East · DESTINATION GUIDE

Shanghai 上海

Shanghai sits at the Yangtze estuary, where a major commercial and maritime city meets a wider municipality of suburban towns and islands. Its centre rewards changes of scale: the Huangpu waterfront, residential lanes, old commercial streets and large contemporary art institutions show different parts of the metropolis. The Bund and Pudong skyline are useful orientation points, but they are only a beginning. Choose neighbourhoods and museums that interest you, then leave space to walk between them and notice the ordinary shops, doorways and breakfast counters.

Location of Shanghai in China

About Shanghai

Shanghai at a glance

Population
24,854,100Year-end resident population, entire provincial-level administrative area · 2025Source ↗
Income per person
91,987Mean annual disposable income per person, all residents · 2025 · CNYSource ↗
Languages & dialects
Mandarin and Shanghainese (上海话), a Wu Chinese (吴语) variety; local Wu varieties differ across the municipality.Source ↗
Geography
Low Yangtze Delta plains at the river estuary, with the East China Sea to the east and Hangzhou Bay to the south.Source ↗
Elevation
Municipal average 2.19 m; the highest point is Dajinshan Island at 103.7 m.2025 Shanghai overview figures. Older official pages quote about 4 m; the newer overview is used here.Source ↗
Main gateway
ShanghaiDirect-administered municipality
The Bund (Wai Tan) · 外滩
The Bund (Wai Tan) · Shanghai · 钉钉 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Discover Shanghai

Move from the waterfront to street level

The Bund sets historic commercial facades against Pudong's towers across the Huangpu. Inland, the Wukang–Anfu area changes the focus to residential architecture, former houses, cafes and small shops. Suzhou Creek adds warehouses, bridges and another view of the city's commercial development, while Yuyuan introduces a carefully composed garden landscape. Give these settings separate blocks of time. Returning to a familiar waterfront in evening light can be more rewarding than adding another distant landmark.

Choose culture and meals by neighbourhood

Shanghai Museum East, the Museum of Art Pudong, Power Station of Art and West Bund Museum offer different possible cultural days. Choose by the current exhibition and location, then group nearby visits sensibly. Meals provide another scale of exploration: shengjian buns for breakfast, scallion-oil noodles for a smaller meal and red-braised pork at a shared table. A bakery stop for a butterfly pastry adds a different layer without turning the day into a cross-city food chase.

Treat Pudong and the gateways as large areas

A Pudong address does not mean that every museum, tower or airport is nearby. A hotel beside a useful metro connection often serves a mixed itinerary better than one selected only for the skyline view. The wider municipality also includes destinations such as Chongming that need separate planning. Check the exact airport and railway station for every arrival or departure, and distinguish central sightseeing time from the longer transfers that connect the city's major gateways.

Explore Shanghai

Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.

Shanghai local specialties

上海特色美食 · 59 specialties to discover

Photograph of Pan-fried pork buns (生煎).Pan-fried pork buns 生煎

The defining contrast is a crunchy base, soft upper wrapper and juicy meat center. Some versions contain considerably more hot broth than others.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: buncheduptv from Shanghainese restaurant Little Shanghai Restaurant in San Mateo, California · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Scallion-oil noodles (葱油拌面).Scallion-oil noodles 葱油拌面

The noodles are slippery and chewy, with sweet-salty soy flavor and deep fried-scallion aroma. Crisp scallion pieces provide occasional contrast.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Suginami · CC0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Red-braised pork belly (红烧肉).Red-braised pork belly 红烧肉

The lean meat becomes tender while the fat turns soft and yielding. Sweetness, salt and rich pork flavor should remain in balance.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: lazy fri13th · CC BY 2.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Shepherds-purse and pork wontons in broth, photographed in Malvern, Australia. The photographer identifies the filling as 荠菜馄饨.Pork and vegetable wontons 荠菜鲜肉馄饨

The wonton is tender and savory, with a grassy, slightly earthy vegetable note that lightens the pork. Wrapper thickness varies by shop.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: avlxyz · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo adjustments

Resized proportionally to a maximum 640 px long edge, EXIF orientation applied where present, and encoded as WebP. No crop or subject alteration.

Whole eight-treasure duck with greens; this example was photographed at Lin Heung Kui in Hong Kong.Eight-treasure duck 八宝鸭

Rich duck skin and soft meat surround a dense, savory filling that absorbs the cooking juices.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Peachyeung316 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo adjustments

Resized proportionally to a maximum 640 px long edge, EXIF orientation applied where present, and encoded as WebP. No crop or subject alteration.

A butterfly-shaped Chinese palmier pastry; the photograph does not establish a Shanghai bakery or shooting location.Butterfly pastry 蝴蝶酥

The pastry breaks into thin, crisp flakes with a buttery aroma and sweet, toasted edges. Humidity quickly softens that delicate structure.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Pandalee 潘大 · CC BY 2.0
Photo adjustments

Resized proportionally to a maximum 640 px long edge, EXIF orientation applied where present, and encoded as WebP. No crop or subject alteration.

Crab-and-pork soup dumplings · 蟹粉小笼 · AI dish illustrationCrab-and-pork soup dumplings 蟹粉小笼AI illustration · AI 示意图

The filling is rich, savory and distinctly crab-scented, with a tender wrapper holding a very hot center. The crab-to-pork balance affects intensity and price.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Pork chop with rice cakes · 排骨年糕 · AI dish illustrationPork chop with rice cakes 排骨年糕AI illustration · AI 示意图

The meat offers browned edges and a firm bite, while the rice cakes are sticky, elastic and good at holding sauce.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
All dish names · 全部菜名 (59)

Top sights in Shanghai

Trip.Best · Best Things to DoChecked 2026-09-20

  1. The Bund · 外滩TOP1

    The Bund外滩

    Show on map
    黄浦区

    The Bund follows the western bank of the Huangpu along East Zhongshan No. 1 Road. Historic banks, trading houses and hotels face the modern towers of Lujiazui across the water.

    View guide →
  2. Shanghai Disney Resort · 上海迪士尼度假区TOP2

    Shanghai Disney Resort上海迪士尼度假区

    Show on map
    浦东新区

    Shanghai Disney Resort combines Shanghai Disneyland with Disneytown and a lakeside resort setting. Inside the theme park, Enchanted Storybook Castle anchors the landscape, while themed areas include Treasure Cove and Zootopia.

    View guide →
  3. Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower · 东方明珠TOP3

    Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower东方明珠

    Show on map
    浦东新区

    The Oriental Pearl Tower stands in Lujiazui on the eastern bank of the Huangpu, opposite the Bund.

    View guide →
  4. Yu Garden · 豫园TOP4

    Yuyuan Garden豫园

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    黄浦区

    Yuyuan Garden began as a Ming-period private garden created by Pan Yunduan for his father. It occupies a compact but intricate sequence of halls, rockeries, ponds and corridors beside Shanghai’s City God Temple.

    View guide →
  5. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park · 上海海昌海洋公园TOP5

    Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park上海海昌海洋公园

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    浦东新区

    Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park combines marine exhibits with large themed landscapes and amusement rides. A snow-mountain setting contrasts with a tropical volcano environment, with bridges across a canal connecting the two parts.

    View guide →
  6. LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort · 上海乐高乐园®度假区TOP6

    LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort上海乐高乐园®度假区

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    金山区
  7. Shanghai Wild Animal Park · 上海野生动物园TOP7

    Shanghai Wild Animal Park上海野生动物园

    Show on map
    浦东新区

    Shanghai Wild Animal Park separates a vehicle-based safari section from pedestrian animal exhibits. The two arrangements give different ways to observe wildlife: a managed drive through open enclosures and a walking route among…

    View guide →
  8. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium · 上海海洋水族馆TOP8

    Shanghai Ocean Aquarium上海海洋水族馆

    Show on map
    浦东新区

    Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is an indoor aquatic attraction in Lujiazui. Its exhibits use geographic zones alongside an underwater tunnel sequence.

    View guide →
  9. Shanghai Songcheng Show Park · 上海千古情景区TOP9

    Shanghai Songcheng Show Park上海千古情景区

    Show on map
    浦东新区
  10. Shanghai Museum · 上海博物馆TOP10

    Shanghai Museum上海博物馆

    Show on map
    黄浦区
View more on Trip.com →

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Ranking source & photo credits

The first ten entries of Trip.Best Best Things to Do. Rankings reflect platform recommendations, not counts of international visitors. Read on 20 September 2026; platform pages may use cached snapshots.

  • The Bund: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Shanghai Disney Resort: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Yuyuan Garden: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Shanghai Wild Animal Park: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Shanghai Ocean Aquarium: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Shanghai Songcheng Show Park: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Shanghai Museum: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.

Our place guide directory →

EXPLORE THE NEXT LEVEL

Cities, counties & districts in Shanghai

16 areas belong directly to Shanghai.

16 areas

District

Huangpu District黄浦区

Huangpu District (Wugniu: waon6 phu5 chiu1, ) makes up the eastern part of Shanghai's traditional urban core and is today the most central of Shanghai's 16 districts.

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Xuhui District徐汇区

Xuhui District is a core urban district of Shanghai. It has a land area of 54.76 km² (21.14 sq mi) and a population of 1,113,078 as of 2020. Xuhui District has 12 subdistricts and two townships.

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Changning District长宁区

Changning District is one of the seven administrative districts that make up the city centre of Shanghai, China. It has a land area of 37.19 km² (14.36 sq mi) and had a population of 694,000 as of 2018.

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Jing'an District静安区

Jing'an District (静安区) is one of the central districts of Shanghai. In 2020, it had 975,707 inhabitants in an area of 37 km² (14 sq mi).

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District

Putuo District普陀区

Putuo District (simplified Chinese: 普陀区; traditional Chinese: 普陀區; pinyin: Pǔtuó Qū; Shanghainese: phu3 du2 chiu1) is a municipal district of Shanghai Municipality, People's Republic of China.

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Hongkou District虹口区

Hongkou (; formerly spelled Hongkew) is a district of Shanghai, forming part of the northern urban core. It has a land area of 23.48 km² (9.07 sq mi) and a population of 757,498 as of 2020.

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Yangpu District杨浦区

Yangpu is one of the 16 districts of Shanghai. It is located in the northeastern part of downtown Shanghai, bordering the Huangpu River on the east and south, Hongkou on the west, and Baoshan on the north.

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Minhang District闵行区

Minhang District is a suburban district of Shanghai with a land area of 371.57 km² (143.46 sq mi) and population of 2,653,489 residents as of 2020.

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Baoshan District宝山区

Baoshan is a suburban district of Shanghai. It has an area of 424.58 square kilometers (163.93 sq mi) and had a population of 2,235,218 at the time of the 2020 Chinese census.

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Jiading District嘉定区

Jiading is a suburban district of Shanghai. As of the 2020 Chinese census, it had a population of 1,834,258.

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Pudong New Area浦东新区

Pudong is a district of Shanghai located east of the Huangpu, the river which flows through central Shanghai. The name Pudong was originally applied to the Huangpu's east bank, directly across from the west…

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Jinshan District金山区

Jinshan District is a suburban district of southwestern Shanghai, neighboring Zhejiang province and Hangzhou Bay. It has a land area of 586.14 square kilometers (226.31 sq mi) and a population of 732,500 as…

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Songjiang District松江区

Songjiang is a suburban district (formerly a county) of Shanghai. It has a land area of 605.64 km² (233.84 sq mi) and a population of 1,909,713 (2020).

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Qingpu District青浦区

Qingpu District is a suburban district of Shanghai Municipality. Lake Dianshan is located in Qingpu.

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Fengxian District奉贤区

Fengxian District, is a suburban district in the south of Shanghai with a land area of 704.68 km² (272.08 sq mi), a registered population (as of 2020) of 1,140,872, and 1.5 to 2 times more migrants.

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Chongming District崇明区

Chongming District is the northernmost district of the provincial-level municipality of Shanghai. Chongming consists of three low-lying inhabited alluvial islands at the mouth of the Yangtze north of the…

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Arrive, stay & get around Shanghai

交通枢纽、住宿与天气

YOUR ARRIVAL GATEWAY

Shanghai上海

Transport gateways for Shanghai; check the named terminal or station on the ticket.

Airports

Railway stations

Metro & city transport

GET AROUND BY METRO · 地铁出行

Shanghai Metro Network 上海轨道交通线路图

Zoomable map · 可放大

Urban metro and the separately identified Airport Link Line connect the city’s gateways; use their current route maps and fare rules.

  1. 1Find your stations确认起点与终点站
  2. 2Check interchanges查看换乘线路与站点
  3. 3Follow exit signs到站后按站内标识出站
Shanghai rail network diagram · 上海轨道交通线路图Explore the full network查看站名、线路与换乘Enlarge map点击放大线路图

Check the legend for closed, reserved or future sections. 停运、预留与规划区间，请按图例辨识。

Map edition: 2025-12-27 · Diagram reviewed 2026-09-06

Map: Yveltal · CC BY-SA 4.0

Map coverage & sources 图示范围与来源说明

Shanghai Metro and suburban rail geographical network; includes 18 extension and airport link. Small labels require full-screen zoom.

Wikimedia advertised raster derivative, converted losslessly to WebP; transparent background flattened to white; no route geometry or labels edited.

Official information ↗
Amap · 高德地图Apple Maps · 苹果地图

Coaches, ferries & onward travel

Transport reference review: 2026-09-06. Consult the operator for current services and timetables.

More about getting around

Pudong and Hongqiao are separate airports, so check the airport code and terminal carefully. Metro journeys suit most central sightseeing; the Airport Link Line connects the airport areas with onward transfers. Confirm the exact railway station before leaving for an intercity departure.

Stay in Shanghai

People's Square and the Nanjing Road area suit a first visit with frequent sightseeing. Jing'an and the former French Concession's surrounding streets favor cafés and evening walks. Choose a hotel near a useful metro entrance; a central district can still cover considerable ground.

Find hotels on Trip.com →

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Shanghai weather

The current-hour forecast loads when this section is visible. It uses MET Norway model data for the named city, not station observations.

Seasons & when to go

Spring and autumn generally suit long walks. Summer brings heavy humidity, intense heat and spells of rain; tropical storms can affect late summer and early autumn. Winter is often damp and chilly, so pack an insulating layer even for an urban itinerary.

Local life & communication

Shanghai's contrast is between international scale and close-grained daily life: financial towers and major museums coexist with lane neighborhoods, food counters and independent shops. Its distinctiveness comes from these different urban layers rather than from speed alone.

Start with shikumen lane architecture, then compare a historic collection with a contemporary gallery. At meals, explore benbang cooking through soy-braised dishes and seasonal vegetables. Xiaolongbao and pan-fried buns make approachable introductions, but Shanghai's food story extends well beyond dumplings.

Language & communication

Mandarin is the practical common language; Shanghainese belongs to the Wu language group. Major transport signs often include English, but small eateries may not. Keep a Chinese hotel address and destination screenshots, especially when similar English place names appear across districts.

Useful local tips

  • The Bund, West Bund and Suzhou Creek are different waterfront areas; save the Chinese name of the particular museum or promenade you want.
  • Shanghai Museum's People's Square and East branches are separate destinations. Check the branch named on the official exhibition page.
  • Keep one half-day for one museum and its surrounding neighborhood; combining several distant galleries can consume the day in transfers.
  • For shengjian, try a small serving and notice whether you prefer a thicker, breadier wrapper or a thinner, soupier style; one traveler's comparison shows why tastes differ.

Written by China Revealed · Editorially updated 2026-09-07

Sources & useful links