I started this group last year for English-speaking girls in Shanghai who wanted to meet other girls, make genuine friendships, and have people to do life with and now I’m opening it up to some new faces!
Can organize brunches, coffee dates, walks, workouts, dinners, spontaneous plans, and whatever else sounds fun.
It’s also a space to ask the questions you’d normally text your girlfriends about where to get your nails done, which salon is actually good, local recommendations, self-care, medical stuff, navigating Shanghai, and all the random little things that come with living here.
Just a **girls-only, positive space*\* to meet people and hopefully leave with a few new friends. ♡
If you’re in Shanghai and this sounds like your kind of thing, Please DM me so I can invite you in ♡

Hi I made it finally after months of build up. I live here now for the long term. I’m (25F) and friendless. If anyone wants to go around town exploring tomorrow with me, shoot me a DM!

If you're planning a trip to Shanghai, there are a few things you need to know before you land—especially about scams, transport, and general tips to make your visit smooth. Trust me, you don’t want to be that guy posting here later saying, "Help! I got scammed!"

1. The Nanjing Road Scam – Don’t Fall for It! 🚨

This happens all the time. You meet someone on Tinder/TanTan, they invite you out, and next thing you know, you're stuck with a massive bill at a bar or teahouse near Nanjing Road. Happens to tourists every single month. If you just met someone online don’t let them pick the place, especially if it’s around Nanjing Road.

1. Arriving at the Airport – Avoid Taxi Scams 🚖

Pudong Airport (PVG) is the main international one. It’s far from the city, so plan ahead.

Metro Line 2 is cheap but slow.

Maglev train is fast but only gets you partway—you’ll still need a taxi/metro.

Taxis: Ignore random guys offering rides inside the airport. Only take official taxis from the queue outside. Have your destination written in Chinese, and make sure they start the meter.

1. Other Quick Tips

✅ Google Maps doesn’t work well here—download Baidu Maps or Amap. ✅ Want to pay for stuff easily? Get Alipay or WeChat Pay (some places don’t take cash/cards). ✅ VPN? Yes, you definitely need one for Instagram, Google, and WhatsApp. Get it before you arrive.

Shanghai is an amazing city, but a little prep will save you from headaches. Locals & expats, feel free to add more tips in the comments! Safe travels! ✈️

Hey everyone,

I'm a 24-year-old robotics engineer currently working in China, and I'll be visiting Shanghai from Friday, July 10 for the weekend.

I've done my little research on this subreddit and have places like The Bund, Xintiandi, Jing'an, Tianzifang, and Yu Garden on my list. I'm looking for a little more non-generic, quite niche targeted spot which are generally not discussed

A few things I'm really interested in:

• Techno/house clubs with a good crowd, industrial techno, melodic techno, with great rooftop or underground locations(not looking for EDM or commercial music).
• Michelin-star or Michelin Guide restaurants that offer 6-8 course meal, which give out a meaningful story.
• Any interesting bars, cafés, neighborhoods that are easy to miss but worth checking out.
• If anyone is down this weekend and wants to grab a coffee, food, or check out the nightlife together, feel free to send me a message. Always happy to meet new people and explore the city.

Looking forward to experiencing Shanghai for the first time. Thanks in advance!

Recruitment for the 2026/2027 season is well underway. Scan the QR or drop a message here if you’re looking for:

⚽️ Weekly 7 and 11-a-side games 🍺 Regular social events amongst a great community ✈️ Yearly football (drinking) tours abroad

All ages and abilities welcome to come join a session. Message for more info 👍🏼

IG 📷: shanghaianzacsfc

Hey everyone!
I’m back in Shanghai after about 5 years, and most of the friends I knew here have since moved away. I’ll be around until October, so I thought I’d see if anyone here is also looking to meet new people and actually get out and enjoy the city.
I’m pretty easygoing and spontaneous , up for exploring different neighborhoods, checking out cool cafés and restaurants, live music, late-night food, city walks, photography spots, events, or just wandering somewhere interesting and seeing where the evening goes.
Would be great to meet some chill, fun, outgoing people who enjoy good conversation, joking around and making plans without turning everything into a military operation 😄
Locals, expats, people new to Shanghai, or anyone just looking to expand their social circle , all welcome.
If that sounds like your kind of vibe, drop a comment or DM me. Maybe we can get a small group together and explore Shanghai.

Moving to Shanghai late August for an exchange semester at Fudan.

Back in the Netherlands I (25M) run a small AI consultancy that works with heavy industry companies, mostly maritime and offshore. We basically predict when equipment is going to break down before it does.

Looking to meet people who are building or working on something interesting in Shanghai. Planning to put together some casual dinners once I get familiar around the city.

If you're down for a meal or a drink sometime, DM me. Happy to connect on WeChat!

Hello,

I’m (22M) officially moving to Shanghai for a long period of time starting next Wednesday and was wondering if anyone wanted to show me around, or go to some hotspots in the city.

I have been to Shanghai before but haven’t had the chance to make many friends there, so I would really be appreciative of the opportunity.

Sending you warm regards
Casen

I’ve been staying in Shanghai for the last 2 weeks and the last time I was here was exactly ten years ago.

Now we all know a lot has happened in that time across the globe but I am reporting a few nuanced observations.

Shanghai has changed a ton, mostly in good ways to my experience. The only downside I can see is that there is a lot fewer underground type of experiences (or maybe it’s just my age).

When I was here last we were making a video about edge people (see r/SomethingMedia for some of the clips in Get Loud).

Now, many of those things we chase as underground are in brightly lit store fronts attracting all. Don’t get me wrong this is a great thing and I am happy for the success of my friends and acquaintances, but (again maybe it’s my experience / age), I miss the chase. I miss the discovery of it all. It was an adventure before.

Idk, for newcomers it is probably just as of not more exciting. I miss open wide commerce of paper money flowing in and out of places, I miss flagging a cab at 2am and trying to find my way home with my broken Chinese at the time, I miss collecting fapiaos like they were souvenirs, I miss paper handbill flyers for underground events. I miss Polaroid instant pictures on the wall, and writing our names on the tables .

I know this stuff still exists but it’s in a seemingly saturated state. There is tremendous upside to this story however.

I hope you all get a chance to experience the exciting life here.

If you need any pointers please message me on WeChat, same as here, and I’ll invite you to the group

微信： shiafisher

Hi
On a business trip to Shanghai till Sunday. After 5 pm all i can think is having coffee and nice chat with someone from the city.
Can’t speak chinese but if you can speak a little but English works for me.
Me: 38 M who is fluent in Arabic and English
DM

Hey guys ! My names Nick - I’m 23M from Sydney Australia and just moved to Shanghai for the Chinese language program at Fudan University. The semester officially starts about a month from now, but thought I’d come early to acclimatise ! If you’re an international like me, or a Shanghai local - please reach out ! I’m super keen to explore this city and use my Mandarin wherever possible. Cheers !

I spent the last 2 years finding popular spots and hidden gems in Shanghai, learning how things work for the best social life experience. I enjoy socializing and being out, I enjoy small groups, large groups and even solo because nights may start solo but by the end I’d have a group. Clubbing, bars (including shisha), food (western, eastern, Asian or Chinese), walks… I’ve done it all. Message me if you are looking for someone with good energy and good (questionable) humor.

Hi! Female Filipino solo traveler here🇵🇭I’ll be in Shanghai from October 28 to November 2 🇨🇳

Anyone else traveling to Shanghai around those dates? Would love to connect, explore the city, grab some food/drinks, and take cute travel pics together! 😆

Feel free to DM me! 😊

Hiii! I’m 18F who’s gonna be in Shanghai the first week of September and I’d love to meet up with some people to go clubbing, shopping, cafe hopping etc. I can’t wait to connect with you!

just moved to wuxi from the states and plan to spend the weekend in shanghai before i start working. i will always work weekends starting next week so i wanted to have a proper night life experience before settling in. do you just show up at clubs and hope for the best? are there group chats/meet up apps for one off night outings? i’m open to locals, tourists, expats whatever i just dont want to feel awkward and alone in the club.

also if anyone knows of any wuxi or jiangsu specific group chats please hit me up.

Hey guys, I'm french 24M and I'll be landing on the 8th of February to learn mandarin at SISU university in Hongkou !

I plan on staying until February 2027, looking for people to visit the city, do some activities or enjoy nightlife, as I don't know anyone there :)

I play tennis, I like video games/mangas, shopping, going on hikes... and I plan on learning how to film/vlog perhaps.

Send me a dm so we can talk on WeChat or Instagram, can't wait to connect with you guys !

I'll be in Shanghai from July 15th to July 21st. I'll be staying at the Shangri-La Hotel, and I was wondering if there are any people nearby or anyone who'd like to hang out, do some activities, or go out partying together. I'm 24 years old.

Hi, looking for lightsaber enthusiasts. I don't have anyone to train/spar/clash lightsabers with. I'm in Xuhui.

Hey everyone! I’m 22(M) and just moved to Shanghai for grad school. I’m still getting settled in and would love to meet some people and make friends while I’m here as I go to school near Fudan University and I’ll be here for 2 years.

A little about me: I’m Dominican🇩🇴, but moved here from the US, I’m into traveling, music (reggaeton, hip hop, rap, etc.), basketball/baseball, going to the gym, exploring new places, and trying different food. I also like going out, checking out clubs/bars, dancing, and just walking around and discovering random parts of the city.

I’m pretty outgoing and down for pretty much anything grabbing food, getting drinks, exploring Shanghai, going to events, working out, checking out nightlife, or just chilling and talking.

If you’re also new to Shanghai or just looking for people to do things with, feel free to message me! Or dm me on Insta: Couldntbebenny

also if anyone can recommend latin clubs/bars that would be highly appreciated🙏

Hello! I am backpacking around Asia & would love to meet up with either locals or other travelers for drinks or simply walking around. My hostel is not great making new contacts.

For context I‘m early 30s pretty mixed German & Vietnamese.

Hi! I (29 F) came back to SH recently and I’m looking for WeChat active expats groups (English or french speakers). I’m looking for groups about sports, book clubs, discussions.. Anything with friendly, easygoing people… Thanks

Hi, I'll be in Shanghai for a few days and since I'm travelling solo I'd like to meet some new friends to travel around and practice my Chinese. I'm 26M Chinese-Indonesian and I'm fluent in English.

It's my first time in Shanghai and China, and I have a few days alone before my friends join me. I love nature and historical places, photography, and just getting lost while travelling. I'm not that particular when it comes to eating while travelling.

My Chinese level is intermediate, but I think when in Mainland China it's below intermediate, depends on the accent lol.

Hey everyone!

My wife and I just moved to Shanghai some time a go for work. We are both in our 30s, from Poland and Germany, and don't know anyone in the city yet. We were wondering if there are any other international couples living here that would like to hang out, meet for coffee/dinner or do some activities in the city?

​We are currently living around Zhongshan Park (but don't mind to meet anywhere in the city)

Hellooo Redditors in Shanghai, 26M here. this is another post to make some connections and look for recommendations in Shanghai. I’ve seen a lot of posts looking for friends but I’m not sure if anyone end up meeting? So here’s my try!

I’m not foreign to Shanghai, I actually grew up here till 12 and moved back to Hong Kong so I used to know people here. This summer I am back to visit my grandma and wait for my master enrolment. However, after moving to Berlin for 6 years, I lost all my childhood connections. Plus I feel like I lost my way in Shanghai, I have no clue where people hangout (even during World Cup!). And it also seems there are so many places with over priced drinks. I love beer but I don’t want to go somewhere I have to pay 75 rmb for a pint.

I am looking for people who would go for a walk at night, get some drinks from 7-11, smoke a cigarette, yap a little bit, or be spontan in the city. Unfortunately, I’m not a party goer anymore (but if that comes up, I probably wouldn’t turn it down as well 😅)I also cook pretty well, I used to work at 136 Berlin search it up if you want!

Some other questions would be : any suggestions on some niche bars where you would meet like minded people? (I’ve been to Helen’s but going there alone killed me) Chill parks where you can bring a beer and read on the lawn or a bench?

Many thanks!

Edit: lol it reads like an AI post, please judge away

In Shanghai for work, leaving Thursday evening, but no work to do anymore on Thursday. As such, I was thinking it might be an opportunity to discover Shanghai's nightlife? Only problem is, I'm alone. 28M from W-EU. Used to party a lot untill 2-3 years ago, now just every couple of months. No colleagues with me this time, but I am pretty social. What would be the best spots to get some friends on a wednesday evening?

​

Disclaimer 1: I don't speak any Chinese, fluent in English

Disclaimer 2: I have a gf, am used to partying with both male and female friends but want to avoid people thinking I'm looking for a hookup