Shanghai Living

You've moved into your new Shanghai apartment. The furniture is (mostly) assembled. The utility bills are set up on Alipay. But one thing is missing: a reliable internet connection. Whether you work from home, stream 4K movies, game online with friends back home, or just need to stay connected, internet access is essential. The good news? Shanghai has some of the fastest and most affordable home...

You've signed the lease. You've got the keys. Your furniture has arrived (or is on a ship somewhere in the Pacific). You take a deep breath and look around your new Shanghai home. And then the questions start. How do I pay the electricity bill? What does that Chinese text message mean? How do I even find my account number? Moving into a new home is stressful anywhere. Moving into a new home in a...

Moving to a new country is exciting. But when your child wakes up with a fever at 2 AM, or someone needs urgent medical attention, excitement turns to a very practical question: Where do we go? The good news: Shanghai has world-class healthcare, with options ranging from top-tier public hospitals with international departments to private hospitals designed specifically for expat...

Moving to Shanghai with children is exciting — but finding the right school is usually the first big decision families face, and it can feel overwhelming. With over 50 accredited international schools across the city, covering every major curriculum from British and American to IB, French, German, and Singaporean, the options are genuinely impressive. But not every school is right for every family, and...

There is a specific corner in Shanghai that has become something of a pilgrimage site. At the intersection of Huaihai Middle Road and Wukang Road, a wedge-shaped building shaped like a ship's bow slices through the traffic. Tourists crowd the opposite sidewalk, phones held high, all trying to capture the same perfect shot. This is the Wukang Building. And it is the gateway to one of the most...

Imagine landing at Shanghai's Pudong or Hongqiao Airport after a long flight. You're tired, jet-lagged, and slightly overwhelmed. But as you walk toward the arrivals hall, someone hands you a cup of freshly brewed coffee. It's free. It's warm. And it's your first taste of something that defines modern Shanghai. Welcome to Shanghai – the undisputed coffee capital of the world. This isn't just...

When you think of Shanghai, images of towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and glittering nightlife might come to mind. But beneath that urban exterior lies a city that absolutely adores children. From world-class theme parks and interactive museums to artsy workshops and sports classes, Shanghai is a treasure trove of family-friendly fun. If you are a parent planning to relocate to Shanghai with...

If Old Xuhui whispers history through its plane trees and lane houses, Jing'an speaks the language of modern, connected, family-friendly living. It is a district that manages to be both energetic and peaceful, both international and deeply local. For expats moving to Shanghai, Jing'an has become one of the most sought-after neighborhoods – and for good reason. From luxury compounds with resort-style...

There is a particular kind of magic that happens when you turn off a busy Shanghai thoroughfare and duck into a quiet lane house neighborhood. The noise of the city softens. The plane trees grow thicker overhead. And suddenly, you are walking through history. Lane houses – or lilong (里弄) in Chinese – are the architectural soul of Old Shanghai. For decades, they have been the backdrop...

There is a moment, just after you land at Pudong International Airport, when Shanghai first reveals itself to you. The city hums with an energy that is impossible to describe until you have felt it yourself. The lights, the sounds, the endless stream of scooters and taxis and people — all of it moving at a rhythm that somehow feels both frantic and gentle at the same time. If you are reading this,...