CITY GUIDE
Shanghai
Discover Shanghai, explore the places worth seeing and build a route that matches your travel time.
16 September
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Humidity 63%
ABOUT THE CITY
Get to know Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the destinations worth exploring in China. Its neighbourhoods, local culture, architecture and everyday rhythm make it a city best understood beyond a simple checklist of landmarks.
Use this guide to understand the city's basic geography, decide how much time to spend and create a more efficient itinerary.
Discovery Map
Places to visit in Shanghai
Explore the city's notable historic places, museums and tourist attractions.
Shanghai stands as a breathtaking testament to China's rapid modernization, seamlessly blending futuristic skyscrapers with remnants of its colonial past. As a global financial hub and cultural melting pot, the city offers an electric atmosphere where neon-lit towers overlook the historic waters of the Huangpu River. Visitors wandering through the labyrinthine alleyways of the old town or strolling along the majestic Bund will find a dynamic metropolis that never stops reinventing itself, yet fiercely preserves its unique heritage. Beneath the towering heights of the Lujiazui financial district lies a city deeply rooted in Jiangnan culture, characterized by classical gardens, bustling wet markets, and a distinctive local dialect. Shanghai invites travelers to immerse themselves in a world-class culinary scene, cutting-edge art galleries, and a relentless pace of daily life that captivates every visitor. Whether you are exploring French Concession plane trees shading historic lane houses or shopping in ultra-modern boutiques, Shanghai delivers an unforgettable urban experience.
How should you explore the city?
Sightseeing in Shanghai is a journey across centuries, contrasting the opulent colonial architecture of the early 20th century with the hyper-modern marvels of the 21st century. Must-see sights include the historic waterfront promenade known as the Bund, the panoramic observation decks piercing the clouds in Pudong, and the tranquil classical landscapes of Yu Garden. Exploring the city effectively means balancing these monumental landmarks with leisurely walks through the historic residential lanes, known locally as lilong or shikumen, which offer a glimpse into traditional Shanghainese community life.
Best Time to Visit Shanghai
The ideal times to visit Shanghai are during the spring months from April to May and the autumn months from September to November, when the weather is mild, pleasant, and conducive to extensive walking. Summers can be intensely hot and humid, accompanied by occasional typhoon rains, while winters are damp and chilly with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing despite rare snowfall. Shoulder seasons also allow travelers to experience major cultural events and garden blooms with comfortable outdoor conditions.
Getting Around Shanghai
Shanghai boasts one of the most efficient, clean, and extensive metro networks in the world, making it exceptionally easy to navigate for independent travelers. Signage is bilingual in Chinese and English, and contactless transit cards or mobile payment apps streamline daily commutes across the city's sprawling districts. Additionally, an extensive fleet of metered taxis and ride-hailing services provide convenient door-to-door transportation, while walking remains the best way to explore dense historic areas like the French Concession.
Where to Stay and Neighborhood Strategy
Choosing where to stay in Shanghai depends entirely on the kind of atmosphere you prefer, as different districts offer vastly distinct experiences. The former French Concession charms visitors with leafy residential avenues, boutique cafes, and European-style architecture, making it ideal for leisurely explorers. For first-time visitors wanting iconic skyline views and high-end shopping, staying near the Bund, People's Square, or across the river in Pudong places you right at the pulsing heart of the city's modern expansion.
LOCAL FOOD
What to eat in Shanghai
Shanghainese cuisine, traditionally known as Benbang cuisine, is celebrated for its delicate balance of sweet, savory, and rich flavors, often utilizing soy sauce, vinegar, and Shaoxing wine. The city is a paradise for food lovers, famous worldwide for its exquisite dim sum, especially soup dumplings that require a careful technique to eat without burning your tongue. From upscale dining rooms serving centuries-old recipes to bustling street-side stalls offering comforting noodle soups and pan-fried buns, Shanghai's food culture reflects its status as a sophisticated coastal trading port.
Xiao Long Bao
Delicate steamed soup dumplings filled with savory pork and rich broth, traditionally served hot with a splash of black vinegar and shredded ginger. These iconic parcels require careful handling to release and savor the flavorful interior soup before eating.
Sheng Jian Bao
Pan-fried pork buns featuring a crispy bottom crust, a fluffy upper dough, and a hot, savory broth inside garnished with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. They are a beloved local breakfast and street food staple across the city.
Hong Shao Rou
Traditional Shanghainese red-braised pork belly cooked slowly in a fragrant mixture of soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and spices until melt-in-your-mouth tender. The dish is famous for its glossy appearance and deep, caramelized flavor profile.
Cong You Ban Mian
Simple yet deeply flavorful scallion oil noodles tossed in a rich, sweet-and-savory soy sauce infused with fried green onion aromatics. It represents comfort food at its finest in local noodle houses throughout the metropolis.
Hairy Crab
A seasonal delicacy highly prized by locals in autumn, featuring freshwater crabs steamed with perilla leaves and enjoyed for their rich, buttery roe. They are typically dipped in a simple mixture of ginger and vinegar to cut the richness.
Ci Fan Gao
Crispy fried rice cakes made from compressed glutinous rice, offering a crunchy exterior and a chewy interior texture. This popular morning street snack is often enjoyed hot on the go.
FIRST VISIT
Useful things to know before you go
- 01
Download a reliable translation app and a digital mapping tool that functions well within local networks.
- 02
Familiarize yourself with cashless payment ecosystems, as WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used for almost all transactions.
- 03
Always carry the address of your hotel written in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers who may not read English.
- 04
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as exploring the expansive metro stations and historic neighborhoods involves a significant amount of daily steps.
- 05
Be cautious when crossing streets, as electric scooters and bicycles often move quietly and swiftly through traffic.
- 06
Politely decline unofficial tour guides or tea-house invitation scams frequently targeted at tourists in major sightseeing zones.
FAQ
Shanghai travel questions
Do I need a visa to visit Shanghai?+
Many international travelers can take advantage of China's transit-without-visa policies for short stays, though standard tourist visas must be obtained in advance depending on your nationality and itinerary.
Is English widely spoken in Shanghai?+
While English is commonly understood in major international hotels, high-end restaurants, and tourist attractions, it is less prevalent in local neighborhood markets and taxi drivers, making translation apps very useful.
What is the best way to pay for things in Shanghai?+
Cash and international credit cards are accepted in major establishments, but digital payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant and most convenient methods for daily transactions.
How many days should I spend in Shanghai?+
A stay of three to four days is generally ideal to explore the major historical landmarks, sample the diverse culinary scene, and experience the modern neighborhoods at a comfortable pace.
Is Shanghai a safe city for travelers?+
Shanghai is widely regarded as one of the safest major metropolitan areas in the world for travelers, with very low rates of violent crime and highly secure public spaces.
Can I drink tap water in Shanghai?+
Tap water in Shanghai is not potable and must be boiled, filtered, or substituted with bottled or boiled water provided in hotels and restaurants.
CITY EXPERIENCE
What to do in the city?
A city becomes more memorable when you combine major sights with local neighbourhoods and everyday experiences.
Discover the historic core
Start with the areas that explain the city's history, architecture and cultural identity.
Explore local neighbourhoods
Move beyond the main landmarks and spend time in residential streets, markets and local districts.
Taste the local food scene
Use markets, traditional restaurants and street-food areas to understand the city's everyday culture.
See the city after dark
Evening walks, illuminated landmarks and lively neighbourhoods can reveal a completely different side of the city.
HOW MANY DAYS?
Plan your time in Shanghai
Choose the amount of time you have and use the suggested rhythm as a starting point for your itinerary.
SUGGESTED PACE
Balanced itinerary
Cover the classic route on day one, then explore local neighbourhoods, markets and food spots.
BUILD YOUR JOURNEY
Start planning your Shanghai route
Choose your starting point, add the places you want to visit and shape the route around the time you have.
Open Route Planner