Shanghai Travel Guide: The Complete Visitor's Guide

Why Visit Shanghai

Shanghai is China's most international and immediately accessible city for Western visitors. The French Concession feels like a European neighborhood. The Bund skyline is one of the world's great urban views. And the food — from soup dumplings to Cantonese dim sum to modern fusion — is exceptional.

Top Attractions

Shanghai rewards wandering as much as sightseeing. Build in time just to walk.

1. 1The Bund: Walk it at dawn and again at night for different perspectives. Free.
2. 2Yu Garden (豫园): Classical Ming garden in the Old City. ¥40 entrance.
3. 3French Concession: Walk Fuxing Road and Wukang Road. Free.
4. 4Tianzifang: Creative arts district in converted Shikumen houses.
5. 5Pudong Skyline from The Bund: Best at dusk when both sides are lit.
6. 6Shanghai Museum: World-class collection, free. Book in advance.

Where to Eat Soup Dumplings

Xiaolongbao (小笼包) is Shanghai's signature dish and varies wildly in quality. Go to the right place.

1. 1Nanxiang Mantou Dian at Yu Garden: Long queues but worth it for the original
2. 2Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰): Reliable, consistent, English menus
3. 3Jia Jia Tang Bao near People's Square: Locals' favorite, no English menu — point and order

• ✓Bite a small hole in the top and sip the soup before eating the whole dumpling
• ✓Order 蟹粉小笼 (crab roe soup dumplings) in autumn season — extraordinary

Getting Around Shanghai

Shanghai's metro is the best in China — extensive, fast, and English-signed throughout.

1. 1Get a Shanghai Metro app (Metro Man is good)
2. 2Buy a transit card at any metro station
3. 3DiDi is excellent for any trip not on the metro
4. 4The Bund area is best explored on foot

Day Trips from Shanghai

Hangzhou and Suzhou are both reachable in under an hour by high-speed train.

• ✓Hangzhou West Lake: UNESCO World Heritage Site, free, stunningly beautiful
• ✓Suzhou Classical Gardens: UNESCO-listed, smaller and quieter than Shanghai
• ✓Wuzhen Water Town: Ancient canal town, 2 hours from Shanghai