Best places to do business in the wired world

Shanghai is an increasingly popular choice for businesses looking to outsource software development. It's also the Asian-Pacific headquarters for more than 150 foreign companies, including General Electric and General Motors.

How to get around: Only five subway lines operate, but they're clean and efficient, and all stations have English-language signs.

Where to find free Wi-Fi: The U.S.-based Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf chain hits the spot. The one in the Azia Center (Shop 101, 133 N. Yin Cheng Road, Pudong; 86-21-6387-4248) is close to the offices of many multinationals.

Where to get a trim: The stylists at Benson Salon (778 Jiangning Road; 86-21-6276-2635; www.bensonsalon.com/en) are Vidal Sassoon-trained. Basic cuts cost around $20.

Best place to get down to business: M on the Bund (Seventh Floor, 20 Guangdong Lu; 86-21-6350-9988; www.m-restaurantgroup.com) is across the river from the financial district and serves an eclectic mix of international fare.

Best place to celebrate closing the deal: The chic Glamour Bar (Sixth Floor, 20 Guangdong Lu; 86-21-6350-9988; www.m-restaurantgroup.com), one floor down from sister restaurant M on the Bund, has killer views of Pudong's skyscrapers.

What you might not know: People stand quite close and bump into each other with little remorse. Public hugging, however, is not acceptable.