Shanghai Visual Signs & Symbols Guide

Context

Shanghai uses a mix of international symbols and Chinese-specific signage. This visual guide helps you quickly identify essential facilities and services without needing to read Chinese characters.

1. Metro & Transportation Signs

Shanghai Metro Logo

• Symbol: Red circle with white “M” and Chinese characters “上海地铁”
• Where: All metro station entrances, exits, and platforms
• What it means: Official Shanghai Metro entrance/station
• Tip: Look for the red “M” - it’s visible from blocks away

Metro Line Numbers

• Symbol: Colored circles with numbers (e.g., Line 1 = Red, Line 2 = Green)
• Where: Station platforms, train doors, route maps
• What it means: Identifies which metro line you’re on
• Key Lines:
  • Line 2 (Green): Hongqiao Airport ↔ Pudong Airport
  • Line 10 (Purple): Hongqiao Railway/Airport ↔ Tourist areas
  • Line 1 (Red): North-South main artery

Exit Signs (出口)

• Chinese: 出口 (Chūkǒu)
• Symbol: Arrow with “EXIT” or numbered exits (1号口, 2号口)
• Where: Inside metro stations
• Tip: Exit numbers are crucial - save your destination’s exit number to avoid long walks

Taxi Stand (出租车)

• Chinese: 出租车 (Chūzūchē)
• Symbol: Yellow/green taxi icon with Chinese characters
• Where: Airport, train stations, major buildings
• What to look for: Official taxi ranks have barriers and queue lines
• Colors:
  • Teal/Turquoise taxis = Official Shanghai taxis
  • Yellow taxis = Also official
  • Avoid: Unmarked black cars

2. Restroom & Hygiene Facilities

Public Toilets (卫生间/洗手间)

• Chinese: 卫生间 (Wèishēngjiān) or 洗手间 (Xǐshǒujiān)
• International Symbol: Standard male/female icons
• Where: Metro stations, malls, parks, tourist areas
• Additional Signs:
  • 男 (Nán) = Men
  • 女 (Nǚ) = Women
  • WC = Also commonly used

Accessible/Family Toilet

• Symbol: Wheelchair icon or parent+child icon
• Chinese: 无障碍卫生间 (Wúzhàng’ài wèishēngjiān)
• Where: Larger metro stations, malls, airports
• Features: Usually includes baby changing table, more space

3. Mother & Baby Facilities

Nursing Room (母婴室)

• Chinese: 母婴室 (Mǔyīng shì)
• Symbol: Mother holding baby icon (usually pink/purple)
• Where: High-end malls (IFC, IAPM, K11), airports, major metro stations
• Features: Private nursing area, changing table, hot water, sometimes microwave
• Quality Tier:
  • *** (Three Stars) Premium malls (IFC, Reel, IAPM)
  • ** (Two Stars) Standard malls
  • • (One Star) Metro stations (basic facilities)

Baby Changing Table

• Symbol: Baby on changing table icon
• Chinese: 婴儿护理台 (Yīng’ér hùlǐ tái)
• Where: Many public restrooms in malls and stations
• Tip: Often found in accessible/family toilets

4. Emergency & Safety Signs

Hospital/Medical (医院)

• Chinese: 医院 (Yīyuàn)
• Symbol: Red cross or “H” sign
• Where: Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies
• International Hospitals: Look for “International Department” in English

Police (警察)

• Chinese: 警察 (Jǐngchá) or 公安 (Gōng’ān)
• Symbol: Police badge, blue uniform
• Where: Police stations, security checkpoints
• Emergency Number: 110

Fire Exit (安全出口)

• Chinese: 安全出口 (Ānquán chūkǒu)
• Symbol: Green running person with arrow
• Where: All buildings, malls, metro stations
• Standard: International green exit sign

First Aid (急救)

• Chinese: 急救 (Jíjiù)
• Symbol: White cross on green background
• Where: Stations, malls, public venues

5. Shopping & Services

Information Desk (咨询台/服务台)

• Chinese: 咨询台 (Zīxún tái) or 服务台 (Fúwù tái)
• Symbol: “i” icon or question mark
• Where: Malls, stations, tourist areas
• Tip: Staff often speak basic English in tourist areas

ATM (自动取款机)

• Chinese: ATM or 自动取款机 (Zìdòng qǔkuǎn jī)
• Symbol: Standard ATM icon
• Where: Banks, convenience stores, metro stations
• Tip: Look for “UnionPay” logo for international cards

Convenience Store

• Brands: FamilyMart (全家), 7-Eleven, Lawson (罗森)
• Symbol: Bright store logos, usually open 24/7
• Where: Every few blocks in urban areas
• Services: ATM, hot water, restrooms (sometimes), snacks

6. Food & Dining

Restaurant/Dining (餐厅)

• Chinese: 餐厅 (Cāntīng)
• Symbol: Fork and knife, or chopsticks icon
• Where: Malls, streets, food courts

Food Court (美食广场)

• Chinese: 美食广场 (Měishí guǎngchǎng)
• Where: Usually basement or top floor of malls
• Tip: Great for variety and seeing food before ordering

No Outside Food (禁止外带食品)

• Chinese: 禁止外带食品 (Jìnzhǐ wàidài shípǐn)
• Symbol: Food icon with red X
• Where: Some malls, Disney, museums
• Note: Water bottles usually OK

7. Access & Restrictions

Elevator (电梯)

• Chinese: 电梯 (Diàntī)
• Symbol: Up/down arrows
• Types:
  • 直梯 (Zhí tī) = Vertical elevator
  • 扶梯 (Fú tī) = Escalator

Escalator Direction

• Up: 上 (Shàng) with up arrow
• Down: 下 (Xià) with down arrow
• Tip: Stand on right, walk on left (Shanghai convention)

No Entry (禁止进入)

• Chinese: 禁止进入 (Jìnzhǐ jìnrù)
• Symbol: Red circle with white horizontal bar
• Where: Restricted areas, staff-only zones

No Smoking (禁止吸烟)

• Chinese: 禁止吸烟 (Jìnzhǐ xīyān)
• Symbol: Cigarette with red X
• Where: Most indoor public spaces
• Note: Shanghai has strict indoor smoking bans

8. Parking & Vehicles

Parking (停车场)

• Chinese: 停车场 (Tíngchē chǎng)
• Symbol: “P” sign
• Where: Malls, buildings, underground
• Tip: Usually paid parking, scan QR code to pay

Bicycle Parking (自行车停放处)

• Chinese: 自行车停放处 (Zìxíngchē tíngfàng chù)
• Symbol: Bicycle icon
• Where: Metro stations, malls, streets
• Shared Bikes: Look for designated parking zones (white boxes on ground)

TechDad’s Tips

Quick Recognition Strategy

1. Color Coding:
   • Red = Metro, emergency, prohibited
   • Green = Exit, safety, go
   • Blue = Information, services
   • Yellow/Orange = Warning, caution
2. Universal Symbols:
   • Shanghai uses many international symbols
   • When in doubt, look for icons rather than text
   • Most signs in tourist areas have English
3. Photo Translation:
   • Use Google Translate camera mode for unknown signs
   • Take photos of important signs (hotel, metro exit) for reference

Essential Signs to Memorize

Top 5 Most Useful:

1. 出口 (Exit) - You’ll see this everywhere
2. 卫生间 (Toilet) - Essential for comfort
3. 地铁 (Metro) - Your main transport
4. 出租车 (Taxi) - Backup transport
5. 母婴室 (Nursing Room) - For parents

Safety Signs:

1. 安全出口 (Emergency Exit)
2. 医院 (Hospital)
3. 警察 (Police)
4. 急救 (First Aid)

Visual Learning Hack

The “Character Card” Method

Create a reference card with these essential characters:

出口 = Exit
入口 = Entrance  
卫生间 = Toilet
地铁 = Metro
出租车 = Taxi
医院 = Hospital
警察 = Police

Pro Tip: Screenshot this guide and save it offline for quick reference!

Related Guides

• Need to navigate? Check our Maps & Toilets Guide
• Using metro? See Public Transport Tips
• Traveling with kids? Visit Baby & Toddler Survival Runbook
• Emergency help? Read Emergency Contacts Card