Shanghai travel guide
The future, wrapped in Art Deco — China's most electrifying city
Plan your visit
Recommended stay3–4 days
Getting there4.5–6 hours by high-speed rail from Beijing or Guangzhou; Pudong and Hongqiao serve long-haul flights.
Good to knowThe Bund and the former French Concession are walkable; the metro covers the whole city.
Shanghai is China's skyline-to-lane way urban cocktail: the Bund's colonial riverbank faces Pudong's neon towers, while the French Concession hides plane-tree streets and third-wave coffee. It is the country's best eating, drinking and museum city, and the rail hub for the whole Yangtze delta.
Top sights
- The Bund — Walk it at blue hour when the tower lights come on across the river — the city's defining view.
- Yu Garden and Old Town — Ming garden and bazaar lanes — arrive at opening to beat crowds, snack on soup dumplings after.
- French Concession — Wukang Road, plane-tree lanes, Sun Yat-sen's former residence and the city's best cafes — a half-day wander.
- Shanghai Museum / Shanghai Tower — Pick your skyline: bronze-age treasures in People's Square or the 546-metre observation deck in Lujiazui.
- Tianzifang — Converted shikumen lane warren of studios and bars — touristy, photogenic, 90 minutes well spent.
Suggested itinerary
- Bund & Beyond. Morning Bund stroll, ferry across Huangpu River, Shanghai Tower observation deck
- Old Meets New. Yu Garden and bazaar, French Concession walk, Xintiandi dining
- Arts & Waters. Shanghai Museum, M50 art district, Zhujiajiao water town excursion
Budget reference
LodgingChains ¥400–700; French Concession boutiques ¥600–1200; Pudong ¥350–600.
FoodSoup dumplings ¥20–40, canteen lunch ¥30–60, smart dinner ¥150–300, coffee ¥30–45.
Local transportWorld-class metro ¥3–8 per ride; taxi cross-town ¥40–90.
TicketsShanghai Tower deck ¥180–220, Yu Garden ¥40, most museums free with ID/reservation.
Where to stay
French Concession for atmosphere, near People's Square for transport, Pudong for skyline-room value.
Good to know
- Museum days: Shanghai Museum closes Mondays — verify before planning.
- Tap your foreign card or phone everywhere in the metro — Alipay/WeChat Pay not required here.
- The Bund lights dim at 22:30 sharp; time your photos to arrive by 21:30.
Explore
Shanghai travel guide