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The Illuminated Shanghai Tower and Pudong skyline reflected in the Huangpu River at night
Shanghai · Pudong at night

Guide № 02 · Shanghai

Shanghai Travel Checklist for First-Time Visitors

Last updated 2026-05-25

What to set up before flying into Shanghai, how to get out of either airport without being overcharged, and how to spend Day 1 if you'll be jet-lagged. Built for first-time visitors arriving from outside China.

01

Which airport — PVG or SHA

  • High-speed rail

Long-haul international flights almost always land at Pudong (PVG), in the east of the city. SHA / Hongqiao serves domestic flights, a handful from Tokyo / Seoul / Taipei, and is much closer to central Shanghai.

If you have a choice, Hongqiao is more convenient — it sits right next to Hongqiao Railway Station for onward trips to Suzhou or Hangzhou.

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02

Leaving PVG with luggage and jet lag

  • DiDi
  • Alipay

Options ranked for a first-time visitor with luggage:

  • DiDi (English mode) or official taxi from the queue outside arrivals — 140–220 RMB into central districts, about 45–60 minutes.
  • Maglev (50 RMB, 8 minutes) to Longyang Road, then Metro Line 2 onward — fast, but you transfer with bags.
  • Metro Line 2 directly — cheapest at around 8 RMB, but 60–75 minutes and crowded.
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03

Never accept rides from people who approach you inside the terminal

  • DiDi
Anyone offering you a taxi inside Pudong arrivals is a tout. They charge three to five times the metered fare and sometimes refuse to drop you at the hotel. Walk past them to the official queue outside.
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Xiao long bao steaming in a bamboo basket
Day 1 · the easy first meal
04

Where to stay on a first visit

For a first-time visitor, the practical sweet spots are around People's Square / Nanjing Road, the Former French Concession (Xintiandi area or near Shaanxi South Road metro), or Jing'an. All three put you one to two metro stops from the Bund, with easy walks to food.

Lujiazui (the Pudong skyline) is photogenic but car-dependent and underwhelming on foot at night.

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05

Day 1 anchor — pick one, not three

  • Alipay
  • WeChat Pay
  • Convenience store

The classic mistake is trying to do the Bund, Yu Garden, and the French Concession on a jet-lagged first day. Pick one anchor, walk slowly, eat one easy meal, and save the rest for tomorrow.

A calm Day 1 that works: late-afternoon walk in the Former French Concession → one local restaurant → the Bund at dusk → bed.

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Frequently asked

Quick answers

Is the 240-hour visa-free transit available in Shanghai?
Yes, for many nationalities. Confirm your passport is on the current list before booking — the country list changes periodically. Verify on the official Chinese embassy site for your country.
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Can I use Apple Pay or my foreign credit card in Shanghai?
Apple Pay works at international-chain merchants and some hotels. For everyday spending, you'll want Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card. Install before departure.
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Is DiDi available in English?
Yes — the DiDi app has an English interface and you can pay via Alipay with a foreign card. Save your hotel as a saved address in Chinese characters.
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How do I get to Hangzhou from Shanghai?
High-speed train from Hongqiao Railway Station to Hangzhou East — about an hour, departures every 10–20 minutes. Book via Trip.com or 12306. Bring your passport.
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Visa rules, payment-app behavior, and connectivity change. Verify time-sensitive items with official sources before departure.