Live Like a Local!

When you travel to Shanghai, China for CHEST World Congress 2016, you will be immersed in a wonderful Chinese culture complete with flavorful, authentic food; exquisite, local architecture and gardens; and a native language with beautiful written characters. While we encourage you to take in all the famous tourist spots, we also challenge you to live like a local and come prepared and knowledgeable so that you’ll get the most from your Shanghai experience.

Don’t leave home until you’ve read our tips for enjoying your stay in Shanghai:

1. Water. Don’t drink tap water in Shanghai. Bottled water is widely available. It is OK to brush your teeth with tap water at hotels.

2. Money. Your international credit card will only be accepted at top hotels, restaurants, and shops that cater to foreigners, and many credit cards have hidden fees when travelling internationally. Make sure to leave home with some money exchanged to RMB yuan (¥). If you need more money while you’re in Shanghai, the airport, hotel banks, and larger branches of the Bank of China can exchange money for you. Or, before you leave home, check with your bank to find out which local ATMs will exchange currency from your credit card.

3. Tips. There is officially no tipping in China, but it has become commonplace for bellhops, tour guides, and tour bus drivers to receive tips. You do not need to tip taxi drivers or restaurant employees.

4. Electricity. The electricity in China is generally 220V. Most North American electrical devices will require a transformer. Outlets come in a variety of configurations, so it may be hard to plan ahead, but you can purchase transformers or adapters at department stores.

5. Bathrooms. Don’t rely on public restrooms because many are a trough in the ground, and they don’t always provide tissues or soap. However, you can usually find a restroom more similar to what you are used to at big hotels, restaurants catering to foreigners, and newer malls.

6. Language. English is seldom spoken by locals. However, younger locals should recognize at least some English from their mandatory English classes in school. Mandarin is the official language in China, but locals may also converse in Shanghainese.

7. Shopping. You should expect to bargain for the best price at street and small private stores. Try to compromise on price and smile through your negotiations. Beware of knock-offs, especially at markets. Jade is particularly prone to be fake.

8. Avoiding Offense. It is very important not to cause someone to lose face in public. This is considered to be highly offensive. Avoid losing your temper or calling someone out in public. Take up matters privately, when needed.

9. Smoking. Smoking is very popular in China, and it is not restricted nearly as much as it is in North America. There is a smoking ban on public transit, and nonsmoking rooms are available upon request at hotels. Some restaurants have nonsmoking sections.

10. Climate and Time zone. Spring is a great time to travel to Shanghai. April’s temperatures are generally in the 60s with some light rain. Shanghai is 13 hours ahead of New York, 14 hours ahead of Chicago, and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles. You may feel jetlagged and need time to adjust to the drastic change.

11. Emergency. Here are the local emergency numbers: Fire: 119, police: 110, and ambulance: 120.

12. Transportation. The best way to get around town is either by taxi or on the metro. Learn more about the Shanghai Metro at http://service.shmetro.com/en.

With all these tips in mind, we hope you’ll be prepared to thoroughly enjoy your stay in Shanghai. During CHEST World Congress 2016, April 15 - 17, you’ll feel right at home with presentations in English and top-notch education and simulation sessions that you’ve grown to expect from CHEST. Learn more about CHEST World Congress at chestnet.org/CWC2016.

When you travel to Shanghai, China for CHEST World Congress 2016, you will be immersed in a wonderful Chinese culture complete with flavorful, authentic food; exquisite, local architecture and gardens; and a native language with beautiful written characters. While we encourage you to take in all the famous tourist spots, we also challenge you to live like a local and come prepared and knowledgeable so that you’ll get the most from your Shanghai experience.

Don’t leave home until you’ve read our tips for enjoying your stay in Shanghai:

1. Water. Don’t drink tap water in Shanghai. Bottled water is widely available. It is OK to brush your teeth with tap water at hotels.

2. Money. Your international credit card will only be accepted at top hotels, restaurants, and shops that cater to foreigners, and many credit cards have hidden fees when travelling internationally. Make sure to leave home with some money exchanged to RMB yuan (¥). If you need more money while you’re in Shanghai, the airport, hotel banks, and larger branches of the Bank of China can exchange money for you. Or, before you leave home, check with your bank to find out which local ATMs will exchange currency from your credit card.

3. Tips. There is officially no tipping in China, but it has become commonplace for bellhops, tour guides, and tour bus drivers to receive tips. You do not need to tip taxi drivers or restaurant employees.

4. Electricity. The electricity in China is generally 220V. Most North American electrical devices will require a transformer. Outlets come in a variety of configurations, so it may be hard to plan ahead, but you can purchase transformers or adapters at department stores.

5. Bathrooms. Don’t rely on public restrooms because many are a trough in the ground, and they don’t always provide tissues or soap. However, you can usually find a restroom more similar to what you are used to at big hotels, restaurants catering to foreigners, and newer malls.

6. Language. English is seldom spoken by locals. However, younger locals should recognize at least some English from their mandatory English classes in school. Mandarin is the official language in China, but locals may also converse in Shanghainese.

7. Shopping. You should expect to bargain for the best price at street and small private stores. Try to compromise on price and smile through your negotiations. Beware of knock-offs, especially at markets. Jade is particularly prone to be fake.

8. Avoiding Offense. It is very important not to cause someone to lose face in public. This is considered to be highly offensive. Avoid losing your temper or calling someone out in public. Take up matters privately, when needed.

9. Smoking. Smoking is very popular in China, and it is not restricted nearly as much as it is in North America. There is a smoking ban on public transit, and nonsmoking rooms are available upon request at hotels. Some restaurants have nonsmoking sections.

10. Climate and Time zone. Spring is a great time to travel to Shanghai. April’s temperatures are generally in the 60s with some light rain. Shanghai is 13 hours ahead of New York, 14 hours ahead of Chicago, and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles. You may feel jetlagged and need time to adjust to the drastic change.

11. Emergency. Here are the local emergency numbers: Fire: 119, police: 110, and ambulance: 120.

12. Transportation. The best way to get around town is either by taxi or on the metro. Learn more about the Shanghai Metro at http://service.shmetro.com/en.

With all these tips in mind, we hope you’ll be prepared to thoroughly enjoy your stay in Shanghai. During CHEST World Congress 2016, April 15 - 17, you’ll feel right at home with presentations in English and top-notch education and simulation sessions that you’ve grown to expect from CHEST. Learn more about CHEST World Congress at chestnet.org/CWC2016.

When you travel to Shanghai, China for CHEST World Congress 2016, you will be immersed in a wonderful Chinese culture complete with flavorful, authentic food; exquisite, local architecture and gardens; and a native language with beautiful written characters. While we encourage you to take in all the famous tourist spots, we also challenge you to live like a local and come prepared and knowledgeable so that you’ll get the most from your Shanghai experience.

Don’t leave home until you’ve read our tips for enjoying your stay in Shanghai:

1. Water. Don’t drink tap water in Shanghai. Bottled water is widely available. It is OK to brush your teeth with tap water at hotels.

2. Money. Your international credit card will only be accepted at top hotels, restaurants, and shops that cater to foreigners, and many credit cards have hidden fees when travelling internationally. Make sure to leave home with some money exchanged to RMB yuan (¥). If you need more money while you’re in Shanghai, the airport, hotel banks, and larger branches of the Bank of China can exchange money for you. Or, before you leave home, check with your bank to find out which local ATMs will exchange currency from your credit card.

3. Tips. There is officially no tipping in China, but it has become commonplace for bellhops, tour guides, and tour bus drivers to receive tips. You do not need to tip taxi drivers or restaurant employees.

4. Electricity. The electricity in China is generally 220V. Most North American electrical devices will require a transformer. Outlets come in a variety of configurations, so it may be hard to plan ahead, but you can purchase transformers or adapters at department stores.

5. Bathrooms. Don’t rely on public restrooms because many are a trough in the ground, and they don’t always provide tissues or soap. However, you can usually find a restroom more similar to what you are used to at big hotels, restaurants catering to foreigners, and newer malls.

6. Language. English is seldom spoken by locals. However, younger locals should recognize at least some English from their mandatory English classes in school. Mandarin is the official language in China, but locals may also converse in Shanghainese.

7. Shopping. You should expect to bargain for the best price at street and small private stores. Try to compromise on price and smile through your negotiations. Beware of knock-offs, especially at markets. Jade is particularly prone to be fake.

8. Avoiding Offense. It is very important not to cause someone to lose face in public. This is considered to be highly offensive. Avoid losing your temper or calling someone out in public. Take up matters privately, when needed.

9. Smoking. Smoking is very popular in China, and it is not restricted nearly as much as it is in North America. There is a smoking ban on public transit, and nonsmoking rooms are available upon request at hotels. Some restaurants have nonsmoking sections.

10. Climate and Time zone. Spring is a great time to travel to Shanghai. April’s temperatures are generally in the 60s with some light rain. Shanghai is 13 hours ahead of New York, 14 hours ahead of Chicago, and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles. You may feel jetlagged and need time to adjust to the drastic change.

11. Emergency. Here are the local emergency numbers: Fire: 119, police: 110, and ambulance: 120.

12. Transportation. The best way to get around town is either by taxi or on the metro. Learn more about the Shanghai Metro at http://service.shmetro.com/en.

With all these tips in mind, we hope you’ll be prepared to thoroughly enjoy your stay in Shanghai. During CHEST World Congress 2016, April 15 - 17, you’ll feel right at home with presentations in English and top-notch education and simulation sessions that you’ve grown to expect from CHEST. Learn more about CHEST World Congress at chestnet.org/CWC2016.