Flights from Phuket (HKT) to Shanghai (PVG)

About Shanghai

Discover Shanghai

Why visit Shanghai?
Shanghai blends a dramatic skyline with leafy historic streets, creating a city where modern towers rise beside elegant heritage architecture. From riverside promenades to creative districts, you will find a destination that feels both energetic and welcoming.

What to expect
Along the Huangpu River, areas such as the Bund and Lujiazui showcase striking waterfront views, while former concession neighbourhoods offer shaded boulevards and low-rise buildings. The city moves quickly yet remains easy to explore, with distinct districts for business, culture, and leisure.

Plan your trip
Shanghai works well as a standalone city break or as a starting point for exploring eastern China. With extensive rail and air links, you can easily connect onwards after enjoying the city’s museums, riverfront walks, and vibrant dining scene.

Top sights in Shanghai

The Bund

Stroll this famous riverside promenade for sweeping views of historic facades on one side and Shanghai’s modern skyline on the other.

Lujiazui skyline

Head across the river to Lujiazui to see Shanghai’s cluster of landmark towers and observation decks glowing after dark.

Yu Garden

Explore classical pavilions, ponds, and stone bridges in this meticulously landscaped historic garden near the old city area.

Former French Concession

Wander tree-lined streets filled with boutiques, cafés, and converted villas that reveal a more intimate side of Shanghai.

Nanjing Road

Walk along this bustling shopping avenue, where department stores, boutiques, and bright lights create a lively urban atmosphere.

Shanghai Tower observation deck

Ride high-speed lifts to one of the world’s tallest viewing platforms for broad panoramas over the city and river.

Shanghai Museum

Visit this well-curated museum on People’s Square to see historic ceramics, bronzes, and artworks in a calm, modern space.

Xintiandi

Discover renovated narrow lanes lined with restaurants and shops, where traditional stone architecture meets contemporary lifestyle venues.

Experience Shanghai’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Shanghai’s metro network is one of the most convenient ways to cross the city, linking major districts and airports. Taxis and ride-hailing apps help you cover shorter distances, while riverside promenades and compact neighbourhoods are best explored on foot.

Local life & culture
You will notice a steady rhythm of locals commuting, relaxing in parks, and meeting in cafés throughout the day. Creative quarters and regenerated warehouse areas host galleries, design studios, and performance spaces, offering a look at Shanghai’s contemporary cultural scene.

Where to unwind
Along the Huangpu River, landscaped paths invite you to slow your pace and enjoy open views of the skyline. Inner-city parks and small pocket gardens offer quiet benches and shaded walking routes, especially pleasant in the early morning or evening.

A taste of Shanghai

Street food & local specialties
You can find classic local bites in busy lanes and compact eateries, where steamed snacks and pan-fried delicacies are popular favourites. Neighbourhoods near the old town and traditional markets are good places to try long-standing specialities.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping streets and lifestyle districts bring together cafés, contemporary bistros, and international options in one place. Menus often feature sharing plates and smaller portions, making it easy to sample several dishes with friends or family.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose a restaurant overlooking the river or perched high in a tower with night-time city views. Many venues combine carefully presented menus with thoughtfully designed interiors, turning dinner into a relaxed, lingering experience.

Retail therapy in Shanghai

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large shopping centres cluster around central districts, offering international fashion, local designers, cinemas, and family-friendly attractions. These spaces are designed as social hubs where you can shop, dine, and relax in air-conditioned comfort.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller streets and creative zones host boutiques with locally designed clothing, accessories, and homeware. Districts such as the Former French Concession, Tianzifang, and emerging art areas are ideal for browsing independent labels and distinctive souvenirs.

Evening retail scene
After sunset, shopping streets and plazas glow with colourful signage and illuminated storefronts. Some pedestrian zones stay busy well into the evening, creating a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, with metro lines and frequent taxis making these areas straightforward to reach.

Best time to visit Shanghai

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring brings mild temperatures of around 13–20°C (55–68°F), with blossoming trees brightening city parks. It is a pleasant time for walking along the Bund or exploring neighbourhood streets, with generally comfortable conditions for sightseeing.

Summer (xia) – June to August, peak season
Summer is warm and humid, with average temperatures between 25–32°C (77–90°F). Longer daylight hours make it ideal for evening riverfront walks and night-time skyline views, and many indoor attractions offer a cool retreat during the hottest part of the day.

Autumn and winter (qiu/dong) – September to February, low season
Autumn is often crisp and clear, with 15–22°C (59–72°F) days that suit outdoor activities and park visits. Winters can be chilly, averaging 3–8°C (37–46°F), but city lights, museums, and indoor venues keep Shanghai inviting throughout the cooler months.

Frequently Asked Questions