Photo: A Chinese ID, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shanghai, China
China's financial capital, and a fast-growing gateway between Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Changhai Dachangshandao (CNI)37 km
- Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)45 km
- Suzhou (SZV)113 km
- Nantong (NTG)130 km
- Wuxi (WUX)137 km
- Zhoushan (HSN)145 km
Shanghai's skyline along the Huangpu River — futuristic towers on one bank, colonial-era buildings on the other — sums up the city's split identity between its treaty-port past and its ambitions as a global financial center. It's one of the busiest air hubs in Asia.
Best time to visit
March–May and September–November offer the most comfortable temperatures, avoiding summer humidity and heat.
Top attractions
- •The Bund waterfront, facing the Pudong skyline across the river
- •Yu Garden and the surrounding old town bazaar
- •The Shanghai Museum
- •Tianzifang and Xintiandi for restored lane-house neighborhoods
- •The Shanghai Tower observation deck for a citywide view
Practical tips
- •The Shanghai Maglev train connects Pudong Airport (PVG) to Longyang Road station in about 8 minutes, reaching speeds over 300 km/h, with metro connections onward.
- •A VPN is worth arranging before arrival for accessing many Western apps and sites.
- •A visa is required for most nationalities, though visa-free transit policies have expanded — check current rules for your nationality and routing.
Frequently asked questions
What airport serves Shanghai?
Shanghai's main airport is Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
March–May and September–November offer the most comfortable temperatures, avoiding summer humidity and heat.
Is Shanghai a good place to meet someone flying from a different city?
China's financial capital, and a fast-growing gateway between Asia, Europe, and North America.
Meeting someone in Shanghai?
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