Fast Facts

American Express -- Holders of an American Express card can make inquiries about emergency card replacement at Nanjing Xi Lu 1376, Shanghai Centre, Room 455 (tel. 021/6279-8082 or fax 021/6279-7183, Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm; after hours: U.S. hot line tel. 001336/393-1111), though this office will only refer your case to the Hong Kong office where actual processing takes place. Tickets, bookings, tours, and currency exchange are not handled directly by American Express in their Shanghai office.

Area Codes -- Shanghai's area code is 021. In mainland China, all area codes begin with a zero, which is dropped when calling China from abroad. The entire area code can be dropped when making local calls.

Babysitters -- Most government-rated four- and five-star hotels can provide babysitting service if you give them advance notice. Prices vary but average about ¥50 ($6) per hour; service is usually provided by hotel staff.

Banks, Currency Exchange & ATMs -- The most convenient place to exchange currency is your hotel, where the rates are similar to those at the Bank of China and exchange desks are often open 24 hours. Convenient Bank of China locations for currency exchange and credit card cash withdrawals are located on the Bund at the Bank of China building, Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu 23 (tel. 021/6329-1979); on the north side of the JC Mandarin Hotel at Nanjing Xi Lu 1221 (tel. 021/6247-1700); at Yan'an Xi Lu 2168 (tel. 021/6278-5060); at Huaihai Zhong Lu 1207 (tel. 021/6437-8753); and at Hongqiao Lu 2550 (tel. 021/6268-8866). The Bank of China's business hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to noon and 1:30 to 4:30pm, and Saturday from 9am to noon.

ATMs that accept international cards are available at all the above branches, as well as at People's Square (Renmin Guangchang) north of the Park Hotel at the intersection of Huanghe Lu and Gulin Lu. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank ATM at the City Supermarket at Shanghai Centre (Nanjing Xi Lu 1376) is one of the most reliable in town. Another HSBC ATM is located at HuaihaI Zhong Lu 282 on the ground floor of Hong Kong Plaza. Citibank has a branch at the Peace Hotel on the Bund (Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu 19; tel. 021/6329-8383; Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat 10am-3pm) that can change American Express U.S. dollar traveler's checks (maximum $250 per day) and U.S. dollar cash. There is also an ATM here that accepts international cards, as well as at right after immigration at Pudong International Airport.

Business Hours -- Offices are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, although some still close at the lunch hour (about noon-1:30pm); a few maintain limited Saturday hours. Bank opening hours vary. Sights, shops, restaurants, and transportation systems offer the same service 7 days a week. Department stores are typically open from 10am to 10pm. Restaurants outside of hotels are generally open from 11:30am to 2pm and 5 to 9:30pm, while those catering to foreign visitors usually stay open later. The official closing time for bars is 2am, though some stay open later on weekends.

Car Rentals -- There is no shortage of car rental outlets in Shanghai, but don't plan on picking your SUV up at the airport or anywhere else. Tourists are forbidden to rent self-drive cars (or motorcycles or scooters) in China because a Chinese driver's license is required (available only to foreigners with an official residency permit). Of course, major hotels are only too happy to rent chauffeured sedans to their foreign guests by the hour, day, or week, at rates that will make you never complain about car rental prices back home again.

Doctors & Dentists -- Shanghai has the most advanced medical treatment and facilities in China. The higher-end hotels usually have in-house or on-call doctors, but almost all hotels can refer foreign guests to dentists and doctors versed in Western medicine. The following medical clinics and hospitals specialize in treating foreigners and provide international-standard services: With five branches around town, World Link Medical and Dental Centers (main clinic: Nanjing Xi Lu 1376, Shanghai Centre, Suite 203; tel. 021/6279-7688; www.worldlink-shanghai.com) offers family medical care, 24-hour emergency services, a 24-hour hot line (tel. 021/6445-5999), Western dental care, OB-GYN services, and inpatient care (Danshui Lu 170, 3rd floor; tel. 021/6385-9889). Walk-in hours at the main clinic are 9am to 7pm Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday, and 9am to 3pm Sunday. Hua Shan Hospital, Wulumuqi Zhong Lu 12, Jing An District (tel. 021/6248-9999, ext. 2500), has a special Foreigner's Clinic on the 19th floor, and a 24-hour hot line (tel. 021/6248-3986). A representative office of AEA International (SOS Alarm Centre), Zunyi Nan Lu 88, Shartex Plaza 2606 (tel. 021/6295-8277), provides medical evacuation and repatriation throughout China on a 24-hour basis; for emergency medical evacuation, call tel. 021/6295-0099.

Dental care to foreign visitors and expatriates is provided by World Link Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm ; by the Canadian-managed Sino-Canadian Shanghai Dental Center on the seventh floor of the Ninth People's Hospital, Zhizaoju Lu 639 (tel. 021/6313-3174), which is closed Sunday; and by DDS Dental Care, Huaihai Zhong Lu 1325 (at Baoqing Lu), Peregrine Plaza, B1-05 (tel. 021/5465-2678; www.ddsdentalcare.com). DDS Dental Care has multilingual Western-trained dentists and their own lab.

Driving Rules -- Though foreign visitors are not allowed to drive in China (a Chinese driving license is required), they still need to be aware of local driving rules for their own safety as pedestrians. And the rules are as follows: Vehicles trump pedestrians, and Shanghai drivers abhor empty space. Cars, driven on the right side of the road in Shanghai, have the right of way even when they do not, so always yield.

Drugstores -- In general, bring any and all of your own prescription medicines, and your favorite over-the-counter pain and cold remedies. A limited selection of Western amenities like cough drops, toothpaste, shampoo, and beauty aids are available in international hotel kiosks, and most reliably at Watson's Drug Store, which has branches throughout town, including at Huaihai Zhong Lu 787-789 (tel. 021/6474-4775; 9:30am-10pm). If necessary, prescriptions can be filled at the World Link Medical Center, Nanjing Xi Lu 1376, Shanghai Centre, Suite 203 (tel. 021/6279-7688). Chinese medicines (as well as some Western remedies) are dispensed at the Shanghai No. 1 Pharmacy, Nanjing Dong Lu 616 (tel. 021/6322-4567, ext. 0; 9am-10pm).

Electricity -- The electricity used throughout China is 220 volts, alternating current (AC), 50 cycles. Except for laptop computers and most mobile phone chargers, other North American electrical devices will require the use of a transformer. Outlets come in a variety of configurations, the most common being the flat two-pin (but not the three-pin or the two-pin where one is wider than the other), and also the round two-pin, the slanted two-prong, and slanted three-prong types. Most hotels have a variety of outlets and can supply a range of adapters. Transformers and adapters can be purchased in department stores.

Embassies & Consulates -- The consulates of many countries are located in the French Concession and Jing An districts several miles west of downtown. Visa and passport sections are open only at certain times of the day, so call in advance. The consulates are open from Monday to Friday only, and are often closed for lunch (noon-1pm). The Consulate General of the United States is at Huaihai Zhong Lu 1469 (tel. 021/6433-6880; fax 021/6433-4122; www.usembassy-china.org.cn/shanghai). The Canadian Consulate General is in the Shanghai Centre at Nanjing Xi Lu 1376, West Tower, Suites 604 and 668 (visa section, tel. 021/6279-8400; fax 021/6279-8401; www.shanghai.gc.ca). The New Zealand Consulate General is at Changle Lu, The Centre, Room 1605-1607A (tel. 021/5407-5858; fax 021/5407-5068; www.nzembassy.com). The Consulate General of Australia is in CITIC Square at Nanjing Xi Lu 1168, 22nd Floor (tel. 021/5292-5500; fax 021/5292-5511; www.aus-in-shanghai.com). The British Consulate General is in the Shanghai Centre, Nanjing Xi Lu 1376, Suite 301 (tel. 021/6279-8400; fax 021/6279-7651; www.britishconsulate.sh.cn).

Emergencies -- The emergency phone numbers in Shanghai are tel. 110 for police (English operators available), tel. 119 for fire, and tel. 120 for ambulance, though no English is spoken at the last two.

Etiquette & Customs-- Appropriate Attire: The Shanghainese have a long-held reputation of being fashion conscious and are, on the whole, a comparatively well-dressed bunch. For the worldly Shanghainese who've seen it all, foreigners tend to get a pass when it comes to attire anyway, so wear whatever you find comfortable. Chances are you'll be out-dressed (or underdressed in some cases) by the trendy fashion plates. When in doubt, err on the side of modesty even if some of the younger locals don't. Business attire is similar to that in the West.

Gestures: The handshake is now commonplace, as is the exchange of business cards (ming pian), so bring some along if you have them. Cards and gifts should be presented and received with both hands. Speaking a few words of Mandarin will go a long way in pleasing your host; you'll be told you speak very well, to which the proper reply should be a self-effacing denial, even if you are fluent. When invited to someone's house, never go empty-handed; always bring a small gift, even if it's just some fruit picked up at the last minute at the corner store.

Avoiding Offense: Causing someone to lose face is the surest way to offend, and should be avoided as much as possible. This means not losing your temper and yelling at someone in public, not calling public attention to their mistakes, and not publicly contradicting them, no matter how great the grievance. Instead, take up the matter privately or complain to a superior, when appropriate.

Eating & Drinking: If possible, master the use of chopsticks before you go. Chinese food is eaten family style with everyone serving themselves from several main dishes. As the guest, you'll be served first; accept graciously. Then reciprocate the gesture by serving your host in return. Use the communal serving spoon(s) or chopsticks provided. Eat with your chopsticks, but don't leave them sticking out of the bowl. Never criticize the food in front of your host. Your cup of tea will be constantly topped up. A Cantonese custom that has started to catch on in Shanghai is to acknowledge the pour by tapping your fingers lightly on the table. Feel free to top up other people's cups of tea every now and then, though it's likely that after the first time, your host will remove the teapot from your reach. If you're invited to eat at someone's home, never arrive empty-handed (fruit is always a fail-safe gift if you're stuck for options), and take off your shoes at the entrance even if your host demurs. They're merely being polite. If you're invited to a banquet, expect a great deal of drinking. Toasts are usually made with baijiu (potent Chinese spirits), often to the tunes of "gan bei" (literally dry glass, the equivalent of "bottoms up"). If you can't keep up, don't drain your glass (for it will be filled up again quickly, sparking another round of drinking), but do return the toast, if necessary with beer, mineral water, or tea.

Hot Lines -- The 24-hour Shanghai Call Center (tel. 021/962-288) should be able to handle most tourist queries in both English and Chinese. ShanghaI Spring International Travel Service also maintains a 24-hour hot line for tourist inquiries (tel. 021/6252-0000), but their operators aren't as conversant in English.

Internet Access -- Business centers at most three-star-and-up Shanghai hotels now provide online access and e-mail services, including PC rentals employing familiar English-language software programs. Dial-up Internet access (96563, with the same user name and password) is available in any hotel room with a phone, but broadband Internet access is now commonplace in Shanghai's top luxury hotels, some of which even offer wireless Internet access in their lobbies and executive lounges. Internet cafes are subject to periodic government crackdown. The most reliable and the cheapest Internet access can be found at the Shanghai Library (Shanghai Tushuguan), Huaihai Zhong Lu 1557 (tel. 021/6445-2001), in a small office on the ground floor underneath the main entrance staircase. It's open from 9am to 8:30pm daily (¥4/50¢ per hr.), and is always packed with Chinese students. Captain Hostel (Chuanzhang Qingnian Jiudian, Fuzhou Lu 37; tel. 021/6323-5053) charges ¥5 (60¢) for 15 minutes of broadband access.

Language -- Mandarin is the official language throughout China. However, while many Shanghainese speak Mandarin, you're just as likely to hear locals conversing everywhere (shops, businesses, restaurants) in Shanghainese, which is as different from Mandarin as Cantonese is from English. Written Chinese, however, follows one standard script. Outside of international hotels, restaurants, and shops, English is still rarely spoken, though compulsory English tuition from primary grade one was implemented in local schools in 2003. Many younger urbanites should recognize at least a smattering of English words and phrases.

Legal Aid -- If you end up on the wrong side of the "still evolving" law in China, call your consulate immediately.

Liquor Laws -- There are no liquor laws in Shanghai worth worrying about (in other words, no legal drinking age). Bars keep irregular closing hours, some not shutting down until well after the official 2am closing time. Supermarkets, hotel shops, and international restaurants sell imported and domestic beer, wine, and spirits. Inexpensive domestic beer and liquor can be bought any time at the 24-hour neighborhood convenience stores.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen, and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Contact the PSB for this. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. In China, the emergency toll-free numbers for lost or stolen credit cards are as follows: Visa (tel. 010/800-440-2911 or 021/6374-4418); American Express, which will also replace lost or stolen traveler's checks (tel. 021/6279-8082 or 010/800-610-0277); and MasterCard (tel. 010/800-110-7309). Diners Club members should call Hong Kong at tel. 852/2860-1800 or call the U.S. collect at tel. 001/416/369-6313. If you need emergency cash, you can have money wired to you at many post offices and a few Agricultural Bank of China branches throughout China via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com). The loss of your passport should be immediately reported to your consulate. For other lost personal items, contact the site where you think you lost it, then report the loss to your hotel staff or the police if you want, though don't expect much sympathy, let alone results.

Mail -- Sending mail from China is remarkably reliable. Most hotels sell postage stamps and will mail your letters and parcels, the latter at a hefty fee, so take your parcels to the post office yourself, if possible. Overseas letters and postcards require 5 to 10 days for delivery. Current costs are as follows: overseas airmail: postcard ¥4.20 (50¢); aerogramme ¥5.20 (62¢); letter under 10g (.35 oz.) ¥5.40 (70¢); letter under 20g (.70 oz.) ¥6.50 (80¢). Domestic letters are ¥0.50 (6¢). EMS (express parcels under 500g/18 oz.): to the U.S. ¥180 to ¥240 ($23-$30); to Europe ¥220 to ¥280 ($28-$35); to Australia ¥160 to ¥210 ($20-$26). Normal parcels up to 1km (2.2 lb.): to the U.S. by air ¥95 to ¥159 ($12-$20), by sea ¥20 to ¥84 ($2.50-$14); to the U.K. by air ¥77 to ¥162 ($10-$20), by sea ¥22 to ¥108 ($11-$13); to Australia by air ¥70 to ¥144 ($8.75-$18), by sea ¥15 to ¥89 ($1.90-$11). Custom declaration forms in Chinese and French are available at post offices. When sending parcels, bring your package to the post office unsealed, as packages are often subject to inspection. Large post offices will sell packaging material.

The main Post Office (youzheng ju; 7am-10pm daily) is located at Bei Suzhou Lu 276 (tel. 021/6324-0069), at the intersection of Sichuan Bei Lu, in downtown Shanghai just north of Suzhou Creek; international parcels are sent from a desk in the same building, but that entrance is actually around the corner at Tiantong Lu 395. Other post offices where employees can speak some English are located at Shanghai Centre, Nanjing Xi Lu 1376, lower level (tel. 021/6279-8044); and at Huaihai Lu 1337.

International parcel and courier services in Shanghai include FedEx, Shilong Lu 411, no. 28, (tel. 021/5411-8333); DHL-Sinotrans, Jinian Lu 303 (tel. 800/810-8000); and UPS, Lujiazui Dong Lu 166, China Insurance Building, 23rd Floor (tel. 021/3896-5599). Pickup and delivery can usually be arranged by your hotel.

Measurements -- China uses the metric system.

Newspapers & Magazines -- Foreign magazines and newspapers, including USA Today, International Herald Tribune, South China Morning Post, and Asian editions of the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Time, are sold at kiosks in international hotels. For the world according to China's Communist party, there's the English-language China Daily, distributed free at many hotels. The local version, Shanghai Daily (www.shanghaidaily.com), a free 6-day-a-week newspaper, covers the city with the same propagandistic outlook, but has an occasionally helpful arts and entertainment section appearing on Saturday. Several free, weekly and monthly English-language magazines and newspapers produced expressly for travelers and expatriates in Shanghai such as 8 Days, that's Shanghai, City Weekend, Shanghai Talk, and Metrozine can be useful for entertainment listings (not always accurate) and restaurant reviews.

Passports -- Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing normally takes 3 weeks but can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). And keep in mind that if you need a passport in a hurry, you'll pay a higher processing fee.

For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ONT K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Children under age 3 must apply for a €15 3-year passport; children ages 3 to 17 must apply for a €25 5-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525) or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-year passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency; or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

For Residents of the United States: Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

Police -- Known as the PSB (Public Security Bureau, gong'an ju), the Shanghai police force has its headquarters at Fuzhou Lu 185 (tel. 021/6231-0110 or 021/6854-1199). Known as jingcha, the police are no more keen to get involved in your business as you are to contact them. Ideally, any interaction with them should be limited to visa extensions. These are handled at the Foreign Affairs Section at Minsheng Lu 1500 in Pudong (tel. 021/2895-1900, ext. 2; Metro: Shanghai Kejiguan/Science and Technology Museum, Exit 3). The emergency telephone number for the police is tel. 110.

Restrooms -- For hygienic restrooms, rely on the big hotels, restaurants catering to foreigners, new malls, and fast-food outlets, in that order. There are, of course, hundreds of public restrooms in the streets, parks, cafes, department stores, and tourist sites of Shanghai, but most of these consist primarily of squat toilets (a trough in the ground), are not particularly clean, and do not provide tissues or soap as a rule. Some public restrooms charge a small fee (¥0.5/6¢ or less) and will give you a rough sheet of what passes for toilet paper. Look for WC or TOILET signs at intersections pointing the way to all public facilities.

Safety -- Shanghai is one of the safest cities in the world for foreign travelers, but as in any major city, pickpockets and thieves exist. At crowded public tourist sites, keep an eye on purses, wallets, and cameras. Always store valuables in a concealed safety pouch. Backpacks and fanny packs are targets in buses, the subway, and markets. Use hotel safety-deposit boxes or room safes, and do not open your door to strangers. Violent crimes and cases of sexual harassment against foreign visitors are quite rare but do occur, so use common sense. Travel with others when possible, rebuff strangers in the streets, and avoid unlighted streets after dark. Beggars can sometimes be seen on Shanghai streets. Idlers who speak a little English may pose as "friends" or art students and try to engage you in conversation in the street. While they are not thieves, as a rule, they are after more than friendship (usually some of your money, often turned over in the form of an outrageously expensive restaurant bill); they should be rebuffed quickly. Don't give strangers your hotel name or phone number unless you want to be bothered later.

Smoking -- China has more smokers than any other nation, an estimated 350 million, accounting for one of every three cigarettes consumed worldwide. About 70% of the men smoke. Recent antismoking campaigns have led to laws banning smoking on all forms of public transport (including taxis) and in waiting rooms and terminals, a ban, which has, surprisingly, been largely observed (except on long-distance buses). Top hotels provide nonsmoking rooms and floors, and a few restaurants have begun to set aside nonsmoking tables and sections. Still, expect to encounter more smoking in public places in China than in most Western countries.

Taxes -- Most four- and five-star hotels levy a 10% to 15% tax on rooms (including a city tax), while a few restaurants and bars have taken to placing a similar service charge on bills. In the case of the latter, you can almost be assured that the service will not justify the charge. There is no sales tax. Airport departure taxes are now included in the price of your airline ticket.

Telephones -- The international country code for China is 86. The city code for Shanghai is 021.

To call Shanghai:

1. Dial the international access code: 011 from the U.S.; 00 from the U.K., Ireland, or New Zealand; or 0011 from Australia

2. Dial the country code 86 for China

3. Drop the first zero and dial the city code 21 (for Shanghai) and then the number.

To call within China: Local calls in Shanghai require no city code; just dial the eight-digit Shanghai number (or the three-digit emergency numbers for fire, police, and ambulance). Calls from Shanghai to other locations in China require that you dial the full domestic city code (which always starts with 0). Similarly, if you are calling a Shanghai number from outside the city but within China, dial the city code (021) and then the number. Public pay phones require either a deposit of a ¥1 coin or an IC card ("aicei" ka) available from post offices, most convenience stores, and street stalls. Card values begin at ¥20 ($2.50)

To make international calls: To make international calls from China, first dial 00 and then the country code (U.S. or Canada 1, U.K. 44, Ireland 353, Australia 61, New Zealand 64). Next you dial the area code and number. For example, if you wanted to call the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., you would dial 00-1-202-588-7800.

You can also use your calling card (AT&T, MCI, or Sprint, for example) to make international (but not domestic) calls from Shanghai. The local access number for AT&T is tel. 10-811; for MCI tel. 10-812; for Sprint tel. 10-813. Check with your hotel for the local access numbers for other companies. The directions for placing an international calling-card call vary from company to company, so check with your long-distance carrier before you leave home. To save money, however, use an IP card (aipi ka), available from post offices, most convenience stores, and street stalls, but bargain for less than the face value of the card (in other words, you should bargain to pay around ¥80/$10 for a ¥100 card). Depending on where you call, a ¥50/$6 card can yield you up to an hour's talk time. Instructions in English should be on the back of the card.

For directory assistance: Dial 114 if you're looking for a number inside Shanghai. If you want numbers for other cities in China, dial zero, the city code, followed by 114. Dial 116 for numbers to all other countries.

For operator assistance: If you need operator assistance in making a call, it's best to ask your hotel for help.

Toll-free numbers: Numbers beginning with 800 within China are toll-free, but calling a 1-800 number in the States from China is not toll-free. In fact, it costs the same as an overseas call.

Time Zone -- Shanghai (and all of China) is on Beijing time, which is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 8), 13 hours ahead of New York, 14 hours ahead of Chicago, and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles. There's no daylight saving time, so subtract 1 hour in the summer. For the current time in Shanghai, dial tel. 117.

Tipping -- There is officially no tipping in China, but the reality is that it has become quite commonplace in Shanghai's hospitality industry, especially where bellhops (four- and five-star hotels), tour guides, and tour bus drivers are concerned. Though you may feel pressured to do so, only tip if you feel truly inclined to or for exceptional service. Restaurant waitstaff and taxi drivers usually do not expect tips, and will return any change due you.

Useful Phone Numbers -- U.S. Dept. of State Travel Advisory: tel. 202/647-5225 (staffed 24 hrs.). U.S. Passport Agency: tel. 202/647-0518. U.S. Centers for Disease Control International Traveler's Hotline: tel. 404/332-4559.

Water -- Tap water throughout China is not safe for drinking (or for brushing teeth). Use only bottled water, widely available almost everywhere (supermarkets, convenience stores, neighborhood shops, vendors' stalls), and also provided in most hotel rooms.

Weather -- The China Daily newspaper, CCTV 9 (China Central Television's English-language channel), and some hotel bulletin boards furnish the next day's forecast. You can also dial Shanghai's weather number, tel. 121.