🇨🇳 China · City guide
Moving to Shanghai: Language & First Steps
China's cosmopolitan financial capital; expect a residence permit and police registration.
Living in Shanghai
China's cosmopolitan financial capital; expect a residence permit and police (PSB) registration soon after arrival. Former French Concession, Jing'an and Pudong are popular; you'll want mobile-pay set up, and Mandarin helps beyond expat bubbles.
To settle into Shanghai you'll need Chinese — and the practical kind: your residence permit and registration of temporary residence at the local police station (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival, opening a bank account, and seeing a doctor. Here's what to do first and the phrases to learn.
Sources: Language Lab's Chinese curriculum & culture notes; city/official processes vary — confirm with Shanghai's local authority. · Join the beta →
What to do in your first week in Shanghai?
- Register your address / residency — your residence permit and registration of temporary residence at the local police station (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival.
- Open a local bank account so you can get paid and pay rent.
- Register with a local doctor (GP) and sort health insurance.
- Get a local SIM / mobile plan and set up any required digital ID.
- Learn your transport options — tickets, passes and routes.
Chinese phrasebooks for Shanghai
For the full country picture, see our guide to moving to China.
Arrive in Shanghai ready.
Language Lab teaches the Chinese you actually need to settle in — with a live AI tutor. Coming soon.
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