taxi Pudong airport to town: 50 mins / RMB160-170 by cab, at least RMB230 after 11pm, skip the queue by going up a level to hail one from the 2/F; or take the super-fast Maglev (RMB50 one-way) to the end and change onto metro or cab (RMB60 into town) The metro is easy but taxis are easier, cheap and plentiful, though disappear in peak hour or rain Drivers don’t speak English and don’t need tipping Check the dashboard info card of your taxi, four stars is good. If your driver’s ID starts with ‘30’, he’s newly minted, and you’re en route to Tibet. Bon voyage Lu is the generic term meaning road In Shanghai stores the G/F is the 1/F Many smaller businesses do not take credit cards The hospitality sector has come a long way quickly, but service can be patchy even at top establishments Tipping is not expected, though some places add a service charge, or allow it on your charge docket You will be pushed, shoved and elbowed out of the way, simply take a deep breath and smile politely Spitting is still a keen hobby here Try to take a tour of the atmospheric but fast diminishing old areas before it’s all too late (see Very Useful) The international code for Shanghai is +86 21 IDD call 108; for the police call 6357 6666 and for the ambulance call 120

These Mandarin (Putonghua) phrases will come in handy...

Nee how / Zai je-an : Shang-hi / Shang-bye Shyeah-shyeah : Thanks, Tiger Lily Wo Boo Yao : Hit the road, Jackie! Save the faux Rolexes for Tonya tourist and friends Lai, lai, lai! : Excuse me, garlic breath, before I anger and fling you so far, you land in the Ming Dynasty

...’kay let’s party