First visit to PVG

Hi all! Newbie post here...

I will travel to PVG from TPE via MFM on the 15th. Having never been there (I will have someone picking me up thou), where would be a good place in the arrival hall that's relatively easy to find/meet up and free from the local 'can i rip u off by offering u a ride' crowd?

Also I will be flying Shanghai Airlines (767 I think), any seats to avoid and how's their on-time record?

Much thanks in advance!

can't help you with seat selection on shanghai air, (and they're not listed on seatguru.com) but as far as meeting your friend it shouldn't be too tough. there are lots of folks waiting for those of us coming through the doors, (go to the green line, the one with the red means you have something to declare to customs) but you should be able to pick your friend out from the crowd with relative ease. if your friend isn't chinese, it'll be even easier

if you don't know what the person looks like, a sign might be helpful...but i've always enjoyed the crush of coming out into pvg. immediate immersion into china and chinese culture.

going myself in mid sept...can't wait. ^

Darn, I thought there was a thread about meeting up at Pudong fairly recently but I did a search and can't find it. As I recall, the "winning" suggestion was a cafe upstairs after exiting, but I don't exactly remember where, anyone else remember?

According to my friend there should be an area outside passport control (one level up from baggage claim) where they can kindda look for me and vice versa. Then it should be a simple matter of meeting up by cell phone ...

I will post a detailed trip report when I return...Thanks again for all the reply! ^

the arrival hall sections are all numbered. the best way to do this is to use cell phone / sms to communicate which number you are at, or to agree to a middle # ahead of time. (domestic arr at smaller numbers, maybe 10-14, intl maybe 15-20)

see terminal map link from here
http://www.shairport.com/en/airline03_a.jsp#

the dep level correspondence here
http://www.shairport.com/gb/images/shopfoodnav.gif

the second exit row has incredible legroom (so does the first, but with less, if any, recline); ask at check-in. otherwise, there is a mini-cabin just behind fc (also on the 757) that is quite nice.

I prefer to meet people at a small cafe one flight up from the international/hk/taiwan exit. To get there exit and push you way through the crowds to the esculator, go up one flight and there should be a little cafe within a hundred yards, nothing special but they have tea and beer.

Thanks for the tip (and all others!) I am ready to take on the heat and the brand new experience.... ^

I don't know what your culinary delights might be, but having just recently returned from Shanghai, I would skip M on the Bund, which seems to be on everyone's itinerary, the food is really mediocre and certainly not worth the expense and time of having a boring meal lost to this establishment.

If you are looking for spectacular views, have a drink on the deck or head over to Three on the Bund to restaurant New Heights simply for a drink on the deck. New Heights is one floor higher than M on the Bund and is where all the catalog/website photos are taken of the Bund. There are far more delicious restaurants than M on the Bund such as Sens and Bund just down the street, Jean Georges or for a wonderful Shanganese meal, visit the Wampoa Club, also in the Three on the Bund building.

As much as I like Handle, I can't say the same about New Heights: terrible service, confusing menu, wierd food, small portions, stingy water policy.

All those places are fine for just drinks; Bar Rouge is a notch above the rest imo.

Agreed. New Heights is only recommened for the view while having a drink, not for a meal. Bar Rouge, which is housed in the same building as Sens & Bund is a far more lively establishment.