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Your China Visit.

Your China Visit.

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3 sections · 7 cards

Ink-and-wash illustration of an offline map, contact card, phone and umbrella at a Shanghai concierge desk.

Shanghai field notes / 3 sections · 7 cards

Help & Essentials

Useful details for when plans change.

A few apps before you go

Choose a map app you can use, such as Amap or Apple Maps; save destination names in Chinese and English.

Dianping can help compare menus and branches, and camera translation can help with signs. For DiDi, check the available language and payment options before relying on it.

Sources

Offline Essentials

2 cards
01High priority

Hotel address — Save an offline copy

  1. Save your hotel’s full name, Chinese street address and reception number in a note available without a connection.
  2. Check them against the hotel’s own confirmation and keep a small paper copy for a flat battery.
  3. Keep passwords, payment codes and identity copies off anything you show to strangers.
When
Before departure, then confirm at reception.
Tips
This website is not an offline wallet for your travel documents.

Say this

Show your destination

I'd like to go here.

我要去这里。

Sounds roughly like

waw yow chyoo juh-lee

An English sound hint. Listen for the pronunciation.

Show the exact destination or its Chinese address as you say this.

Find in Speak Little

Let them know you didn't understand

I don't understand what you're saying.

我听不懂。

Sounds roughly like

waw ting boo dong

An English sound hint. Listen for the pronunciation.

Find in Speak Little
Sources & notes

请帮我联系这家酒店。 — Please help me contact this hotel.

Done when: Your actual hotel’s Chinese address and reception number are readable without data.

02Medium priority

No signal — Agree a meeting point

Agree a precise fallback meeting point and how long to wait. Save it with your hotel note and any agreed contact number, including its country code. Check that both people can read the note without a network or relying on one person’s phone.

When
Before splitting up.
Tips
A personal contact should agree before their number is shared.
Sources & notes

In an emergency, follow emergency-service instructions rather than an ordinary meeting plan.

Done when: Everyone has the same meeting place, waiting time and a readable offline note.

Luggage Storage

3 cards
03Medium priority

Hotel luggage — Ask reception first

Ask your booked hotel whether it can keep bags before check-in or after checkout. Confirm the latest collection time, any charge and the collection procedure. Keep the bag receipt until you collect your luggage.

When
Before an early arrival or after checkout.
Tips
Storing a bag does not extend your checkout time.
Sources & notes

Andaz Xintiandi explicitly lists luggage storage in its guest FAQ; that does not establish another hotel’s policy.

可以寄存行李吗？ — Can I leave my luggage here?

04Medium priority

Metro lockers — Check space and retrieval

In Metro Daduhui, open Service → storage cabinet to check a station’s locker locations and capacity. Follow the locker’s WeChat or Alipay instructions and confirm its size, price and collection deadline before closing it. Save the operator’s help contact in case your phone or retrieval code fails.

When
Before taking bags to a metro locker.
Tips
Locker size, availability and account requirements depend on the location/provider.
Sources & notes

The city guide says the service follows station operating hours.

05Medium priority

Pudong Airport — Store a bag

Choose a luggage-storage counter in the Pudong terminal you will return to. Published arrivals locations include T1 opposite Door 7 and T2 by International Arrivals Exit 2A. Confirm current hours, fees and collection requirements, leaving time to collect your bags before check-in.

When
Before leaving bags at Pudong Airport.
Tips
Your flight connection determines whether you must collect checked baggage.
Sources & notes

The airport also lists departures counters between Doors 4 and 5 in T1 and near Island A in T2. For a connection, first ask the airline whether bags are checked through.

Getting Help

2 cards
06High priority

Emergency numbers — Police, fire, ambulance

Call 110 for police, 119 for fire or 120 for a medical emergency. State your location, what is happening and a callback number. Follow the operator’s instructions and ask nearby staff for language help if needed.

When
When emergency services are needed.
Tips
Do not make test calls. Use provider support for routine booking or payment questions.
Sources & notes

Save your hotel’s Chinese address so you can read or show it.

07Medium priority

Travel support — Save the right contact

Save your hotel reception and the official support channel for important bookings and payment providers. Label each contact with the reservation it handles and keep the booking reference alongside it. When requesting help, describe the specific problem and the outcome you need.

When
Before departure and after making a new booking.
Tips
Do not put passwords or verification codes in a note you show to others.
Sources & notes

Find contact details on the company’s own website or app. Keep routine booking support separate from emergency services; changing an arrival date is an example of a provider-support request.

Done when: You have saved the official contacts and references for your essential bookings.

Open my list →Need help with your plans? Service inquiry →

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