Showing matches across all sections — sights, hotels, food, shopping and resources.
History of Shanghai
Originally a modest fishing village on the Huangpu River delta, Shanghai's transformation began after the First Opium War (1839–42). The 1842 Treaty of Nanking opened Shanghai to foreign settlement, spawning the International Settlement and French Concession — autonomous zones that attracted merchants, missionaries, and migrants from across the globe.
By the 1920s and 30s Shanghai was Asia's most cosmopolitan city — dubbed the "Paris of the East" and the "Pearl of the Orient." The Bund waterfront was lined with grand neoclassical banks; jazz clubs and Art Deco dance halls buzzed until dawn. This golden era ended abruptly with Japanese occupation (1937) and the Communist victory of 1949, which ushered in decades of controlled economy.
Deng Xiaoping's 1992 opening of the Pudong New Area ignited a second renaissance. The iconic Oriental Pearl Tower (1994), Jin Mao Tower (1999), World Financial Center (2008), and Shanghai Tower (2015) reshaped the skyline with breathtaking speed — transforming mudflats into the world's most recognisable urban silhouette. Today Shanghai is China's financial capital and a global hub for fashion, art, gastronomy, and innovation.
Why Go?
Few cities pack as many contrasts into a single visit. Stroll the storied Bund at dawn, lose yourself in the narrow shikumen lanes of Tianzifang, ascend 632 metres above the clouds in Shanghai Tower, then eat your way through a dumpling-scented morning at a local xiaolongbao stall.
Shanghai rewards every traveller type: architecture buffs treasure its layered Deco heritage; foodies flock to its world-class restaurant scene; shoppers descend on bespoke tailors at the South Bund Fabric Market; culture-seekers fill their days between the Shanghai Museum and the West Bund Arts Corridor.
Unrivalled blend of Deco, Shikumen, and 21st-century supertall towers.
70+ Michelin stars, street dumplings, hairy-crab banquets & rooftop cocktails.
World-class museums, galleries, Jazz Age nostalgia, and cutting-edge design.
Two major airports, visa-free 144-hr transit, and the world's fastest maglev.
When to Go — Weather Guide
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2–8 | Low | OK |
| February | 3–10 | Low | OK |
| March | 7–14 | Medium | Best |
| April | 13–20 | Medium | Best |
| May | 18–25 | Medium | Best |
| June | 22–28 | High | Wet |
| July | 27–34 | High | Hot |
| August | 26–33 | High | Hot |
| September | 20–27 | Medium | Best |
| October | 14–22 | Low | Best |
| November | 8–15 | Low | Best |
| December | 3–10 | Low | OK |
General Information
Mandarin (Pǔtōnghuà) and Shanghainese dialect. English spoken in most tourist areas, hotels, and major restaurants.
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB). Cards accepted widely; Alipay & WeChat Pay dominate. ATMs available everywhere.
144-hour visa-free transit for 55+ nationalities at PVG/SHA airports. Standard tourist visa required for longer stays.
China blocks Google, WhatsApp, and most Western social media. Download a VPN before arrival. Free Wi-Fi in most hotels.
CST — China Standard Time (UTC+8). No daylight saving time. 8 hrs ahead of London, 13 hrs ahead of New York.
Shanghai is extremely safe for tourists. Good international hospitals: Parkway Health, Huashan International. Travel insurance recommended.
220V / 50Hz. Type A, C, I sockets. Bring an adapter. Most hotels provide universal adapters.
Police: 110 · Ambulance: 120 · Fire: 119 · Tourist Hotline: 962 020 (24hr, English support)
Shanghai's iconic landmarks, hidden neighbourhoods, and essential experiences
From iconic luxury towers to boutique heritage guesthouses
Xiaolongbao stalls to Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy
Bespoke tailors, mega-malls, antique markets, and artisan lanes
Maglev, metro, ferries, taxis, and airport connections
Getting to Shanghai
International hub. Maglev to Longyang Rd (430 km/h, 8 min). Metro Line 2 to People's Square ~50 min.
Domestic & short-haul international. Connects to Hongqiao Railway Station. Metro Lines 2 & 10 to city centre (~30 min).
Hongqiao Station links to Beijing (4h15m), Hangzhou (25 min), Nanjing (1h), Suzhou (25 min), and all major cities.
Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal at the North Bund handles Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Costa.
Getting Around the City
20 lines, 500+ stations. ¥3–10 per ride. Get a Transportation Card (交通卡) or pay with Alipay/WeChat.
Didi (China's Uber) is the easiest app option. Taxis start at ¥18 flag-fall. Always use the meter or app.
Extensive but complex for tourists. Fare: ¥2. Exact change or Transportation Card required.
Huangpu River ferries connect Puxi and Pudong. ¥2 per crossing. Scenic option near the Bund.
Meituan and Hello Bike dockless cycles citywide. ¥1.5–2/30 min. Ideal for the French Concession.
World's fastest commercial train (431 km/h). Pudong Airport ↔ Longyang Rd. ¥50 single / ¥40 with airline ticket.
Essential reading, planning tools, and travel communities for Shanghai
Key destinations, coordinates, and neighbourhood orientation — 31.2304° N, 121.4737° E