Living in Shanghai as an Intern: A Practical Survival Guide (Apps, Housing, Daily Life)

Moving to Shanghai for an internship is exciting, but the first week can feel chaotic—new city, new systems, and suddenly even “ordering food” works differently than at home. The good news: once you know the basics, Shanghai becomes one of the easiest big cities to live in. Everything is fast, convenient, and surprisingly affordable if you know where to look.

Here’s a practical guide to help you settle in smoothly.

The 5 Apps You’ll Use Every Single Day

1) WeChat (微信)

This is not just messaging. It’s your social life, group chats, event invites, and often the way companies communicate. If you’re in Shanghai without WeChat, you’re basically invisible.

Pro tip: Join intern/expat groups early. Most opportunities, housing offers, and weekend plans happen there first.

2) Alipay (支付宝)

Alipay is the easiest “daily life” app: payments, metro QR codes, bike rentals, sometimes even bills. It’s the default tool for getting around.

3) Didi (滴滴)

Didi is the ride-hailing app (like Uber). It’s safe and very cheap compared to Europe—especially when you split rides with friends.

4) Map Apps (Amap / Baidu Maps)

Google Maps can be unreliable in China. Amap (高德地图) is usually the most practical for navigation, metro routes, and accurate location pins.

5) Dianping (大众点评)

Think of it like a mix of Google Reviews + Yelp. It’s perfect for finding restaurants, cafés, gyms, and places to go—plus lots of deals.

Where to Live: Picking the Right Area

Housing in Shanghai depends on one thing above everything: commute. A 15–25 minute commute feels perfect here. Anything beyond that gets tiring fast, especially if you’re working 5 days a week.

Popular areas for interns:

• Jing’an (静安): central, international, easy nightlife, higher rent

• Xuhui (徐汇): more local + relaxed, good cafés, beautiful streets

• Changning (长宁): solid value, good connections, calmer vibe

• Pudong (浦东): great if your company is there, modern, wide distances

Simple rule: live on the same metro line as your workplace if possible.

Housing Tips (So You Don’t Get Tricked)

Shanghai housing can be amazing, but also a bit confusing at the start.

• Ask for a short video tour before sending money

• Be careful with deposits and “agency fees”

• Always confirm what’s included: utilities, internet, cleaning, etc.

• If you can, view the apartment in person or with someone local

• Good apartments get taken quickly—move fast if it’s a real deal

If you’re unsure, it’s often better to book something for the first 1–2 weeks and then choose long-term housing once you’re on the ground.

Daily Life: What’s Surprisingly Easy

Food

You can eat well for cheap. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, ordering is simple with pictures and app menus. You’ll quickly find your own routine: quick noodles, dumplings, cafés, and late-night delivery.

Getting around

Metro is clean, safe, and efficient. Bikes are everywhere and perfect for short distances.

Convenience

Shanghai is built for speed: delivery, laundry, small services, everything is “one-click” once your apps are set up.

Social Life: How People Make Friends Fast

Most interns meet people through:

• WeChat groups (interns, expats, language exchange)

• Sports clubs / gyms / running groups

• Coworkers (especially after-work dinners)

• Weekend trips (Hangzhou, Suzhou, etc.)

The key is simple: show up twice. Shanghai is huge—relationships form when you become a familiar face.

Weekend Ideas That Don’t Feel “Touristy”

• Walk the Bund at night (iconic for a reason)

• French Concession cafés + streets (best chill vibe)

• Tianzifang / small alley areas (great for photos)

• Suzhou or Hangzhou day trip (easy by high-speed train)

• Modern malls + rooftops (Shanghai does malls like a sport)

Final Thoughts: Shanghai Gets Easy After the First Week

The first days can feel like you’re constantly figuring things out—payments, maps, how to order, how to get a SIM, how to find your apartment. Then something changes: you get your routines, your favorite coffee place, your metro line, and your “go-to” apps. After that, Shanghai becomes incredibly comfortable.

If you’re planning your internship and want the process to be simple, structured, and realistic, that’s exactly what we do at Shanghai Internship Match—from your first intake call to helping you settle into the city smoothly.