Shanghai is a large city covering an area of 6,340 square kilometers and home to over 25 million people. And it comes as no surprise that getting around the city is not always a breeze: traffic jams are a common sight in Shanghai, and getting a taxi in rush hour may prove to be an impossible task. So what is the most efficient way to commute to work during your stay in Shanghai?
Taking the metro in Shanghai
Shanghai has the second longest metro system in the world — and this makes commuting between the city's 16 districts much easier as each district is connected to downtown by subway. The metro in Shanghai is modern and convenient to use, with the trains arriving every two to three minutes during rush hour. However, traveling in rush hour is not the most pleasant experience as trains can get very crowded.
Taking the bus in Shanghai
Buses run regularly in Shanghai, and you will easily find the line that will take you to your destination. With that, being a passenger on a Chinese bus may not be as comfortable as one may be used to — buses gol fast, and it's essential to hold on to the safety rail throughout your trip. Buses also tend to get rather crowded, and you won't be avoiding the city's notorious traffic jams.
Taxis in Shanghai
Shanghai has a well-developed taxi network, and you will be able to choose between state taxis and private taxi services, including taxi apps. State taxis are available in all parts of the city, but the cars are often limited to a certain area and may not be able to travel in-between districts. You will see that the taxis come in different colors — this is how you will be able to tell which area they are limited to.
Alternatively, you can use one of the many popular taxi app services. China's number one taxi app is DiDi (look for DiDi Chuxing in the Play Store or App Store), which works in the same way as Uber.
Note that most taxi drivers in China do not speak English, and it would be best to have a business card or a note with the address of your destination written down in Chinese. This may be helpful even if you do speak Chinese. As many taxi drivers in Shanghai come from other parts of China, they may only speak local dialects and not fully understand standard Chinese or Putonghua.
Bikes and e-scooters in Shanghai
E-scooters are a popular way of getting around the city, especially for short distances. However, it is best to avoid using them in Shanghai's heavy traffic. Another way to travel short distances is by bicycle. Shared bike apps like Ofo and Mobike used to be very popular in the city. Just a few years back, you would see the streets of Shanghai filled with orange and yellow bicycles that could be unlocked with a QR code generated by an app. However, due to financial difficulties, both apps had to minimize their operations. Today, you will still find shared bikes in Shanghai, but much fewer than before.
Living close to your workplace
Living within walking distance from your office would definitely be the most convenient option, letting you save both time and money on commuting to work. Shanghai is a big city, but most of its professional and social life is centered in the downtown districts. With that, living in the city's downtown or close to big office complexes can get pricey. It is also a good idea to ask your colleagues about the housing options in the area.
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