Concordia Chronicle

There are dos and don’ts for most things in most countries and for travel in China the dos and don’ts are particularly important. These rules apply equally to expats traveling to China from another part of Asia and also to those traveling from within China. Read More

Even before departing on international assignment to Asia, many expats recognize the unique opportunities presented by moving to the center of the world’s second-largest economy and the economic engine driving global trade. Read More

Going back to school is always an exciting period, but when coupled with a new country and new school, the process can become overwhelming. Whether the family is moving to Shanghai for a temporary work assignment or a whole new life, making an international move with children in tow can seem a daunting task. Read More

If the thought of relocating to Shanghai with your kids in tow sends a shiver down your spine, you can relax. The vast majority of children that relocate overseas handle the relocation better than their parents. A big part of this is that international schools are experts at welcoming in the new crop of kids from all over the world every year. From start to finish, your child’s school year will be designed to help them adjust and find their way. Read More

For most embarking on an overseas assignment for the first time, the lead up and anticipation (or anxiety) is usually focused on the new things to come. New home, new friends and new schools for the children alongside the new adventures to be had as a family. Read More

Hua Cao (pronounced hwa chow) is Puxi’s answer to Pudong’s tranquil residential area, Jinqiao, and has seen a rapid pace of development over the past 15 years. What was once a single intersection town centered at the corner of Jinfeng Road and Baole Road and the American School nearby, has blossomed into a bustling expat enclave. Read More

For those with even small amounts entrepreneurial tendencies, moving to China will be fascinating. After that initial fascination wears off a bit and you have a moment to ponder what you are looking at on the street everyday in terms of business, it will change into an intense curiosity about the system and where opportunities may lie. Many expats choose to open a business in China and find it a rewarding experience. Those who consider their... Read More

Once you have your bearings, how you get around Shanghai will depend much on whether or not you have a family driver, which part of the city you live in and where you are traveling. Read More

China’s booming car culture has not emerged out of necessity due to a lack of public transport as is the case elsewhere. In fact, Shanghai’s public transport boasts more kilometers of track than any other city in the world at 548 - second place is Beijing at 527. Both are clean, safe and highly efficient. That said, they are crowded. So crowded that at rush hour in People’s Square in Shanghai, you would be hard pressed to find a similar visual... Read More

For parents, the decision to move overseas is often first seen in the context of their children. After learning that the schools will be excellent and the country safe, considerations about how the move will affect them emotionally and psychologically often arise. For children of a formative adolescent age, the question is certainly a valid one. Read More

For many, the prospect of shopping elicits one of two images. The first and more pleasant is that of casually browsing goods in a mall or department store and searching out a deal or coming across something needed – generally a happy experience for those that enjoy the process. The second is of crowded stores, poor service and a feeling of futility when sought-after products are not found. Read More

Most people experience some degree of homesickness (culture shock) in the time after they settle into their new home in Shanghai. In the first few months, the feeling is usually lost among the new and exciting experiences that people encounter everyday after an international relocation. If, over time, you or your family seem to be missing home more than usual, here are some tips for lessening the impact of homesickness. Read More

The area known as Xujiahui sits on the one square mile site of Saint Ignatius Cathedral established with land donated by the family of Xu Guangxi whose name is parent to Xujiahui. Xu was famous for his conversion to Catholicism and support of the church. At its height, the complex was home to orphanages, schools, monasteries, libraries, and an observatory. Its establishment led to an effective expansion of the size of the French Concession as... Read More

Every city has a few important questions about them that define what they are broadly speaking. If you can answer those questions with authority, then the initial decisions you make about where you want to live will be based more soundly on your preferences and after your move, your expectations about what you expected will be met more effectively. For Shanghai, the first thing you need to know is that in many ways it’s not one city but two. Read More

The area now known as Xintiandi was one of the poorest in Shanghai before Hong Kong-based property developers Shui On Group and American architect Ben Wood rejuvenated the area by razing it to the ground and rebuilding with a design generally reflecting the shikumen-style lane houses originally built on the site. Read More

Without getting into too many details, what is referred to today as the French Concession is really a land grant of 66 hectares made by the acting governor of Shanghai Lin Kouei for a French Settlement in 1849. This occurred in the backdrop of what is referred to as the First Opium War that saw the British Empire and Qing Dynasty forces have a series of military engagements over conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the... Read More

Jing'an If you were asked to name the the pulsing retail center of the Chinese universe, Jing'an would be first on your lips. In the whole country, no other street is quite like Nanjing West Road. That said, the area buzzes with life and vitality. At 7.62 square kilometers it is one of Shanghai’s smallest districts and one of its most densely populated with about 40,000 people per square kilometer. One of the oldest luxury serviced apartments... Read More

Lujiazui was purpose-built to be the financial center of China on a small peninsula extending into the Huangpu River directly across from the old financial center of the city on the Bund. As recent as 1992, the area was a collection of factories, low-rise buildings and even some rice paddies. Read More