China operates a national internet firewall that blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and most Western social media and apps. We strongly recommend downloading and configuring a reputable VPN on all devices before arriving in China. WeChat is the essential local app for communication, payments, and navigation — we advise all travelers to set it up before travel.

Shanghai is highly cashless — most locals pay via WeChat Pay or Alipay (mobile payment apps). International credit cards are accepted at hotels, international restaurants, and shopping malls, but many local restaurants, markets, and taxis may not accept them. We advise travelers to set up WeChat Pay linked to an international card before arrival, and to carry some Chinese Yuan (RMB) as backup for smaller transactions.

Shanghai is one of the safest major cities in the world — violent crime is extremely rare and the city is very well policed. Halal food (清真 / Qingzhen) is widely available throughout Shanghai, with a significant Muslim community and many certified halal restaurants, particularly in areas around the city's historic mosques. We provide all Arab travelers with a curated halal dining guide for the city.

Shanghai is China's window to the world — the only Chinese city that combines the full force of China's extraordinary economic rise with a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented culture shaped by centuries of global trade. It has the finest dining scene in Asia, the most dramatic skyline on earth, world-class museums, a thriving arts and design scene, and a pace and ambition that is genuinely unlike anywhere else. For Arab travelers, it is the ideal introduction to China — modern, accessible, English-friendly in key areas, and endlessly spectacular.