WhereWeGo
Representative view of Shanghai, China
City
🇨🇳 China · East Asia

Shanghai

Riverfront skyline, art deco Bund, contemporary art and the country's best restaurant range.

Budget level
Higher cost
Best months
Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Ideal stay
3–4 days
Best for
Food, Culture, Nightlife

Overview

China's financial and design capital, and the easiest big city for first-time visitors: strong metro, walkable former concession neighbourhoods and an international food scene.

Plan & book

Compare flights, stays, activities and transport for your trip to Shanghai.

Flights

Compare routes and fares from your departure city.

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Browse stays by area and budget.

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Tours & activitieswith KKday

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Car rentalwith Getrentacar

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Airport transferswith Welcome Pickups

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Why go to Shanghai

  • The Bund and Pudong skyline
  • Former French Concession streets
  • Contemporary art museums
  • Water towns like Zhujiajiao nearby

Budget

Shanghai is higher cost by China standards. Across China, mid-range travellers typically spend about $80–$140 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full China budget breakdown.

Practical information

Language
Mandarin Chinese; English signage is common in big-city transport but limited elsewhere — translation apps are genuinely useful
Currency
Chinese yuan renminbi (CNY); mobile payments dominate over cash and foreign cards
Power
Type A/C/I, 220V
Entry
Entry rules change frequently and vary by nationality, including visa-free and transit schemes for some passports — verify current official requirements before booking. Tibet requires a separate permit and an organised tour.

When to go to Shanghai

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Plan 3–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Getting around

  • High-speed rail is the default for intercity travel — the world's largest such network, and usually faster than flying between eastern cities
  • Domestic flights make sense for the far west, Tibet, Yunnan and Hainan

Suggested itineraries

  • China classic

    12 days

    The headline three by high-speed rail.

    Route: Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai

  • Classic plus karst

    15 days

    Adds pandas and the Li River landscapes.

    Route: Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin & Yangshuo → Shanghai

China guides