Shanghai 上海
Skyline, the Bund and a base for water towns
Good forModern city, Food, Nightlife, Culture, Easy first trip
Suggested stay3–4 days
Best timeApril–May and October–November
China's largest city and main financial centre. Visitors come for the Bund waterfront, 1920s–30s architecture, museums and food. It is the easiest entry point for first-timers and a hub for Suzhou, Hangzhou and water towns.
Highlights
- The Bund — colonial-era riverfront, best in the evening
- Lujiazui towers, including the Shanghai Tower observation deck
- Former French Concession — tree-lined streets, cafés and old villas
- Yu Garden and the surrounding old-town bazaar
- Shanghai Museum (People's Square and East branch) — reserve online
- Day trip to a water town such as Zhujiajiao or Zhouzhuang
Food to try
- Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
- Shengjianbao (pan-fried buns)
- Hairy crab (autumn)
- Hongshao rou (red-braised pork)
Getting there
Pudong (PVG) for most international flights, Hongqiao (SHA) for domestic. About 4.5 hours by fastest high-speed train from Beijing; about 45 minutes to Hangzhou and 30 minutes to Suzhou.
Train times are typical; check current timetables on 12306 or Trip.com.
When to go
Best: April–May and October–November. Avoid or plan for: June–early July plum-rain season; hot, humid July–August; Golden Week crowds on the Bund.
Good to know
- Hongqiao airport and Hongqiao railway station are connected; Pudong is about 1 hour from the centre by metro or Maglev plus metro.
- The metro covers almost everything a visitor needs, with English signage.
Visa notes
- Visa-free entry: citizens of 79 countries can visit China for up to 30 days or more without a visa. Check your passport →
- 240-hour transit: Shanghai is inside the area you may visit on China's 240-hour visa-free transit (for 57 nationalities, flying on to a third country).