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上海 · Travel Guide

Shanghai for foreigners

The Bund, French Concession, and the city that never stops reinventing itself.

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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.

The Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai's Pudong district on a clear day — the 468m futuristic TV tower with its distinctive pink-and-silver spheres and observation decks, the lower city skyline in the background and colored pennant flags fluttering in the foreground at the base of the tower, the most iconic landmark of the Shanghai skyline completed in 1994
Oriental Pearl Tower — Shanghai's most iconic Pudong landmark

Top things to do in Shanghai

The must-see places locals will tell you are unmissable, with photos and a direct link to the in-depth guide for each.

The Bund with Pudong skyline, Shanghai.

The Bund

Walk it at sunset and again at night. The Pudong skyline light show runs 7-10pm.

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Yu Garden — Ming-dynasty architecture in the heart of Shanghai.

Yu Garden & Old City

A Ming-dynasty garden in the middle of skyscrapers. Go early to avoid tour buses.

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A Shanghai neighborhood walk — Zhujiajiao water town, an easy day trip.

French Concession

Tree-lined streets, cafés, and the best of the city's café culture. Walk Wukang Road to Tianzifang.

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The Bund at night — Shanghai's iconic skyline with the Tower visible.

Shanghai Tower

The tallest building in China (632m). Skip-the-line tickets through Klook.

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The Pudong skyline at night seen from the Bund across the Huangpu River — the Oriental Pearl Tower lit in purple on the left, the Shanghai Tower (632m, tallest in China) on the right, and the IFC, Jin Mao, and Shanghai World Financial Center clustered in between, the lights reflected in the calm water of the river in the foreground, the most-cited panoramic view of Shanghai's modern skyline
Pudong skyline at night — Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower and the IFC cluster

Where to stay in Shanghai

We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.

Trip.com

Hotels in Shanghai on Trip.com

From $32/night hostels to $320+/night luxury — Peninsula, URBN Boutique, Metrotel and 3,000+ more. Filter by tier on Trip.com.

$32 – $320+/night

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A narrow lane in the Tianzifang arts district in Shanghai's former French Concession — converted 1920s shikumen stone-gate houses lining both sides of the stone-paved alley, small boutiques, tea shops and craft stores with signs in Chinese, a young woman in a white t-shirt looking at her phone in the foreground and a few other visitors walking the lane further down, the most atmospheric shopping and cafe district in central Shanghai
Tianzifang — narrow lane in Shanghai's former French Concession

Book your Shanghai trip

Plan your Shanghai trip on Trip.com — the only platform we've verified for mainland China. 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

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When to visit Shanghai

March–May and September–November. Summer is humid (typhoon risk in July).

FAQ

Need help in China?

12 bilingual phrase cards for emergencies. Show the Chinese to locals, read the English for context.

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Get our Shanghai itinerary

A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.