Shanghai is China's most populous city and its financial centre. The place that explains it in one look is the Bund: the waterfront on the west bank of the Huangpu, lined with bank and trading houses from the 1920s and 30s, facing the towers of Pudong directly across the water. The two banks are a few hundred metres apart but look a century apart. Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China at 632 metres. The older grain of the city survives in the lanes around Yu Garden and along the plane tree avenues of the former French Concession.
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See flights to Shanghai →When to visit Shanghai
March to May and September to November are the most balanced windows, with temperatures between 15C and 25C. July and August are hot and humid and fall within the typhoon season. Winters hover around 5C with a damp cold.
Things to do in Shanghai
The Bund
Fifty two historic buildings line this one and a half kilometre waterfront on the west bank of the Huangpu, most of them banks and trading houses from the 1920s and 30s. Together with the Pudong skyline opposite, it forms the most photographed view in the city.
Yu Garden
Laid out as a family garden in the Ming period in the sixteenth century, its rockeries, ponds and dragon walls are a textbook example of classical Chinese garden design inside the city. The bazaar streets around it are walked together with the garden.
Shanghai Tower
At 632 metres this is the tallest building in China, and its twisting facade was designed to cut wind load. One of the world's fastest lifts runs to the observation deck on the 118th floor.
Shanghai Museum
The museum on People's Square holds one of the country's most complete collections of ancient art, with Chinese bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and painting. Its round body on a square base reflects the traditional conception of heaven and earth.
Tianzifang
This quarter of shikumen stone gate houses in the former French Concession was preserved by converting it into studios and cafes. Its narrow lanes keep the residential grain of the early twentieth century city intact.
Zhujiajiao water town
The town about 50 kilometres west of the city is a thousand year old settlement of canals and stone arch bridges. The best known is Fangsheng Bridge of 1571, and the canals are toured by boat.
Flights from Turkey to Shanghai
The flight from Istanbul to Shanghai Pudong is about 10 hours 45 minutes on the great circle route, operated by Turkish Airlines. Pudong Airport lies east of the city, connected to the centre by the Maglev train and by metro.
Shanghai FAQ
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Three days cover the Bund, Pudong, Yu Garden and the museums. Adding Zhujiajiao and the former French Concession makes four or five days a comfortable pace.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Pudong International Airport is about 30 kilometres from the centre. The Maglev reaches Longyang Road in eight minutes, while the metro takes about an hour.
What do you need to enter China?
A visa is required for a Turkish passport and the application is made before travel. Transit visa exemptions can apply in Shanghai under certain conditions, and since the rules change the current position should be checked before booking.
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