Shanghai

Shanghai is unlike anywhere else in China. Where Beijing is imperial and weighty with history, Shanghai is commercial, outward-looking, and perpetually reinventing itself. It was China's gateway to the world for over a century — and that history is written into its architecture, its food, its culture, and its restless ambition. For visitors, it is one of the easiest entry points into China: international, English-friendly, and extraordinarily well-connected.

The city's most iconic image is the Bund — the riverside promenade lined with grand colonial-era banks and trading houses, facing the futuristic towers of Pudong across the Huangpu River. This juxtaposition, old European grandeur versus glass-and-steel modernity, captures Shanghai's essential character. But the city's real magic is found in its neighbourhoods: the French Concession with its plane-tree-lined streets and independent boutiques, the historic lanes of Xintiandi, the creative energy of M50 and the West Bund art corridor.

Shanghai is also China's food capital. Whether you want Shanghainese xiaolongbao at a hole-in-the-wall, a Michelin-starred tasting menu, or some of the best international dining in Asia, the city delivers. It has a genuine cafe culture, a thriving bar scene, and a nightlife that rivals any global city. First-time visitors are often surprised by how liveable and navigable it feels — Shanghai is genuinely one of the great cities of the world.

Shanghai has two international airports. Pudong International Airport (PVG) handles most long-haul international flights and is located 45–60 minutes from central Shanghai by the Maglev train or metro Line 2. The Maglev (¥50 one-way, ¥40 with onward metro connection) reaches 431 km/h and covers the airport distance in 8 minutes — one of the great novelty transport experiences in China. Metro Line 2 from PVG takes around 60 minutes to People's Square in the city centre.

Hongqiao Airport (SHA) handles domestic routes and some regional Asian flights. It is better connected to the city centre (30–40 minutes by metro Lines 2 or 10) and sits adjacent to Hongqiao Railway Station, making it convenient for onward rail travel.

By high-speed train, Shanghai connects to Beijing (4.5 hours), Hangzhou (45 minutes), Suzhou (25 minutes), Nanjing (1 hour), and most major eastern Chinese cities. Shanghai Hongqiao Station is the main high-speed rail hub. Shanghai Railway Station handles some longer-distance conventional services.

The French Concession (Xuhui and Jing'an districts) is the most atmospheric area to stay — beautiful streets, excellent restaurants, independent shops, and a genuine neighbourhood feel. It is also very well connected by metro. This is Qianyi's recommendation for first-time visitors who want to experience Shanghai beyond the tourist circuit.

For classic Shanghai glamour, the Bund area hotels — including The Peninsula Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, and Fairmont Peace Hotel — offer unmatched riverside locations and historic prestige. Pudong (east of the river) suits business travellers and those who want sky-high views; the Park Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton in the World Financial Center are spectacular.

Shanghai's metro system is one of the world's best — extensive, clean, cheap, and easy to navigate in English. A metro card (¥20 deposit, reloadable) is worth getting if you are staying more than two days. WeChat Pay or Alipay are essential for paying at local restaurants, markets, and street food stalls — very few local establishments accept international cards or cash.

The French Concession is best explored on foot or by bicycle — the tree-lined streets are made for walking. Hire a bike via Meituan or Hello Bike apps (requires a Chinese number, so ask your hotel to help set this up).

Day trips from Shanghai are excellent and easy. Hangzhou (45 minutes by high-speed train) and Suzhou (25 minutes) are both world-class destinations reachable in under an hour. Zhujiajiao water town is 45 minutes by bus and offers a glimpse of traditional canal-town life.