Shanghai arrival checklist.

Choose a provider, install the app, and test it before you travel. VPN apps are blocked in China and cannot be downloaded after you land.

Install WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Baidu Maps, and Google Translate before you fly. Download offline translation packs for maps and menus.

Decide between a local China SIM card and an international eSIM so you are connected the moment you land — not searching for airport Wi-Fi.

Get a local phone number. Most WeChat and Alipay features require a stable Chinese mobile number for verification codes.

Link your overseas bank card, complete identity verification, and confirm you can pay in shops before your first errand. Cash is increasingly rare in Shanghai.

The Shanghai metro covers most of the city and connects both airports. Learn how to pay, which apps to use, and how to plan routes.

Set up Didi and test a short trip. Knowing how to book a ride and how to show your destination in Chinese saves a lot of stress early on.

If you have not signed a lease yet, compare Jing'an, Xuhui, Pudong, Changning, Huangpu, and Minhang before committing. Commute and school access should come first.

Locate the closest City Super, Ole, Hema, or international supermarket to your home. Set up at least one grocery delivery app for convenience.

Save the nearest international hospital and clinic in your phone before you need them. Confirm your insurance coverage and understand how to access expat-friendly healthcare.