Shanghai for luxury travelers
Here's Shanghai through the lens of luxury travelers: the canonical questions worth asking before you book a flight, the curated lists worth opening when you want a shortcut to local expertise, and the live right-now data below ready to inform your next decision about when, where, and how to spend your time on the ground.
Shanghai for luxury travelers, in numbers
- Picks on this page
- 5 places across 1 lists, led by The Sukhothai Shanghai, SHANGYING CHAO, Toy Story Hotel
- luxury-tier hotels
- 5 in the Trip.com poolfrom US$244 a night
Questions luxury travelers ask about Shanghai
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Where to stay
Stay along the west bank of the Huangpu in Huangpu district, between People's Square and the Former French Concession. First-timers need Metro Lines 1, 2, and 10 within walking distance, plus Nanjing Road and the Bund on foot. Budget ¥400-750 ($60-110) for a mid-range hotel near Nanjing West Road station.
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Must-see
The Bund, Shanghai's 1.5-kilometre Huangpu River waterfront, is the single view that defines the city. Walk it after 7pm when Pudong's towers light up across the water and the 1920s neoclassical bank buildings behind you glow amber. Free, no reservation, best on your first night before jet lag wins.
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Food culture
Shanghai eats sweet. Benbang cai, the city's native cuisine, builds on soy sauce, rock sugar, and Shaoxing wine, favoring slow-braised pork and river fish over the chili heat of Sichuan or Hunan. Xiaolongbao and pan-fried shengjianbao define the dumpling culture. Breakfast starts at 6am. Tipping does not exist. Budget 30-80 CNY ($4.50-12) per meal.
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Cultural etiquette
Never stick chopsticks vertically in rice at any Shanghai restaurant. That position mimics funeral incense and everyone at the table will notice. Tipping is not expected and causes confusion. Download WeChat Pay before landing at Pudong International, since cash is nearly useless even at street food carts in Huangpu. Temples require covered shoulders and knees.
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Airport to city
From Shanghai Pudong (PVG), take the Maglev to Longyang Road station in 8 minutes for 50 CNY ($7.40), then transfer to Metro Line 2 for 25 more minutes to People's Square. Total about 45 minutes and 54 CNY ($8). After 10:30pm, metered taxis from the ground-floor queue cost 150-250 CNY ($22-37) to central Shanghai, roughly 40-60 minutes.
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