3-6 Month Business Trip to São Paulo
1. Before Departure:
1.1 Purchase a power adapter—specifically, the Bull Global Universal Adapter.
1.2 Order a local SIM card online through Taobao! My China Unicom card had almost no signal at the airport, nearly preventing me from calling an Uber.
1.3 Pack slippers and a neck pillow. A 20+ hour economy-class flight is truly grueling without these comforts.
1.4 Bring a chip-based VISA credit card instead of a magnetic stripe one. Credit card fraud is rampant in Brazil, and magnetic stripe cards are easily cloned—a lesson I learned the hard way when mine was cloned.
1.5 Download the Uber app, register, and link your payment method before you arrive.
1.6 Carry a portable power bank to ensure your phone has enough charge upon landing.
2. Flight:
2.1 Fly with Qatar Airways, with a layover in Qatar. The total journey lasts 27 hours.
2.2 In economy class, opt for an aisle seat—it’s a game-changer!
3. GRU Airport:
3.1 Don’t hesitate to use Uber. GRU is located far from the city center, about a one-hour drive away.
3.2 Exit the terminal and walk 1-2 lanes out—you’ll find a designated Uber pickup point there.
4. Hotels:
4.1 Grand Hyatt São Paulo: Exceptional in every way except for its steep price. It’s the only hotel that provides slippers.
4.2 Pullman São Paulo Vila Olimpia: Comparable to Hilton Garden Inn—comfortable but not overly luxurious.
4.3 Wyndham São Paulo Berrini: Disappointing overall, even the breakfast lacked quality.
4.4 Marriott Executive Apartments São Paulo: The ultimate value-for-money option. Though slightly dated, it’s practical and ideal for extended stays. After comparing several options, I booked two months here directly.
4.4.1 Reserve at least one month in advance to secure rates around 900 RMB per night!
4.4.2 One-bedroom apartment layout offers exceptional comfort.
4.4.3 A fully equipped kitchen allows you to cook your meals, and housekeeping even washes your dishes—an unexpected perk!
4.4.4 A free communal laundry room is available downstairs—a lifesaver for long-term travelers!
4.4.5 Located in a high-end residential area, it’s conveniently close to everything you need.
5. Daily Life:
5.1 Carrefour Hypermarket:
5.1.1 Found on the first floor of Shopping Eldorado mall.
5.1.2 This local Carrefour branch boasts a wide variety of products at very affordable prices.
5.2 Jiahe Supermarket:
5.2.1 A Chinese supermarket offering imported goods—but be prepared for higher prices.
5.2.2 Always check expiration dates, as many items are nearing their expiry.
5.2.3 The Uber pickup point is located opposite the Nine Grids Hot Pot Restaurant.
5.3 Chinese Restaurants:
5.3.1 Peng Lai Ge: Highly recommended! Sichuan, Hunan, and Northeastern dishes that would stand out even in China.
5.
3.2 Lanzhou: Specializing in Northwestern cuisine, though the flavors are average.
5.3.3 West Lake: Offers a Brazilian twist on Jiangnan cuisine, but it’s pricey and not to everyone’s taste.
5.3.4 Beneath Jiahe lies a Cantonese dim sum spot with delicious offerings, albeit a bit expensive.
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