Moving to Shanghai

One of the world's leading international metropolises, today's Shanghai is a glittering marvel of modernity. At the same time,Shanghai has not sacrificed any of its Chineseness or the Haipai(Shanghai) character that makes it unique from other urban centers around the world. Part of Shanghai's charm lies in its cultural and architecthral diversity, with the Bund's famous turn of the century western architecture facing modern skyscrapers across the Huangpu River. The sounds of hymns drift out of the Xujiahui Catholic Church, mixing in the Shanghai air with wisps of incense fluttering out of the Jade Buddha Temple. Older Shanghai folks play mahjong in the street while the young kick soccer balls in Shanghai's meandering lanes and alleys, and the urban masses turn out at local opera houses to see the Shanghai Opera, farical Chinese plays, and the Shanghai Grand Theater to listen to the symphony and watch ballet. When you are hungry you can look for Little Shaoxing's Three Yellows Chicken and or a bucket of dark meat at the omnipresent KFC. Enjoy a quiet cup of chrysanthemum tea in one of the old tea houses on the Shanghai Old Street or a Heineken in a bar on Hengshan road. Shanghai is a ture combination of east and west, warmly welcoming the new and deeply nostalgic for the old. When night draws on, neon lights glow and Shanghai assumes an air of regality. Jazz at the Peace Hotel and the soothing music of bamboo instruments at Yu Yuan Garden of the 1920's and 30's as the coffee shops, nightlife, and pace of modern life keep you grounded in the twenty first century.

This city of dreams and illusions awaits your exploration.

History

As it is commonly understood, the history of Shanghai extends back only as far as the nineteenth century. Cultural traces found in modern Shanghai life are falsely considered to be nothing influence and bland homogenizing forces of urban living. However, if you could travel through time, you would discover that this piece of land off the East China Sea has seen human habitation as early as six thousand years ago. The beginnings of urban Shanghai appeared as early as the first half of the tenth century. This region's most ancient culture was excavated in 1957 in the northern end of Qingpu County's Songze Village. With characteristics representative of Tai Hu Lake Neolithic culture, the Songze discovery has proved to be the earliest culture to have lived in the Shanghai regions, and its archaeological significance runs deep. The Neolithic peoples living downstream of the Wusong River month survived on a lifestyle of fishing tool called a "hu", which was particularly suited for Shanghai's rising an falling tides. Local regions eventually came to adopt "hu" as a place name, which is still used today as an abbreviated way of writing "Shanghai". The Huangpu River can be traced back to the Chinese Chunqiu and Warring States Period (777 B.C. - 221 B.C.). At that time, the area comprising modern Shanghai was once the estate of the Chunshen Sovereign, Huangxie. The stretch of Huangpu River from Longhua to the Songjiang River was originally called"Huang Xie Pu" in memory of the ruler, and has been since simplified to "Huangpu". The word "Shen" is used like "hu", an abbreviated form of the word Shanghai.

Qin Dynasty

In 223 B.C.,several years after the Qin state defeated the Chu, the Huiji Prefecture was created and the seat of the local government was established in Suzhou. The Huiji Prefecture administered Miao Xian, Youquan Xian, and Haiyan Xian counties. Miao Xian County included territory making up today's Jiading and Shanghai counties, most of Qingpu and Songjiang counties, and some of urban Shanghai.

After Qin Shihuang(China's first Emperor) had united the six states into China's first empire, a wide imperial highway was built running from Xianyang through Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu and Shanghai. According to historical records, the highway was fifty paces wide, with trees planted at every 10 meters, and ran through the northwest of Shanghai's Songjiang. In 210 B.C.,the Emperor Qin Shihuang led a group of civilian ministers and military officers south on an inspection of Heng Shan, the Xiaokun Mountains, and Sanmao along the eastern border of Songjiang and the southern border of Qingpu. Records show that the region had a wealth of natural resources, and the busy populace could be seem bustling around, with people conducting trade on the river. Urban Shanghai, at this time, was clearly a long time coming.

Jin Dynasty

During the Jin Dynasty, the Shanghai regions relied upon fishing and harvesting salt to develop a strong economy. In 585, the first year of Southern Dynasty Emperor, Liang Datong, Haiyan Xian County was divided up into Qingpu and Qianjing Counties.

Tang Dynasty

During the Tang Dynasty, the southern part of Kunshan, the east of Jiaxian, and the north of Haiyan were combined into the new Huating County which then formed a county seat in today's Singjiang County.

In 746 A.D., Qinglong Zhen Town was founded in the northest of today's Qingpu under the southern bank of Wusong River. Originally an anchoring point for the Three Kingdoms-era King of the Wu, Sun Quan's warships, Qinglong Harbor is the starting point of the Wusong River's downstream region, and was a thriving port of trade during the Tang Dynasty. Boats that stopped here not only moved on to important coastal and inland towns, but also to destinations in Japan and the Korean Peninsula. At this time, Shanghai was still nothing more than a seaport and fishing village in Huating County.

There were two rivers in eastern Shanghai that emptied into the Huating Sea in the northwest. The easternmost of the two rivers was called Xaihiapu, and the westernmost of the two rivers was called Shanghaipu. This small fishing village derived its name from the closer of the two rivers - the western Shanghaipu River - and thus was called Shanghai.

Song Dynasty

At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, Huating Xian County was taken in by Zhejiang's Luxiu Zhou Prefecture. Huating's beach in its east was then an important salt producer. The river's commerce increased by the day as it became thick with people and incoming boats. With the Songjiang channel's dredging in 1119, Qinglong Zhen Town saw even more rapid development. According to Song Dynasty poet, Mei Yanchen, Qinglong Zhen had twenty-two bridges, thirty six workshops, three pavilions, seven pagodas, thirteen temples, and crowds of people. Mei Yanchen's contemporaries referred to this thriving town as "little Hangzhou". While Qinglong Zhen enjoyed its prosperity, Shanghai remained desolate.

Silt build-up in the Wusong River gradually led to a change of fortunes in Qinglong Zhen as the river became shallower and river traffic had more difficulty passing through. Eventually, its harbor became less accessible and Qinglong Zhen's status fell as it sunk into rapid decline. During the reign of Song Emperor XiNing(1068-1077), Huating's trade center shifted to Shanghai in its northeast, attracting more residents, and allowing this small fishing village to grow into a town. In 1267, during the Southern Song Dynasty, a town government and military garrison werer established in the western part of Shanghaipu, and the town was officially given name Shanghai Zhen. A seaport customs office was set up in Shanghai in 1277, and it became one of the seven largest official seaport offices in China.

Ming & Qing Dynasty

Shanghai really began to prosper in the Ming Dynasty. A forest of commercial taverns sprang up around town, and Shanghai came to be known as "the southeastern city".

At the end of the Ming and beginning of the Qing Dynasties, the Shanghai administrative region continued to develop, and its dimensions grew to approximately those of modern Shanghai. In 1840, o the eve of the Opium War, Shanghai had already turned into a big town with 63 streets and lanes, a forest of shops, and was a pivotal center for ocean traffic.

Colonial Times

After suffering defeat in the Opium War, the Qing Dynasty government ordered capitulators, Shi Ying and Yi Libu, along with British envoy, Sir Henry Pottinger, to sign the infamous Treaty of Nanking. The treaty of Humen which stipulated that the British were able to establish homes in certain areas of the five newly-opened commercial ports.

According to the original terms of the treaty, local Chinese authorities had to work together with the British to define the terms of each plot and locale before allowing the British to lease out a property. But, on November 8 of that year, the British Consul of Shanghai, Captain George Balfour, approached Mu Jiu, the official in charge of Shanghai and demanded that a special"settlement" be drawn up exclusively for British use. Mu Jiu surprisingly acquiesced to Balfour's demands, reasoning that separating the British from the Chinese would help avoid trouble. As a result, on November 14, Balfour released an announcement declaring that as of November 17, 1843 Shanghai opened for business.

After the Shanghai port was finally forced open, there was a one hundred year period where colonials from different countries poured into Shanghai, vying with each other to develop their own concession areas. The British were first to set up their settlement area in 1845, and they were quickly followed by the United States(1848) and France(1849). The British and American Concessions eventually merged to form the International Settlement. Over the course of the century, Shanghai was turned into the "playground" of adventurers".

Climate

Weather in winter tends to be cold & grey. The coldest weather occurs from November to April, with temperatures ranging between 3.5℃ to 13.7℃ (38.3℉ to 56.7℉). In January and February temperatures can reach below freezing. Spring starts in late March, and temperatures vary throughout March and April. Weather in May, June, September and October is comfortable, ranging between 18.6℃ to 23.5℃ (65.5℉ to 74.3℉). The climate in July and August starts to turn hot and temperatures average 28℃ (82.4℉). Shanghai summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching 40℃. The rainy season begins in late May and continues through June.

Geography

China is the fourth largest country after Russia, Canada and the United States. It is located in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea. Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea between North Korea and Vietnam. Land area: 9,326,410 sq. km. Shanghai occupies 6,200 sq. km. and lies in central-eastern China, facing the East China Sea.

Government

Communist state. Chairman elected by the National People’s Congress for five-year terms. Administrative divisions: 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 4 municipalities.

Shanghai Major Industries

Manufacture of textiles, garments, footwear, toys, household electrical appliances, sports goods, telecommunication equipment, pharmaceuticals, and steel products.

Population

China: 1,336,608,735 (by April 2010)

Shanghai: 18 million

Ethnic Groups

Han Chinese make up the majority of China’s population (91.9%). (Shanghai is the same) Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities make up only 8.1%.

Language

The official language in China is Mandarin but distinct dialects are spoken throughout the country. Shanghainese usually speak Shanghaihua, but when it comes to official occations, they will speak Mandarin.

Religion

China is officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic. Some 2% to 3% of the population practice Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism and Islam. An estimated 1% are Christians. Chinese citizens are free to participate in religious activities as long as they do not attend religious activities organized by foreigners.

Customs

Visitors to China must fill out a customs form upon arrival. When you enter the country, you are asked to declare electrical goods and luxury items such as cameras, computer equipment, etc. Keep this form until you exit to avoid paying duty on goods you bring into the country. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency you can bring into the country. However, one must declare any cash exceeding US$5,000 or the equivalent.

Useful Numbers

Police: 110

Fire Department: 119

Ambulance: 120

Public Security Bureau: 6357-6666

Visa Card Hotline: 10-800-110-2911

Master Card Hotline: 10-800-11-0-7309

Security

China is a relatively safe place compared to other countries. The crime rate is low, but still it’s good to be careful when you’re out for shopping and keep your eyes on your belongings. Identification cards should be carried with you all the time. It is best to visit your embassy soon after your arrival and register.

Health

Visitors to China are required to fill in a health declaration form at Customs. Medical facilities are generally adequate in Shanghai. Pneumonia and influenza are common, and there is a limited risk of hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, malaria, tuberculosis, dengue fever, tetanus and rabies, particularly in rural areas. In areas where dengue or malaria is found, use mosquito nets or bug spray and wear clothing that covers your entire body. Consider taking anti-malarial pills.

Respiratory Infections

Coughs and colds and sinus trouble are common in winter. Those with chronic conditions such as asthma and bronchitis should be especially careful.

SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) can be transmitted through air, body fluids and physical contact. It’s best not to go out much when there is a disease outbreak, wash your hands often, avoid crowded places and people who have flu symptoms and clean your house with household disinfectants. It is advisable to wear masks, and change them every few hours.

Vaccination

Whilst no vaccination is compulsory to enter China, it is advisable to be immunized against poliomyelitis, tetanus, and typhoid. Immunization against Hepatitis A and B is strongly recommended.

Hygiene

Always wash your hands before meals. Toilets here are not very hygienic and it’s not easy to find one when you’re out. Carry tissues with you. The washrooms in hotels and large restaurants are the cleanest. When buying foodstuff, check the expiry date, as sometimes it is out of date. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them.

Drinking Water

he quality of the water in Shanghai is very poor. Never drink out of the tap, and even boiled water is not very drinkable. We suggest that you gent a water cooler in your home. You landlord should be able to provide one.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220 volts, 50 cycles. All standard household appliances are available for purchase in Shanghai. It is not a good idea to bring American standard 110V appliances, as performance will vary due to the megahertz variance in converters. An exception to this general rule would be the computer systems bought in the US, which often have dual voltage as their standard equipment. Be sure to change the voltage selector on your computer before plugging it in! European products will be completely compatible as they use the same standard.

Mobile Phones

The network accepted in Shanghai is GSM.

Public Phones

There are now public phone booths where you can make calls with a phonecard.

Clothing

Dressing in Shanghai is casual but modest. Bring along some heavy clothing for the winter whereas light clothing is adequate during summer. Please note that most of the clothes and shoes sold in China are small in size. However, it is not very difficult for foreigners to find a good bargain in some local shops where brand name products for export are sold at a very low price.

Tipping

It is not customary to tip and not necessary to do so. A 15% surcharge is added to the bill in most hotels and high standard restaurants. But ordinary restaurants usually do not have this requirement.

Shopping and Business Hours

Shops are usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every day. There are a lot of 24-hour convenience stores in Shanghai.

Government and Commercial Offices Hours

Government and commercial offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Banking Hours

Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foreign banks have slightly different hours (Japanese banks tend to close at 4:30 p.m. and American ones at 6 p.m.). Half days are the rule on Saturdays.

Employment Opportunities for Spouses

There are some job opportunities in Shanghai for locally employed expatriates, including foreign language teaching, embassy and international organization clerks, and charity and social organizations. Check magazines and websites for job listings: That’s Shanghai (www.thatsshanghai.com), City Weekend (www.cityweekend.com.cn), Metro (www.metrocn.com). Have a look at the specialized recruitment websites: www.zhaopin.com, www.chinahr.com, www,51job.com.