A complete, honest guide to Shanghai, China — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Global finance meets old China.
Shanghai is a highlight of East Asia, and Shanghai fuses colonial-era riverfront grandeur with a skyline of the future. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Shanghai
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Shanghai
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — The Bund and Yu Garden. Break for lunch and try xiaolongbao, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of French Concession.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Shanghai Tower & Pudong and Tianzifang & the French Concession, then explore Jing'an at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Suzhou (canals and classical gardens) is the easy favourite, or swap in Hangzhou (the scenic West Lake).
Ready to book? Turn your Shanghai shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Shanghai experiences →Shanghai on a budget — costs & money tips
Shanghai is mid-priced by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Shanghai
- Accommodation£22–£85 / night
- Food£14–£38 / day
- Local transport£4–£12 / day
- Typical attraction£8–£25 / entry
See how Shanghai compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Shanghai
- Pick an apartment or guesthouse over a hotel for stays of 3+ nights — kitchens cut food costs sharply.
- A city tourist card can be worth it if you’ll hit 3+ paid sights in a day; do the maths first.
- Lunch menus and bakeries keep food costs down; save sit-down dinners for one or two standout meals.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Shanghai at a glance
A quick orientation for Shanghai. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Shanghai
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Shanghai specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Shanghai
Shanghai is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
French Concession
Plane-tree streets and stylish bars.
Jing'an
Temples and malls.
Xintiandi
Restored shikumen houses and dining.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Shanghai further down the page.
Food & drink in Shanghai
Shanghainese cooking is rich and sweet — soup dumplings, braised pork and river fish.
Build your Shanghai food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Shanghai
The metro is huge, modern and cheap; the Maglev whisks you to the airport at over 400 km/h.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Shanghai. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Shanghai is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Shanghai that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Shanghai
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; summers are hot and humid, winters chilly. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Shanghai.
Day trips from Shanghai
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Suzhou — canals and classical gardens
- Hangzhou — the scenic West Lake
Practical tips for Shanghai
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, French Concession is a smart base — plane-tree streets and stylish bars. If that’s not your style, Jing'an works well too (temples and malls).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Shanghai without trying xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, hairy crab or scallion oil noodles. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for The Bund and Yu Garden. With a spare day, Suzhou (canals and classical gardens) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Shanghai, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Shanghai — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Shanghai, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Three to four days is enough for Shanghai’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander French Concession — with an extra day for a trip to Suzhou if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Shanghai?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; summers are hot and humid, winters chilly.
What food is Shanghai known for?
Shanghainese cooking is rich and sweet — soup dumplings, braised pork and river fish.
Where should I stay in Shanghai?
French Concession is a great first-time base (plane-tree streets and stylish bars). Jing'an is another good option for temples and malls.
What are the best day trips from Shanghai?
Two rewarding day trips are Suzhou (canals and classical gardens) and Hangzhou (the scenic West Lake).
How do you get around Shanghai?
The metro is huge, modern and cheap; the Maglev whisks you to the airport at over 400 km/h.
