Shanghai

A dazzling mix of modernity and tradition

Shanghai stands as China’s largest city and a major global financial center. It combines historic landmarks with modern skyscrapers along the Huangpu River, showing both tradition and rapid growth. The city is known for its busy ports, diverse neighborhoods and wide range of cultural experiences. From colonial architecture in The Bund to futuristic buildings in Pudong, Shanghai offers a unique urban environment. Its subway system connects many districts efficiently. Markets, museums and parks provide daily life scenes that reflect the city’s fast pace and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

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City in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.1

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	4

Read details

4/5

English is widely understood in tourist areas, hotels, and high-end restaurants. However, in more local areas, you may encounter communication barriers, so having a translation app or learning a few basic phrases in Mandarin can be helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Shanghai Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for skyline views and modern city life. Walk the Bund waterfront, explore futuristic towers, shop huge malls and visit historic temples.

Place score

9.0

Best at:

Large cities

Luxury

Architecture

Luxury shopping

Fine dining

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

👩 7

Solo

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Shanghai, China

☁️

Jan

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Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌥️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	March, June, Sep.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Golden Week, 1 to 7 October, is the busiest time of year with packed attractions and trains

Chinese New Year, late January to mid February: many restaurants and shops close, transport extremely busy

Plum rain season mid June to early July, typhoon risk July to September

Don't miss

🌃 Admire Shanghai’s skyline from The Bund promenade at night
🏙️ Take the world’s fastest elevator to Shanghai Tower’s observation deck
🌸 Wander through Yu Garden and explore its traditional pavilions
🛍️ Shop and snack along Nanjing Road, China’s busiest street
⛴️ Cruise the Huangpu River and see both old and new Shanghai
🏺 Visit the Shanghai Museum to explore Chinese art and history

You've been here?

Why travel to Shanghai?

Shanghai is a city where modernity meets tradition in the most spectacular way. From the famous Bund with its colonial-era buildings to the futuristic skyline of Pudong, the contrast is mesmerizing. While the city can be overwhelming at first, its unique blend of culture, technology and history makes it an unforgettable destination. However, it can also be crowded and expensive, so planning ahead is key.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower stands as an architectural marvel, offering panoramic views from its sleek glass exterior. Its observation deck provides breathtaking vistas of the city's skyline and Huangpu River below.
2 Shanghai Museum
This Shanghai landmark houses vast art collections within a striking modernist tower. Visitors often queue outside, but entering early reveals a serene atmosphere perfect for contemplative exploration of global and Chinese masterpieces.
3 Yu Yuan Garden
Former imperial residence in Shanghai’s historic Bund area, this classical Chinese garden features rockeries, pavilions and tranquil ponds that showcase traditional landscaping techniques. Visitors can stroll through meticulously maintained pathways and admire intricate stonework.
4 Jade Buddha Temple
Located in Shanghai's historic Bund district, the Jade Buddha Temple houses a revered white jade statue and offers visitors insight into Chinese Buddhist art and architecture amid the city’s bustling waterfront.
5 West Nanjing Road
6 Site of the former French Concession Courthouse
7 The Bund
8 Oriental Pearl Tower

🎡Places for activities

1 Shanghai Disney Resort
A modern theme park built on reclaimed land in Pudong, offering classic Disney attractions alongside Chinese cultural elements. Its iconic castle and vibrant parades draw families worldwide each year daily.
2 Shanghai Zoo
3 Shanghai Disneyland
4 Shanghai Circus World
5 Jing'an Temple

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Dongping National Forest Park
2 Fuxing Park (French Park)
3 Shanghai Botanical Garden
4 Century Park
5 Nanxiang Old Town
6 Chenshan Botanical Garden

🛍️Shopping

1 Tianzifang
2 Shanghai IFC Mall
3 Xintiandi
4 Xinhua Bookstore
5 City Shop
6 Shanghai AP Plaza Xinyang Fashion & Gifts Market (fake market)
7 Shanghai Museum Shop
8 Super Brand Mall

🎈Events

Shanghai International Film Festival
Shanghai Art Festival
China International Import Expo
Shanghai Fashion Week
Shanghai Tourism Festival
Shanghai International Music Fireworks Festival
Dragon Boat Festival
New Year’s Eve Countdown
Mid-Autumn Festival
Shanghai Jazz Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

The Bund and Pudong skyline define the city’s iconic riverfront views.
Base near People’s Square or the Bund for easy metro access, river walks, historic concessions and major museums.
Download key translation and map apps and carry hotel address in Chinese for taxis and check-in.
Walk the Bund at sunset, then explore French Concession lanes like Xintiandi or Tianzifang for atmospheric dinners and nightlife.

How to travel to Shanghai

Shanghai is served by two major airports: Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Both are well-connected to international and domestic cities. From the airports, the metro or taxi are convenient ways to reach the city center. Trains also run frequently from Beijing and other major cities.

Access summary

From Pudong Airport (PVG): Maglev plus metro to downtown, around 25–35 minutes.
From Beijing: High-speed G-trains to Shanghai Hongqiao, usually about 4–6 hours.
From Guangzhou: Frequent direct flights to Shanghai, typically around 2–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Shanghai

Shanghai offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels along the Huangpu River to budget options in quieter neighborhoods. The areas around the Bund and Xintiandi are popular for high-end stays, while Pudong offers modern hotels with views of the skyline.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Grand Central Hotel Shanghai

9.1

SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund

8.6

IFC Residence

9.1

MaxX by Steigenberger Shanghai on the Bund

8.8

Central Hotel

9.0

Modena by Fraser Putuo Shanghai

8.9

The Eton Hotel Shanghai

8.8

Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre

9.2

Novotel Shanghai Clover

9.0

Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Shanghai

The city's metro system is extensive and easy to use, covering most areas. Taxis and bike-sharing services are widely available. For sightseeing, walking or biking around the Bund and nearby districts is highly recommended. Traffic can be heavy, so public transport is often the best option.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-60 %

Daily expenses in Shanghai are around 60% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£35	£70	£171
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£38	£75
🍝 Food per day	£14	£29	£87
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£9

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£14
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.70
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5
☕ Cappuccino	£2.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.25

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.36
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£6
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£4.70
💇 Basic haircut	£9

Safety information overview

General safety

Shanghai is generally considered very safe for tourists. Petty crime such as pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas, so it's always wise to keep your belongings secure, especially in markets and tourist spots.

Health & Medical

Shanghai has excellent healthcare facilities with many international hospitals and pharmacies. It's advisable to have travel insurance in case of any medical issues. Air quality can be a concern at times, especially during the winter months.

Accessibility

Shanghai is a very accessible city with modern infrastructure. The metro and public buses are equipped with ramps for those with mobility issues. However, some older buildings and public spaces may not be fully accessible.

Tap water

Tap water in Shanghai is generally not considered safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available in stores and restaurants, so it's better to rely on that for hydration.