The Bund
Walk it at sunset and again at night. The Pudong skyline light show runs 7-10pm.
上海 · Travel Guide
Shanghai for foreigners
The Bund, French Concession, and the city that never stops reinventing itself.
Shanghai is where old China meets new. The Bund shows the colonial waterfront; Pudong across the river shows 30 years of vertical growth. Plan 2-3 days minimum.
Top things to do in Shanghai
Yu Garden & Old City
A Ming-dynasty garden in the middle of skyscrapers. Go early to avoid tour buses.
French Concession
Tree-lined streets, cafés, and the best of the city's café culture. Walk Wukang Road to Tianzifang.
Shanghai Tower
The tallest building in China (632m). Skip-the-line tickets through Klook.
Where to stay in Shanghai
We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
Trip.com
The Peninsula Shanghai
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $320/night
Booking.com
URBN Boutique Shanghai
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $110/night
Klook
Metrotel Shanghai
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $32/night
Book your Shanghai trip
Three platforms that work well for foreign visitors to Shanghai. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.
Trip.com
Hotels, trains & flights
The best platform for mainland-China hotels and high-speed rail tickets. English interface, accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7
Search Shanghai on Trip.com →Booking.com
International hotel chains
Best for international chains (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG) that most foreigners already have loyalty status with.
Free cancellation on most rooms
Search Shanghai on Booking.com →Klook
Tours, attractions & eSIM
Skip-the-line attraction tickets, day tours, and China eSIM data packages. Instant confirmation, mobile vouchers.
Tours from $12 · eSIM from $3
Search Shanghai on Klook →Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.
When to visit Shanghai
March–May and September–November. Summer is humid (typhoon risk in July).
FAQ
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Is Shanghai worth 2 days?
Yes — but 3 is better. Two lets you see the Bund + one neighborhood. Three lets you add a day trip (Suzhou or Zhujiajiao water town). -
Do people speak English in Shanghai?
In tourist areas and hotels, basic English is common. Download Pleco and Google Translate (with the offline Chinese pack) as backup.
Get our Shanghai itinerary
A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.