About Shanghai
Shanghai is the most cosmopolitan city in China and one of the most dynamic in the world. The Bund's colonial-era facades face Pudong's science-fiction skyline across the Huangpu River — it's one of the great urban views. The French Concession's tree-lined avenues hide boutique cafés and century-old villas. Tianzifang's labyrinthine alleyways pack in galleries, craft shops, and dumplings. The food alone — xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung, scallion noodles from a lane-side cart, hairy crab in autumn — makes Shanghai worth the journey from anywhere.
Highlights
The Bund at night — the colonial skyline lit up across from Pudong's towers Yu Garden and the Old City — classical Chinese garden, go early French Concession by bicycle — the most pleasant neighbourhood to get lost in Tianzifang — alleyway galleries, boutiques, and the best xiaolongbao in the area Shanghai Museum — world-class Chinese antiquities Hairy crab season (October–November) — the city's great seasonal food obsession
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Practical Info
Entry rules depend on your nationality. Check before you travel: Official entry information
Chinese Yuan (CNY, also RMB). Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels and larger stores, but cash is preferred at markets and in smaller places.
Tipping is not customary in China and can even be refused. High-end hotels and international restaurants may add a service charge; otherwise no tip is expected.
Shanghai is generally safe with low violent crime, but pickpocketing and scams (e.g., tea house scams) can occur in tourist-heavy areas like Nanjing Road or the Bund.
Local SIMs from China Mobile or China Unicom are sold at the airport and in their stores. Foreign eSIMs may not work due to local restrictions.
Mandarin is the official language, and while English is spoken in business districts and hotels, it is not widely understood outside tourist areas.
Useful phrases Mandarin12
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