Maglev train
A very fast train from Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Longyang Road station, where you change to the metro.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 1 (exercise caution) · some areas of the country have advisories
Elsewhere in the country: Level 1 (exercise caution) — some regions: Special advisory: Tibet, Xinjiang Uyghur AR / L1: rest of the country
checked 2026-10-01 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Shanghai Travel Guide
China's largest city, where the European-style Bund faces the skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River. Just over two hours from Seoul, it suits short trips for night views, old lanes and great food, and it is home to the former site of the Korean Provisional Government.
Plan your Shanghai trip
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At a glance
- Currency
- CNY (¥)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type A/C/I
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 中文(简体)
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are mild and clear, the best times to go. June to early July is the rainy season, July and August are very hot and humid with possible typhoons, and winters are cold and damp. National Day week (around October 1) and Chinese New Year are extremely crowded.
Airport to the city
Metro Line 2
The cheapest way to East Nanjing Road and People's Square. Depending on the time, you may need to change trains on the way, so follow the station signs. It takes a while.
Taxi
Only use the official taxi rank and make sure the meter is on. Showing your hotel address in Chinese helps.
Getting around
Metro
A dense network with English signs — the easiest way to get around. Every station has bag checks, so allow extra time.
Pay by phone
Transit QR codes inside Alipay or WeChat Pay work on the metro and buses. You can also buy single tickets with cash at stations.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis use meters, and ride-hailing can be booked inside Alipay. Have your destination ready in Chinese.
Huangpu River ferry
A commuter ferry between the Bund side and Lujiazui. It takes a few minutes, costs very little and the river views are great.
Where to stay
The Bund and East Nanjing Road
Good for: First visit, night views, walking
Riverside views and the pedestrian street are close together and walkable. Plenty of hotels, always busy.
People's Square
Good for: Transport, museums
The central hub where several metro lines meet, handy for everything, with the Shanghai Museum.
Former French Concession and Xintiandi
Good for: Strolling, cafes, atmosphere
Plane-tree avenues and old villas. Close to the former Korean Provisional Government site.
Jing'an
Good for: Shopping, stylish dining
A busy area with a temple, malls and restaurants, well connected to the Bund and the airport.
Lujiazui (Pudong)
Good for: High-rise hotels, views, airport access
The skyscraper district across the river, with many hotels looking back at the Bund. Handy for the airport.
Map of stays in Shanghai
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Shanghai in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
The Bund
A riverside promenade lined with European-style buildings. Best after dark when the buildings and the skyline across the river light up. Lighting hours can vary.
Lujiazui observation decks
Views over the whole city from the top of the skyscrapers. Pick a clear day and go around sunset to see both day and night.
Yu Garden and bazaar
A classical garden next to a bazaar of traditional-style buildings. Very crowded by day; go early or for the evening lights.
Former site of the Korean Provisional Government
The preserved building used by the Korean Provisional Government in the 1920s-30s. Check official information on hours, booking, passport checks and indoor photo rules before you go.
Tianzifang
Old lane houses turned into shops and studios. Fun to get lost in the maze of alleys.
Former French Concession walk
Quiet streets of plane trees and old villas. Stop at a cafe along the way.
Shanghai Museum
A large collection of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy. Booking and a passport may be required, so check official information.
Zhujiajiao water town (day trip)
An old canal town with stone bridges, about an hour by metro from downtown. Busy on weekends.
What to eat
Xiaolongbao
Small dumplings with thin skins and hot soup inside. Put one on a spoon and nibble a hole to sip the soup first.
Shengjianbao
Thick pan-fried buns with crispy bottoms, a Shanghai breakfast favorite. The filling is very hot.
Hong Shao Rou
Pork belly slow-braised in soy sauce and sugar — Shanghai home cooking at its best.
Scallion oil noodles
Noodles tossed in scallion oil and soy sauce, simple and cheap. About 15-30 CNY at local spots.
Hairy crab
A freshwater crab in season in autumn (roughly September to November). It is expensive and priced by size, so always check before ordering.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 400 CNY per day: hostel, local food, metro
Mid-rangeabout 800-1,200 CNY per day: city hotel, restaurants, observation deck
Comfortabout 2,000 CNY+ per day: upscale riverside hotel, set-course dinners, taxis
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Maglev and metro into town, check in, stroll East Nanjing Road, then the Bund at night.
- Day 2
Yu Garden in the morning, the former Korean Provisional Government site, then Xintiandi and the French Concession, and Tianzifang in the evening.
- Day 3
Ferry to Lujiazui and an observation deck, then Zhujiajiao or the Shanghai Museum, and xiaolongbao for dinner.
- Day 4
Shengjianbao for breakfast, souvenirs, then the airport (leave town at least 1.5 hours ahead).
Local tips
- Some foreign apps and services may be restricted in China, so sort out your connection (roaming, eSIM, etc.) and a Chinese map app before you go.
- Mobile payment is more common than cash. Foreigners can link overseas cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay, so sign up and verify before you travel.
- Some museums and historic sites need advance booking under your passport name, and you must show your passport on entry.
- There are security checks at every metro station and major sight. Do not carry lighters or knives.
- On the Bund and Nanjing Road, do not follow friendly strangers to tea houses or art shows — they may demand high prices.
- Always check prices before ordering foods sold by weight or market price, such as hairy crab.
- Visa rules, including visa-free entry, change often. Check the latest rules with the Chinese embassy before you travel.
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