East China · Shànghǎi

Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai is China's most international city and the easiest place in the country to feel instantly comfortable: a world-class skyline, a food scene that runs late, the best hotel stock in China, and a metro that makes everything simple. It pairs perfectly with the garden cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou, which makes it the natural anchor for a polished, low-stress first trip.

The verdict

Shanghai is the best single-city trip for a short, comfortable, food-driven stay. Three nights is the right length.

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Shanghai

The Bund skyline and the Shanghai Tower observation deck

Quick facts

Shanghai at a glance.

Region

East China

Best months

Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Suggested stay

3 days

Daily budget

$70-130

Travel style

modern, food, photography

Top attraction

The Bund skyline and the Shanghai Tower observation deck

Rail access

Direct links to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Beijing

Best for

Travelers who want a polished city break with strong food and design.

Why visit

What makes Shanghai worth the trip.

Shanghai is the most international-feeling city in China, with the best hotel stock, easiest metro, and a food scene that stays open late. It pairs perfectly with nearby water towns.

Best for: Travelers who want a polished city break with strong food and design.

Skip Shanghai if: You want deep ancient history or dramatic nature rather than a modern metropolis.

Season guide

When to go.

The sweet spots are March-May and October-November: 15-25°C, low humidity, and clear light on the Bund. June-July is plum-rain season — grey skies and steady drizzle — while August is hot, humid, and occasionally hit by typhoons (flights can be delayed). Winter (December-February) is damp and chilly, but indoor attractions, food halls, and the shopping streets stay busy, and hotel prices drop.

Sweet spot

Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Budget

What Shanghai costs per day.

A mid-range day in Shanghai runs $70-130 per person: $50-80 for a good hotel, $15-30 for meals, $10-15 for attractions, and $3-5 for the metro. The Shanghai Tower observation deck is the single biggest ticket at about $30. Budget travelers can stay near $50 by using hostels, eating at food halls, and skipping paid decks — the Bund skyline is free.

Mid-range day

$70-130

Suggested stay

3 days

Getting there

Arriving in Shanghai.

Shanghai has two airports: Pudong (PVG), the main international gateway, and Hongqiao (SHA), which is closer to the city and handles many domestic routes. The maglev train covers Pudong to the city in about 8 minutes. For rail, Hongqiao station is the hub: about 30 minutes to Suzhou, 45-60 minutes to Hangzhou, and 4.5-5 hours to Beijing. The metro is excellent and cheap (about $1 per ride); most sights sit within 30 minutes of each other.

Rail links

Direct links to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Beijing

Getting around: The metro is the fastest way around and runs until late. Taxis and ride-hailing are cheap; walking the French Concession is the best part.

Top attractions

The sights you came for.

The Bund

A riverside promenade with the colonial skyline on one side and Pudong towers on the other.

Shanghai Tower

China’s tallest building; the floor-118 observation deck has the best city view.

Yu Garden

A Ming-dynasty garden in the old town, surrounded by a lively bazaar.

Former French Concession

Tree-lined streets with boutiques, cafes, and Art Deco villas.

Nanjing Road

The main shopping street, best after dark when the neon is on.

Tianzifang

A maze of narrow lanes packed with studios and snack stalls.

Day by day

A realistic 3-day plan.

Paced so you see the headline sights without rushing. Times are estimates; book the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army slots ahead.

Day 1

Day 1: The Bund and Nanjing Road, then across the river to Lujiazui for the night skyline.

Day 2

Day 2: Yu Garden in the morning, the French Concession and Tianzifang in the afternoon.

Day 3

Day 3: Shanghai Tower observation deck, then a 30-minute train to Suzhou or Hangzhou.

Where to stay

The Bund for the view, the French Concession for atmosphere, or Jing’an for convenience and metro access.

What to eat

Soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) at a Nanxiang outlet, pan-fried shengjian bao, and scallion oil noodles. Late-night street food is everywhere.

Food highlights

Soup dumplings, scallion oil noodles, shengjian bao

Quick answers

Shanghai FAQs.

The questions travelers ask about Shanghai most, answered straight.

What is the best way to see the Shanghai skyline?

For the classic view, walk the Bund promenade at sunset, then take a river cruise at night. For a high view, the Shanghai Tower floor-118 observation deck (about $30) is the best in the city — book a slot before sunset. The free alternative is the rooftop of the former Union Building near the Bund, a local favorite.

Is Shanghai expensive for tourists?

Shanghai is the most expensive city in mainland China, but it is still cheaper than most Western capitals: $70-130 per day covers a mid-range hotel, three meals, and attractions. Street food and food halls keep eating costs low, and the metro makes transport nearly free. Hong Kong is the only Chinese city that costs more.

What are the best day trips from Shanghai?

Suzhou is the best day trip — 30 minutes by high-speed rail for classical gardens and canal streets. Hangzhou needs a full day (45-60 minutes by train) for West Lake and tea villages. For a water town closer to the city, Zhujiajiao is about 1.5 hours away. All three make a natural second stop on a longer itinerary.

Where should I stay in Shanghai?

The Bund for the skyline view, the Former French Concession for atmosphere and cafes, or Jing'an for metro convenience and shopping. For first-timers, the French Concession is the most enjoyable base: quiet streets by day, great restaurants by night, and never more than 20 minutes by metro from the main sights.

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