Shanghai is a safe city for international business travelers, but the risks that matter most for CIHS visitors are mostly practical health and logistics issues, not violent crime. Air quality, food and water hygiene, traffic awareness, and having the right insurance and emergency contacts will make more difference to your trip than anything else.

This guide walks through what to prepare before you fly, what to watch for on the ground, and how to handle the most common health and safety situations during your time at the fair. If you are joining us at CIHS, complete your visitor registration before you leave — most of the practical health and safety work happens before you board.

Before You Fly: Vaccinations, Insurance, and Documents

Give yourself four to six weeks before departure to sort out health preparation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers to China be up to date on routine immunizations and discuss hepatitis A, typhoid, and hepatitis B with a travel health provider [1]. Hepatitis B is especially worth discussing if you may need medical care during a longer stay.

Travel insurance is non-negotiable for an international sourcing trip. Choose a policy that covers outpatient care, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Shanghai has excellent private international clinics, but most require payment at the time of service; insurance with direct billing can smooth this process.

Pack a small first-aid kit with the basics: pain relief, antidiarrheal medicine, oral rehydration salts, blister plasters, and any prescription medication in its original packaging. Carry a copy of your passport, visa, and insurance documents separate from the originals.

Air Quality in Shanghai: How to Read AQI

Shanghai’s air quality is generally moderate, but it can rise into unhealthy ranges for sensitive groups, especially in winter and on still days. The World Health Organization notes that outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health risk, and short-term exposure can irritate airways and worsen asthma or cardiovascular conditions [2].

Check the AQI before long outdoor days. A reading above 150 is a good point to reduce prolonged outdoor exertion. Bring a few N95 or KN95 masks if you are sensitive to particulate matter or plan to walk extensively between the venue and your hotel.

SNIEC is a large indoor exhibition complex, so much of your fair day will be indoors. Keep a mask in your bag for transit and outdoor walking if AQI levels are elevated.

Water, Food, and Stomach Safety

Do not drink tap water in Shanghai. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, and avoid ice made from unverified sources. Most hotel restaurants and international dining options are safe, but the same discipline applies everywhere: choose freshly cooked, hot food, and be cautious with raw vegetables, cut fruit, and street-food seafood [3].

Wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before meals and after touching shared surfaces in the exhibition halls. Carry a small supply of loperamide and oral rehydration salts for mild stomach issues.

Long fair days create predictable pressure points: skipped meals, dehydration, and shared surfaces. A little food hygiene discipline prevents most of the stomach problems that can cost you a full sourcing day.

Medical Care and Emergency Contacts

For emergencies, the main numbers are 120 for ambulance, 110 for police, and 119 for fire. English may not always be available on these lines, so if possible ask your hotel concierge or use a translation app while calling [4].

Shanghai has several international clinics with English-speaking staff, including Jiahui, Shanghai United Family Hospital, and ParkwayHealth. These facilities are used to working with foreign visitors and can handle outpatient care. Bring critical prescription medications with you rather than assuming you can find the exact same product locally.

Pharmacies are widely available, but brands and active ingredients differ. If you use a specific medication, bring enough for the whole trip plus a small buffer.

If you are unsure about travel insurance, vaccinations, or where to get medical help near SNIEC, contact the CIHS Buyer Services Team before departure at trista.ming@koelnmesse.cn or +86 21 6390 6161-832. We can point you to the right service desk or local resources.

Getting Around Shanghai Safely

Shanghai’s metro is safe, clean, and efficient, and it is the most predictable way to reach SNIEC. Avoid peak crush times if you can — roughly 7:30–9:00 and 17:30–19:00 — and keep your bag in front of you in crowded carriages [5].

Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps such as Didi. At airports and train stations, ignore unsolicited drivers and guides and use clearly marked official taxi queues. Pedestrian crossings are not always respected by turning vehicles, and e-bikes often move silently on shared paths, so look both ways before stepping off the curb.

Personal Security, Scams, and Digital Safety

Violent crime against foreign visitors in Shanghai is rare, but pickpocketing and tourist-targeted scams exist in crowded areas. Keep your passport in the hotel safe when you are not carrying it, use a secure front-facing bag, and separate backup cards from your daily wallet.

Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering cultural experiences, art exhibitions, tea ceremonies, or “student” meetups near major tourist sites. If an unsolicited invitation feels too elaborate, it is usually a sales setup.

For digital safety, install any required VPN before you arrive in China, use bank ATMs rather than standalone machines in convenience stores, and avoid sensitive logins on public Wi-Fi.

Staying Healthy at CIHS and SNIEC

The fair spans 120,000 square meters, which means walking is part of the job. Wear broken-in shoes, carry blister plasters, and plan your hall route to reduce backtracking. Drink water regularly even if you do not feel thirsty.

On-site first aid and security services operate as part of the venue’s standard infrastructure. If you need assistance, go to the CIHS visitor service desk or the nearest information point. Emergency exits and assembly areas are marked in the halls, and it is worth glancing at the evacuation map when you enter a hall.

Next Step: Register and Confirm Your Travel Health Plan

Before you book flights, lock in three things: your visitor badge, your travel insurance, and a short vaccination review with a travel health provider. These steps remove most of the risk before you arrive. Then you can focus on the actual work of sourcing at CIHS.

Register for CIHS 2026 through the official visitor registration channel, and send any travel or safety questions to trista.ming@koelnmesse.cn or call +86 21 6390 6161-832. Our team works with buyers from 123 countries and regions, and we would rather answer your questions before the fair than have you lose a day to a preventable issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shanghai safe for foreign visitors?

Yes. Shanghai is generally safe for foreign business travelers. The most common issues are petty theft in crowded areas, air quality fluctuations, and food or water hygiene problems, all of which can be managed with preparation.

Do I need vaccinations before visiting Shanghai?

Routine vaccinations should be up to date, and travelers should discuss hepatitis A, typhoid, and hepatitis B with a healthcare provider. There is no yellow fever vaccination requirement for travel from most countries, but confirm your specific situation before departure [1].

Can I drink tap water in Shanghai?

No. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, and avoid ice from unverified sources. Cooked hot food is generally safer than raw or unpeeled items [3].

What number do I call in a medical emergency?

Call 120 for an ambulance, 110 for police, and 119 for fire. English support is not guaranteed, so use a translation app or ask hotel staff to assist if possible [4].

Do I need travel insurance for CIHS?

Yes. Choose a policy that covers outpatient treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. International clinics in Shanghai usually expect payment at the time of service, so verify whether your insurer offers direct billing.

References

[1] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “China – Traveler View.” CDC Travelers’ Health. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china. Accessed September 10, 2026.

[2] World Health Organization. “Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health.” WHO Fact Sheets. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health. Accessed September 10, 2026.

[3] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Food and Water Safety.” CDC Yellow Book. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2026/preparing/food-and-water-safety. Accessed September 10, 2026.

[4] U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China. “Medical Assistance in China.” https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical-assistance/. Accessed September 10, 2026.

[5] U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. “China International Travel Information.” https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/China.html. Accessed September 10, 2026.