shanghai
A city of art-deco skylines, former French Concession leafy boulevards, and relentless forward momentum
Top Highlights
- 1 The Bund
- 2 Yu Garden
- 3 Tianzifang
- 4 Pudong Skyline
- 5 French Concession
Visa & Entry
144-hr & 15-day visa-free
Citizens of many countries can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days, or use the 144-hour transit visa-free scheme for shorter visits.
Full visa guideBest Time to Visit
Mar–May & Sep–Nov
Suggested stay: 3–5 days. Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Spring Festival (Jan/Feb) — crowds are enormous and prices peak.
Seasonal travel guide42 articles — page 1 of 7
All destinations
accommodationChina's Hottest New Hotels: Where to Stay in 2026
Discover the latest luxury and boutique hotel openings across China, from Dali to Shanghai, with insider tips on design, location, and experiences.
Updated Jul 2026
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accommodationStay Fresh: A Guide to China's Newest Hotel Openings for Summer 2025
Discover the best new hotels in China for summer 2025, from beachfront resorts in Beihai to cultural retreats in Dali and family-friendly stays in Qiandao Lake.
Updated Jul 2026
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Beyond the Pitch: How China Shapes the World Cup – From Referees to Merchandise
Explore China's growing influence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from referees and VAR officials to tech, manufacturing, and cultural exports like intangible
Updated Jun 2026
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shanghaiShanghai Tianzifang & French Concession Art Guide: Creative Districts & Design Culture
Tianzifang and the French Concession as a creative district — the shikumen art and craft lanes, the independent gallery circuit on Fuxing Road, the design shops, and how Shanghai's hybrid colonial-Chinese aesthetic plays out in its contemporary creative culture.
Updated May 2026
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shanghaiShanghai Pudong Guide: Oriental Pearl Tower, Lujiazui Skyline & The Financial District
Complete guide to Shanghai's Pudong New Area — the Lujiazui financial skyline, Shanghai Tower observation deck, Oriental Pearl Tower, the Century Park, and how Pudong went from farmland in 1990 to the world's most dramatic urban skyline.
Updated May 2026
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familyChina with Kids: The Complete Family Travel Guide 2026
Everything families need to plan a successful trip to China with children — best destinations for kids, how to handle food and health, getting around with young children, and ready-made 10-day family itineraries.
Updated May 2026
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