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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

Shanghai is China's largest city, well known as the "Paris of the East" for its intrigue and glamour. The city's roots go back some 5,000 years to its origins as a small fishing village. Its desirable geographic location on China's eastern seaboard has made it a major port throughout its history, providing easy access to a vast hinterland.

Following its occupation by the British in 1842, the Treaty of Nanjing opened Shanghai to foreign trade and settlement. This led to its partition into British, French and later Japanese concessions, an international heritage that is still reflected in its downtown architecture.

Today, this city of over 17 million people is writing new history to add to its centuries-old traditions. Asia's born-again international boomtown, Shanghai is at the forefront of China's drive for modernization. Huge developments and an influx of foreign capital and business have become the norm as China looks ahead to a new millennium.

In this dynamic metropolis, Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, the first Four Seasons development in mainland China, enfolds guests in contemporary comfort.

Time zone

GMT +8 hours

Language(s) spoken

Nearly everyone in Shanghai speaks Mandarin, the national language of China, but many also speak a local dialect whose pronunciation can vary greatly. You can usually find someone who speaks English in Shanghai and other major cities in China. Outside the cities, it can be difficult to get around without speaking the local language.

Electrical system

Local voltage is 220 to 240 volts AC. Adapters available on request.

Shopping hours

Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am to 10:00 pm
The Concierge would be pleased to verify these times.

Working hours

Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Time and distance to city centre

The Hotel is conveniently located in the city centre

Time and distance to shopping

• Nanjing Road: 10-minute walk/1 kilometre/0.6 miles
• Huaihai Road: 15-minute walk/2 kilometres/1.2 miles

Time and distance to financial district

The Hotel is conveniently located in the city's Puxi district, in the centre of the city's business, shopping, entertainment and cultural areas. The Pudong New financial centre is located approximately 15 minutes by car from the Hotel.

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

The majority of China's holidays and festivals are determined by the lunar calendar and can vary as much as a few weeks from year to year. Please consult a lunar calendar for corresponding dates in the western calendar.

April–May

• Longhua Temple Fair, held in Longhua Old Town, has a history of more than 300 years. Legend tells that the Laughing Buddha was born under the Longhua Tree, preached Buddhism and saved people from secular sufferings. This later developed into a temple fair.
• Other spring events include the Nan Hui Peach Festival, Shanghai International Fashion Festival (late-April) and Shanghai International Music Festival.
• Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival, late-April, is a national gala to promote tea cultural exchange.

June

• The Dragon Boat Festival, on the fifth day of the fifth moon, celebrates the national hero Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the 3rd Century, B.C. in protest against the corrupt emperor. Legend has it that people attempted to prevent fish from feeding on his body by throwing rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves into the sea and frightening fish away by beating drums. Today crews in narrow dragon boats race to the beat of heavy drums, and rice wrapped in bamboo leaves is consumed.
• Shanghai International Film Festival, approximately one week in June.
• Shanghai International TV Festival, mid-June.

September

• The Sinopec Formula One Car Race

September - October

• October 1, National Day celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China.
• Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th moon, which generally falls in early October. The Chinese spend this time gazing at the full moon and exchanging tasty moon cakes filled with egg yolks, bean paste, sugar, and other delectable surprises.
• Other autumn events include the Shanghai Sweet-Osmanthus Festival, Shanghai International Fireworks Festival, Shanghai Oranges Festival and Shanghai International Tourist Festival

November

• Shanghai International Art Festival

December

• Shanghai International Marathon