Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai is China’s most international city — a dazzling mix of colonial architecture, futuristic skyscrapers, and world-class food.

Highlights

• The Bund — colonial waterfront, best at sunset
• Lujiazui / Pudong — Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl, skyline views
• French Concession — tree-lined streets, cafés, boutiques
• Yu Garden — classical Ming dynasty garden
• Tianzifang — artsy lanes and craft shops

Local Insider Tips

• Bund lights: On in summer from 19:00, winter from 17:30. The skyline is most beautiful half an hour after dark.
• Maglev train: 8 minutes from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road — the world’s fastest commercial train, worth trying once.
• Disneyland: Go on a weekday. Popular rides still queue 1–2 hours.
• French Concession: Wukang Road and Anfu Road are packed with cafés. Wukang Building is the iconic photo spot.
• Benbang cuisine (Shanghainese) is sweet — try Lao Jishi (老吉士) or Lanxin (兰心), local favorites.
• Shengjianbao: One order is 4 pieces — don’t over-order. Da Huchun (大壶春) is the traditional leavened-dough style.
• Two airports: Pudong and Hongqiao — don’t mix them up! Hongqiao is much closer to the city center.
• Weather: Rainy season is mid-June to early July (hot and muggy). Winter is damp and feels colder than the temperature suggests.
• Biking: Renting a shared bike to ride through the French Concession is delightful.
• Day trips: High-speed rail reaches Suzhou and Hangzhou in 30 minutes — easy to add to your itinerary. Nanjing is about 1 hour.
• Nanjing Road: Packed with people, but the lights are pretty at night — the classic photo spot is in front of the Peace Hotel (和平饭店).
• Suzhou Creek: The waterfront walk from the Bund to the M50 art district is quiet and scenic — fewer crowds than the Bund promenade.
• Zhujiajiao water town: 1 hour from the city, less crowded than Zhouzhuang or Wuzhen — half a day is enough.
• Nightlife: Xintiandi and the Bund’s Waitanyuan have plenty of bars; Hengshan Road is the classic bar street, open until 2 AM.
• Shopping: Nanjing West Road (Henglong Plaza, Jing’an Kerry Centre) is the luxury zone; Qipu Road (七浦路) is the wholesale market where you bargain.
• Tourist SIM at PVG: Carrier counters at Pudong Airport sell tourist SIM cards with your passport — cheaper than an eSIM but more hassle.

Getting Around

The metro is excellent and English-signed. The Maglev train connects Pudong Airport to the city in 8 minutes. Ferries across the Huangpu River cost ¥2 and give great skyline views.

Where to Stay

• The Bund / People’s Square — central, classic
• Former French Concession — charming, cafés
• Lujiazui — modern, skyline views

Food

Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), and hairy crab in autumn. Book Din Tai Fung or local favorites via Dianping.