East China - Shanghai

[QUOTE=Solx1]Yes I too was ripped off by a taxi driver on my first day in shanghai. I came to longyand Road station taking the maglev train from the airport. Walked out with my heavy bag and was offered a taxi, a man in a sports jacket that speaks some english, I thought there was nothing wrong with that. I walk over to the taxi, it was a black taxi, almost falling apart piece by piece. So I get on, told him what my hotel was so the driver must have estimated the rip off based on the fancy hotel information I gave him. He asks for 250 RMB for a 20 RMB ride, I knew he was ripping me off with that but I had to pay. I told him that how come if one night in my hotel is 700 RMB (corporate rate) you are asking for 250? He says taxi in shanghai is very expensive. "Yeah right you thief". I think to my self.

When we come near the hotel the s. O. B. Drops me near by, doesn't even pull to the main entrance so I had to walk carrying my heavy bag all the way to the hotel. Later I was told that he would've pulled over by the main hotel entrance where the concierge is, he would have been in trouble because he didn't used the meter.

So there you have it, never take black taxis and always ask for the reciept which contains the fare, amount payed and taxi driver badge number if you want to report them.[/QUOTE]Sorry to hear about your problems. Shanghai taxi drivers, even the legitimate ones, are among the worse I have ever experienced. Half the time, they do not know to drive to your destination, as they are new to town. Regarding Longyang Station, there is a monitored queue for taxis next to the parking lot. When you pass the turnstile, exit to the left and look for signs for taxis. There will be an escalator down to the street level. There always is an attendant there to monitor the activity. After dozens of trips, I have never been ripped off by any of the taxis there. Avoid the ones trying to pick you up curbside.

[QUOTE=Cv7346]Hey folks,

Sorry for the repeat if the previous post went through. I wrote something up but it didn't seem to show up properly.

My first time exploring to these wonderful places in Shanghai and I decided to go to Shanghai Hotel since it seemed like it was a reliable choice. Yesterday around 4pm, I went to the hotel and went straight up to the 2nd floor. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I was greeted by the people at reception. However, much to my disappointment, I was informed that there was no massage today. Neither was there massages available the last couple days or in the next couple of days. I am assuming that no massage = no girls!

I was quite disappointed b/c I was really looking forward to this place after reading so many good reviews about it on the forum. Can someone please recommend me any places that are similar in price and quality that I could visit near the Jing'an district? I know I'm quite new, but I would truly appreciate any advice. Thanks everyone![/QUOTE]Did you by any chance read any of the recent posts here? You truly do not deserve to be helped!

[QUOTE=Shamuc]By the way: there was a raid in some filipina bars in Pudong on weekend; the girls were interviewed about the visa (how they got it etc.) - and whenever there was doubt about the story the visa is now being cancelled, they have some days to leave.

My girlfriend is filipina and got this info from some of the ladies. Getting tough for them, too...[/QUOTE]Around 10 police cars drove up Saturday night to check the visa of the Filippino girls working in the bars. They require a working visa, but only have tourist visa. They have been given 10 days to leave the country.

[QUOTE=Bionicman]Had a similar story first time I went to SH a few years ago. At the city station of the Maglev a hord of (illegal) taxi drivers are lined up and work to grab the business, putting your bag in the trunk and onc eyou are inside and check the fare they say 205rmb: negotiated down to 150rmb (they damn know it is cheap for us european) and drove us to destination.
Never played that game again. I'd rather prefer to spend more with a hotel limo, being picked up from arrival and deliverred in the room![/QUOTE]

The same rule applies at any transit point in China, not only Shanghai. Look for the official taxi rank, only official taxis are allowed to pick up there. Ignore touts, and ignore maroon "taxis" with fixed rates starting at 50rmb, jumping quickly to 150rmb. These scam taxis are easily recognised by the fact that locals are ignoring them! There are always 20 of them lined up outside the pearl tower. Two weeks ago I spotted a row of these fake taxis picking up at the Shanghai Stadium after a show. They also stand out because they are none VW model vehicles. They do however have a taxi sign, and a meter.
Locals always prefer to take the turquoise Da Zhong taxis!

fz

[QUOTE=Beijing Fox]I found G18 closed last weekend. An informant tells me that all saunas in Shanghai have been closed. True? Does anyone know more?[/QUOTE]It was open today when I went there around 6pm. I ended up not having enough cash on me and didn't want to use the atm outside so didn't go through with the service today. However, I met a nice gentleman at the counter who said I can use his member id number when I come back tomorrow to get the discount. Wonder if he's anyone from this forum. I might try Sacrosa instead tomorrow though.

So apparently my post was not helpful last time, let me try again to see if this one would be any good.

Went to the joint here on Friday 1AM after reading an old post from long time ago. This sauna/bath place is located in a hotel tucked away in the middle of a long strip of road. Pretty hard to find at night.

Went in, service was alright and was served immediately to the shower room. After taking shower, I was lead to a room and a line of very limited girls showed up. There were only 6 to choose from but all were quite mediocre (all around 5-6) I asked for more but was told those are the only ones still working. Chose number 405 because she had a large rack and a sweet smile. She led me up to a room upstairs and we did our business. She began the routine with the water sucking all around my back and sliding her tits on me. She progressed to a BJ and fucked her. She was alright, looked like she worked hard for me but she just wasn't that good. Her body wasn't as slim as I had imagined.

Anyway, pretty disappointing rookie experience. Total damage was 680, I don't think I'll go there again. Will try G18 this weekend.

Have to revise what I posted earlier this week - yesterday 999 was open again, too..so seems that they/LE try to "confuse" the customers..

Open this afternoon. Great line up. Great service.

JingDing is also open again.

Shiva

Gentlemen,

Yes G18 is open again. It was definately shut earlier on this week but a few days ago the doors opened. Tonight the dude at the door quoted me 880. I'm on a budget so am not yet able to partake.

Another option is further on down the road, in the same building as the Shanghai No 1 Hotpot restaurant. Walk down the covered alley (yeah it was a bit scary but there are huge signs in Chinese and Japanese advertising a Sauna), and get into the elevator. A gentleman confirmed my intentions and led me to the internet cafe/game centre where there is a special entrance to the sauna. Was quoted 650 for full service and 750 for VIP service (a nicer room it seems).

Will write a report when I give either of them a go.

[QUOTE=Brobeck]Sorry to hear about your problems. Shanghai taxi drivers, even the legitimate ones, are among the worse I have ever experienced. Half the time, they do not know to drive to your destination, as they are new to town. Regarding Longyang Station, there is a monitored queue for taxis next to the parking lot. When you pass the turnstile, exit to the left and look for signs for taxis. There will be an escalator down to the street level. There always is an attendant there to monitor the activity. After dozens of trips, I have never been ripped off by any of the taxis there. Avoid the ones trying to pick you up curbside.[/QUOTE]Actually it's not that bad. I've been using taxi from & to random destinations pretty much every day in the 18 months I've been living in Shanghai so far. Never had a pricing problem and only like 5 times the driver did not know where to go. Just ignore the touts & that's it. It's also useful to get a jiaotong card, because that takes the cash payment out of the process.

(but maybe I am a bit biased because I come from Eastern Europe where the taxi drivers are a real nightmare)

Just popped into G18 yesterday afternoon. Lineup was ok but not great. None of the previous mentioned girls. So I took number 53 and then 90 joined for the cleanup routine. I decided to take both which turned out to be a mistake. 53 was much more into it than 90.

90 was pretty timid (suprised considering she's been around for 8 years) and I ended up just focusing more on 53. 53 was a bit more keen on providing a good experience even though her acting skills are a bit on the poor side. I did appreciate the effort. She also provided me with some interesting conversation in between pops.

Where is the Shanghai hotpot restaurant? Is it a little further south from G18?

[QUOTE=Koala Bare]Gentlemen,

Yes G18 is open again. It was definately shut earlier on this week but a few days ago the doors opened. Tonight the dude at the door quoted me 880. I'm on a budget so am not yet able to partake.

Another option is further on down the road, in the same building as the Shanghai No 1 Hotpot restaurant. Walk down the covered alley (yeah it was a bit scary but there are huge signs in Chinese and Japanese advertising a Sauna), and get into the elevator. A gentleman confirmed my intentions and led me to the internet cafe/game centre where there is a special entrance to the sauna. Was quoted 650 for full service and 750 for VIP service (a nicer room it seems).

Will write a report when I give either of them a go.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Eu Expat] It's also useful to get a jiaotong card, because that takes the cash payment out of the process.[/QUOTE]About the transportation card - I often have to start shouting "Ka! Ka!" (my poor Chinese for 'card') before the driver stops, otherwise they have been known to throw the meter and say 'Sorry, only cash now.' (or the Chinese equivalent, I should say.)

Has this happened to anyone? Is the card only legal taxi tender before a certain point in the flip of a switch, or (as I suspect) just a sneaky way to pocket some RMB?

Can someone elaborate a bit more on the card?

How does it work, where can it be purchased?

I assume it is pre-paid, how is it "cashed" by the taxi driver?

Thanks in advance

(I go to SH once/twice a year, so not being resident I ask the "experts")

[QUOTE=Bionicman]Can someone elaborate a bit more on the card?

How does it work, where can it be purchased?

I assume it is pre-paid, how is it "cashed" by the taxi driver?

Thanks in advance

(I go to SH once/twice a year, so not being resident I ask the "experts")[/QUOTE]You can buy them in most of the subway stations for 50RMB deposit. Can be used on bus, taxi, subway, etc. Easy peasy.