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 6 of 7
All destinations
shanghaiDay Trips from Shanghai 2026: Suzhou, Hangzhou, Zhujiajiao & More
All the best day trips from Shanghai — Suzhou (25 mins by HSR), Hangzhou (1 hour), Zhujiajiao water town (45 mins by bus), Tongli (1.5 hours), and Wuzhen (2 hours for overnight). Which is worth a full day, which can be done in half a day, and which requires an overnight.
Updated May 2026
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shanghaiShanghai Disneyland Complete Guide 2026: Tickets, Best Rides & First-Timer Tips
Everything you need to know about visiting Shanghai Disney Resort — how to book tickets, which rides are worth the queues, the best dining options, and how to get the most out of a single day or weekend visit.
Updated May 2026
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shanghaiShanghai Street Food & Local Eating Guide 2026: Xiaolongbao, Shengjianbao & Beyond
Eating real Shanghai food — the best xiaolongbao (Din Tai Fung vs Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant vs local shops), where to queue for shengjianbao at breakfast, the Tongchuan Road seafood market, Yuyuan Garden's street snacks, and neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood eating advice across Shanghai.
Updated May 2026
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shanghaiJade Buddha Temple Shanghai Guide 2026: Visiting Hours, Buddhist Customs & Tips
The Jade Buddha Temple is Shanghai's most famous Buddhist temple — home to two exquisite white jade Buddha statues brought from Myanmar in 1882, set amid active monastic life in the heart of the modern city. This 2026 guide covers the temple's history, the jade statues, visiting etiquette, the excellent vegetarian restaurant, ticket prices, and how to make the most of this spiritual oasis in Shanghai.
Updated May 2026
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shanghaiShanghai Nightlife Guide 2026: French Concession Speakeasies, Bund Bars & Live Music
Shanghai's world-class nightlife — the hidden speakeasy bars tucked behind bookshops and dry-cleaners in the French Concession, rooftop bars along the Bund (Bar Rouge is the classic, Flair is newer), craft beer in Jing'an, Yuyintang for indie and metal bands, and where to eat after midnight. Shanghai after dark explained properly.
Updated May 2026
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suzhouSuzhou Day Trip from Shanghai 2026: Gardens, Silk & Canal Walks in One Perfect Day
The perfect Suzhou day trip from Shanghai — taking the 25-minute HSR, the best two or three gardens to combine (Humble Administrator's, Master of Nets, Tiger Hill), the Shantang Street canal walk, where to buy genuine Suzhou silk, and getting back before dark.
Updated May 2026
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