Shanghai information

When travelling to Shanghai, it's important to know that Shanghai Pudong International airport is situated 30km east of the city centre and it can take up to an hour in a taxi to travel between the two. Alternatively, there is a Maglev train service, which only takes eight minutes.

Business meetings always start on time. Shake hands when meeting someone new and give out your business cards, offering them with your first finger and thumb of both hands, with your thumb on top. You should also accept cards with both hands.

Humphrey Keenlyside from the Chinese-Britain Business Council empahsises the importance of understanding the concept of 'face'. If someone makes a mistake or is embarrassed or humiliated, they lose face. "It's important to avoid other people losing face, but equally, it's a good idea to increase your face as much as possible", says Keenlyside. Never lose your temper as this can lead to loss of face on both sides.

In Shanghai, meal times are often used as a time to conduct business so start practising your chopstick etiquette. Remember it's considered rude to point at anyone with your sticks, as is putting them into your bowl so they're sticking out of the rice. There is usually a chopstick rest to place them in, otherwise rest them beside one of your plates.

As far as meal time conversation goes, Tom Hall from the travel company Lonely Planet recommends steering clear of politics. "Tibet and Taiwan aren't suitable subjects to bring up unless your hosts do - and expect them to have a very different perspective to you."

When it comes to paying the bill, do make some attempt to pay, though not too forcefully as this can be interpreted as bad manners.