Shanghai Travel Guide
Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan city, where colonial-era architecture along the Bund meets the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
Featured Tour in Shanghai
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Shanghai is China's largest city and its financial hub. Once a small fishing village, it grew into one of Asia's most important ports under colonial influence. Today, it's a dazzling metropolis where East meets West, with world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Why Visit Shanghai?
Top Attractions in Shanghai
The Bund
A waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River, lined with 52 colonial-era buildings offering stunning views of Pudong's skyline.
Yu Garden
A classical Chinese garden dating to the Ming dynasty, surrounded by traditional shops and the famous Huxinting Teahouse.
Shanghai Tower
China's tallest building at 632m, with an observation deck offering panoramic views of the entire city.
Nanjing Road
One of the world's busiest shopping streets, stretching from the Bund to People's Square.
Zhujiajiao Water Town
A 1,700-year-old water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, with stone bridges, canals, and traditional houses.
Shanghai Museum
A world-class museum housing over 120,000 Chinese artifacts, including ancient bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy.
Day Trips in Shanghai
View All →Local Food in Shanghai
Shanghai at a Glance
- Country
- China (People's Republic of China)
- Best time to visit
- October-November and April-May. Avoid July-August due to extreme heat and humidity. Spring brings blooming flowers.
- Getting there
- Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport serve Shanghai. The city has the world's longest metro network and high-speed rail to all major cities.
- Top highlights
- The Bund, Modern Skyline, Yu Garden
- Local cuisine
- Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings), Shengjianbao (Pan-Fried Buns), Red-Cooked Pork
Getting Around Shanghai
Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport serve Shanghai. The city has the world's longest metro network and high-speed rail to all major cities.
Travel Tips for Shanghai
- Visit the Bund at night for skyline views
- Book Shanghai Tower tickets online
- Try xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung
- Explore French Concession by foot
- Day trip to Zhujiajiao water town
Shanghai Travel Guide
Shanghai Itinerary Planning
Shanghai deserves 3-4 days for a comprehensive visit. Day 1: The Bund morning walk, Yu Garden and City God Temple bazaar, Nanjing Road shopping, and Bund night view. Day 2: Shanghai Museum, People's Square, Xintiandi and the site of the First CPC Congress, French Concession walking tour. Day 3: Pudong — Shanghai Tower or World Financial Center observation deck, Lujiazui waterfront, and an evening Huangpu River cruise. Day 4: Day trip to Zhujiajiao water town (1 hour by subway) or Suzhou (30 minutes by high-speed rail). For art lovers, replace Day 2 with the Power Station of Art and M50 creative park.
The Bund: Best Views and Photo Spots
The Bund is Shanghai's iconic waterfront, showcasing 52 colonial-era buildings facing the futuristic Pudong skyline. The best time to visit is at sunset when the buildings light up (approximately 6-7pm depending on season). Walk south to north from Jinling Road Ferry to Waibaidu Bridge. For the classic Pudong skyline photo, stand at the northern end near the Garden Bridge. For a unique perspective, take the Huangpu River ferry (2 RMB) from Jinling Road to Dongchang Road, which offers a water-level view of both skylines. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is a light-show tunnel connecting the Bund to Pudong — more of a novelty than a transport solution. For the highest view, the Shanghai Tower observation deck at 561m offers the ultimate panorama.
Exploring the French Concession
The former French Concession is Shanghai's most charming neighborhood, a leafy district of plane-tree-lined streets, Art Deco villas, and trendy boutiques. Start at Xintiandi, a restored shikumen (stone gate house) complex turned into a dining and entertainment hub. Walk along Taicang Road and Madang Road for boutique shopping. Fuxing Park offers a peaceful morning stroll with locals practicing tai chi. The Sun Yat-sen Former Residence and the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC are key historical sites. For nightlife, head to Found 158 (an underground bunker turned bar complex) or the bars along Yongkang Road. The area is best explored on foot or by bicycle.
Shanghai Food Guide
Shanghai cuisine (Benbang cai) is characterized by sweet, savory flavors and fresh seafood. Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are the city's signature dish — try them at Din Tai Fung (premium) or Jia Jia Tang Bao (budget, near Yu Garden). Shengjianbao (pan-fried buns with soup inside) at Yang's Dumplings are a must-try street snack. For a proper Shanghai meal, order hongshao rou (red-braised pork belly), sweet and sour spare ribs, and scallion oil noodles. Hairy crab (October-December) is a seasonal delicacy. For the best xiaolongbao experience, visit Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant at Yu Garden, which has been serving them since 1900. Avoid tourist-trap restaurants on Nanjing Road; seek out local eateries in the French Concession or old city areas.
Day Trips from Shanghai
Shanghai is an excellent base for exploring the Yangtze River Delta. Zhujiajiao, a 1,700-year-old water town, is 1 hour by subway (Line 17) and offers stone bridges, canals, and traditional houses — perfect for a half-day trip. Suzhou, 30 minutes by high-speed rail, is famous for classical gardens (Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden) and silk. Hangzhou, 1 hour by rail, offers West Lake and tea plantations. For a longer day trip, take the high-speed train to Nanjing (1.5 hours) to see the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming City Wall. Water towns like Tongli and Zhouzhuang are also accessible by bus or organized tour. Book high-speed rail tickets via 12306.cn in advance, especially on weekends.
Getting to Shanghai
By Air
Shanghai has two airports: Pudong International Airport (PVG, 40km east) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA, 13km west). PVG handles most international flights and some domestic; SHA handles primarily domestic flights and short-haul international. PVG is connected to the city by Maglev train (8 minutes to Longyang Road, 50 RMB), Metro Line 2 (60-90 minutes, 7 RMB), and airport buses. Hongqiao is connected via Metro Lines 2 and 10, and shares a station with the Hongqiao Railway Station for seamless high-speed rail connections. Taxi from PVG to city center costs approximately 150-200 RMB.
By Train
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is the primary high-speed rail hub, with trains to Beijing (4.5-6h), Hangzhou (1h), Nanjing (1.5h), Suzhou (30min), and all major Chinese cities. Shanghai Railway Station (central) serves both high-speed and conventional trains. Book via 12306.cn up to 15 days ahead. The Hongqiao station is massive — arrive 45 minutes early to navigate. Metro Lines 2, 10, and 17 connect directly to the station. For Hangzhou and Suzhou day trips, trains run every 10-15 minutes, making spontaneous trips easy.
By Bus
Long-distance buses connect Shanghai to nearby water towns and cities. Buses to Zhujiajiao depart from Puji Road Bus Station (1 hour). Buses to Zhouzhuang and Tongli water towns depart from Shanghai Stadium Tourism Center. Night buses to Beijing, Xi'an, and other distant cities are available but not recommended over high-speed rail. The Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou expressways make driving feasible, but traffic can be heavy. Car rental is available at both airports with an international driving permit.
Local Transport
Shanghai has the world's longest metro network with 19+ lines covering the entire city and suburbs. Fares are 3-15 RMB depending on distance. The metro operates 5:30am-11pm. Taxis start at 14 RMB (day) for the first 3km. Didi ride-hailing has English app support. The Shanghai Public Transport Card (SPTC) works on metro, buses, taxis, and ferries, available at any metro station. For the Bund area, walking is best. The Huangpu River ferry (2 RMB) connects the Bund to Pudong. Bicycle sharing (Meituan, Hello) is ideal for the French Concession. Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) on the metro.
Plan Your Trip to Shanghai
If you are planning a trip to Shanghai, please feel free to email us for a more precise itinerary. We can customize the tour route and activities according to your specific requirements.
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Quick Info
Best Time to Visit
October-November and April-May. Avoid July-August due to extreme heat and humidity. Spring brings blooming flowers.
Getting There
Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport serve Shanghai. The city has the world's longest metro network and high-speed rail to all major cities.
Tours in Shanghai
Private tours with dedicated guide, driver & vehicle
Golden Triangle 10 Days - Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
Experience the essence of Chinese civilization, from ancient capitals to modern skylines
Shanghai & Surroundings 6 Days
Experience the best of eastern China, from Shanghai's skyline to Hangzhou's West Lake
Visa-Free Shanghai & Hangzhou 5 Days
Visa-free transit tour covering Shanghai's skyline and Hangzhou's West Lake
Shanghai Weekend Escape 3 Days
A quick Shanghai city break with the Bund, Yu Garden, and skyline views
Beijing & Shanghai Express 5 Days
China's two greatest cities in 5 days — imperial Beijing and cosmopolitan Shanghai
About Shanghai Travel
Shanghai is one of China's most popular travel destinations. As a professional Shanghai Travel Agency, QTour offers private Shanghai tours with dedicated guides, drivers, and vehicles. Our Shanghai travel packages cover The Bund, Modern Skyline, Yu Garden, and more. Whether you're planning a Shanghai city tour or combining Shanghai with other Chinese destinations, our expert team will create the perfect itinerary for you.
Book your Shanghai tour with QTour — a trusted Chinese travel agency with 25+ years of experience. One booking, one team: private guide, driver, and optional photographer. Contact us at info@qtour.net or WhatsApp.
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