Shanghai Travel Guide: The Bund, Pudong Skyline & Xiao Long Bao

History & Cultural Influence

Shanghai (“Above the Sea”) was a small fishing village until the 1842 Treaty of Nanjing opened it as one of China’s five treaty ports. Foreign concessions arose along the Bund and in the French Concession, making 1920s–30s Shanghai the “Paris of the East”. Reborn after Deng Xiaoping’s 1990 Pudong reforms, the city is now home to the world’s busiest container port, China’s leading stock exchange, and over 1,000 skyscrapers — the modern face of China.

• Region: Yangtze River delta, east coast China

• Population: approx. 26 million

• Famous for: the Bund, Pudong skyline, Yu Garden, French Concession, xiao long bao, Shanghai Disneyland

• Status: directly administered municipality and China’s financial capital

Top Attractions in Shanghai

• The Bund (Waitan) — 1.5 km of colonial-era European architecture along the Huangpu River with iconic Pudong views.

• Pudong Skyline — Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower (632 m, China’s tallest), Jin Mao Tower and SWFC observation decks.

• Yu Garden (Yuyuan) — 16th-century Ming-era classical garden with rockeries, pavilions and the famous Mid-Lake Pavilion teahouse.

• French Concession — plane-tree-lined streets with Art Deco mansions, boutique shops and the Tianzifang artists’ district.

• Nanjing Road — China’s busiest shopping street; 5 km from the Bund to People’s Square.

• Shanghai Museum — masterpieces of Chinese bronze, porcelain, calligraphy and painting; free entry.

• Shanghai Disneyland — China’s only Disney castle park, with the world-exclusive TRON Lightcycle Power Run.

Must-Try Dishes in Shanghai

• Xiao Long Bao — Shanghai’s signature soup dumplings; pork or crab-roe filling in delicate pleated wrappers. Try Din Tai Fung or Jia Jia Tang Bao.

• Sheng Jian Bao — pan-fried soup-filled buns with crispy bottoms; eat at Yang’s Dumpling.

• Hairy Crab (Dazha Xie) — autumn delicacy from Yangcheng Lake; steamed whole with vinegar dip.

• Red-Braised Pork Belly (Hongshao Rou) — caramel-glazed cubes of pork belly; Mao Zedong’s favourite dish.

• Shanghai Style Soup Noodles — wonton or beef-tendon noodles in clear broth at family-run noodle shops.

• Shanghai Mooncakes — meat-filled flaky pastry mooncakes from the Wing Wah and Xinya bakeries during Mid-Autumn Festival.

Festivals & Local Celebrations

• Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) — Yu Garden Lantern Festival is the most photographed Lunar New Year event in China.

• Mid-Autumn Festival (September) — moon cakes from heritage bakeries and full-moon viewings along the Bund.

• Shanghai International Film Festival (June) — China’s premier film event since 1993; FIAPF-accredited.

• Shanghai Pride / ShanghaiPride (June) — Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ festival, though increasingly restricted.

• China International Import Expo (November) — global trade event drawing visitors from 100+ countries.

What to Do in Shanghai

• Walk the Bund at sunset — Pudong’s neon skyline lights up across the river at dusk.

• Visit Shanghai Tower observation deck — China’s tallest building (632 m); fastest elevator in the world.

• Take a Huangpu River cruise — evening cruises pass illuminated skylines on both sides.

• Wander Tianzifang — converted French Concession lilong alleys with indie boutiques and rooftop bars.

• Eat xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung — the original chain that brought XLB worldwide.

• Day-trip to Zhujiajiao — Shanghai’s charming 1,700-year-old water town, 1 hour west by Metro Line 17.

Shopping in Shanghai

• Nanjing Road — 5 km of department stores and Chinese flagship brands.

• Xintiandi — restored shikumen lane houses now hosting Cartier, Hermès and luxury restaurants.

• Tianzifang & French Concession — indie designers, hand-printed scarves, Shanghai-style qipao tailors.

• Specialties to bring home — silk qipao, oolong tea, Shanghai chocolate, jade jewellery, Bund-themed art prints.

Weather: Best Time to Visit Shanghai

• Spring (Mar–May) — magnolias in the French Concession; mild 12–22°C.

• Summer (Jun–Aug) — hot and humid 25–34°C; brief plum-rain season in June.

• Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Shanghai’s best season; clear 18–25°C with hairy crab dining.

• Winter (Dec–Feb) — chilly 3–10°C; ideal for museums and indoor xiao long bao crawls.

Cultural Etiquette

• Cash is rare — Shanghai is China’s most cashless city. Install AliPay or WeChat Pay before arrival.

• Eat XLB carefully — bite the side to release the soup before slurping; never bite from the top.

• Tipping is not customary — many high-end restaurants add 10% service automatically.

• VPN required — Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most Western apps are blocked.

• Stand on the right on Shanghai Metro escalators; busy peak-hour etiquette.

Essential Travel Information

Getting there: Shanghai has two airports — Pudong International (PVG) (most international flights) and Hongqiao International (SHA) (domestic and regional). The Maglev Train connects Pudong to the city in 8 minutes at 431 km/h. High-speed trains link to Beijing (4h30m), Hangzhou (45 min) and Suzhou (25 min).

Getting around: Shanghai Metro has 20 lines and is the world’s largest urban rail network. Didi (Chinese Uber) is reliable. The Bund and French Concession are best walked.

Money: AliPay and WeChat Pay are essentially required; install with a linked international card before arrival. Foreign credit cards work at luxury hotels and chain restaurants.

Where to Stay in Shanghai

• The Bund — historic colonial-era hotels with Pudong skyline views; Peace, Waldorf and Peninsula.

• Pudong — modern luxury skyscraper hotels; Park Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental.

• French Concession — boutique heritage stays in shikumen lane houses; Capella, URBN.

• Recommended properties — The Peninsula Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria on the Bund, Park Hyatt Shanghai, Capella Shanghai, Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from travellers planning a Shanghai visit:

How many days do you need in Shanghai?

Three to four days — one for the Bund, Pudong observation decks and Nanjing Road; one for Yu Garden, the Old City and a Huangpu River night cruise; one for the French Concession, Tianzifang and a XLB tasting tour; and an optional day for Shanghai Disneyland or a Zhujiajiao water-town trip.

Do I need a visa for Shanghai?

Most Western nationals can use the 240-hour visa-free transit (10 days) when flying into Shanghai with onward tickets. For longer stays, a Chinese tourist visa is required. Confirm rules at the Chinese embassy.

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

September to early November — the “Golden Autumn” with mild weather, clear skies and hairy crab season. April–May is also lovely with magnolias and warmer days. Avoid the National Day Golden Week (Oct 1–7) and Chinese New Year for extreme domestic crowds.

Is Shanghai safe?

Very — Shanghai is one of the safest mega-cities globally for tourists. Petty theft in tourist crowds is the only real risk. The city is extraordinarily safe for women travelling alone.

What is the difference between Pudong and Puxi?

“Pu” means river — Pudong is east of the Huangpu River (modern skyscrapers, Shanghai Tower, Disneyland) and Puxi is west (the Bund, French Concession, Yu Garden, French Concession). The Bund is the legendary Puxi waterfront looking across to Pudong.