Go early, and go on foot
The Bund before nine is a different city from the Bund at nine. The lanes of the former French Concession are best walked without a map.
Shanghai
Shanghai moves fast and remembers everything: Art Deco on the Bund, the lanes of the former French Concession and a skyline that still changes shape every year. It rewards travellers who plan two neighbourhoods at a time and then leave room for the unexpected.
5 guides
What you'll find in this guide to Shanghai?
Getting around
The metro reaches almost every sight in the city, and Alipay or WeChat Pay loads the fare straight onto your phone. Didi covers the late nights when the metro has stopped.
Where to stay
The French Concession and Jing'an put you within walking distance of the best food. The Bund is for the view and for the price tag.
What to eat
Xiaolongbao, shengjianbao and the noodles of Wukang Road. Start early: the best spots queue before the tourists wake up.
Shopping and souvenirs
Shanghai is a city of endless variety: the lanes of Tianzifang, the malls of Nanjing Road and the tea shops that hide behind plain doors.
Main sights
The Bund at sunset, the Yu Garden before the crowds, and the Shanghai Museum for the context that makes both of them land.
Day trips
The canals of Zhujiajiao, the temples of Suzhou and a morning in the water towns of the delta, all within a couple of hours.
All our Shanghai guides
Day Trips from Shanghai: 10 Places Worth the Journey
Day trips from Shanghai: Suzhou and its gardens, the water towns, the southern Great Wall and the Yellow Mountains, with how long each one takes.
How to Get Around Shanghai: Metro, Taxis and Ferries
How to move around Shanghai: which metro lines reach the Bund and Pudong, what a Didi taxi costs, and when to take the ferry across the Huangpu.
What to Do in Shanghai: 15 Things Worth Your Time
What to do in Shanghai: the Bund, the towers, Yu Garden, the Maglev and the 798 art district, with the time each one really takes.
What to Eat in Shanghai: 12 Dishes and Where to Find Them
What to eat in Shanghai: xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, hongshao rou and the rest of the Shanghainese kitchen, plus the five neighbourhoods where to eat them.
What to See in Shanghai: 10 Places Worth the Trip
What to see in Shanghai: the Bund, the towers on Pudong, Yu Garden and the Old Town, with what each one costs and when to go.
Tips for traveling to Shanghai
Carry cash, but pay by phone
Almost everything takes Alipay or WeChat Pay; a few small stalls still want cash, so keep some yuan on you.
Treat the metro as a friend
It is the fastest way across the city, it runs late into the night, and the announcements come in both Chinese and English.