Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan city — a place where colonial-era architecture stands across the river from one of the world's most futuristic skylines. It is also China's food capital, with everything from street-side shengjianbao to Michelin-starred dim sum. This guide gives you a practical Shanghai itinerary with specific restaurants, transport instructions, and timing tips that actually work.
The best months are March to May and October to November, with pleasant temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. Summer (June–September) is oppressively hot and humid, plus it is typhoon season. Winter (December–February) is chilly and damp, with temperatures around 2°C to 8°C. Spring brings occasional haze; autumn has the clearest skies.
The Bund is a 1.5 km waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River, lined with 52 buildings from the 1920s and 1930s in styles ranging from Art Deco to neoclassical. It is free to walk and open 24 hours.
Arrive at 6:30 AM for photographs with zero crowds and soft morning light hitting the Pudong skyline. Alternatively, come at 7 PM in summer (5 PM in winter) to watch the Pudong lights turn on. The building lights are turned off promptly at 10 PM.
The former French Concession is Shanghai's most charming neighborhood, with plane-tree-lined streets, boutique shops, cafes, and hidden bars. This area is best explored on foot or by bike.
Start at Xintiandi Metro Station (Line 10/13). Head south on Huangpi South Road to reach Xintiandi, a restored shikumen (stone-gate) housing complex now filled with restaurants. Continue west along Fuxing Road to Sinan Road — one of the prettiest streets in Shanghai, lined with 1920s villas and plane trees.
Turn north on Wulumuqi Road to reach Anfu Road, a small street packed with independent bookstores, coffee shops, and galleries. Continue to Wuyuan Road for boutique shopping. End at Julu Road, where you will find some of Shanghai's best hidden cocktail bars behind unmarked doors.
Located inside the French Concession at Taikang Road, Tianzifang is a maze of converted factories and shikumen houses now filled with craft shops, galleries, and tiny cafes. It gets very crowded after 11 AM — arrive at 9 AM to enjoy it quietly. Skip the souvenir shops on the main lanes and explore the narrower alleys for the real gems.
For a self-guided route map of the French Concession with 30 recommended stops (including hidden bars and the best photo spots), check out our Shanghai Travel PDF Guide.
The food most associated with Shanghai. Din Tai Fung (multiple locations) is the reliable choice with consistent quality — their crab and pork xiaolongbao is excellent. For a more local experience, try Jia Jia Tang Bao near People's Square — no English menu, but just point. Expect to queue 20 to 40 minutes. A basket of 12 costs ¥25 to ¥60.
Shanghai's breakfast staple: thick-bottomed buns filled with pork and soup, pan-fried until the bottom is crispy. Yang's Dumplings (chain, multiple locations) is consistent and cheap at ¥12 for 4. For the authentic experience, go to Da Hu Chun on Sichuan Middle Road — the oldest shengjianbao shop in Shanghai, open since 1932.
Cubes of pork belly braised in soy sauce, sugar, and Shaoxing wine until melt-in-your-mouth tender. Shanghai Old Restaurant (Shanghailao Fandian) near Yu Garden serves a classic version. Fu 1088 on Zhenning Road offers a refined version in a 1920s villa setting.
Simple but addictive: noodles tossed in scallion oil and soy sauce. Lu Bo Lang near City God Temple does a great version. For something more upscale, Fu He Hui on Wuyuan Road is a Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant that elevates this humble dish.
If you visit in autumn, Shanghai hairy crab (dazhaxie) is a must. The roe is rich and buttery. Buy live crabs from Tongchuan Road Seafood Market (¥40 to ¥80 each depending on size) and have a restaurant steam them for a small fee, or eat at Wang Bao He — a 270-year-old restaurant famous for crab dishes.
Our Shanghai Travel PDF Guide includes a full food map with 50+ restaurant recommendations organized by neighborhood, with Chinese names you can show to taxi drivers.
Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty. Entrance costs ¥40 (off-season) or ¥60 (peak season). Arrive at opening time (8:30 AM) to enjoy it before tour groups arrive. The surrounding bazaar (Yuyuan Commercial City) is touristy but fun — try the nanxiangbao (steamed buns) at Nanxiang Mantou Dian, the original shop that has been there since 1900.
Walk 10 minutes south to City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao) area for traditional snacks and the zigzag bridge over the lotus pond.
Cross the river to Pudong for the skyscraper experience. The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China (632 m). Its observation deck on the 118th floor costs ¥180 and offers 360-degree views. Book online for a discount. World Financial Center (the "bottle opener") has a glass floor on the 100th floor — not for the faint of heart.
For a free alternative, go to the Lujiazui Central Green park, which has great ground-level views of all three super-tall towers and is a popular spot for wedding photography.
Shanghai has the world's largest metro network by route length — 20 lines covering the entire city. Fares are ¥3 to ¥15. Buy a single-trip ticket at machines (English interface available) or use Alipay's transit QR code directly at turnstiles. The metro runs 5:30 AM to 11 PM.
Taxis start at ¥14 for the first 3 km. Ride-hailing via DiDi (inside Alipay or WeChat) is cheap and convenient. From Pudong International Airport (PVG), take the Maglev train (¥50, 8 minutes to Longyang Road) then transfer to Metro Line 2. From Hongqiao Airport (SHA), Metro Line 10 goes directly downtown.
Our 90-page Shanghai Travel PDF Guide includes a neighborhood-by-neighborhood food map with Chinese addresses, a self-guided French Concession walking route, weekend trip ideas to nearby water towns, and phrase cards for ordering food like a local.
Get the Shanghai Guide PDF