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 2 of 7
All destinations
destinationsSuzhou Travel Guide 2026: Classical Gardens, Canal Towns & Day Trips from Shanghai
The complete travel guide to Suzhou — classical Chinese gardens, ancient canal streets, silk culture, and how to combine Suzhou with a day trip to Tongli or Zhouzhuang. Best things to do, where to stay, and how to get there from Shanghai.
Updated May 2026
Read →
beginnersChina Honeymoon Guide 2026: Romantic Destinations, Luxury Hotels & Itineraries
The complete honeymoon guide to China — romantic destinations from Guilin's misty karst to Yunnan's ancient towns, luxury hotel picks, best time to visit, and two ready-made honeymoon itineraries for different tastes.
Updated May 2026
Read →
shanghaiShanghai M50 Art District & Contemporary Art Scene Guide
Explore Shanghai's contemporary art scene — from the M50 galleries on Moganshan Road to the West Bund art corridor, Red Town, and the global art fairs that make Shanghai one of Asia's most important contemporary art cities. A guide for serious art visitors and curious tourists alike.
Updated May 2026
Read →
chinaChina 5-Day First Trip Itinerary: The Perfect Short Visit to Beijing & Shanghai
The ideal first-time China itinerary in 5 days — 2.5 days each in Beijing and Shanghai, covering the unmissable sights, the best food, how to move between the two cities on the high-speed train, the pace that allows genuine experience rather than a checklist sprint, and what to skip to keep the trip enjoyable.
Updated May 2026
Read →
chinaBeijing vs Shanghai vs Nanjing: Which Chinese City Is Right for You?
Compare Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing for a first or second China trip — the honest differences in atmosphere, history depth, food, cost, English accessibility, and what each city is genuinely best at, to help you choose the right itinerary rather than defaulting to the standard Beijing-Shanghai circuit because everyone else does it.
Updated May 2026
Read →
chinaChina Street Photography Guide: Best Urban Scenes, Timing & Ethical Practice
Master street photography in Chinese cities — the best neighbourhoods for documentary urban photography in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, the light and timing that transforms ordinary streets into extraordinary images, how to navigate the sensitivity around photographing people in public spaces, and what camera gear actually works for discreet urban shooting.
Updated May 2026
Read →