Shanghai
Shanghai is China at full speed. The Bund waterfront is one of the world's great skyline views — colonial European buildings on one side, the futuristic Pudong towers on the other. The city moves fast and builds faster, but the old French Concession still has tree-lined streets, art deco architecture, and hidden cocktail bars. The food scene spans everything from soup dumplings in century-old shops to Michelin-starred dining rooms.
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Shanghai travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Shanghai?
3 to 4 days. Day one: the Bund (walk it at night for the lights), Nanjing Road, and the Yu Garden area in the Old City. Day two: French Concession — Tianzifang alley art district, tree-lined streets, vintage shops, and hidden bars. Day three: Pudong — Shanghai Tower observation deck (¥180, 632m tall, China's tallest), Shanghai Museum, and a river cruise at night. Day four: Zhujiajiao water town day trip (1 hour, 'Venice of Shanghai'), or the propaganda poster art center and M50 art district.
What food is essential in Shanghai?
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are the signature — Jia Jia Tang Bao and Yang's Fried Dumplings are the classic spots (¥10-25/$1.50-3.50 for a basket). Shengjianbao (pan-fried soup buns) from Yang's are equally addictive. Red-braised pork (hongshao rou) is the comfort food of the city. For street food, hit Yunnan South Road at night. The French Concession has excellent cocktail bars — Speak Low and Bar Rouge are standouts. Shanghai hairy crab season (October-December) is a culinary event.
How do I get around Shanghai?
The metro is excellent — 20 lines, covers the whole city, ¥3-9 per ride ($0.40-1.25). Get an Alipay or WeChat Pay account (most foreigners can now set these up with a foreign bank card) — cash and foreign credit cards are rarely accepted. Didi (China's Uber) works well and has an English interface. Taxis are cheap (¥14 starting fare) but drivers rarely speak English — show them the address in Chinese characters. The Maglev train from Pudong Airport to the city does 430 km/h and costs ¥50 ($7).