Shanghai Travel Guide: Route, Stay, Costs
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-21 · Research basis: First-hand visit — photographed on location by the site owner
At a glance
China's most global city: the Bund skyline, French Concession lanes, day trips to water towns, and the easiest city in China for first-time visitors.
Suggested stay: 2-4 days · Airports: PVG (Pudong) / SHA (Hongqiao) · Train hubs: Shanghai Hongqiao (aviation+rail combined hub)
What is Shanghai known for?
- The Bund
- Yu Garden
What do you eat in Shanghai?
xiaolongbao · benbang cuisine. Benbang cuisine and xiaolongbao beside the Bund.
How do you arrive in Shanghai?
PVG (Pudong) and SHA (Hongqiao) handle the international arrivals; Shanghai Hongqiao (aviation+rail combined hub) is the high-speed rail entry point.
Where should you stay in Shanghai?
People's Square / Nanjing Road is the default first-timer base — first-timers — Lines 1/2/8 intersect, everything walkable. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Shanghai →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| People's Square / Nanjing Road | first-timers — Lines 1/2/8 intersect, everything walkable | the default base; river-view rooms book out early |
| The Bund | skyline views and luxury stays | price premium; Pudong airport is 45-60 min away |
| Former French Concession | leafy streets, cafes, boutique hotels | less metro-dense; best for slow city breaks |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-21 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
PVG: Maglev to Longyang Road in 8 min (every 15-20 min, last departure late evening) or the Airport Link Line; Metro Line 2 is the budget crawl. SHA: Lines 2/10 direct, about 30 min. The late-night DiDi queue at PVG runs long - allow for it.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 Bund vs Pudong views
- 🔍 The 3-day Shanghai itinerary
- 🔍 Shanghai street food guide
- 🔍 Snacks to start with
- 🔍 Getting around Shanghai
Explore the Shanghai guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.
Which cities pair with Shanghai?
Frequently asked questions about Shanghai
- How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Two to three for the city itself, plus easy day trips: Suzhou is 25 minutes away by high-speed rail and Hangzhou 45–60 minutes. - What is the best free skyline view in Shanghai?
The ¥2 (about $0.30) public ferry from Jinling East Road Pier — it beats any sightseeing cruise, and the Bund side is free all evening. - Is Yu Garden worth visiting?
Yes, at ¥40 (about $6). Go on a weekday morning; the lantern festivals draw heavy crowds. - Do I need cash in Shanghai?
No. Alipay and WeChat Pay work essentially everywhere once set up before you land — see our payments guide. - Which airport should I fly into?
Pudong (PVG) handles most international arrivals. Check which airport your ticket uses before booking hotels — they are far apart.