Quick Answer
If this is your first trip to China, start with Shanghai.
It has the lowest friction, best transport, and highest success rate for foreigners.
You can complete payments, transport, and daily movement here with minimal uncertainty.
If you choose only one city, choose Shanghai.
Why Shanghai Works for First-Timers
Shanghai succeeds because it is system-first, not because it is “modern”.
It offers:
- Dense metro coverage across all major areas
- Clear English signage in airports and stations
- High acceptance of Alipay and WeChat Pay
- Hotels experienced with foreign guests
- Predictable airport-to-city transfers
Most first-trip failures (payment, navigation, lodging) are least likely here.
Exact Actions: How to Set Up Shanghai Correctly
1. Choose the right arrival airport and transfer
- Pudong (PVG): international arrivals, metro and airport train available
- Hongqiao (SHA): closer to city center, also connected by metro
After arrival:
- Follow Metro signs, not taxi touts.
- Use metro or app-based rides (Didi inside Alipay / WeChat).
If a ride request or payment fails, step aside and retry—Shanghai staff expect this.
2. Stay in a first-timer-friendly area
Choose one of these base areas:
- People’s Square — central, multiple metro lines, easiest navigation
- Jing’an — good hotels, walkable, less crowded at night
- Lujiazui — modern, clear layout, easy airport transfers
Avoid staying far from metro stations.
Rule:
If walking time to the nearest metro exceeds 15 minutes, change hotels.
3. Set up payments before you move around
- Open Alipay or WeChat Pay before queuing.
- Confirm the QR code is moving.
- If payment fails, switch wallets or pay cash—do not troubleshoot in line.
Shanghai accepts mobile payments almost everywhere, but speed matters.
4. Use the metro as your default transport
- Metro signs and maps include English.
- Stations have staff and security presence.
- Fares are predictable and low.
Activate Transport QR in Alipay for Shanghai. If it fails, ticket machines accept cash and cards.
5. Save addresses in Chinese
- Save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters.
- Screenshot the address.
- Show it to drivers or staff instead of typing.
This solves most navigation problems instantly.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- Payment fails at a counter: step aside, restart the app, switch wallets, or pay cash.
- Metro QR does not scan: buy a ticket from the machine and continue.
- Ride pickup is confusing: cancel and reorder from a clear entrance.
- Hotel is hard to find: show the Chinese address to staff or drivers.
- You feel overwhelmed: pause at a mall or hotel lobby and reset.
Shanghai is forgiving if you slow down.
Reality Check
- Shanghai is busy, but structured.
- Staff expect foreigners and are used to brief confusion.
- Cancelling, retrying, and stepping aside is normal.
- Most problems are solved faster by changing method, not fixing it.
What Locals Do Instead
- Locals default to the metro because it avoids traffic and confusion.
- Locals cancel rides if pickup points are unclear.
- Locals switch payment methods immediately when something fails.
- Locals cluster activities to avoid unnecessary transfers.
Copy these habits.
Checklist
- Arrived via PVG or SHA with metro access.
- Hotel within 15 minutes of a metro station.
- Payment apps working and tested.
- Shanghai Transport QR activated or ticket plan ready.
- Hotel address saved in Chinese.