上海
上海是中国与世界相遇的地方。黄浦江畔 1920 年代建筑林立的外滩,与对岸浦东的天际线,是地球上最常被拍摄的城市景观之一。三天可看完核心:外滩+浦东、豫园、法租界,若有时间还可去朱家角。大部分西方游客可免签停留 30 天。
Why 上海 in 2026.
亚洲的金融之都。外滩、上海塔与法租界,共同构成 2500 万人口的国际化大都市。
Quick Answer
上海是中国与世界相遇的地方。黄浦江畔 1920 年代建筑林立的外滩,与对岸浦东的天际线,是地球上最常被拍摄的城市景观之一。三天可看完核心:外滩+浦东、豫园、法租界,若有时间还可去朱家角。大部分西方游客可免签停留 30 天。
| Worth visiting | Absolutely — China's most cosmopolitan city, a sci-fi skyline meets 1920s Art Deco, with world-class dining and nightlife |
|---|---|
| Recommended days | 3–4 days |
| Best time to visit | March–May and September–November. Avoid the July–September humidity and typhoon season. |
| Daily budget | $80 (backpacker) / $200 (mid-range) / $550+ (luxury) |
| Family friendly | Yes — Disneyland, the aquarium, Science & Technology Museum, and wide stroller-friendly sidewalks |
| Solo friendly | Yes — the most English-friendly city in China, safe at night, excellent metro and café culture |
| Airport | PVG (Pudong International) and SHA (Hongqiao) — Maglev train reaches 431 km/h from PVG |
| High-speed rail | Yes — direct HSR to Beijing (4.5h), Hangzhou (45m), Suzhou (25m), Nanjing (1h), and 200+ other cities |
| Language | Mandarin (the local Shanghainese dialect is distinct; English widely spoken in central Shanghai) |
| Currency | CNY (¥) — Alipay and WeChat Pay accept foreign Visa/Mastercard as of 2024; foreign cards widely accepted at hotels and malls |
| Time zone | China Standard Time (UTC+8) |
| Last updated | 2026-06-15 |
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快速跳转:
The Bund·French Concession·Yu Garden·Food & Dining·Getting Around·Where to Stay
什么是上海:为什么上海值得一访?
上海(上海,字面意思为「海上之上」)是中国最大的城市,大都会区人口超过 2500 万。100 年间,它从一个小渔村跃升为亚洲金融中心——这一跃迁由 1842 年的《南京条约》推动,条约将上海辟为通商口岸。外滩的 1920 年代装饰艺术大楼是那个时代的有形遗产;浦东则是其 21 世纪的对应物。
上海的历史:从渔村到超级城市
上海在清朝时已成为重要商业港口,但其真正转型始于 1842 年的《南京条约》,该条约迫使中国向英国商人开放该港。此后数十年,法、美、英租界相继设立,各有自己的法律与街区。如今的法租界仍是步行最迷人的区域之一,法桐成荫,咖啡馆林立。
Top attractions
The Bund (外滩)
The 1.5-km riverfront promenade facing 52 heritage Art Deco and neoclassical buildings from the 1920s, with the Pudong skyline across the river. Best at sunset and after dark when Pudong lights up. Free.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Pudong Skyline and the Shanghai Tower
The sci-fi skyscraper forest across the Huangpu: the 632 m Shanghai Tower (China's tallest, with the 474 m skywalk observation), the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, and the SWFC. The Shanghai Tower observation is the headline.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Yu Garden and the Old City (豫园)
A 1559 Ming-dynasty classical garden of rockeries, koi ponds, pavilions, and zigzag bridges, surrounded by a recreated old-city bazaar. ¥40. Pair with the City God Temple and the bazaar street food.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
The French Concession (法租界)
The leafy former French concession — tree-lined streets, 1920s villas, boutiques, cafes, and bars. The most pleasant urban walking in China. Anchored by Xintiandi, Tianzifang, and the boutiques of Anfu and Wukang Roads.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Shanghai Museum
One of the great museums of China — the bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, furniture, and coins of 5,000 years, in a superb display on People's Square. Free (book ahead). Allow 3 hours.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Nanjing Road
China's most famous shopping street — the pedestrian Nanjing East Road from the Bund to People's Square, neon-lit and crowded day and night. Free to walk.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Xintiandi (新天地)
A restored Shikumen (stone-gate) lane complex, now a chic district of restaurants, bars, and the Site of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. The blend of old architecture and modern commerce.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Tianzifang (田子坊)
A maze of Shikumen lanes converted into art studios, craft shops, cafes, and bars in the French Concession. Touristy but atmospheric. Free to wander.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Zhujiajiao Water Town
A 1,700-year-old canal water town an hour west of the city, with Ming-Qing stone bridges, arched alleys, and boat rides. The easiest water-town day trip. ¥80 for the sights.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
West Bund (西岸)
The riverside West Bund art district — the Long Museum, the Yuz Museum, the Start Museum, and a landscaped riverfront walk. Shanghai's contemporary art heart. Free to walk; museums ¥80–120.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Jade Buddha Temple (玉佛寺)
A working 1918 Buddhist temple with two white-Burma-jade Buddha statues, incense, and chanting monks. The calm spiritual counterpoint to the city's commercial energy. ¥20.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
Disneyland Shanghai
The newest of the Disney parks, with the unique Tron Lightcycle Power Run and Pirates of the Caribbean rides. A full day in Pudong. From ¥475. Best for families or theme-park fans.
Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA
STAY
Where to stay in 上海
Pick a base that matches the trip you want — imperial-central for sightseeing, hutong belt for character, Chaoyang for nightlife, or Qianmen for budget.
The Bund (Waitan)
Colonial waterfront with the well-known Pudong skyline view
#the-bundXintiandi
Shikumen-restored shopping and upscale dining
#xintiandiFrench Concession
Tree-lined 1920s villas, the best walking in Shanghai
#french-concessionTianzifang
Narrow-lane market with small art studios and cafes
#tianzifangPudong / Lujiazui
Financial district with the Shanghai Tower and IFC
#pudong-lujiazui
ITINERARIES
Sample itineraries from 上海
Three ready-made routes, from a 1-day imperial sprint to a 5-day deep dive. Copy the day-by-day plan and adapt to your own pace.
- 2 DAYS
Shanghai in 2 Days (Highlights)
The essential: Bund, Pudong, Yu Garden, French Concession, one xiaolongbao institution.
- First-timers
- Tight schedule
- Day 01
Morning
Yu Garden (9am when it opens to avoid crowds). Then walk to the Bund.
Afternoon
The Bund promenade (1.5 km, allow 2 hours); cross to Pudong via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel or just the metro.
Evening
Maglev train to/from Pudong Airport, then dinner at Din Tai Fung (xialongbao).
- Day 02
Morning
French Concession walk: Wukang Rd → Anfu Rd → Fuxing Rd. Cafe breakfast en route.
Afternoon
Tianzifang (the narrow-lane market), then Xintiandi for upscale shopping.
Evening
Rooftop bar at the Bund for skyline view; final dinner at Lost Heaven (Yunnan fusion).
- 4 DAYS
Shanghai + Suzhou in 4 Days
2 days in Shanghai + 2 days in Suzhou (classical gardens, UNESCO).
- First-timers with time
- Architecture lovers
- Day 01
Morning
Yu Garden + Bund walk.
Afternoon
Pudong: Shanghai Tower observation deck.
Evening
Din Tai Fung.
- Day 02
Morning
French Concession + Tianzifang.
Afternoon
Jade Buddha Temple; Xintiandi.
Evening
Hairy crab (in season) at Wang Bao He, or Peking duck at Da Hu Chun.
- Day 03
Morning
Take HSR to Suzhou (30 min). Drop bags at hotel.
Afternoon
Humble Administrator's Garden (UNESCO). 2-3 hours.
Evening
Pingjiang Road canal walk; dinner at Songhelou (Suzhou cuisine).
- Day 04
Morning
Tiger Hill (云岩寺塔) + Hanshan Temple.
Afternoon
Suzhou Museum (IM Pei, free).
Evening
HSR back to Shanghai; last dinner.
BUDGET
What a 上海 trip costs
Per-person, per-day costs across three spending tiers. Excludes international flights and visa fees.
| Line item | Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | $35 | $130 | $450 |
| Meals (3 per day) | $12 | $35 | $120 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $60 |
| Top attraction (Yu Garden, Pudong tower) | $15 | $30 | $50 |
| Daily essentials | $5 | $20 | $60 |
| Total per day | $72 | $230 | $740 |
$ USD per person per day, before international flights and visas. Last verified: Q3 2026.
STAY SAFE
Emergency contacts in 上海
Save these three numbers before you board the plane. China uses different hotlines than most countries — there's no 911.
- POLICE
110
- AMBULANCE
120
- FIRE
119
- TOURIST HOTLINE
12301 (China National Tourism Administration hotline)
- ENGLISH-SPEAKING ER
Shanghai United Family Hospital (上海和睦家医院) — 24/7 English-speaking, +86 21 2216 3909, 1139 Xianxia Lu, Changning. Also: Jiahui International Hospital (嘉会国际医院) +86 21 5339 6008, Xuhui.
Problems travelers hit in 上海
- Why is my Alipay not working?You linked a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay but every transaction is rejected at the merchant.
- My China visa was denied — what now?Your L visa application was refused at the Chinese consulate and your trip is in 2–4 weeks.
- My passport was lost or stolen in China — what do I do?Your passport is gone (theft or loss) and you're in mainland China without travel documents.
- Why can't I book on 12306 with my foreign card?You tried to book a high-speed rail ticket on 12306.cn and your foreign Visa/Mastercard is rejected at checkout.
- Why is my VPN not working in China?You arrived in China, opened your VPN, and it will not connect at all or connects but no traffic loads.
- Why can't I book a Tibet trip on my own?You try to book Lhasa flights and hotels yourself but the booking fails, or you're turned away at the Lhasa airport without a permit.
Decisions 上海 informs
- Should I visit Beijing or Shanghai first?Pick Beijing for a first trip with ≤7 days; pick Shanghai for repeat visits or food-focused trips.
- Shanghai or Hong Kong — which for a first visit?Pick Hong Kong if English-only matters or you have ≤4 days; pick Shanghai for the "real China" first-timer experience.
- Shanghai or Hangzhou for a weekend trip?Day-trip to Hangzhou if you've seen the main Shanghai sights; stay put if this is your first Shanghai visit.
- Shanghai vs Beijing — which for a first trip?Beijing for a first trip — the Great Wall and Forbidden City are unmatched. Shanghai for repeat visitors or food-led trips.
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Frequently asked questions
去上海需要几天?
上海还是香港?
在上海怎么出行?
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