Explore Shanghai
Your perfect trip to China
Shanghai is the head of the dragon. It is China’s showpiece, a city that accelerates so fast it blurs. Standing on the Bund, looking across the Huangpu River, you see the physical timeline of modern history: behind you, the neoclassical stone buildings of the 1920s colonial era; in front of you, the Lujiazui skyline, a sci-fi cluster of pink spheres and twisting glass towers that didn’t exist 30 years ago. The air is thick, humid, and smells of river water, frying dumplings, and money.
The sensory experience is electric. At night, the city glows with a level of light pollution that is almost artistic. The neon signs reflect in the rain-slicked streets of the French Concession, where plane trees form green tunnels over art deco villas. It is sophisticated, blending Paris chic with Blade Runner grit.
Shanghai is fast and fashionable. The locals (Shanghainese) are known for being sharp, business-savvy, and well-dressed. The food is sweeter than the rest of China, famous for Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) and hairy crab.
To navigate Shanghai is to use your phone for everything. Cash is dead. You pay with Alipay/WeChat. You hail cars with Didi. It is a glimpse into a cashless, convenient future.
The perfect plan for Shanghai:
Day 1 Agenda
Theme: The Bund & The Tower
- Morning: The Bund. Go at sunrise (5:30 AM). You will see locals flying kites and doing Tai Chi with the skyline as a backdrop. It’s the most authentic time.
- Afternoon: Ferry across to Lujiazui. Go up the Shanghai Tower (tallest in China). The elevator is the fastest in the world. The view is God-like.
- Evening: Flair Rooftop Bar (Ritz Carlton). You are eye-level with the Pearl Tower. Expensive drinks, but the view is unbeatable. Dinner at Lost Heaven (Yunnan folk cuisine). Dark, moody, delicious.
Day 2 Agenda
Theme: French Trees & Dumplings
- Morning: Former French Concession (FFC). Walk around Wukang Road. See the Wukang Mansion (Flatiron building). It feels like Europe.
- Afternoon: Propaganda Poster Art Centre. Hidden in a basement of an apartment block. A fascinating collection of Mao-era art. Lunch: Yang’s Fry-Dumpling (Sheng Jian Bao). Fried pork buns. burnt bottoms, juicy inside. Careful, they squirt hot soup.
- Evening: Tianzifang. Narrow alleyways of shops. Touristy but cute. Dinner at Old Jesse (booking essential). Classic Shanghainese food—try the Red Braised Pork (Hong Shao Rou).
Day 3 Agenda
Theme: Art & Gardens
- Morning: Yu Garden. Go at 8:30 AM to avoid tour groups. Classic Chinese rock gardens. Cross the zigzag bridge (ghosts can’t turn corners).
- Afternoon: M50 Creative Park. Graffiti walls and art galleries in old warehouses. Cool vibe. Lunch nearby.
- Evening: Jing’an Temple. A golden temple surrounded by malls. It glows at night. Dinner at a Hot Pot place like Haidilao (great service, noodle dance) to finish the trip.
Weather
Spring (Mar-May): Pleasant, warming up. Blossoms.
Summer (Jun-Sep): Brutal. 35°C+ and very humid. The “Plum Rains” (Meiyu) in June bring constant drizzle.
Autumn (Oct-Nov): The best season. Cool, dry, comfortable. Hairy Crab season.
Winter (Dec-Feb): Damp and bone-chilling cold (0-5°C). No central heating in the south (historically).
Local Customs
1. Payment: Cash is rarely used. You need Alipay or WeChat Pay set up with your foreign card before you arrive.
2. VPN: Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc., are blocked. You need a high-quality paid VPN (installed before arrival) or a roaming SIM card (which bypasses the firewall).
3. Queuing: Personal space is smaller here. Don’t leave a gap in line, or someone will fill it.
History & Culture
Shanghai was a small fishing town until the Treaty of Nanking (1842) forced it open to foreign trade. It became the “Paris of the East” in the 1920s/30s, a wild zone of gangsters, jazz, and international concessions. After years of stagnation under Mao, it was unleashed in the 1990s to regain its crown as a global financial center. The contrast between the colonial Puxi side and the futuristic Pudong side is the story of its rebirth.
Getting Around & Safety
Metro: Massive, cheap, and English-friendly. Use the MetroMan app.
Didi (App): The Chinese Uber. It has an English interface. Very cheap.
Walking: Great in the French Concession and Bund, but distances are huge.
Info for Nomads
Shanghai has a massive, wealthy expat community (“Shanghai Bubble”). It is very social, with endless brunches and balls. It is easy to meet people if you go to expat bars.
Workation Vibe
Internet is fast, but the “Great Firewall” slows down foreign sites. Coworking is popular.
- WeWork (multiple locations): Reliable internet, good coffee, English speaking.
- Seesaw Coffee: Great local chain, very design-focused, laptop friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe? +
Extremely safe. Violence is non-existent. Scams exist (the “Tea House Scam” near People’s Square—do not go with friendly students who want to practice English).
Do they speak English? +
Less than in Hong Kong. Young people in the center might, but taxi drivers won’t. Have addresses in Chinese characters (screenshot them) to show drivers.
How do I use the internet? +
Critical: You need a VPN or an eSIM (like Airalo) that roams. Without it, you have no Google Maps, no Gmail, no Instagram. Baidu Maps is the local standard (Chinese only).