Travel Guide
上海
Where Art Deco waterfronts face a hyper-modern skyline, and century-old longtang alleys unfold behind every glassy facade.
Where to go
The Bund
外滩 · Wàitān
Shanghai's grand waterfront promenade, lined with 52 Art Deco and neoclassical buildings from the 1920s–40s. Across the Huangpu River, Pudong's towers create one of the world's most dramatic urban contrasts. Best experienced at dusk.
French Concession
法租界 · Fǎ Zūjiè
Plane-tree lined boulevards, Art Deco villas, independent cafes, and boutique shops. Tianzifang is a maze of converted 1930s longtang (lane houses) packed with art galleries and street food. The most pleasant neighborhood to wander.
Old Town · Yu Garden
豫园 · Yùyuán
The Yu Garden, built in 1559, is a classical Chinese garden with rockeries, pavilions, and koi ponds. The surrounding bazaar is touristy but lively — good for xiaolongbao and souvenirs. Go on a weekday morning to beat the crowds.
Pudong
浦东 · Pǔdōng
The futuristic east bank — Shanghai Tower (632m, world's 2nd tallest), the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and the Jin Mao Tower. The observation decks give the full skyline panorama. By day, it's a financial district; by night, a light show.
What to eat
Xiaolongbao · Soup dumplings (小笼包)
The city's signature dish — thin-skinned pork dumplings filled with molten broth. The technique: bite a small hole in the side, sip the soup first, then eat the rest. Nanxiang Mantou Dian near Yu Garden is the classic address; Din Tai Fung is the reliable chain.
Shengjianbao · Pan-fried buns (生煎包)
Bao with crispy, sesame-dotted bottoms and a juicy pork filling — cooked in large flat-bottomed pans. A breakfast staple. Yang's Fry-Dumpling (小杨生煎) is the most famous chain. Eat immediately while the bottom is still crackling.
Scallion oil noodles (葱油拌面)
Deceptively simple: wheat noodles tossed in scallion-infused oil and soy sauce. The depth comes from slow-frying the scallions until they caramelize. Available at almost every local breakfast spot for around ¥10.
Hairy crab (大闸蟹)
Only available October–December. Freshwater crabs from Yangcheng Lake, steamed simply and eaten with black vinegar and ginger. A serious ritual in Shanghai — locals book restaurants weeks ahead. Don't miss the roe if visiting in season.
Cocktail bars & nightlife
Shanghai has one of Asia's finest cocktail scenes. Bar Constellation (French Concession) is an institution. The Nest on the Bund for skyline-view drinking. Yongkang Lu is the street for casual outdoor beers — local crowd, low prices, no fuss.
When to visit
Spring
Mar – May
Best time. Warm, blooming, mild rain. 12–22°C.
Summer
Jun – Aug
Hot, humid, and typhoon-prone. 28–36°C. Avoid if possible.
Autumn
Sep – Nov
Best time. Crisp, clear skies, crab season. 12–24°C.
Winter
Dec – Feb
Cold and damp. Fewer crowds, lower prices. 3–10°C.
Shanghai sits at 31°N — the latitude of New Orleans. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots. Golden Week (Oct 1–7) and Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) see massive domestic travel crowds — book ahead or avoid entirely.
Getting around
20 lines covering the whole city. Cheap (¥3–10 per ride), clean, and runs until midnight. Buy a transit card (交通卡) at any station — faster than individual tickets.
China's Uber equivalent. English app interface, but most drivers don't speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese — screenshot it from Maps before you go.
The world's fastest commercial train (431 km/h) connects Pudong Airport to Longyang Rd station in 8 minutes flat. An experience worth doing once. ¥50 one-way.
For most travelers, metro + DiDi handles everything. Taxis still exist but are harder to hail and require cash. Rental cars are impractical — you need a Chinese driver's license.
Before you go
Install a VPN before landing
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western services are blocked by the Great Firewall. You cannot easily download a VPN once you're inside China. Set one up on all your devices before you leave home — this is non-negotiable.
Set up Alipay for foreigners
WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. Since 2023, foreigners can add international Visa/Mastercard to Alipay's International Edition. Set this up before your trip — many small vendors and street food stalls don't accept cash or foreign cards.
Download offline translation
Google Translate's camera mode — point at a menu, get instant translation — is indispensable. Download the Chinese language pack while on Wi-Fi before you're relying on it. English signage is common in tourist areas and on the metro.
Passport registration
Hotels register you automatically at check-in. If staying with friends or using a private rental, you're legally required to register at the local police station (派出所) within 24 hours. Easy process — takes about 10 minutes.
Visa requirements
Most Western passport holders now qualify for China's 144-hour transit visa-free policy if transiting through Shanghai Pudong. For longer stays, apply for a tourist (L) visa at a Chinese consulate before departure. Check current requirements — policies change.
Air quality & health
Shanghai's air quality (AQI) is better than inland cities but can spike in winter. Check a real-time AQI app. Tap water is not safe to drink — bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Travel insurance that covers medical is strongly recommended.