Three essential tips for your stay in Shanghai

Word to the wise: Cash rules in China – be sure to bring an internationally accepted ATM card.

1. If you're carrying around an unlocked mobile phone, buy a SIM card at any newspaper kiosk or convenience store. The cards themselves are inexpensive and give you a local number, so you can make calls and send SMS without running up a huge bill.

2. The Shanghai call centre can be reached at 962288. This is the most important number you will encounter in Shanghai. Ring them up and bi-lingual telephone operators will give you the address and phone number for specific venues or help you speak to taxi drivers, hotel staff, etc. All operators are Chinese and you can get help in English, German, French, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

3. Upscale restaurants, shops and bars accept credit cards, but small, local restaurants, boutiques and markets only take cash. Petty crime is fairly uncommon in Shanghai, so you can feel comfortable carrying a few hundred RMB in cash. Bank machines are everywhere, but seem to disappear when you're really desperate.