Shanghai is the commercial capital of China. Strategically positioned on the central coast of China, the city’s port is one of the busiest in the world. Its short history means that there aren’t as many cultural sights to see, compared to Beijing or even close to Hangzhou. However, there is a lot to do and see in Shanghai. Spend a week crouching down the lanes of Shanghai lined with trendy shops and restaurants, or a few days relaxing and enjoying it all. No matter how long you spend in Shanghai, your days will be full.
Location
Shanghai is located on the Huang Pu River that empties into the Yangtze in east-central China. A coastal city in the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is mainly flat and low. Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces border Shanghai to the west and the East China Sea and Hangzhou Bay border it to the west and south. Shanghai literally means “on the sea” in Chinese.
Story
While China may have a history of more than 5,000 years, Shanghai is very short. Read a short history of Shanghai to understand its dynamic, albeit brief, past.
Characteristics
Shanghai is divided by the Huang Pu River and therefore has two main parts. Puxi , which means west of the river, is larger and is home to the oldest districts of Shanghai, including the former foreign concessions. Pudong , or east of the river, is the area that stretches to the sea and is full of new developments and skyscrapers. (More on the geography of Puxi / Pudong).
See Shanghai from the Puxi side, on the Bund, and see a glimpse of Shanghai’s future, including the Jin Mao Tower, currently the tallest building in Shanghai, and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Look at Puxi from Pudong and you will see Shanghai’s past: the grand buildings on the Bund in what was the International Concession on duty over the expansion of the city to the west.
Shanghai is the second most populous city in China after Chongqing, further up the Yangtze. Currently estimated at 17 million, Shanghai’s population fluctuates with several million migrant workers seeking employment in the city.
How to get there and move
Shanghai is a gateway to China with many international flights arriving and departing every day. It is also relatively easy to get around. Read more about Getting to and from Shanghai.
Essentials
- Climate : The climate of Shanghai is the climate of Central China. Winters in central China feel colder than they appear on the thermometer. The humidity in the air makes you feel cold to the bone. However, you will rarely see snow and temperatures will never freeze. Happily, winters are short, starting in January in earnest, and usually ending in late March. Summers are long, hot and humid, lasting from April to September / October. It can rain at all times of the year, but mid-summer (July) and fall (late September to early November) are the driest.
- Recommended time for the visit : 4-5 days.
- Best Time of Year to Visit : Fall is probably your best bet in Shanghai. Spring can be difficult with an occasional long winter or early wet season, although mid-April to mid-May are usually very pleasant. It’s not very hot yet, the flowers are blooming and the trees are starting to come out, so there is an air of freshness. However, fall generally sees clearer skies, still warm temperatures without the prevailing humidity. And it is less likely to rain on you.
Advice
- Bring rain gear, you will probably see at least one wet day in Shanghai.
- If you are a history buff, look for accommodation in the former French Concession area. You will really enjoy taking some walks and seeing the old houses and villas that are still in the area.
Where to stay
- Best-located budget accommodations in Shanghai
- Shanghai Luxury Hotels
- Other hotel listings in Shanghai
