Best Time to Visit
March to May (spring, 15-25°C) and September to November (autumn, clear). Avoid July-August (35°C+, typhoon season)
Language
Mandarin Chinese, Shanghainese (Wu dialect)
Currency
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Time Zone
CST (UTC+8)
Airport
Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), 30km E; Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), 13km W
Population
24.9 million (city proper)
Climate
Subtropical monsoon, humid summers, mild winters (2-8°C January)
Safety Rating
Very Safe — one of Asia's safest major cities for tourists
Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade stretches 1.5km along the Huangpu River with 52 heritage buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles facing the neon-lit Pudong skyline. Free to walk, open 24/7. Best at dusk when both sides light up. Walk south to north, ending at Waibaidu Bridge. Allow 1-2 hours. The Huangpu River cruise (120 CNY, ~$17, 1 hour) offers the best nighttime panorama.
A 400-year-old classical Chinese garden in the Old City with rockeries, koi ponds, and dragon-wall pavilions. Entry: 40 CNY (~$5.50) April-June, 30 CNY off-season. Open 8:30AM-5PM. The surrounding Yu Garden Bazaar is a maze of souvenir shops and dumpling stalls. Visit the garden first (before 10AM), then grab xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant next door (18 CNY for 16 dumplings). Allow 2 hours.
Cross the river to walk among China's tallest skyscrapers. Shanghai Tower (632m, China's tallest) has an observation deck on floor 118: 180 CNY (~$25). Open 8:30AM-9:30PM. The Oriental Pearl Tower (120 CNY) has a glass floor. For a cheaper option, the Lujiazui Skywalk is free and gives you a ground-level perspective of the towers. Best visited at sunset for both daylight and night views.
Shanghai's most charming neighborhood with tree-lined avenues, 1920s villas, independent boutiques, and excellent cafes. Explore Wukang Road (Art Deco apartment blocks), Anfu Road (coffee and vintage shops), and Ferguson Lane (galleries and restaurants). Free to wander. Rent a shared bike (1.5 CNY/ride via Meituan or Hello) to cover more ground. Allow half a day. Best on weekday mornings.
Shanghai's soup dumplings are a must-eat. The gold standard is Din Tai Fung (multiple locations, ~60 CNY for 10 dumplings) or Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road for the local favorite (6 CNY for 4, expect a queue). Technique: place dumpling on spoon, nibble a hole, slurp the soup, then eat. Burning the roof of your mouth on your first attempt is a rite of passage.
A 1,700-year-old canal town 48km west of Shanghai, reachable by bus from Pu'an Road station (12 CNY, 1.5 hours). Entry: free (individual attractions 5-10 CNY each, or 80 CNY combo). Highlights: the five-arch Fangsheng Bridge, gondola rides (150 CNY per boat), and riverside rice wine shops. Far less touristy than nearby Zhouzhuang. Allow 4-5 hours including travel.
A labyrinth of narrow shikumen (stone-gate) alleyways in the former French Concession, now filled with artist studios, craft shops, tiny bars, and quirky cafes. Free to enter, open roughly 10AM-10PM. The lanes are tight and get crowded on weekends — visit on a weekday. Good for unique souvenirs like hand-painted postcards and silk scarves. 10 minutes walk from Dapuqiao Metro (Line 9). Allow 1-2 hours.
Arrive at Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA) airport. From PVG, take the Maglev train (50 CNY, hits 431 km/h, 8 minutes to Longyang Road) then Metro Line 2 into the city. Check into your hotel near the French Concession or People's Square.
Maglev train + metro transfer to city center(1 hour)
The Maglev is worth the experience — 431 km/h in complete smoothness. From Longyang Road, transfer to Metro Line 2 (45 minutes to People's Square). Total: ~55 CNY. Set up Alipay on your phone — Shanghai is almost entirely cashless
Sunset walk along The Bund(1.5 hours)
Shanghai's iconic 1.5km waterfront with 52 heritage buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles facing the neon Pudong skyline. Best at dusk when both sides light up. Walk south to north, ending at Waibaidu Bridge. Free
Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund(1.5 hours)
French bistro on the 6th floor of Bund 18 with terrace views of Pudong. The foie gras burger is legendary. Mains 180-350 CNY. Book a window or terrace table for the view
A day in Shanghai's oldest neighborhoods, from the classical Chinese garden to the colonial-era banking houses along the Huangpu River.
Yu Garden (Yuyuan)(2 hours)
400-year-old classical Chinese garden with rockeries, koi ponds, and dragon-wall pavilions. Arrive before 10AM to beat crowds. Entry: 40 CNY (April-June). The surrounding bazaar is a maze of souvenir shops — the garden itself is the real attraction
Xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant(45 minutes)
Right next to Yu Garden. 18 CNY for 16 soup dumplings. Go upstairs for a sit-down experience (slightly pricier, less queue). Technique: place on spoon, nibble hole, slurp soup, then eat
Walk The Bund architecture trail(1.5 hours)
Use the free walking tour markers along the promenade. Highlights: the HSBC Building (1923, now Pudong Development Bank — peek inside the restored mosaic ceiling), Fairmont Peace Hotel (art deco masterpiece), and the Custom House clock tower
Huangpu River cruise(1 hour)
Evening cruise for the best nighttime panorama of both sides lit up. 120 CNY (~$17). Departures from the Shiliupu Pier every 30 minutes from 7PM
A full day in Shanghai's most charming neighborhood — tree-lined avenues, 1920s villas, boutique coffee shops, and the labyrinthine art alleyways of Tianzifang.
Morning walk along Wukang Road(1.5 hours)
Art Deco apartment blocks, plane tree canopy, and the iconic Normandie Apartments building at the road's end. Start from the Former Residence of Ba Jin (free, writer's home-museum) and walk south. The best coffee in Shanghai lines this road — try Manner Coffee (15-25 CNY)
Explore Anfu Road and Ferguson Lane(1.5 hours)
Anfu Road has vintage shops, independent bookstores, and the legendary Shanghai Fashion Store (vintage Chinese textiles). Ferguson Lane is a hidden compound with galleries and restaurants accessed through a gate
Lunch at Jesse Restaurant on Tianping Road(1 hour)
Arguably Shanghai's best home-style cooking. The hongshao rou (red-braised pork, 68 CNY) is a masterpiece. The crab meat tofu (seasonal, 58 CNY) is silky perfection. Cash only, no reservations — arrive at 11:30AM
Tianzifang art alleyways(1.5 hours)
Narrow shikumen lanes filled with artist studios, craft shops, and tiny bars. Free to enter. Good for hand-painted postcards and silk scarves. 10 min from Dapuqiao Metro (Line 9). Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend crush
Cocktails at Speak Low(1 hour)
A speakeasy hidden behind a bartending equipment shop on Fuxing Middle Road. Ring the doorbell. Four floors, each more exclusive. Cocktails 80-120 CNY. Regularly ranked among Asia's best bars
Cross the river to walk among China's tallest skyscrapers, then return for Shanghai's most famous shopping street.
Shanghai Tower observation deck(1.5 hours)
China's tallest building (632m). Floor 118 observation deck: 180 CNY. Go early for clearest skies. On a good day you can see the curve of the Huangpu River for dozens of kilometers. The elevator ride itself (55 seconds to the top) is an experience
Lujiazui Skywalk(30 minutes)
A free elevated walkway connecting the three supertall towers at ground level. Neck-craning views straight up at the Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower
Lunch at Din Tai Fung in IFC Mall Pudong(1 hour)
The Taipei-based dumpling chain's Shanghai outpost. Xiaolongbao (60 CNY for 10), truffle dumplings (seasonal), and the dan dan noodles are all outstanding. Expect a 20-minute wait at peak hours
Nanjing Road pedestrian street(2 hours)
Shanghai's answer to Times Square — 5.5km of neon, department stores, and street performers. Start at People's Square and walk east toward The Bund. The Food Hall basement of the Shanghai No. 1 Department Store has excellent pastries
Dinner at Yang's Fry Dumplings (multiple locations)(30 minutes)
Shengjianbao — pan-fried pork buns with crispy bottoms and soup inside. 8 CNY for 4. The Huanghe Road branch near People's Square is the original. Grab, eat standing, move on — that is the local way
Escape Shanghai for a 1,700-year-old canal town 48km west. Stone bridges, gondola rides, and rice wine — a complete contrast to the metropolis.
Bus to Zhujiajiao(1.5 hours)
Direct bus from Pu'an Road station near People's Square (12 CNY). Less touristy than nearby Zhouzhuang but equally atmospheric
Fangsheng Bridge and canal walk(2 hours)
The five-arch Ming dynasty bridge is the town's centerpiece. Walk the canal-side streets through to the North Gate. Individual attraction entries 5-10 CNY, or 80 CNY combo ticket. The Post Office Museum (Qing dynasty) is worth a stop
Gondola ride through the canals(30 minutes)
150 CNY per boat (seats 4-6). The gondolier navigates under ancient stone bridges — quintessential water town. Negotiate price if you are alone
Lunch at a canal-side restaurant(1 hour)
Try zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, 5 CNY), the local braised pork knuckle (38 CNY), and rice wine from the riverside shops (10 CNY for a cup — sip cautiously, it is stronger than it tastes)
A culturally rich day covering Shanghai's top museums and ending with the city's legendary jazz scene.
Shanghai Museum on People's Square(2.5 hours)
Free entry (ID required). One of China's finest museums — the ancient jade gallery, bronze collection, and ceramics hall are world-class. The calligraphy collection alone is worth an hour. Open 9AM-5PM. The building's shape represents a ding (ancient bronze vessel)
Power Station of Art (PSA)(1.5 hours)
China's first state-run contemporary art museum in a converted power station along the Huangpu River. Free entry. Rotating exhibitions of Chinese and international contemporary art. The 165m chimney is a landmark. Open 11AM-7PM, closed Mondays
Late lunch at Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road(30 minutes)
The locals' choice for xiaolongbao — 6 CNY for 4 dumplings. The crab meat version (seasonal autumn, 15 CNY for 4) is the holy grail. Expect a queue — it moves fast
Dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund(1.5 hours)
Yunnan cuisine overlooking the river. Dai-style grilled fish, Burmese tea leaf salad, and mushroom clay pot. Mains 88-168 CNY. Terrace tables have direct Pudong views
Jazz at the Fairmont Peace Hotel(1.5 hours)
The Old Jazz Bar has live jazz nightly from 6:30PM — the house band has been playing since the 1980s. Cocktails 100-150 CNY. The art deco interior of this 1929 hotel is Shanghai at its most glamorous. No cover charge
A gentle morning for final souvenirs and one last plate of soup dumplings before heading to the airport.
Morning walk along Fuxing Park(1 hour)
The French Concession's loveliest park. Join locals practicing sword tai chi, ballroom dancing, and card games under the plane trees. Free entry from 6AM. The park cafe does decent coffee
Last shopping on Nanjing West Road or Huaihai Road(1.5 hours)
Huaihai Road (Middle) is a more curated shopping street than Nanjing Road — IAPM Mall and K11 Art Mall have high-end brands and art exhibitions. Pick up Shanghai-brand enamel mugs or White Rabbit candy (Shanghai's iconic sweet) as gifts
Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)
Maglev to PVG (50 CNY, 8 min from Longyang Road). Metro Line 2 or 10 to SHA. Allow 3 hours before international flights. Shanghai airport security is thorough but efficient
Same policy as Beijing — citizens of 54 countries can stay 144 hours visa-free when transiting to a third country. You can travel within the Yangtze Delta region (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang provinces) during your stay. Must have confirmed onward flight to a different country than your origin.
The Maglev train from PVG airport hits 431 km/h and reaches Longyang Road in 8 minutes (50 CNY, or 40 CNY with same-day flight ticket). From there, transfer to Metro Line 2 into the city. Total to People's Square: ~45 minutes, ~55 CNY. Much faster and cheaper than a taxi (200+ CNY, 1+ hour). Hongqiao airport connects directly to Metro Lines 2 and 10.
Pudong (PVG) handles most international flights and is far from the city center (30km east). Hongqiao (SHA) is closer (13km west) and serves domestic routes plus some Asian destinations. If connecting between the two airports, allow 2.5+ hours — Metro Line 2 connects them but takes 1.5 hours. A taxi between them costs ~250 CNY.
Same as all of China: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram blocked. Download a VPN before arrival. More critically, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your international card — Shanghai is even more cashless than Beijing. Some restaurants literally have no cash register. The setup process for foreign cards improved significantly in 2024.
Skip hotel breakfasts. Hunt for jianbing (savory crepe, 8-12 CNY) from street carts, shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns, 8 CNY for 4) at Yang's Fry Dumplings, and scallion oil noodles (congcouban mian, 15 CNY) at neighborhood shops. Wujiang Road Food Street near Nanjing West Road has good options concentrated in one block.
The AP Xinyang Fashion & Gifts Market (near Science & Technology Museum Metro) sells counterfeit goods openly. If you choose to shop there, start at 10-15% of the first asking price and settle around 25-30%. Never show enthusiasm. Walk away — they will chase you. Quality varies wildly. Electronics are universally terrible; bags and scarves are better bets.
StoriesI came for the skyline. I stayed for the scallion oil noodles. A week in China's most cosmopolitan city, told day by day.
Travel GuidesForget hotel restaurants. Shanghai's best meals cost under $5, happen before 10AM, and require pointing at what someone else is eating.
Travel GuidesYes, the Bund is spectacular. But Shanghai's real magic happens in French Concession coffee shops, dumpling queues, and art deco apartment stairwells.
