City
Shanghai
Where East meets West in China's global megalopolis
The Bund and Pudong futuristic skylineXiao long bao soup dumplingsFrench Concession café culture and nightlifeWorld-class museums and contemporary artChina's financial and fashion capital
Best Time to Visit:March–May (spring) and October–November (autumn) for comfortable weather; avoid typhoon season August–September
Asia/Shanghai
CNY
Mandarin, Shanghainese Wu dialect
About Shanghai
Shanghai's Bund promenade — lined with the imposing facades of 1920s banking houses and trading companies — remains one of the world's great urban waterfronts. The French Concession neighborhood is a leafy enclave of plane-tree-shaded streets, boutique fashion, and café culture. The Yu Garden bazaar and Old City preserve echoes of Ming dynasty Shanghai amidst a sea of modernity. Shanghai's restaurant scene is world-class — xiao long bao soup dumplings are a national obsession — its art scene thriving, and its nightlife legendary.
Places in Shanghai
Highlights
1
Bund waterfront walk at sunset and night
2
Xiao long bao at a legendary dumpling house
3
Yu Garden and Old City Bazaar
4
French Concession boutiques and cafés
5
Shanghai Tower observation deck (632m)
6
Tianzifang creative arts district
7
Shanghai Museum of Art
8
Night cruise on the Huangpu River
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Humid subtropical climate. Winters cold and damp (avg 4°C in January), summers hot and humid (avg 32°C in July). Spring and autumn are pleasant. Typhoons occasionally strike August–September. Rainfall distributed throughout the year.
Getting There
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao Airport (SHA) together form one of the world's busiest hubs. PVG is connected to the Maglev (8 min, 431 km/h) and metro to city center. High-speed rail from Beijing (4.5 hrs), Hangzhou (1 hr), Nanjing (1 hr), and all major Chinese cities.
Practical Tips
Book xiao long bao restaurants in advance — queues at famous spots can exceed 90 minutes
The Shanghai Metro is world-class and reaches virtually all major attractions
Night is the best time to appreciate the Bund and Pudong skyline — the contrast is spectacular
Taxis are metered and reliable; Didi is easier for non-Chinese-speakers
Shanghai has the best English signage and widest card acceptance of any Chinese city
Quick Facts
Best Time to Visit
March–May (spring) and October–November (autumn) for comfortable weather; avoid typhoon season August–September
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Currency
CNY
Language
Mandarin, Shanghainese Wu dialect