The Bund
Historic riverfront buildings facing Pudong's towers across the Huangpu.
- 1–2 hours
- No booking
Our takeSpend time looking across the river and back at the historic façades, rather than chasing only the skyline.
Shanghai 上海
A large riverside city with skyscrapers, historic streets, museums and shopping.
Shanghai guide · October 2026 edition PDF · 7 pages · 0.9 MBThe 8 places most first visits are built on
Yu Garden
Rocks, water and pavilions inside Shanghai's old city.
- 1–2 hours
- No booking
Our takeVisit the garden first for its rocks, water and pavilions, then browse the surrounding streets.
Oriental Pearl Tower
The spherical tower anchoring Pudong's skyline.
- 1–2 hours
- No booking
Our takeLook at the surrounding towers from nearby too; the skyline feels different at ground level.
Shanghai Museum East
A substantial collection of ancient Chinese art in Pudong.
- Half a day
- No booking
- Closed Tue
Our takePick two themes, such as bronzes and ceramics, instead of trying to cover the whole building.
Wukang Road
Tree-lined streets, historic villas and lanes around Wukang Mansion.
- 2–3 hours
- No booking
Our takeLet leafy side streets set the pace, with a café stop. Lane houses are homes: admire from the street.
Xintiandi
Shikumen-style lanes reused for restaurants, terraces and shops.
- 1–2 hours
- No booking
Our takeCome for the old housing forms and their modern reuse; make one terrace or shop your stopping point.
Shanghai Museum: People's Square
The museum's central-city building, with exhibitions distinct from its East branch.
- 2–3 hours
- Book ahead
Our takeUse the East branch for Chinese bronzes and ceramics; pick this branch for the exhibition you want.
Zhujiajiao Water Town
Bridges and waterside streets away from central Shanghai.
- No booking
Our takeLeave time to sit by the water; a boat is optional, not the condition for a worthwhile town visit.
Things to do
Thing to doSee Shanghai from the tower’s 118th floor
Thing to doGive Shanghai Disneyland a day of its own
2 hoursSee Shanghai’s skyline on a short Huangpu River cruise
1.5–2 hoursEnd a Bund walk with old Shanghai jazz
1–2 hoursSee the working river behind the skyline
Thing to doERA 2 at Shanghai Circus World
4–5 hoursZhujiajiao: canals, stone bridges and a boat ride
8 hoursSuzhou gardens and canals by high-speed train
9 hoursWuzhen East and West in one day
Ways to spend your days
In ShanghaiOnly this city
Shanghai + moreItineraries that include Shanghai
Beijing → ShanghaiBeijing and Shanghai in a weekShanghai → Hangzhou → SuzhouRiver lights, tea hills and Suzhou canalsBeijing → Xi’an → ShanghaiPalaces to Shanghai’s skyline in ten daysBeijing → Xi’an → Guilin & Yangshuo → ShanghaiPalaces, warriors and river country in thirteen daysBeijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Chongqing → ShanghaiTwo weeks west: palaces, pandas and Chongqing nightsBeijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → ShanghaiPalaces, pandas and Shanghai in two weeksBeijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Guilin & Yangshuo → ShanghaiThe grand loop: palaces, pandas and the Li River
4 areas, 4 different trips
People's Square / Nanjing Road
Metro: People's Square 1 · 2 · 8
Short first visits with mixed interests and easy metro connections
- Central metro connections
- Nanjing Road shopping
- Flexible access to several districts
Trade-off: Busy streets and crowds; ask for a quiet room.
Jing'an Temple
Metro: Jing'an Temple 2 · 7 · 14
Central hotels, shopping and restaurants
- Established hotels
- Malls and restaurants
- Metro access across the city
Trade-off: Main roads are busy; the Bund is a separate outing. Pick a hotel close to Jing’an Temple station.
Hengshan Road / Xuhui
Metro: Hengshan Road 1
Tree-lined walks, cafés and historic houses
- Tree-lined streets
- Cafés and small shops
- Historic residential streets
Trade-off: Less convenient for Bund-focused days. Older buildings can mean stairs and street noise, so check for a lift.
The Bund / East Nanjing Road
Metro: East Nanjing Road 2 · 10
River views and classic Shanghai evenings
- Historic waterfront buildings
- Skyline views across the river
- Evening riverside walks
Trade-off: Pay more for the setting; river views depend on the room, and streets get crowded.
Our takeOne check before you book: Choose the area for your evenings, then the hotel for its metro walk and departure route; 'Bund' or 'French Concession' labels can cover a wide area.
Landing in Shanghai, and moving around
Maglev to Longyang Road, then Metro Line 2: compare the full hotel route with direct Line 2; maglev single ¥50 (economy).
Metro Line 2 all the way: about ¥7, slow but direct to People’s Square and East Nanjing Road. Mind the walk with luggage from your exit.
Taxi to People’s Square: about 50 minutes, about ¥180. Follow the airport’s current taxi signs to the rank.
Arriving late? A taxi takes you straight to the hotel; the night bus is an alternative with a final hotel leg. Allow for immigration and baggage after landing, and arrange late check-in.
T1 uses Metro Line 10; T2 has Lines 2 and 10; the railway hub also has Line 17. From 8 Oct 2026, T1–Line 10 uses the temporary corridor via Exit 1 on Konggang First Road; the old Exit 3 corridor is closed. Check current signs; the notice gives no end date. Taxi to the centre about 30 minutes, ¥100–150.
Airport Link Line: about 40 minutes from Pudong T1/T2 station to Hongqiao T2 station, full fare ¥26. Add terminal walks, waiting and flight procedures; T1 needs another connection.
- Tap an eligible contactless UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex or JCB card at metro gates, with small no-PIN payments enabled. For buses and ferries, use a Shanghai integrated transport code (such as Suishenxing / 随申行) or an accepted prepaid transport card.
- Transit QR not working? Every station service centre sells tickets by foreign card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Diners, Discover).
- Metro day passes: 1 day ¥18, 3 days ¥45; Maglev + 1-day Metro ¥55 single / ¥85 return. These cover their named networks, not the Airport Link Line; ordinary Metro passes also exclude the Maglev.
Our takeOne move after you land: keep your hotel's address in Chinese to show the driver. Make an address card →
Shanghai practical card →Best: Apr–May · Oct–Nov
Spring and autumn are milder for city walks, with less summer heat and humidity.
Jan8°2°26% wet
Feb10°4°29% wet
Mar14°7°35% wet
Apr20°12°30% wet
May25°18°30% wet
Jun28°22°44% wet
Jul32°26°39% wet
Aug32°26°40% wet
Sep28°22°32% wet
Oct23°16°20% wet
Nov17°11°25% wet
Dec11°5°20% wet
Typical daytime high, night low and share of wet days (1991–2020 averages, not a forecast). Golden Week (1–7 Oct 2026): expect crowds; check the official dates for other years.
Coming up in Shanghai
No published sessions in the next weeks. Ask what fits your dates.
Shanghai questions travellers ask
Should I stay near People’s Square, the Bund or the former French Concession?How do I transfer between Pudong and Hongqiao airports?What should I try for a first local breakfast in Shanghai?What is a good low-budget rainy evening in Shanghai?Is Suzhou worth a day trip from Shanghai?How can I choose a Shanghai day that feels different from skyline sightseeing?Which Shanghai water town fits a short break, a first visit or an art interest?
Plan your Shanghai days with us.
Ask anything about your trip, keep what you like in your Trip, and we’ll keep an eye on it until you’re home.