As you already experienced, unlike other large cities in the whole world, Shanghai can be extremely expensive or shockingly cheap. It mostly depends on how much and where you are willing to spend your money. Living like a local, and not acting like a tourist, is also a great way to save money. It is possible to spend less money and live a cheap and local life in Shanghai; we will give you some tips on how to save money in Shanghai!
No 1: Public transportation
Take the subway
- On average 4 RMB/trip
- 11 metro lines: go wherever you want
- No traffic jam
Take the bus
- 2 RMB/trip
- Air conditioned
- Can be difficult to recognize your stop
A great thing about the public transport of Shanghai is that the subway, bus, and even taxi can be paid with the Shanghai Public Transportation card. So don’t forget your transportation card when you travel!
No 2. Food
Small restaurants
- Discover your neighborhood!
- Fantastic noodle and rice dishes
- Between 8 RMB and 15 RMB
Good snacks and fast meals
- Dumplings, stuffed buns, chop rice cake, crab shell pie, fried bun, fried chicken, rice ball, tofu flower soup, … choice enough!
- Less than 6 RMB
Supermarket
- Check out the local supermarket before going to a foreign supermarket.
- Foreign supermarkets often sell the same goods at much higher prices, so don’t fall into their trap!
No 3. Shopping
Fake markets
Bargain bargain bargain hard here! Offer 10% of the seller’s price and settle a price between 10% and 30%.
- Qipu Lu clothing market
Address: 168 Qipu Lu
- Fenshine Fashion and Accessories Plaza
Address: 580 Nanjing Xi Lu
- AP Plaza
Address: Pudong’s biggest fake market, inside Metro Line 2's, Science & Technology Museum
No 4. Nightlife
- Some clubs offer drink tickets at the front for 100 RMB for 10 drinks. If you split this cost with your friends, you can all get drinks at less than half the normal price.
- Clubs in Shanghai usually have good opening-week specials.
- Check magazines and online websites for:
- Specials
- Open bar events (especially on week days and less popular nights)
- Happy hour times
- Oh yes, they have Ladies Nights! It can be any day in the week, depending on where you’re going to. But most bars have their Ladies Night on Wednesdays!
Want to discover more about Shanghai’s dining, nightlife, shopping, art…? Our favorite website so far that we hope you’ll love too! http://www.smartshanghai.com/ !
Have fun and good luck!
Thai Binh Ho Van
Marketing Assistant Intern