Shanghai Travel Guide
Where East meets West — futuristic skyline & timeless lanes
Must-See Attractions
The Bund
Iconic waterfront promenade — colonial-era buildings on one side, Pudong skyline on the other
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai's most recognizable landmark — observation decks with glass floors
Yu Garden
A 400-year-old Ming Dynasty garden — rockeries, pavilions, and koi ponds
Former French Concession
Tree-lined streets, Art Deco mansions, and trendy cafes — Shanghai's most charming neighborhood
Getting Around
Shanghai has China's most developed metro system. Here's how to navigate:
Metro
¥3-10 per ride. 19 lines covering the entire city. English signs and announcements everywhere.
Maglev Train
Pudong Airport → Longyang Road: ¥50, 8 minutes, 430 km/h. World's fastest commercial train.
DiDi
¥25-80 within city center. English interface. Taxi flagfall ¥14. Both accept Alipay/WeChat.
Huangpu River Ferry
Cross the river for ¥2. Best value skyline view! Runs every 10 minutes from The Bund to Lujiazui.
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods for first-time visitors:
Nanjing Road / People's Square
Central location. Walking distance to The Bund. Major shopping street. Metro hub (Line 1/2/8).
Jing'an Temple
Upscale area with great restaurants and bars. Jing'an Temple itself is a stunning landmark. Metro Line 2/7.
French Concession
Boutique hotels in heritage buildings. Quiet streets, tree canopy, best cafes. Most atmospheric option.
What to Eat
Shanghai's must-try dishes:
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
Steamed dumplings filled with hot broth. Nanxiang (南翔) is the most famous. ¥25-60 per basket.
Shengjian Bao
Pan-fried pork buns — crispy bottom, juicy filling. Yang's Fried Dumplings (小杨生煎) is legendary. ¥10-20.
Shanghai Benbang Cuisine
Classic Shanghai dishes: braised pork belly (红烧肉), drunken chicken, hairy crab (seasonal). ¥80-200/person.
Scallion Oil Noodles
Simple but addictive — noodles tossed in fragrant scallion oil. A Shanghai staple. ¥10-25.