Shanghai
Shanghai’s Dazzling River Glow
Evening mist softens the Huangpu River as skyscraper lights shimmer across the Bund and the scent of street-side scallion pancakes drifts through Nanjing Road.
Visit in spring or autumn—wander Yu Garden, explore the French Concession, and use the metro to glide easily across Shanghai.
Discover now and begin your Shanghai journey.
01 · Overview
Learn about Shanghai
Shanghai Overview
Places to Go
Things to Do
Blogs to Read
First Time Visiting Shanghai: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Official Shanghai tourism guide for first-time visitors covering arrival tips, a 48‑hour starter itinerary, neighbourhood notes (Bund, French Concession), food recommendations and practical advice — useful for planning logistics and immediate priorities on arrival.
Shanghai Travel Guide
A well-organized, English-language blog guide focusing on neighbourhood walks (Bund, French Concession), local tips, transport, where to eat, and day‑trips; practical, up‑to‑date advice aimed at both first‑timers and repeat visitors.
Shanghai 2026 — A Foreigner's Travel Guide
A concise, foreigner-focused guide with clear sections on top sights, food scenes beyond xiaolongbao, transit (including Maglev), and neighbourhood suggestions — valuable for travellers wanting local context and sensible itineraries.
Shanghai Layover Guide: How to spend 48 hours in Shanghai
Personal 48‑hour / layover itinerary with realistic timings, highlights (Bund, Yu Garden, French Concession), food stops and transit tips — useful if you have a short window and need a tight, walkable plan.
Shanghai Guide: 48 Hours in China's Metropolis
Practical 48‑hour guide with recommended routes, must‑try dishes, and quick cultural notes (e.g., People’s Park marriage market); good for food-focused short visits and getting oriented fast.
02 · Find
Explore Local
We haven't mapped neighborhoods for Shanghai yet.
03 · Plan
Build Itinerary
Language Guide
04 · Travel Tips
Travel Tips
Local customs
- Tipping: tipping is not expected for most services (restaurants, taxis) and can cause awkwardness; a small tip for exceptional service is optional. (lonelyplanet.com)
- Politeness: queue for trains and buses, avoid loud public arguments, and be discreet with sensitive political topics.
- Addressing people: use surnames or titles when introduced; a brief nod or slight bow is fine.
- Dining: try to show appreciation for food; don’t stick chopsticks upright in a bowl (it resembles funeral rites).
Transportation
- Metro: fastest way around central Shanghai; stations and trains are frequent but can be extremely crowded at peak times. Consider avoiding rush hours (roughly 07:30–09:00 and 17:30–19:00). (en.wikipedia.org)
- Payment: you can use Shanghai Public Transportation Card, transport QR codes (Alipay/WeChat), and many metro stations now accept international bank cards. Buy a local transport card or set up a transport QR before arrival for convenience. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Taxis & ride-hailing: regulated taxis accept cash and cards; Didi (ride-hail) is widely used — have your pickup address written in Chinese and a local SIM or Wi‑Fi to use the app smoothly. (shanghaiatlas.com)
- Airports: two main airports (PVG and SHA); plan extra time for immigration and transit between city and airport (maglev from Pudong or metro + express options).
- Bikes & e-scooters: dockless bikes are common; park them properly and watch for bike lanes and sudden stops.
Safety
- General safety: Shanghai is relatively safe; keep usual precautions against pickpocketing in crowded areas and on crowded trains.
- Scams: be wary of overly friendly strangers offering tours or "help" — decline and walk away if uncomfortable.
- Emergencies: police 110, fire 119, ambulance 120 — save these numbers and your hotel address in Chinese. (english.shanghai.gov.cn)
- Health: tap water is not typically drunk; use bottled water for drinking and carry any prescription medicines in original packaging.
Insider tips
- Language: English is limited outside tourist spots; save key addresses and destination names in Chinese on your phone to show drivers or ask for directions.
- Apps: install a maps app that works in China (Gaode/Amap), a ride-hailing app (Didi), and a payment app (Alipay or WeChat) if possible — these make navigation and purchases much easier.
- Cash vs digital: many small vendors prefer QR payments; keep some RMB cash for markets, small shops, or where QR isn’t accepted.
- Timing attractions: visit popular sites early (Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum) to avoid crowds; many museums are free or inexpensive but may require timed entry.
- Connectivity: buy a local SIM or pocket Wi‑Fi for navigation and apps; some services require a Chinese phone number for registration.