Shanghai
China's most international city. World-class attractions, incredible food, and the best entry point for first-time visitors to China.
Key Facts for Tourists
- Visa
- 50 countries visa-free (30 days)
- Best time
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Safety
- Very safe
- Language
- English limited
- Currency
- CNY (RMB)
- Emergency
- 110 / 120 / 119
Shanghai at a Glance
Key facts for planning your trip — sources: official | verified
🛂 Entry & Visa
- Visa-free: 50 countries — 30 days (NIA, 2026)
- Transit visa-free: 240 hours (10 days) — 55 countries
- Airports: PVG Pudong (main intl) + SHA Hongqiao (domestic)
- Visa on arrival: Not available for most nationalities
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
- ✅ Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov (15-25°C, low humidity)
- ⚠️ Ok: Jun–Aug (hot, humid, rain) / Dec–Feb (cold, 0-8°C)
- Peak tourist season: Oct (Golden Week), May (Labor Day)
- Rainiest month: June (plum rain season, Meiyu)
🚇 Getting Around
- Metro: 18 lines, covers the whole city — tickets ¥3-15
- Taxi/DiDi: DiDi app has English version — highly recommended
- Airport to city: Maglev train (PVP → city, 8 min) or Metro Line 2
- HSR: Shanghai Hongqiao — to Beijing (4.5h), Hangzhou (1h)
💰 Money & Payments
- Currency: CNY (RMB) — ¥1 ≈ $0.14 USD (2026 rate)
- Cards accepted: Limited — most places use WeChat Pay/Alipay
- ATMs: Accept Visa/Mastercard at major banks (ICBC, Bank of China)
- Cash needed: ¥200-500 for backup (street food, small shops)
Must-Do Before You Arrive
3 things to set up before landing — skip these and you'll struggle
Install a VPN before you leave home
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, ChatGPT — all blocked in China. Any VPN must be installed and tested BEFORE arriving in China. It will not work if you install it after arrival.
📖 VPN Setup Guide →Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay
Shanghai runs on QR code payments. Since July 2023, foreigners can link international Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover cards. It takes 5 minutes and saves you from carrying cash everywhere.
Get mobile data (eSIM or airport SIM)
You need a Chinese phone number for WeChat, DiDi, and food delivery. Two options: buy an eSIM before departure (Airalo, Holafly) or buy a physical SIM at PVG airport on arrival. Passport required.
Top Attractions in Shanghai
The must-sees for first-time visitors
The Bund (外滩)
Shanghai's iconic waterfront. Colonial-era buildings on one side, Pudong skyscrapers on the other. Free entry. Best at night when buildings are lit up. Metro: East Nanjing Road (Line 2/10).
Yu Garden (豫园)
Classic Ming Dynasty garden in the old city. Traditional architecture, rockeries, and ponds. Adjacent to Yuyuan Bazaar for souvenirs and street food. Paid entry. Metro: Yuyuan Garden (Line 10).
Shanghai Tower
China's tallest building (632m). Observation deck on 118th floor with breathtaking city views. Fastest elevators in the world. Paid entry, book online to skip queues. Metro: Lujiazui (Line 2).
Xintiandi & French Concession
Reconstructed traditional Shikumen (stone-gate) houses turned into trendy restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Great for photos, brunch, and evening drinks. Metro: Xintiandi (Line 10/13).
Shanghai Disneyland
Largest Disney resort in China (vs Hong Kong). Unique TRON rollercoaster and Enchanted Storybook Castle. 1 hour from city center by Metro Line 11. Full day recommended. Book tickets in advance.
Huangpu River Cruise
1-hour boat ride along the Huangpu River. Views of both Pudong's futuristic skyline and Puxi's historic Bund. Available day and night (night recommended). Depart from The Bund or Lujiazui.
Food in Shanghai
What to eat and where to find it
Must-Try Local Dishes
- Xiaolongbao (小笼包) — Soup dumplings. Find at Din Tai Fung (chain) or local shops like Jia Jia Tang Bao
- Shengjianbao (生煎包) — Pan-fried pork buns. Yang's Fry-Dumpling is the most famous chain
- Scallion Oil Noodles (葱油拌面) — Simple, cheap, delicious. Found at almost any local noodle shop
- Red Braised Pork (红烧肉) — Sweet and savory slow-cooked pork belly. Served at most Shanghainese restaurants
Eating Tips for Tourists
- 🏪 Convenience stores — FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson are everywhere. Good for snacks, drinks, and quick meals
- 📱 Food delivery — Meituan and Ele.me deliver to your hotel. Apps are in Chinese, but you can order through your hotel concierge
- 🌶️ Spice level — Shanghai food is less spicy than Sichuan/Hunan food. "Not spicy" = 不辣 (bù là)
- 🥢 Chopsticks only — Most restaurants don't provide forks. Practice beforehand or ask for 叉子 (chāzi)
Where to Stay in Shanghai
Recommended areas for different travel styles
The Bund / East Nanjing Rd
Best for first-time visitors. Walking distance to top attractions. Wide range of hotels from budget to luxury. Metro lines 2/8/10.
Jing'an
Central location with great shopping and dining. Trendy bars and cafes. Slightly quieter than The Bund area. Metro lines 2/7.
Xintiandi / French Concession
Historic charm with tree-lined streets. Best for couples and photo lovers. Excellent restaurants and bars. Higher price range.
Lujiazui (Pudong)
Best for business travelers and skyline views. Closer to PVG airport. Quieter at night. Metro line 2.
Internet & Phone for Tourists
Real talk about getting online in Shanghai
🛜 Hotel WiFi
Most hotels in Shanghai offer free WiFi. International chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton) usually have faster, more reliable connections. Some hotels block certain websites — a VPN is still recommended.
📱 Mobile Data
Option A: Buy an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before departure (cheaper, instant activation). Option B: Buy a physical SIM at PVG airport arrival hall (China Mobile or China Unicom kiosks). Passport required for both.
Compare eSIM options →🔒 VPN
If you need Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook — you MUST install a VPN before departure. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are commonly used. Note that VPN reliability fluctuates; some periods (around major political meetings) are worse than others.
VPN guide →Emergency Info
Save these numbers — they work from any phone, even without a SIM
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
A realistic first-timer's plan — not rushed, covers the highlights
Arrive PVG → Maglev/Metro to hotel → Set up SIM + WeChat Pay → Evening walk along The Bund → Dinner in Nanjing Road area
Morning: Yu Garden + City God Temple → Lunch: local xiaolongbao → Afternoon: Shanghai Tower observation deck → Evening: Huangpu River night cruise
Morning: Xintiandi + French Concession area walk → Lunch: local shengjianbao → Afternoon: Shanghai Museum (free) or shopping → Depart
Compare Chinese Cities for Tourists
Which city is right for your trip?
| Dimension | Shanghai | Beijing | Chengdu | Guangzhou |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | First-timers, modern China | History, Great Wall, culture | Food, pandas, laid-back vibe | Cantonese food, trade, warmth |
| English Level | Moderate | Low | Low | Low |
| Top Attractions | Bund, Tower, Disney | Forbidden City, Great Wall | Pandas, Jinli, hot pot | Canton Tower, dim sum |
| 3-Day Budget (est.) | $200-400 | $200-400 | $150-300 | $150-300 |
| Ease for Tourists | Easiest | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Best Season | Mar-May, Sep-Nov | Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct | Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct | Oct-Dec, Mar-May |
Budget estimates are rough ranges only. Actual costs vary by travel style and season.
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