City
Shanghai
China's glittering financial capital where East meets West spectacularly
Shanghai hits you like a neon-lit freight train. One minute you're sipping tea in a Ming Dynasty garden, the next you're 100 floors up watching the city pulse below. This is China's financial powerhouse where century-old shikumen houses share streets with glass towers that scrape the clouds. The Huangpu River cuts through it all, separating the colonial Bund from the space-age Pudong skyline. And the food? Every regional Chinese cuisine lives here, plus some of Asia's best international restaurants. Shanghai moves fast, spends big, and never sleeps.
Explore Neighborhoods
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Neighborhoods
5 destinations
The Bund puts you in the heart of colonial Shanghai, walking distance from the waterfront promenade and historic Peace Hotel. But hotels here cost ¥2,000+ per night. Jing'an District offers better value with excellent metro connections - try the area around Nanjing Road West where business hotels run ¥800-1,200. French Concession charms with tree-lined streets and boutique stays, though it's pricier than Jing'an. Avoid Hongqiao unless you're flying out early - it's all business parks and conference centers. Pudong works if you want those skyline views from your window, but you'll spend half your time crossing the river. Look, stay central. Shanghai's massive and traffic can be brutal.
Money-Saving Tips
- 1.Download Alipay or WeChat Pay before arriving - many places don't accept foreign cards
- 2.Eat at mall food courts for quality meals under ¥50 per person
- 3.Take metro instead of taxis - a cross-city ride costs ¥8 vs ¥80+ by car
- 4.Buy SIM card at airport for ¥100 to access ride-sharing apps and maps
- 5.Happy hour at hotel bars runs 5-7pm with 50% off cocktails
- 6.Street food vendors near office buildings offer lunch deals ¥15-25
- 7.Book museum tickets online in advance for 20-30% discounts
Travel Tips
- •Learn basic Mandarin phrases or download translation app - English isn't widely spoken
- •Carry tissue paper and hand sanitizer - public restrooms rarely stock them
- •Download VPN before arrival to access Google, Facebook, Instagram
- •Dress well for upscale restaurants and rooftop bars - they enforce dress codes
- •Keep hotel business card in Chinese for taxi drivers
- •Avoid rush hours 7-9am and 5-7pm when metro gets impossibly crowded
- •Bring comfortable walking shoes - you'll walk miles on marble floors in malls and stations
Frequently Asked Questions
Most visitors need a Chinese visa arranged in advance through a consulate. However, citizens of 53 countries can get a 144-hour (6-day) transit visa on arrival if flying through Shanghai to a third country. This free transit visa lets you explore Shanghai and nearby cities.
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