Shanghai is China's largest city and its commercial centre. It mixes colonial-era architecture on the Bund with the towers of Lujiazui, and it is an easy base for day trips to water towns, Suzhou and Hangzhou. Every November it hosts the China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Want Shanghai planned for you? Hotels for your budget, tickets booked on release, halal meals and directions, in a free detailed plan. Plan Shanghai free →
- Airports
- Pudong International (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA)
- Best time
- April–May and October–November
- How long
- 3 to 4 days
- Good for
- Modern China, families, trade fairs, finance
What to see
01
The Bund
The riverside promenade of 1920s and 1930s buildings facing the Lujiazui skyline.
02
Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower
Observation decks in some of the world's tallest buildings.
03
Yu Garden and the old town
A classical garden and the busy lanes around it.
04
Former French Concession
Tree-lined streets, villas, cafés and small shops.
05
Water towns
Zhujiajiao and other canal towns within an hour or two of the city.
What to eat
- Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
- Shengjian bao (pan-fried buns)
- Scallion oil noodles
- Hairy crab in autumn
Halal food and mosques
Shanghai has several historic mosques and many halal restaurants, including Northwest Chinese Muslim cuisine.
Mosques
- Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, Huangpu District: Shanghai's largest mosque (built 1917), home of the Shanghai Islamic Association
- Huxi Mosque, Changde Road: an active mosque with halal food nearby
Halal options
- Lanzhou beef noodles
- Xinjiang lamb dishes
- Northwest Chinese Muslim restaurants in shopping malls
Shanghai for business
Shanghai is China's financial centre and a gateway to the Yangtze River Delta manufacturing belt.
- China International Import Expo (CIIE): 5 to 10 November 2026, National Exhibition and Convention Center
- Hangzhou (e-commerce) about 1 hour and Suzhou about 30 minutes by high-speed train
- Yiwu, the world's largest small-commodities market, is reachable by high-speed train
Getting there and around
- From Pudong Airport, the Maglev runs to Longyang Road in about 8 minutes; Metro Line 2 also serves the airport.
- Hongqiao Airport sits next to Hongqiao Railway Station, the main high-speed rail hub.
- The metro is extensive and easy to use with signs in English.
Questions
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Three days covers the Bund, Lujiazui, Yu Garden and the former French Concession. Add a day for a water town or Disneyland.
Where are the mosques in Shanghai?
Xiaotaoyuan Mosque in Huangpu District is the largest. Huxi Mosque on Changde Road is another active mosque with halal food nearby.
When is CIIE 2026?
The China International Import Expo runs from 5 to 10 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.
How do I get from Pudong Airport to the city?
Take the Maglev to Longyang Road and change to the metro, take Metro Line 2 directly, or use a taxi or private car.
Opening hours, routes and rules change. Check before you travel.
