Hotels in Shanghai

Shanghai: Where the Bund Meets Pudong's Skyline

Shanghai sits at the mouth of the Yangtze River Delta, 1,200 km south of Beijing, and ranks among Asia's largest financial centres. The city divides naturally across the Huangpu River: the colonial-era Bund lines the west bank with 52 neoclassical facades built between 1846 and 1937, while Lujiazui rises opposite with the Shanghai Tower (632 m, completed 2015) and Jin Mao Tower. Travelers arrive for finance, fashion, and food in roughly equal measure — the French Concession draws design-minded visitors to plane-tree-lined streets, boutique hotels, and restaurants clustered around Yongkang Lu and Xintiandi.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster in three zones. Huangpu and the Bund area suit first-time visitors and business travelers needing access to Nanjing Road and river views. Jing'an, one metro stop west, mixes five-star towers with smaller boutique properties near Jing'an Temple (rebuilt 1882). Xuhui and the French Concession offer quieter lane houses converted to guesthouses, typically 15–25% cheaper than Bund-facing rooms.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Metro lines 1–20 cover most sights; single rides cost ¥3–10. Avoid taxis during evening rush on the inner ring road.
• Visa: Most foreign nationals require a Chinese visa; a 144-hour transit visa exemption applies at Pudong International Airport for 53 nationalities.
• Weather: July–August averages 34 °C with high humidity; March–May and October–November are the most temperate months.