Shanghai
The Pearl of the Orient — where colonial elegance meets futuristic skylines.
⚡ Quick Facts
Best Time
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Suggested Stay
3–4 days
Airport
PVG (Pudong)
Train Hub
Shanghai Hongqiao
🏛️ Must-See Attractions
The Bund
★★★ MustShanghai's iconic waterfront promenade — colonial-era buildings on one side, the futuristic Pudong skyline on the other. Best at night when both sides light up.
Yu Garden & Old City
★★★ MustA classical Chinese garden from the Ming Dynasty, surrounded by a bustling bazaar of traditional shops and street food. Touristy but beautiful — go early before the crowds.
Real-name entry — bring your passport
Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
★★ RecommendedChina's tallest building — the 118th-floor observation deck gives you a jaw-dropping view of the entire city. Go on a clear day.
Passport number required at booking · Buy at least 1 day ahead
French Concession (Xintiandi & Tianzifang)
★★ RecommendedTree-lined streets, art deco buildings, boutique cafés, and hidden alleyway shops. Tianzifang is a maze of tiny lanes with craft stores and galleries — the most "European" part of China.
Nanjing Road
★ OptionalChina's most famous shopping street — a neon-lit pedestrian mall stretching from People's Square to the Bund. Great for people-watching and the atmosphere, but the shops are mostly international chains you can find anywhere.
🍜 What to Eat
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
Shanghai's most famous dish — delicate steamed buns filled with pork and hot savory broth. Bite a small hole, sip the soup, then eat the dumpling. Don't burn your tongue!
Where: Jia Jia Tang Bao (best in town) · Din Tai Fung (reliable chain)
Price: ¥30–60 per portion
Shengjianbao (Pan-Fried Buns)
Like xiaolongbao's crispy cousin — thick-bottomed buns pan-fried until golden, filled with pork and soup. The bottom is crunchy, the top is soft, the inside is juicy.
Where: Yang's Dumplings (everywhere, ¥15 for 4)
Price: ¥15–30 per portion
Red Braised Pork (Hongshao Rou)
Melt-in-your-mouth pork belly braised in soy sauce, sugar, and Shaoxing wine — Shanghai's signature home-style dish. Sweet, rich, and addictive.
Price: ¥50–80 per portion
🚇 Getting Around
Metro: One of the world’s largest metro systems — clean, fast, and cheap (¥3–9). Use Alipay — open the app → Transport (出行) → Metro (地铁) → select Shanghai → scan QR at gates. Covers everything.
Maglev: The airport maglev train hits 431 km/h — the fastest commercial train in the world. PVG to Longyang Road in 8 minutes (¥50 one-way). Then transfer to metro.
Walking: The French Concession, Bund, and Nanjing Road areas are very walkable. Other areas — use metro or DiDi.
Shanghai’s metro is the most foreigner-friendly in China — many signs are in English, and announcements are bilingual. If you only use one metro system in China, make it this one.
For detailed transport guides, see Transport & Getting Around.
💡 Insider Tips
Skip the Oriental Pearl Tower
The Shanghai Tower observation deck is higher, newer, and has better views for the same price.
Eat xiaolongbao for breakfast
Jia Jia Tang Bao opens at 9 AM and the line grows fast. Get there early.
Shanghai is China's most international city
English is more widely spoken here than anywhere else in China. You'll still need translation apps, but you'll struggle less.
Summer in Shanghai is brutal
July–August brings 35°C+ heat and 90% humidity. If you visit then, plan indoor activities during midday.
Take the Maglev from the airport
It's ¥50 for an 8-minute ride at 431 km/h — a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Then transfer to metro at Longyang Road. Cheaper and faster than a taxi.