Flights from Christchurch (CHC) to Shanghai (PVG)

About Shanghai

Discover Shanghai

Why visit Shanghai?
Shanghai blends historic waterfront architecture with a futuristic skyline, creating a city where tradition meets innovation. You can explore leafy streets, riverside promenades, and vibrant creative districts within a single day.

What to expect
The city stretches along the Huangpu River, with The Bund and Pudong as striking focal points. Busy shopping streets, peaceful lilong lanes, and modern art spaces give each neighbourhood its own character, while efficient transport keeps everything well connected.

Plan your trip
Shanghai works well as both an introduction to urban China and a base for exploring nearby canal towns and coastal cities. With extensive rail links and a major international airport network, you can easily continue your journey across the region after your stay.

Top sights in Shanghai

The Bund

Stroll this riverside promenade for views of grand historic buildings on one side and the modern Pudong skyline on the other.

Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower

Head to Pudong’s financial district and ride up one of the city’s tallest towers for sweeping views over the river and old town.

Yu Garden and Old Street

Explore classical pavilions, ponds, and carved stone bridges before wandering nearby lanes lined with traditional-style architecture.

Former French Concession

Walk beneath plane trees past restored villas, cafés, and boutiques in one of Shanghai’s most atmospheric districts.

Nanjing Road

Experience one of the city’s busiest shopping streets, from flagship stores and malls to illuminated façades at night.

Tianzifang

Discover a maze of renovated alleys filled with small studios, galleries, and creative shops in a compact, walkable enclave.

Xintiandi

Admire restored stone gate houses repurposed as dining and lifestyle venues set around lively pedestrian streets.

Huangpu River cruise

See the contrasts of historic and modern Shanghai from the water on an evening cruise along the Huangpu River.

Experience Shanghai’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Shanghai’s metro network is the fastest way to cover longer distances, linking major districts and attractions. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful late at night or when travelling in a group, while walking along areas like The Bund and the French Concession gives a more relaxed look at the city.

Local life & culture
In the mornings, you might see residents practising gentle exercises in neighbourhood parks or along the riverfront. Creative districts, galleries, and performance venues host exhibitions and shows, while residential streets, wet markets, and local squares reveal quieter daily routines away from the main sights.

Where to unwind
Parks such as Fuxing Park and Century Park offer tree-lined paths, lakes, and open lawns for an easy break from the city bustle. The riverside promenades beside the Huangpu are especially pleasant at sunset, when the skyline lights up and cooler temperatures make an evening stroll inviting.

A taste of Shanghai

Street food & local specialties
You can sample local favourites such as dumplings, noodles, and savoury snacks in busy neighbourhoods and modest eateries across the city. Areas around Yu Garden and the Former French Concession are known for small shops and long-standing venues serving regional classics.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping malls and lifestyle complexes throughout Shanghai offer convenient places to try a mix of local and international flavours. Food courts and mid-range restaurants make it easy to order several small dishes to share, so you can taste more in a single meal without committing to large portions.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable night out, look for dining rooms overlooking The Bund or Pudong’s skyline, or choose a restaurant in a repurposed historic building. Many venues pair carefully prepared menus with views of the river or city lights, turning dinner into an unhurried part of your sightseeing.

Retail therapy in Shanghai

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Shanghai’s major malls group international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining under one roof, making them popular meeting points. Large complexes in districts such as Lujiazui and Xintiandi combine shopping with easy access to nearby sights and offices.

Markets & local crafts
For something more individual, explore side streets and creative quarters where independent labels, design studios, and small galleries share compact spaces. Districts like Tianzifang, the Former French Concession, and around North Sichuan Road showcase a range of handmade goods, artwork, and contemporary fashion.

Evening retail scene
After dark, main shopping streets glow with neon signs and animated screens, and some compact markets stay busy into the evening. Pedestrian zones around Nanjing Road and several riverside areas are especially atmospheric at night, and metro lines make these districts straightforward to reach and return from.

Best time to visit Shanghai

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring in Shanghai brings mild temperatures, typically around 15–22°C (59–72°F), with blossoming trees in parks and along streets. It is a comfortable time for walking tours and riverfront strolls, with a steady but not overwhelming flow of visitors, especially on weekends.

Summer (xia tian) – June to September, peak season
Summer is warm and often humid, with average temperatures around 26–32°C (79–90°F). Longer daylight hours suit evening walks on The Bund and open-air activities, and school holidays make this a lively time with many families exploring the city’s attractions together.

Autumn and winter (qiu dong) – October to February, low season
Autumn is generally clear and cool, with temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F), ideal for outdoor sightseeing. Winter can be cold, about 3–10°C (37–50°F), but crisp days and thinner crowds create a calmer atmosphere, and indoor galleries, museums, and cafés feel especially welcoming.

Frequently Asked Questions