Shanghai
All travel Destination Guide

Things to Do in Shanghai

Everything you need for an unforgettable Shanghai trip — skip-the-line tickets, airport transfers, hotels, car hire and cheap flights, all in one place.

Shanghai is one of the world's most rewarding destinations — and planning your trip is simple when tickets, transfers, stays and flights all live in one place. Below you'll find hand-picked Shanghai experiences and travel deals from trusted booking partners, refreshed regularly so you always see live availability and fair prices.

Plan your Shanghai trip

Read these before you book: where to stay, what to do and how to save

Where to stay

Hotels in Shanghai: see today's live prices

Browse every hotel in Shanghai on Trip.com with today's real prices, guest reviews and free cancellation on most rooms.

See hotels on Trip.com

Best areas to stay in Shanghai

Pick the neighbourhood that fits your trip, then compare live hotel prices.

Area photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

The Bund / Huangpu, Shanghai
1 The Bund / Huangpu$$$
First-timers & sightseeing

Iconic, grand, riverside, tourist-friendly

Close to the riverfront skyline, Nanjing Road, and easy taxi or metro access to central sights.

Hotels in The Bund
Xintiandi / Huaihai Road, Shanghai
2 Xintiandi / Huaihai Road$$$
Dining & nightlife

Stylish, walkable, upscale, lively

Near shopping, restaurants, and metro lines, with easy access to Former French Concession streets and central attractions.

Hotels in Xintiandi
3 Former French Concession$$
Boutique stays & strolling

Leafy, charming, café-filled, relaxed

Best for tree-lined streets, cafés, and local boutiques; well connected by metro and ideal for exploring on foot.

Hotels in Former French Concession
Jing'an, Shanghai
4 Jing'an$$
Convenience & transport

Central, convenient, modern, polished

Around Jing'an Temple and major metro interchanges, it’s practical for reaching the Bund, People’s Square, and other districts quickly.

Hotels in Jing'an

Before you fly

Your Shanghai trip checklist

0/3 done
  • Book with Airalo
  • Book with Kiwitaxi
  • Book with Viator

How much does a Shanghai trip cost?

Adjust your trip and the estimate updates instantly.

Nights

4

Travellers

2

Travel style

Currency

  • HotelTypical

    4 nights × 1 room

    $540
  • Airport transfersTypical

    Return trip × 1 car

    $90
  • Tours & ticketsTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $280
  • Food & drinksTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $360
  • Local transportTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $64

Estimated total

$667 per person

$1,334

Typical costs are researched estimates, refreshed monthly. "Live" prices come from current partner fares. Exchange rates update daily.

Things to Do in Shanghai

Tours, tickets and attractions

4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour

5.0(341 reviews)· 4h

Pick 2 to 3 most incredible Shanghai city attractions that you wish to discover during this 4-hour private tour. Accompanied by your professional guide with comfortable vehicle so that you can get around the city easier. This half day tour can be fully customized based on your interests. You can eit

from$115
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Tours & Day Trips in Shanghai
ExperiencesInstant confirmation Shanghai
KKday

Tours & Day Trips in Shanghai

Find tours, day trips and attraction tickets in Shanghai with KKday — instant confirmation on most bookings.

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Skip-the-Line Tickets in Shanghai
ExperiencesSkip-the-line entry Shanghai
Tiqets

Skip-the-Line Tickets in Shanghai

Museums, landmarks and top attractions in Shanghai — instant mobile tickets with Tiqets, skip the queue.

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Things to Do in Shanghai
ExperiencesBest-price guarantee Shanghai
Klook

Things to Do in Shanghai

Book top tours, attractions and activities in Shanghai with Klook — instant mobile tickets and a best-price guarantee.

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Private Night Tour-VIP River Cruise and Shanghai Tower Option
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

Private Night Tour-VIP River Cruise and Shanghai Tower Option

4.9(133 reviews)· 3h

Discover the amazing Shanghai night by taking this fully guided private tour. See the illuminated lights from the VIP aera on the night river cruise along Huangpu Rier. With optional choice to Visit the 118F observation deck on the iconic tower of the city -Shanghai Tower, enjoy the spectacular view

from$144
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Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

5.0(812 reviews)· 4h

Enjoy short get away from Shanghai city to beautiful Zhujiajiao Water Town where you can explore the classic Chinese buildings and to take a relax boat ride along the water canals. This half-day private tour can be started either in the morning or afternoon, and all entrance fee, private guide and t

from$148
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Shanghai: Southern Great Wall Day Trip by Bullet Train
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

Shanghai: Southern Great Wall Day Trip by Bullet Train

4.9(247 reviews)· 11h

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Jiangnan Great Wall (Southern Great Wall) in Linhai, Zhejiang—a historic gem near Shanghai. Unlike the Ming walls in Beijing, this 1,600-year-old ancient city wall offers a unique, lush experience away from the crowds. Perfect for history buffs and active tr

from$399
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From Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

From Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride

5.0(380 reviews)· 4h

Enjoy a relaxing half day tour to the remarkable ancient water town Zhujiajiao with your local lovely guide. Experience the charming "Oriental Venice "and explore the ancient water alley streets ;appreciate the traditional Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. Visit the classic Kezhi garden and enjoy

from$138
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Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

5.0(1,394 reviews)· 7h

This great 8-hour Shanghai city tour takes you to discover the must see sites in Shanghai from its old and modern perspectives, from its colonial Bund riverside to the modern skyscrapers Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower, from the elegant Ming Dynasty Yu Garden and old town Bazaar to the charm

from$115
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Top attractions & tours in Shanghai
Experiences Shanghai
Trip.com

Top attractions & tours in Shanghai

Skip-the-line tickets, day trips and tours in Shanghai, with instant confirmation.

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Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower Entry Ticket (Optional Buffet)
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower Entry Ticket (Optional Buffet)

4.5(40 reviews)· 1h

-Unique Architecture: A blend of cylinders and spheres, 468m tall, a modern landmark. -Panoramic Views: Main deck at 263m and glass corridor at 259m for cityscape vistas. -Cultural Exploration: Exhibition hall at base shows Shanghai's history. -Gourmet Experience: Revolving restaurant at 267m with i

from$43
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Shanghai Small-Group Food Tour with Michelin Guide Dumplings
ExperiencesFree cancellation Shanghai
Viator

Shanghai Small-Group Food Tour with Michelin Guide Dumplings

5.0(27 reviews)· 3h

Just landed in Shanghai? Start your trip the tasty way. :) Our food tour is designed to be the perfect first-day experience in China. You’ll eat your way through 14+ local flavors, from dumplings and noodles to street snacks and traditional sweets, but the food is only part of it! Think of your gu

from$59
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Airport Transfers in Shanghai

Get from the airport to your hotel, hassle-free

Airport Transfers in Shanghai
TransferFixed price, no surge Shanghai
Kiwitaxi

Airport Transfers in Shanghai

Pre-book a private airport transfer in Shanghai with Kiwitaxi — fixed price, flight tracking and no surge pricing.

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Where to Stay in Shanghai

Hand-picked stays and live rates

Hotels in Shanghai
HotelLive hotel prices Shanghai
Trip.com

Hotels in Shanghai

Browse every hotel in Shanghai with today's real prices, guest reviews and free-cancellation options.

from$7
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Car Hire in Shanghai

Compare rental cars at great prices

Compare Car Rental in Shanghai with Economybookings
CarNo hidden fees Shanghai
Economybookings

Compare Car Rental in Shanghai with Economybookings

Compare car hire from top brands across Shanghai, airport and downtown — all-inclusive prices, no hidden fees.

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Car Hire in Shanghai with GetRentacar
CarFree cancellation Shanghai
GetRentacar

Car Hire in Shanghai with GetRentacar

Compare rental cars from local and global suppliers in Shanghai, with free cancellation on most bookings.

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Compare car & bike rentals for Shanghai

5 trusted brands side by side. Check two or three to get the best deal.

QEEQ

Best for: Lowest price search

Cars · Worldwide

Low-price search

Economybookings

Best for: All-inclusive pricing

Cars · 30,000+ locations

No hidden fees

GetRentacar

Best for: Flexible bookings

Cars · 10,000+ locations

Free cancellation

Trip.com

Best for: Big-brand airport rentals

Cars · Worldwide airports

Free cancellation on most cars

Localrent

Best for: Islands & local deals

Cars · Europe, Asia & islands

Local prices

Find the cheapest eSIM for Shanghai

Real plan prices from each brand, cheapest first, for plans that last your whole trip.

Shanghai travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Shanghai?

The most popular Shanghai experiences are skip-the-line attraction tickets, guided city tours and day trips. You can book them above with instant mobile tickets from trusted partners like Tiqets and Klook — no printing required.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Shanghai?

A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to reach your Shanghai hotel. You'll find fixed-price, meet-and-greet airport transfers in the section above, so there's no haggling with taxis when you land.

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

Shanghai rewards visitors year-round, but the shoulder-season months usually offer the best mix of pleasant weather, thinner crowds and lower prices. Compare live hotel and flight prices above to find the cheapest dates for your trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Shanghai?

Visa rules depend on your nationality and how long you stay, so always check your government's official travel advice before booking. Many travellers can enter visa-free or with a quick electronic authorisation.

How many days should I spend in Shanghai?

Most travellers spend 3–5 days in Shanghai to see the highlights without rushing. Booking your tours and transfers in advance helps you make the most of every day on the ground.

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