Shanghai Travel Guide
Where East meets West โ futuristic skyline & timeless lanes
Must-See Attractions
The Bund
Iconic waterfront promenade โ colonial-era buildings on one side, Pudong skyline on the other
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai's most recognizable landmark โ observation decks with glass floors
Yu Garden
A 400-year-old Ming Dynasty garden โ rockeries, pavilions, and koi ponds
Former French Concession
Tree-lined streets, Art Deco mansions, and trendy cafes โ Shanghai's most charming neighborhood
Getting Around
Shanghai has China's most developed metro system. Here's how to navigate:
Metro
ยฅ3-10 per ride. 19 lines covering the entire city. English signs and announcements everywhere.
Maglev Train
Pudong Airport โ Longyang Road: ยฅ50, 8 minutes, 430 km/h. World's fastest commercial train.
DiDi
ยฅ25-80 within city center. English interface. Taxi flagfall ยฅ14. Both accept Alipay/WeChat.
Huangpu River Ferry
Cross the river for ยฅ2. 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 (ๅ็ฟ) is the most famous. ยฅ25-60 per basket.
Shengjian Bao
Pan-fried pork buns โ crispy bottom, juicy filling. Yang's Fried Dumplings (ๅฐๆจ็็ ) is legendary. ยฅ10-20.
Shanghai Benbang Cuisine
Classic Shanghai dishes: braised pork belly (็บข็ง่), drunken chicken, hairy crab (seasonal). ยฅ80-200/person.
Scallion Oil Noodles
Simple but addictive โ noodles tossed in fragrant scallion oil. A Shanghai staple. ยฅ10-25.