Hospitality Information

How to Reach the Venue

Taking a Local Taxi

Taking the Subway

About Shanghai

History

The name Shanghai means "Above the Sea," and it was originally a fishing village. After the opening of the area to foreign powers after 1842, the city grew rapidly and by 1954 was the leading city of the Far East. With the establishment of the P.R. China in 1949, Shanghai has continued to be viewed as one of the economic centers of the country, as well as being a significant source of change and opinion in a country that still tends to be conservatively governed. Today the city continues to grow at a rapid pace, perhaps no city in the world is as futuristic, and Shanghai has become the very symbol of China's rise to economic powerhouse status.

Overview

• Shanghai is located on the middle of the east coast of China, and on the inlet of the China Sea. 
• Shanghai covers a total area of 6,341 square kilometers, and the land is flat and fertile.
• Due to its proximity to the Huangpu and Yangzi Rivers, Shanghai is a major shipping center.
• The estimated population is close to 18 million (with an urban population of 13 million), making the city the most populous in China and among the world's five largest metropolises.
• As one of China's most important economic centers, Shanghai accounts for 20% of the nation's manufacturing and contributes approximately one-sixth of the gross GNP of China.

Travel information below by Lonely Planet. For more detailed information visit Lonely Planet Shanghai.

		Visas Apart from citizens of Japan, Singapore and Brunei, a visa is required for visits to the People’s Republic of China. Visas are easily obtainable from Chinese embassies and consulates. Most tourists are issued with a single-entry visa for a 30-day stay, valid for three months from the date of issue. Getting a visa in Hong Kong is also an option. Note: If you go to China, on to Hong Kong and then to Shanghai, you will need a double-entry visa to get "back" into China from Hong Kong or you will need to reapply for a fresh visa in Hong Kong.
		Getting Around Shanghai itself is not very easy to navigate. Although it’s fascinating to stroll around certain areas, Shanghai’s sheer size and sprawl makes walking useful only for brief trips. The best way to get around town is either by taxi or on the metro. The rapidly expanding metro and light railway system works like a dream; it’s fast, efficient and inexpensive. Rush hour on the metro operates at overcapacity, however, and you get to experience the full meaning of the big squeeze. Taxis are ubiquitous and cheap, but flagging one down during rush hour or during a rainstorm can be difficult.
		Money  (Exchange Rates: US Dollar; GB Pound; Euro) Shanghai is one of China’s most expensive cities and you can quickly wind up paying much the same as in the West, if not more. Local Chinese restaurants offer fantastic value if you can decipher a Chinese menu. The city’s set-lunch specials or department-store food courts also offer excellent value, where one person can dine for around Y25. Meals at more expensive restaurants will cost anywhere from Y50 to Y400; aim for set meals rather than dining à la carte. Check the bill carefully; there’s no need to leave a tip if service is included. Cafés and bars are expensive so expect to pay up to Y40 for a coffee or Y30 for the smallest of beers. Traveling by metro and bus can keep transport costs down, while taxis are plentiful and inexpensive for short hops.
		ATMs/Credit Cards/Taxes ATMs that take foreign cards are plentiful, but it’s generally safest to use Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and HSBC ATMs, many of which are 24-hour. Many of the top-end hotels also have ATMs, as do shopping malls and department stores. Credit cards are more readily accepted in Shanghai than in other parts of China. Most tourist hotels will accept major credit cards (with a 4% processing charge), as will banks, upper-end restaurants and tourist-related shops. Taxes: All four- and five-star hotels and some top-end restaurants add a tax or ‘service charge’ of 10% or 15%, which extends to the room and food; all other consumer taxes are included in the price tag.
		Weather With a humid subtropical climate, Shanghai is often grey and overcast. Sudden hot days at the tail end of summer, affectionately known as the Autumnal Tiger, are not uncommon. By the end of September, and through November when the Congress will be held, cooling winds will be blowing into the region and the temperatures will begin to slide. Temperatures in Shanghai during November are typically between 14°C - 22°C (57°F - 71°F).