Getting there and choosing your base
- Pudong International Airport (PVG): The main international gateway, near the coast east of the city. Metro Line 2 runs from here through downtown, and the Maglev covers the first part of the trip at high speed, so a hotel close to a Line 2 station keeps the airport run simple.
- Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station: The domestic airport, which also takes some East Asian flights, is next to the city's main high-speed rail hub on the western side. A room nearby suits rail trips to Hangzhou, Suzhou or Nanjing and short business stops.
- Shanghai Railway Station: A separate station north of downtown, in the former Zhabei district. Check which station your ticket names before booking a hotel for a morning departure; it is a long way across town to Hongqiao.
Areas to consider
The Bund and Nanjing Road East
Suits a first visit, with riverside architecture, the pedestrian shopping street and an easy walk to People's Park and the Old City. A 'river view' can mean anything from a full Huangpu panorama to a sliver between buildings, so ask for the specific outlook.
Former French Concession
Suits tree-lined streets, small boutiques, cafés and a good share of the city's nightlife. Many older buildings south of the Yangtze were built without central heating, so ask how a converted villa or lane house is heated if you visit in winter.
Jing'an
Suits upmarket shopping, consulate appointments and quick metro links in several directions. Check whether the nearest station is on Line 2, which connects both airports without a change.
Lujiazui (Pudong)
Suits business at the financial district and international chain hotels with skyline views. Evenings are quieter than on the Puxi side, so look at the walk to the metro if you expect to cross the river for dinner.
When to go
China's two Golden Weeks, around Chinese New Year and from National Day on 1 October, send huge numbers of people travelling; trains sell out and hotel prices rise. Spring often brings long grey, rainy spells, summer is hot and very humid with frequent thunderstorms, and typhoons are possible, though not common, from July to September.
Before choosing a room
- Hotels must register foreign guests, so have your passport at check-in. The law has required licensed hotels to accept foreigners since 2024, but some budget places still refuse, so confirm before booking.
- Winter nights often drop below freezing. Ask whether the room has heating rather than relying on an air-conditioning unit.
- Shanghai Municipality covers 16 districts, many of them far-flung suburbs. Check the address is in central Puxi or Lujiazui, not an outer district sold under the city's name.
Sources and planning resources
- Wikivoyage: Shanghai
- Wikivoyage: China (holidays and accommodation)
- Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
- How Hotel Unfiltered uses guest reviews
Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.