SHANGHAI ONLY · GUIDE
Shanghai arrival guide for foreigners
Laowai Desk is a bilingual companion desk in Shanghai. Read this guide, then add us on WeChat — we assign a local professional for your arrival.
Before you fly
Install an eSIM or plan to buy a China SIM on arrival. Foreign cards can often be linked to Alipay and WeChat Pay for small purchases, but limits and verification steps vary. Write down your hotel address in Chinese, your flight number, and a WhatsApp or email contact.
At PVG or SHA
Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) are the two Shanghai airports most foreigners use. Metro, taxi, and ride-hail usually require a working phone and payment app. If it is your first trip, an airport handoff — someone who meets you at arrivals and coordinates transfer — saves the highest-stress hour of the trip.
First week in the city
Beyond tourism, long-stay visitors often need a bank visit, hospital registration, or police/hotel residence registration. Public counters are rarely fully English. A bilingual escort who knows which forms and which window to use is often worth more than another generic guidebook paragraph.
Book arrival help on WeChat
Tell us your flight and hotel — we assign a professional bilingual companion.
Also read: Life-admin help for foreigners in Shanghai