Living in Shanghai

Once you arrive in Shanghai, you will immediately be overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of this thriving city: its colors, its people, its culinary specialties and its futuristic skyscrapers and indigenous Shikumen houses that combine Western and Chinese elements will shake you to your very core. The sightseeing activities and the endless possibilities of cultural endeavors will stun you!

Shanghai is China’s biggest city and a global financial hub. It was ranked #5 by the 2019 edition of the Global Financial Centers Index published by the City of London. As a student of high-end brand management, Shanghai is the perfect place to study: You are right at the centre of the most important future market for the luxury & high-end cultural and creative industries. Most European luxury brands have their China/Asia headquarters in Shanghai. The city is also home to many of the emerging high-end brands from China such as Sandriver, Shang Xia, and Shanghai Vive. The new trends in China start in Shanghai. You can find here some of the world’s biggest luxury malls and high-end flagship stores, the latest concept stores, world-renown art galleries and exhibitions, the most sophisticated restaurants, bars and hotels – so you can develop an understanding of the new Chinese high-end consumers and the future consumer trends in China.

Shanghai has an extensive public transport system, largely based on buses, trolley buses, taxis, and a rapidly expanding metro system. All public transport can be paid for using the contactless Shanghai Public Transportation Card.

• Shanghai Metro
• DIDI, online taxi services are friendly used via your smartphone.
• Bus. Bus fares are usually RMB 2
• Regular taxi. Taxi fare is regulated by Shanghai Government at rate RMB 2.40/km or RMB 3.20/km after 23:00. (RMB 14.00(sedan)/RMB 18(MPV) for the first 3 km, RMB 18.00 after 23:00).
• High-speed train. Shanghai has major two main railway station, it offers intercity high-speed railway services to all of the major Chinese cities.

Monthly budget: RMB 8,200 (around €1000)

• Rent: RMB 4,000 (€500)
• Public transportation: RMB 200 (€25)
• Food: RMB1,600 (€200)
• Books, photocopies…: RMB 200 (€25)
• Miscellaneous: RMB 1,000 (€125)
• Phone and Internet: RMB 200 (€25)
• Leisure: RMB 1000 (€100-150)

It is relatively easy to find accommodation in Shanghai. There are real estate agents specialized in students / short-term rentals. Apartments are usually fully equipped with furniture and electrical appliances. Many students rent a shared apartment together with some of their classmates. The average monthly rental fees are about 3000-4000 RMB/person (about 400€-500€), depending on the apartment’s location and amenities.

• www.expat.com/en/housing/
• www.smartshanghai.com/housing
• www.wellcee.com

You will find some useful information on Booking.com