Global · China

Shanghai Travel Guide

Flights, places to stay, and the best things to do in Shanghai for travelers flying from Vietnam.

Shanghai Travel Guide
Currency
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Language
Mandarin Chinese, Shanghainese
Timezone
UTC+8 (1 hour ahead of Vietnam)
Flight Time
3.5 hours from Hanoi / 4 hours from HCM

Overview

Shanghai, China's dazzling financial capital on the Yangtze River Delta, showcases an extraordinary juxtaposition of colonial heritage and futuristic ambition. From European neoclassical architecture along The Bund facing the sci-fi skyline of Lujiazui to the leafy avenues of the French Concession and mouthwatering xiaolongbao soup dumplings, Shanghai offers an electrifying urban adventure.

Where to stay

Budget$25–55/night

People's Square

Central metro nexus (lines 1, 2, 8) with easy walking access to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai Museum, and budget hotels.

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Mid-range$60–130/night

French Concession

Charming neighborhood lined with plane trees, historic 1920s shikumen lanes, indie coffee shops, and boutique guesthouses.

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Luxury$150–550/night

The Bund / Lujiazui

Premier riverside locations with iconic panoramic views of the Huangpu River, colonial heritage suites, and high-rise luxury towers.

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Things to do

The Bund & Huangpu River Cruise

Stroll past 1920s European heritage banks and take an evening river cruise to admire the neon-lit skyscrapers of Pudong.

Yu Garden & Yuyuan Bazaar

Explore a classical Ming Dynasty garden complete with zigzag bridges, koi ponds, traditional teahouses, and famous soup dumpling stalls.

Shanghai Tower Observation Deck

Ascend to the world's second-tallest building for panoramic 360-degree views over the sprawling metropolis from 546 meters up.

Best time to visit

September – November

Crisp autumn weather, golden London plane tree foliage in the French Concession, and the peak of the Yangcheng Lake hairy crab season.

December – February

Winter festive illumination, festive Yuyuan lantern festival displays, and steaming hot pot dining with fewer tourists.

Travel tips

  • 1

    Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to an international Visa/Mastercard before arrival, as cashless payment is ubiquitous throughout Shanghai.

  • 2

    Ride the Shanghai Maglev train from Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road station at speeds up to 430 km/h in just over 7 minutes.

  • 3

    Try authentic local dim sum favorites including Nanxiang xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and crispy pan-fried shengjianbao.

Ready to plan Shanghai?

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