Written by Catherine |
Shanghai is one of the most popular travel destinations of China, especially for first-time visitors. Planning your trip may seem difficult trying to navigate around this large and busy city. Here are some Shanghai travel tips to help you plan the best trip, including information on top attractions in Shanghai, best time to visit, travel length, transportation, and more.
1. General Tips for Traveling to Shanghai, China
Check visa requirements
First thing to do before planning your Shanghai tour is to make sure you meet all of the visa requirements. Depending on your nationality, travel length, and destination, you may not need one at all. If you do, you can either apply for a China visa in advance or in some cases, apply for a visa on arrival (VOA).
Related reading: Shanghai Visa Policies: The Latest Visa-Free Transit Options for Foreign Travelers
Get important travel documents ready
Step two is to make sure you have all the essential travel documents ready, including your passport and visa, bookings for transportation and accommodations, money in CNY (cards and cash), a SIM card or international cellular plan, etc.
Payment options in Shanghai, China
There’re in general three major payment options for international travelers in China, electronic payment, card payment, and cash. Electronic payment is the most popular type of payment in China, primarily through WeChat Pay or AliPay. You can link your bank cards to these apps and present your QR Code to pay for things.
If you have bank cards with UnionPay, Visa, or Mastercard, you can contact your bank beforehand and pay with them on your China tour. However, many food stalls or family-owned shops won’t accept card payments, in which cases you might need some cash.
To avoid the hassle of mobile payment, international visitors can also buy a Shanghai Pass card. This kind of prepaid card allows you to conveniently pay for public transportations, major attractions and shoppings at certain stores and malls by simply tap the card.
Language and communication
Generally, language and communication won’t be a problem at airports, major attractions, or hotels in Shanghai, and you’re likely to find locals who can speak basic English. However, it is still recommended that you download a translation app in case you need it.
Essential apps
Aside from the electronic payment and translation apps mentioned above, we also recommend downloading an app for direction, like Amap or Baidu Maps. Trip.com is very helpful for booking flights, trains, hotels, and attraction tickets.
For food delivery, you can download Meituan or Ele.me. To get around Shanghai, you can quickly find a ride on Didi Chuxing. And lastly, for restaurant and attraction reviews, you can search on Da Zhong Dian Ping.
It’s important to note that Apple Pay, Google Maps, Google Translate, and Uber won’t work well in China.
2. Top Things to Do in Shanghai
Here’re some of the city’s highlights if you’re wondering about what to do in Shanghai. To witness the modern marvels of the city, you must see the world-famous Shanghai skyline. Take an evening walk along the bund or a Huangpu River Cruise. You’ll see impressive skyscrapers and iconic landmarks piercing through the sky.
Shanghai has no lack of historic and cultural heritage either. Explore local traditions and history at Yu Garden or Shanghai old street. You’ll find the city still preserves much of its old-time charm along side urban developments. Take an afternoon tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town where life is slow and peaceful. Don’t forget to try local dishes that will guarantee a delightful experience.
There’re also plenty of exciting entertainment options in Shanghai. For shopping enthusiasts, Nanjing Road is one of the world’s busiest shopping streets. For family tours in Shanghai, you’ll have a great time at Shanghai Disneyland Resort. The city also has some of the best nightlife scenes in China and Asia with everything from relaxing street pubs and live music venues to cocktail bars and dance clubs.
Recommended Classic Shanghai Tours:
- 3 Days Classic Private Shanghai City Tour
- 4 Days Shanghai Private Tour with Zhujiajiao Watertown Tour
Related reading: Top 15 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Shanghai
3. Best Time to Visit Shanghai
One important Shanghai travel tip for first-time visitors is the best time to visit the city. Shanghai has a mild and humid climate with four seasons. There’s high temperature and more rain in summer and mild temperature with less rain in winter. July is the hottest month in Shanghai with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F), and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 4°C (39°F).
The best time to travel to Shanghai is autumn (October to November) and spring (March to May). There’ll be good weather conditions for outdoor activities with less rainfall and mild temperatures. In autumn, golden, red, and yellow foliage will cover the streets and alleys of Shanghai. It’s also the season for delicious hairy crabs. And spring is the season for blossoming flowers.
One important thing to know before visiting Shanghai is that the city will be very crowded during the summer and China public holidays. It’s best to avoid these times for shorter queues and lower travel expenses.
4. How Many Days in Shanghai Is Enough?
In general, your Shanghai tour can cover the highlights of the city with 3 or 4 days. See the impressive urban landscapes and experience the traditional life of the region. With more time, it’s highly recommended that you take a Shanghai side trip to nearby destinations.
The city of Hangzhou is within an hour away. It is a beautiful and poetic ancient capital with timeless charm. Suzhou, equally close, is famous for its classical gardens and rich Jiangnan culture. And in Huangshan, you’ll discover the magnificent Yellow Mountain and Hui ancient towns.
Recommended Shanghai Side Trips:
5. Best Ways to Travel Around Shanghai
Shanghai has an excellent public transportation system that makes traveling around the city very easy. With more than 10 subway lines, you can get to most of the attractions for a cheap price. You can either purchase a ticket at the kiosks or pay directly with your phone. For places that’re not accessible through the metro, you can take a taxi.
6. What to Eat in Shanghai
Tasting the local cuisine is an essential part of your Shanghai experience. Shanghai cuisine is relatively sweet and mild compared to other Chinese cuisines. Locals cook with a lot of fresh-water ingredients and soy sauce, making the dishes refreshing and exquisite.
The best Shanghai dishes include Xiaolongbao and Shengjianbao for breakfast, i.e. steamed buns and pan-fried buns. They’re the most famous and representative of Shanghai foods as well as Chinese breakfast foods.
For lunch, try Shanghai noodles like Crab Roe Noodles or pan-fried noodles. At night, dine at a local restaurant for some classic dishes like Braised Pork Belly. As you walk down the street, you’ll find food stalls pop up across the city with delicious snacks.
There’re also different seasonal dishes throughout the year, like in the fall, around Mid-Autumn Festival, people in Shanghai like to have the Hairy Crab, a regional classic, and in the winter, during Chinese New Year, they eat spring rolls.
7. Safety Tips for First-Time Visitors to Shanghai
In general, Shanghai is a very safe city to travel to. However, there are still some safety tips for visiting Shanghai. First of all, traffic can feel overwhelming in such a large and busy city. There’re lots of cars during rush hour so make sure you follow the traffic signs when walking. It’s important to note that there’re lots of scooters that might travel on the pedestrian walk. Pay close attention to your surroundings.
Second, it is not safe to drink tap water in China. It’s recommended that you purchase bottled water on your trip to Shanghai. Third, Shanghai has excellent healthcare facilities, so in case you should need it, you’re likely to have easy access to medical help. Keep these emergency numbers in mind, 110 for the police, 120 for medical emergency, and 119 for the fire department.
8. What to Pack for Shanghai
And lastly, here’s the essential packing list for the best Shanghai tour.
- Passport and travel documents
- Local SIM card or international cellular plan
- Money in CNY
- Chargers and adaptor
- Your own prescription medications
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- Clothes suitable for the season
