Shanghai
China's most cosmopolitan city dazzles with the futuristic Pudong skyline, historic Bund waterfront, and French Concession tree-lined streets. A global financial hub that blends old Shanghai charm with cutting-edge modernity, incredible food, and world-class art scenes.
Tours & Experiences
Browse bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Shanghai
📍 Points of Interest
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📋The Rundown
Shanghai is China's largest city with over 26 million residents and the world's busiest container port, handling more cargo than any other port on Earth
The Bund's colonial-era skyline faces the futuristic Pudong towers across the Huangpu River, creating one of the most dramatic urban contrasts anywhere
The Shanghai Maglev is the world's fastest commercial train, reaching 431 km/h (268 mph) on the 30 km run from the airport to the city
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were invented in Shanghai, and the city's food scene spans everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to legendary street stalls
Shanghai has more skyscrapers over 150 meters than any other city in the world, with the 632-meter Shanghai Tower being China's tallest building
The French Concession neighborhood retains its tree-lined avenues and Art Deco architecture from the 1920s-30s, earning Shanghai its "Paris of the East" nickname
🏛️Must-See Spots
The Bund (Waitan)
🗼A 1.5 km waterfront promenade lined with 52 grand colonial-era buildings spanning Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles. Walk it at night when both the Bund and Pudong skyline are illuminated.
Pudong Skyline & Shanghai Tower
🗼The futuristic financial district across the river featuring the twisting 632-meter Shanghai Tower, the bottle-opener-shaped World Financial Center, and the retro-futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower.
Yu Garden (Yuyuan)
📌A classical Chinese garden dating to 1559 with rockeries, koi ponds, pavilions, and dragon-topped walls. The surrounding Old City bazaar area has shops and the famous Nanxiang steamed bun restaurant.
French Concession
🏘️Shanghai's most charming neighborhood with plane-tree-lined avenues, 1930s villas, boutique shops, specialty coffee roasters, and some of the city's best restaurants and cocktail bars.
Nanjing Road
🏘️China's most famous shopping street — the eastern pedestrian section runs from the Bund to People's Square with flagship stores, while the western stretch has luxury malls and department stores.
Zhujiajiao Water Town
📌A 1,700-year-old canal town on Shanghai's outskirts with stone bridges, waterside teahouses, and traditional architecture. An easy day trip that feels worlds away from the skyscrapers.
Shanghai Museum
🏛️One of China's finest museums with an outstanding collection of ancient bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and jade. Free admission with reservation.
Tianzifang
🏘️A labyrinth of narrow shikumen (stone-gate house) alleyways converted into art galleries, design studios, craft shops, and tiny restaurants in the former French Concession.
✈️Where Next?
Beijing
China's capital with the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Temple of Heaven. The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail is one of the world's busiest routes.
Hangzhou
The picturesque city of West Lake, Longjing tea plantations, and ancient pagodas. Marco Polo called it the most beautiful city in the world.
Suzhou
The "Venice of the East" with UNESCO-listed classical gardens, silk museums, and scenic canal districts. An easy day trip or overnight from Shanghai.
Hong Kong
The vibrant metropolis where East meets West, with Victoria Harbour, dim sum culture, hiking trails, and world-class shopping.
Tokyo
Japan's hypermodern capital with ancient temples, sushi perfection, neon-lit streets, and cutting-edge culture.
Guangzhou
The capital of Cantonese cuisine with legendary dim sum, the Canton Tower, Shamian Island, and a gateway to Hong Kong and southern China.
🌤️Weather
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and muggy, winters are damp and chilly, and the transitional seasons are the most pleasant for sightseeing.
Spring
March - May50-77
10-25
Gradually warming with cherry and peach blossoms. April and May are ideal months to visit with pleasant temperatures before the heat arrives.
Summer
June - August77-95
25-35
Hot, humid, and rainy. The plum rain season (meiyu) hits mid-June to mid-July with persistent drizzle. Late July to August can be sweltering.
Autumn
September - November57-79
14-26
The best time to visit — comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, clear skies, and beautiful autumn foliage along the French Concession boulevards.
Winter
December - February34-46
1-8
Cold and damp with occasional frost. Snow is rare. Heated indoor spaces are less common than in northern China, so dress warmly.
🛡️Safety
Very Safe
out of 100
Shanghai is one of the safest major cities in the world. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main concerns are petty scams, pickpocketing in crowded areas, and traffic.
Things to Know
- •Beware the "tea ceremony" and "art student" scams — friendly strangers inviting you to a teahouse or art exhibition will present a huge bill at the end
- •Use official taxis (with meters) or ride-hailing apps like Didi; avoid unlicensed drivers at airports and train stations
- •Download a VPN before arriving if you need access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other blocked services
- •Keep a hotel business card with Chinese characters for showing taxi drivers your destination
- •Air quality can be poor — check AQI readings and consider a mask on high-pollution days
Emergency Numbers
Police
110
Ambulance
120
Fire
119
🚇Getting Around
Shanghai has one of the world's most extensive metro systems with 20 lines and over 500 stations. Combined with affordable taxis, ride-hailing, and buses, getting around is easy.
Shanghai Metro
3-10 CNY ($0.40-1.40)Clean, fast, and efficient with English signage. Covers virtually every tourist area. Gets very crowded during rush hours (7:30-9:30 AM, 5-7 PM).
Best for: Getting between major areas — the Bund, Pudong, French Concession, Jing'an, and train stations
Taxis & Didi
14-80 CNY ($2-11)Abundant and affordable. Didi (China's Uber) works well with English interface. Taxis are metered — base fare 14 CNY. Traffic can be brutal during rush hour.
Best for: Short trips, late-night travel, or reaching places off the metro
City Buses
2 CNY (~$0.28)Extensive but harder to navigate without Chinese. Most rides cost 2 CNY. Air-conditioned buses are the norm.
Best for: Scenic routes along the Bund or budget travelers who can read Chinese
Maglev Train
50 CNY (~$7), discounted with same-day flight ticketThe world's fastest commercial train connecting Pudong Airport to Longyang Road metro station at 431 km/h.
Best for: Airport transfer from Pudong — more novelty than practical since it doesn't reach the city center directly
🚶 Walkability
High in key areas — the Bund, French Concession, Jing'an, and Nanjing Road are very walkable. The city as a whole is too spread out to walk between districts.
🛫Getting In & Out
✈️ Airports
Shanghai Pudong International Airport(PVG)
30 km eastMaglev to Longyang Road (8 min, 50 CNY) + metro, Metro Line 2 direct (70 min, 7 CNY), or taxi (45-60 min, 150-250 CNY)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport(SHA)
13 km westMetro Lines 2 and 10 (30-40 min, 4-6 CNY), or taxi (20-30 min, 50-80 CNY). Connected to Hongqiao Railway Station.
🚆 Rail Stations
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
15 km west of The BundMajor high-speed rail hub adjacent to Hongqiao Airport. Serves Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, and most high-speed routes.
Shanghai Railway Station
5 km northwest of The BundCentral station for conventional trains and some high-speed services to northern and western destinations.
💰Budget Breakdown
budget
$45
Hostel dorm, street food and local restaurants, metro only, free museums and parks
mid-range
$130
Boutique hotel, mix of local and upscale dining, metro and occasional taxi, paid attractions
luxury
$350
Five-star hotel on the Bund, fine dining, private transfers, VIP experiences and rooftop bars
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| FoodXiaolongbao (soup dumplings, 10 pcs) | 25-50 CNY | $3.50-7 |
| FoodBowl of noodles at a local shop | 15-30 CNY | $2-4 |
| FoodDinner at a mid-range restaurant | 100-200 CNY | $14-28 |
| TransportSingle metro ride | 3-7 CNY | $0.40-1 |
| AccommodationHostel dorm bed | 60-100 CNY | $8-14 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel | 400-800 CNY | $55-110 |
| ActivityShanghai Tower observation deck | 180 CNY | $25 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Many top museums including the Shanghai Museum and China Art Museum are free with reservation
- •Eat at local noodle shops and dumpling stalls for meals under $5 — often better than expensive restaurants
- •Walking the Bund, French Concession, and Tianzifang is free and among the best things to do
- •Use the metro instead of taxis — it's fast, clean, and most rides cost under $1
- •Visit Zhujiajiao water town instead of pricier day trips to Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang