Is 3 days enough to see Shanghai?

Yes — three days in Shanghai is enough to experience the best the city has to offer. Our itinerary covers The Bund, Pudong skyline & Yu Garden xiaolongbao, French Concession, Tianzifang & the Jewish Ghetto, Maglev train, Nanjing Road & a Bund farewell cocktail, giving you a genuine feel for Shanghai without feeling rushed.

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

March–May and September–November (the ideal seasons: mild 15–25°C, lower humidity, spring cherry blossoms in the French Concession, autumn foliage on Wukang Road). June–August: 30–38°C, oppressive humidity (Shanghai is one of the most humid cities in China). December–February: 2–8°C, the fog on the Huangpu gives the Bund a ghostly beauty. October: hairy crab season (the Shanghai obsession: mitten

Where should I stay in Shanghai?

The Bund — the restored 1911 Shanghai Club building, directly on the waterfront of the most dramatic street in China is a great base for exploring Shanghai. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund from €380/night is our recommended hotel for its location and value.

What is Shanghai most famous for?

Shanghai (上海 — "on the sea," though the sea is actually 50km to the east via the Yangtze estuary) is the largest city in China (24 million residents in the municipality) and the financial and commercial capital of the world's second-largest economy: a city that in one generation has gone from the partially derelict former colonial concession city of the 1990s to one of the most dramatic urban land

What language do people speak in Shanghai?

Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua — the official "common language," based on the northern Beijing dialect, spoken as a first language by most of Shanghai's migrants from other provinces). Shanghainese (Hù yǔ — the local Wu dialect, unintelligible to Mandarin speakers, the traditional language of Shanghai) is spoken at home by older residents. English: very limited in the city at large but improving rapidly. In tourist areas (the Bund, French Concession, major museums), English signage is good. Download and use a translation app (Google Translate China version does not work — use Microsoft Translator offline or the WeChat translation function)

What currency is used in Shanghai?

Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (CNY/RMB). €1 ≈ 7.7–8 RMB. China is rapidly becoming a cashless society — WeChat Pay and Alipay are used for virtually everything (incl. the vending machines in Yu Garden). Foreign visitors can now link a foreign Mastercard/Visa to WeChat Pay (WeChat Mini Program, "Foreign Card Payment"). Cash (¥) is accepted everywhere as a legal fallback but increasingly inconvenient. Avoid street currency changers

How do you get around Shanghai?

Shanghai Metro (上海地铁 — 20 lines, 508 stations, one of the world's largest metro networks): buy single-journey tickets at machines (card payment and cash), or use a Shanghai Public Transport Card. Key lines: Line 2 (Bund → People's Square → French Concession → Pudong Airport), Line 10 (Yu Garden → Old Street). Taxi: metered Didi (China's Uber: download the Didi app with international card — works in English) or traditional metered taxis (hail on street, Mandarin address needed)

How do you get to Shanghai?

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): Maglev to Longyang Road (¥50, 7 min, then Metro Line 2 to city center, total 35–40 min). Metro Line 2 direct (1.5 hrs, ¥7). Taxi/Didi: ¥150–200, 45–80 min. Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Metro Line 2 or 10 to center (45 min, ¥6). High-speed rail from Beijing (4.5 hrs), Hangzhou (1 hr), Nanjing (1 hr)

What is the tipping etiquette in Shanghai?

Tipping is NOT customary in China and may be refused or cause confusion. In tourist-facing restaurants (the Bund hotels, international restaurants), it is increasingly accepted but not expected. At local restaurants, noodle shops and street food: absolutely no tip. Taxi drivers: round up to nearest yuan at most. The service charge (10–15%) is already included at upscale hotel restaurants

Is Shanghai safe for tourists?

Shanghai is one of the safest large cities in the world. Violent crime is extremely rare. Main risks: scams (art students who approach tourists near the Bund inviting you to a "tea ceremony" or "art gallery viewing" that ends with a large bill — decline all unsolicited friendly approaches near tourist sites), and traffic (cross only at crossings, even with the pedestrian green light)

🎧 Shanghai Audio Walking Guide

Listen and walk — the map follows you stop by stop

🆓 Free · No app needed · Works offline once loaded

← Back to Shanghai Highlights Guide · All guides for Shanghai