Press Releases

IAAPA Asian Expo Spotlight: What to Know About Shanghai

ALEXANDRIA (May. 23, 2006) –
Local Area Information
Shanghai , Hu for short, is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River of China.  Once a small town supported by fishing and weaving before the first Opium War, it transformed into a well-known booming metropolis after the Chinese central government started developing the area in the late-1990s.  It is China’s most comprehensive city, ranking first in population and population density.  As a seaport, science and technology center, and business center, it is China’s largest industrial city.  Shanghai is home to more than 16 million people. 

Language
The official language in China is Mandarin but distinct dialects are spoken throughout the country.  Shanghainese speak Mandarin or Shanghaihua, however most tourist hotels have staff who are fluent in foreign languages.

Climate
Shanghai summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Airport
Hongqiao International Airport is located about 15 kilometers (approximately 9 miles) from the city center.  By taxi, it takes 30 minutes to an hour to city center. 

Getting Around
If you’ll be spending most of your time in downtown Shanghai, the best method for getting around is taxis. Taxis are abundant and fares are inexpensive.  The drivers are generally reliable and knowledgeable, but it is helpful to have your destination written in Chinese for the taxi driver, as the drivers typically don’t speak other languages. 

Currency
The RMB (Renminbi) is the official currency. The basic unit of RMB is the yuan (¥), also known as "kuai," divided into 10 jiao, which is again divided into 10 fen. Yuan notes come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, and 100.

Tipping
Tipping is generally not expected in mainland China.

For more information about visiting Shanghai go to, http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai.htm

For more information about the IAAPA Asian Expo 2006, contact the IAAPA Exhibitions, Convention, and Meetings Services department at +1 703/ 836-4800 or go online to www.iaapaexpo.com.  For more information about IAAPA and the leisure and attractions industry, visit www.iaapa.org.

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IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their safety, efficiency, marketing, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org