Signs, Bathrooms, and Elevators in China

Universal street signs found in Shanghai.

Signs, Bathrooms, and Elevators in China

One very pleasant aspect of Shanghai especially was how the main roads had English names on them as well. It was very easy to walk around the downtown using a map.

Another nice thing, signs in China are pretty much just like those in America. Guys in the mens room signs all wear pants, girls in their bathroom signs wear dresses, who would of thought? The sign for elevator is fairly common as well, three people in a box with arrows up and down or some variation. They use the British term “Lift” instead but it’s pretty easy.

NOTE: Elevators or “Lifts” can be tricky to find. They are sometimes hidden behind curtains or around weird bends. I think this is because they want you to use the escalators in some buildings, forcing you to visit every floor, see every shop, store, or restaurant, as you make your way to the desired floor (usually floor 18 of 18). This is purely just my suspicion. If you are looking for a lift and can’t find one, usually someone working a store in that area can point it out (such as pointing at big heavy curtains). This is a difference between our countries, we don’t play “find the elevators”.

When you are wandering around the city, taking in the sites, and that urge to evacuate your bladder arises, I am happy to say that there are bathrooms all over the place (at least in Shanghai). There are big blue signs with the Mens/Womens figures on them and an arrow in the direction of the requisite building. I was never want for a restroom, although they are not in every cafe and shop like they are in America, so if you are thinking you’ll wait until you hit the coffee shop, don’t.