Heading to Shanghai? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
QUICK FACTS
- Largest city in the People’s Republic of China, with a population of over 28.5 million.
- One of the fastest growing cities, Shanghai is the busiest commercial port in the world.
- With a history of foreign exposure and Western influence, the city is China’s financial, technological, commercial, and technological powerhouse.
- Thanks to massive influx of migrants and constant construction, Shanghai is sinking at a rate of 1.5 cm a year (over 1.8 meters since 1921).
- Nicknames: Pearl of the Orient, Athens of China, Paris of the East.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).
- Spoken languages: primarily Mandarin, Shanghainese, and other Chinese dialects. Small English speaking community (mostly expats).
- Best time to visit: Feb–May and Aug–Nov.
– Avoid Lunar New Year (Jan/Feb) and National Day (Oct 1–7) due to extreme crowds. - Visa: 240-hour visa-free transit now available for eligible travelers. Confirm eligibility before arrival.
- Great festivals to catch: Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), Mid-Autumn Festival, and Shanghai International Film Festival.
- Arriving from Pudong International Airport: your options are to take a taxi (~150-200 Yuan), metro (subway), bus, or Maglev (high speed magnetically levitating train).
– The Shanghai Maglev Train is a unique experience that everyone should try at least once – at an average speed of about 225 km/h (140 mph), the train will get you downtown (Longyang Rd Station on Metro Line 2, the Green line) in just 8 minutes for 80 Yuan (about $13 USD).
– Taxis charge ¥140 for Pudong and ¥170 for the city centre. Ensure drivers use the meter. - Keep in mind that buses and subway will be very crowded during rush hour.
- If you’re arriving from Hongqiao airport, your options are to take a taxi (~100-150 Yuan), bus, or subway.
- Emergency numbers: local police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119
- Keep hand sanitizer on hand and stay hydrated, especially during travel seasons when pollution levels may be high.
- Carry a photocopy of your passport (required for attractions like the Bund observation decks).
WHERE TO STAY
- Best hostel for solo travelers in Shanghai: Meego Youth Hotel.
– There may be better hostels out there – but this one you can actually pre-book online in English.
– Clean rooms and bathrooms, friendly & helpful staff, and in a great location for exploring the city.
– Just a bit hard to find (it’s on the 4th floor). - Avoid little street-side hotels – try to stay in the large ones (such as international chains). For convenience, book a hotel downtown.
- Jing’an is the modern, high-end neighbourhood serving as the core of the Shanghai urban area, while Huangpu district is commercial and tourism hub, encompassing the People’s Square, the Bund and Nanjin Road.
- The French Concession area, enveloping Xintiandi and Tian Zi Fang, is a favourite for dining and accommodation thanks to its sycamore tree lined boulevards and Tudor mansions.
GETTING AROUND
- The Shanghai Jiaotong Card is a contactless rechargeable cash card that allows access to the bus, metro, ferry, taxi, car park and toll roads.
- The Shanghai Metro network is a fast, cheap and reliable service operating 20 lines. Fares start at ¥3.
– While it can get very congested, the Metro has station signs in English. Use QR code tickets (scan via apps like Alipay).
– Avoid rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).
– Use MetroMan app for English maps. - While transportation by bus is cheaper, it’s also slower due to traffic. Buses can also get very crowded, and the whole experience may be confusing for non-Chinese speakers.
- Taxis start the meter at ¥14. Use Didi Chuxing (English app) to book. Insist on meters; avoid unmarked cars.
– Tip: be sure to write down (in Chinese) the exact address you’d like to go to, as most taxi drivers do not understand English. - A ferry service runs from The Bund to Lujiazui in Pudong, and is the cheapest and fastest way to cross the river (one-way tickets are just ¥2).
- Update: Free paper maps are resurging at tourist centers – grab one as a backup.
SHANGHAI NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, last call is 2 AM.
- The French Concession quarter has a swath of low-key bars and lounges for weekday entertainment or casual Saturday nights.
– Trending pick: Constellation Bar (French Concession) – Craft cocktails, ¥70–120 - The Bund is home to a variety of bars and their drinks lists, with swanky hotel terraces claiming stake of the VIP crowd.
– Trending pick: The Bund Terraces – Rooftop drinks with skyline views (~¥150/drink). - Xintiandi is the mecca of live music, outdoor patios and insane dance floors. Typical club entry: ¥100–200.
- Great bars for solo travelers in Shanghai: The Glamour Bar (best views), Perry’s Cafe (budget dive bar), and Mingo.
- Tip: Last call is technically 2 AM, but some underground spots run later..
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Pearl Tower (Oriental Tower). With its two distinctive spheres, this communications tower is a very visible part of the city’s skyline.
– Basic observation deck tickets start at ¥199 (≈$28 USD) for access to the 263m sightseeing floor, 259m glass observatory, and Shanghai History Museum.
– Premium tickets (¥220–350) include the Space Capsule (351m) or multimedia shows.
– Pro tip: Book tickets online via Ctrip or Klook to skip queues. - Jin Mao Tower. An 88-story skyscraper, the Jin Mao Tower used to be the tallest skyscraper in China (now eclipsed by the World Financial Center).
– Entry: ¥120 (adults).
– The 88th-floor deck offers 340m views of Pudong. The Sky Walk is the world’s highest outdoor glass walkway. - The City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao), a historical temple complex.
- Jing’an Temple: A 1,800-year-old Buddhist temple blending Chinese and Tibetan architecture. Free incense offered to visitors.
- Chong Ming Island. An island in the Yangtze River (the longest river in Asia). The National Marshlands Wildlife park is located on the island.
- Zhangjiang High Technology Park, the “Silicon Valley of China.”
- The Shanghai Museum holds over 120,000 works of ancient Chinese art, displayed throughout 11 galleries and several exhibition halls.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Walk along Nanjing Road, a pedestrian-only road full of shops and markets. Nanjing Road is the epitome of Shanghai lifestyle and its first commercial street with modern shopping malls, specialty shops and international cafés.
- The wharf section of The Bund along the Huangpu River is one of the most famed waterfronts in Shanghai. Spy the early 20th century architecture, made all the more spectacular by floodlights illuminating the night.
- Also known as “The Mother River,” the Huangpu River is postcard perfection at dusk when contrasted with the glittering lights of the city.
– Tip: add a Huangpu River evening cruise (¥150–300) for skyline views. Dinner cruises start at ¥450. - Take a stroll through the Yu Garden. Dating back to the Ming dynasty (1577 AD), the garden is sprawled over 5 acres and boasts unique pavilions, ponds, and cloisters.
– ¥40 (weekdays), ¥60 (weekends). Arrive early to avoid crowds. Nearby Yuyuan Bazaar has street food stalls. - Roam the former French Concession: Explore Wukang Road’s colonial-era villas and Xintiandi’s Shikumen-style houses.
- Day trip idea: Zhujiajiao Water Town – a 1,700-year-old “Venice of Shanghai” (1-hour metro ride from downtown). Boat rides cost ¥200/boat (max 6 people).
WHERE TO EAT
- Must try dish: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).
– Jia Jia Tang Bao: Soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao) from ¥30/8 pieces. Opens at 6:30 AM—expect lines.
– Check out Yang’s Fried Dumplings for its famous fried dumplings or Fried Noodle Alley near Jing’an Temple for street food.
– Another solid pick: Din Tai Fung. - Where to find good cheap eats: all over town! Yuyuan and Fangbang Lu feature many stalls selling BBQ meat, steamed buns, dumplings, and hot bowls of fine noodles.
- Nanjing Road Night Market: Skewers from ¥10, scallion pancakes ¥5. Budget pick!
- Craving Indian food? Go to Lotus Land Hongqiao Nanfengcheng Br (best in town). For Italian, head to SEVE Italian Restaurant or Roma.
- Tipping not expected, but high-end restaurants may add a 10% service fee.
LOCAL WISDOM
- Tip: even though Shanghai is one of the most Westernized Chinese cities, not that many people speak English. It may help to learn a few basic phrases in Mandarin!
– 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) = Hello
– 谢谢 (Xièxie) = Thank you
– 洗手间在哪里？(Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?) = Where’s the bathroom? - Typical backpacker budget: ¥400–600/day (hostels, street food, metro).
- Common scams: Tea-house invites (resulting in inflated bills), “art student” gallery traps, and fake metro card helpers. Politely decline unsolicited offers.
- Use the Dianping smartphone app for the latest restaurant reviews. If you can’t read Chinese, the SmartShanghai app is your best bet!
- Dangerous areas: it is not likely that you will encounter danger as a foreigner. In any case, practice common sense as in any big city: avoid dark alleys and small side-streets at night. Mao Ming Road has a bad reputation (robberies); pickpockets and scam artists trawl the pedestrian streets of Nanjing Road. Watch out for scams targeting foreigners. Avoid talking to anyone trying to offer you random services.
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days