Getting Around in Shanghai - Part 1

As I sat in a taxi this afternoon, I thought carefully about my next blog - getting around in Shanghai.  

Now, to those who have never been to Asia, you might think this is pretty boring but if you have been here (or South America, or Italy) you might understand how exciting (and terrifying!!!!!) a single trip may be.  

Ok, the ways to get around here are:

walking

tuk tuk

scooter or motorbike

bus

car

ferry

taxi

metro (underground)

Maglev

Today I will concentrate on getting around by taxi or car.  First of all, be prepared that all bets are off here.  Everything that you ever thought you knew about traffic, being a passenger or pedestrian - get rid of them because the rules here are different!!!!!  There aren’t any!!!!!!!

Let’s start with a few gems.  Any trip I take by taxi, I see at least 3 cars with no license plates.  How does that happen, you ask?  WHO  KNOWS! (It is just the way it is!)

Now, taxis and general traffic.  Ohhhhh, this is a big one.  To start off, the licensed (and most unlicensed) taxis have covered seats.  This looks like white, fitted sheets over the seats and headrests.  I guess it means that things are clean and I suppose their wives wash them every night.  (I have never seen ANY female taxi drivers.)  However, it DOES mean that you cannot fasten your seatbelts!  And this is the type of driving that would  most benefit from wearing seatbelts!

Shanghai taxi

The difference between licensed and unlicensed taxis?  Licensed taxis have a meter.  If they are local taxis (see below - orange taxis) the meter starts at 10 Yuan (NZ$2).  If they are “other” taxis, the meter starts at 12 Yuan(NZ$2.50).  Overall, licensed taxis are more reliable for the newbies here as the others will rip you off if they can.  With the unlicensed taxis they are actually quite reliable BUT you must arrange your price beforehand.  Even then, if they think you don’t know the price, they will try to rip you off and because they are just people with cars, they don’t have to pay all the license fees, so if you don’t know the prices, stick to metered cars!

Local "orange" taxi

Then there are local taxis.  Not all taxis can go everywhere.  In my area of Shanghai the orange taxis have  radius in which they are allowed.  I am not sure how you are supposed to know this, but before you get into a taxi, if you are not sure, it pays to ask them first.  They are not trying to be difficult - they simply are not allowed outside of their area.  

Today I was in the fastest taxi so far.  120 km / hr in the city - weaving in and out - nearly killing pedestrians, but very cool, calm and collected.  As you see, I did make it home in one piece, but how, I am not sure!!

Since I have been here in Shanghai, I can tell you, on many occasions, I have seen the following:

1.  a 2-lane road with 3 or 4 lanes of traffic

2.  weaving in and out (YES, even between trucks! Only an inch or two to spare!!!!)

3.  no respect for red lights - in fact it is sport to go through them honking vigorously to ensure  your safe passage!

4.  honking at everything that moves (and some things that don’t!)  This, I have worked out, is to give spatially-challenged people fair warning that you are there and to warn them not to step out sideways without looking.

5.  barriers for road works placed in the middle of the road - no warning, just there

6.  going the wrong way onto a motorway (highway) offramp!!!  I kid you not.  This is quicker, apparently???  Oh yes, you happen to be going the wrong way....oh well....

7.  pedestrians?  Oh, too bad.  You kill one you are in BIG trouble, but they are dead and you aren’t.  Pedestrians have to have 360 degree vision and acute peripheral awareness

Unfortunately I have not taken the photos this week.  Maybe it is because I was too scared to get the camera out.  In any case, they are internet photos.

However, next week, I will tell you about the Maglev (bullet train - speed freaks, salivate) - oh yeahhh, that is cool and I have photos!

xxx,

Shanghaisuz

Signs and Labels

Yes, we all know that direct translations often don't work.  At best they are funny, at worst unintelligible.  At a hotel in Suzhou last year, on the back of the door, there were English evacuation procedures in case of fire.  The trouble was, after reading it, I was none the wiser and would not have had a clue what to do or where to go!

So this week I am dedicating my blog to funny / interesting signs and labels and I am sure I will add to this as I see more.

Have a laugh or two!

xxx,

Shanghaisuz

And this means????

Yes, even in China!

The painted wall?

Yes, a grocery store tends to do that.

We call a spade a spade here!

No comment! At Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai.

The slippery slope to hell?

A bit like throwing Christian to the lions?

Yes, your family's happiness would be rather spoiled if you fell the 20 meters into the Yalu River!

Speeling?

Would you wash yourself with Ellpoo?

At Expo

Expo

I had never been to an Expo and since it was (almost) in my backyard, I decided that I really had to make the effort and go.  I am not a fan of large crowds - especially those who don’t mind elbowing anyone around them.  BUT, I am glad I went!

The taxi driver had no idea what I was on about, so I had to phone “China Help” which is a great phone service.  You phone up, tell them what you can’t convey to the locals, and they then tell them via your phone.  I have used it several times and found it an excellent system.  (I am not sure if they will be still keeping it now that Expo has finished.)

The lines to get tickets were not bad, but the wait to get in was horrendous.  I felt sorry for people with kids and strollers.  We had to go through strict security - bags through the usual x-ray machine and a body metal detector.  

I decided to forego the China pavilion.  It is an amazing structure - very unique.  But it is one of the few buildings that will stay now that the Expo is over, so I thought I will get a chance some other time to see it.  Also you had to book tickets to get into it.  

I started at the New Zealand pavilion and enjoyed that.  While waiting for their cultural show, I also visited  the Cambodian exhibition.  Then back to watch the show.  Halfway through, one of the Maori warriors pulled me up to the stage to do the poi routine, along with some Chinese women.  Very funny!!!  I also watched some Indonesian and Mexican dancing.  

I headed towards the USA show, having lunch along the way and also visiting the Brazilian pavilion.  I waited a long time for the US exhibition and it was in 4 parts.  Most of it was pretty average, but I did enjoy aspects of the 4D movie.  

After 5 hours of jostling, lining up and generally waiting around, I decided I had had enough and grabbed the metro and a taxi home.  

I was pleased I got to see as many pavilions as I did.  Many other people who went said they only got to see 2 or 3 a day.  

xxx,

Shanghaisuz

Maori cultural show

New Zealand 

Brazilian Pavilion

Crowds and a long wait at the USA exhibition

The China Pavilion