Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. The whole workshop is in English. When we interview people on the street, we translate on the fly. Nannan is bilingual CN/EN, Long is trilingual CN/EN/DE — and both speak Shanghai dialect :)
What exactly are the "Shanghai" Field Notes?
A printable 2-page workbook you fill out during the workshop. 1 page per day, with spot-the-detail prompts for each walk. You take it home as your record.
What is the "Co-Design" call about?
A 45-min Zoom call before the workshop weekend. You tell us what you specifically want to see, ask, or explore in Shanghai (a particular topic, neighborhood, type of robot, payment system, anything). We give our best to weave your input into the live walks and theory bites — so when we walk through Shanghai, you're walking through your questions, not just our agenda. It's also a way for us all to get to know each other a bit before the live weekend.
How does the live broadcast work technically?
We use Zoom (link in your booking confirmation). Nannan broadcasts live from Shanghai with phone + camera; Long moderates from Berlin. Join from anywhere in the world. We test the stream beforehand and have a backup plan if the connection wobbles.
What if I miss part of the workshop?
You'll get the recording within 48 hours as a backup. Both live days are self-contained, so if you can only join one, you still get a full arc. That said — the live magic (asking on the spot, breakout rooms, fellow travelers) only happens when you're there. The recording is a souvenir of the trip, not the trip itself.
Is the August weekend the same as September?
Yes — same content, same agenda, same hosts. Pick the date that fits your calendar.
Team Experience or Watch Party for 10+ people?
Yes — we offer a team experience or watch-party for groups of 10+ people. Message us and we'll work out something good for everyone.
Why live and not pre-recorded?
Most China content is curated, edited, and one-way. Live is the opposite. Here's the contrast:
Pre-recorded: someone else decides what you see. Questions wait in comments, often no answer. You watch alone, then move on.
Live walk-along with us: you suggest what to focus on. Live Q&A on the spot — a two-way conversation with workshop-style depth. You walk with like-minded people and stay connected.
Why Shanghai — and not e.g. Shenzhen or Beijing?
Shenzhen is only around forty years young; almost entirely modernity. Beijing is more political. Shanghai (because of its history) gives you both — old China and new China — in one weekend. Plus: it's Long's actual hometown, and Nannan has lived there for 10+ years. We know (almost) every hidden corner.
P.S. We're already working on hybrid events for other Chinese cities and rural places. If you want to hear about them first, write us a short note and we'll set you up.
What's your refund policy?
Full refund up to 14 days before the event. After that, we can transfer your spot to the next date or to someone you know.
Plus our "Don't like the first morning? Get your money back" promise: Email us after Day 1 and we refund 100%. No questions asked.
