Electricity Voltage

China uses 220V – the same voltage used across Europe, whereas the United States and Japan use 110V and 100V, respectively. Adapters are easy enough to find, as are shavers, hairdryers, and other electrical appliances. It is also advisable to first check your new residence’s outlet configurations – two or three prongs.

Many appliances sold in the US and Europe, regardless of voltage, are highly powered. Even though they can be plugged into an adaptor, you run the risk of them shorting out your electrical power. Transformers will be needed if you use any 110V appliances, and are available for purchase once you arrive. The larger transformers are better than the smaller versions.

Currency

The official currency is RMB (renminbi). The basic unit used is yuan (¥), also known as kuai. Ten jiao/mao are equivalent to one yuan. Currency values smaller than jiao are calculated in
transactions, but not collected. For instance, if a grocery bill totaled RMB10.66, the amount to be paid would only be RMB10.60, always rounding down.

Climate

Shanghai enjoys four distinct seasons. The majority of people agree that the most pleasant periods are spring and fall which have moderate temperatures and some beautiful blue sky days. These are the seasons most people would invite friends and family to visit if possible. The summer is typically characterized by very hot and humid days, while the winter is known for its cold rains. The rainy season, which starts in June, lasts a long time in Shanghai, extending into warmer months. The temperature ranges from 3ºC to 40ºC on average.

Language

The official language spoken is Mandarin Chinese, though many locals in Shanghai speak their own dialect, known as Shanghainese.