China Travel Guide
Shanghai Travel Guide
Highlights and practical tips for visiting Shanghai. Most US travelers need a China visa, and we can handle it for you.
Shanghai Travel Guide for US Citizens
Shanghai is China’s biggest city and its financial center, known for the Bund waterfront, the Pudong skyline, French Concession streets and nearby canal towns. This guide covers what US travelers need to know, from visas and airport transfers to payments and day trips.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Shanghai?
For most trips, yes. US citizens need a Chinese visa to visit Shanghai for tourism, business or family visits. Most US applicants qualify for a 10-year multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 60 days per entry.
The main exception is China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit. If you are traveling through Shanghai on your way to a third country or region (for example, US → Shanghai → Seoul), you can stay up to 240 hours without a visa. You need a confirmed onward ticket with a date and seat, and you must enter through an eligible port, such as Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA) airport. During your stay you can also travel to nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. A round trip back to the US does not qualify.
If your trip doesn’t fit the transit rules, Visa Express can handle your China visa, with processing in as little as 6–8 business days.
Getting From the Airport to the City
Most international flights land at Pudong (PVG). Hongqiao (SHA) is closer to downtown and mainly handles domestic and regional flights.
| Option | Pudong (PVG) | Hongqiao (SHA) |
|---|---|---|
| Maglev train | About 8 min to Longyang Road, ¥50 (¥40 with a same-day flight ticket). Then change to the metro. | Not available |
| Metro | Line 2, about 60 min to People’s Square, about ¥7 | Lines 2 and 10, about 30 min downtown, about ¥5 |
| Taxi | About 50 min, about ¥180 (more after 11 pm) | About 30 min, about ¥100–150 |
Use the official taxi line or the DiDi app, and turn down anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a ride. Fares and schedules change, so check with the operator before you travel.
Top Things to Do in Shanghai
- The Bund: The riverside promenade lined with historic buildings. Come at night for views of the Pudong skyline lit up across the river.
- Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower: China’s tallest building has one of the world’s highest observation decks.
- Yu Garden and the Old City: A classical Chinese garden surrounded by busy bazaar streets.
- Former French Concession: Tree-lined streets with cafes, boutiques and old villas. Good for walking or cycling.
- Tianzifang and Xintiandi: Restored lane houses full of shops, bars and restaurants.
- Shanghai Museum: One of China’s best collections of bronzes, ceramics and paintings. Reserve ahead.
- Day trips: Canal towns like Zhujiajiao and Zhouzhuang, or high-speed trains to Suzhou (about 30 minutes) and Hangzhou (about 1 hour).
Paying for Things in Shanghai
Shanghai is almost entirely cashless. Shops, restaurants, taxis and even street vendors expect you to scan a QR code.
- Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you fly. Both let you link a US Visa or Mastercard after you verify your identity. Start a few weeks early, and set up both in case one card link fails.
- Cards: International hotels and some large stores take foreign credit cards, but most small businesses don’t.
- Carry some cash (about ¥500–1,000) as a backup.
Getting Around Shanghai
- Metro: One of the largest metro systems in the world, with signs and announcements in English. Use station ticket machines or the transit QR code in Alipay.
- DiDi: China’s main ride-hailing app works in English once you link a payment method.
- Taxis: Easy to find, but most drivers don’t speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese.
- Trains: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station has high-speed trains to Beijing (about 4.5–6 hours), Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. See our guide to getting around China.
Practical Tips for US Travelers
- Internet: Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked in China. A travel eSIM from your carrier or a provider like Airalo usually gives you access.
- Maps: Apple Maps works on iPhone. Android users should download Amap or Baidu Maps before the trip.
- Passport: Carry it with you for hotels, trains, museums and attractions.
- Hotels: Hotels register foreign guests with the police when they scan your passport. If you stay with friends or family, you must register with the local police within 24 hours.
- Power: China uses 220V. US plugs (Type A) fit most outlets, but check that your devices handle 220V.
- Water: Don’t drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap and easy to find.
- Emergencies: Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119.
- Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) and fall (late September–November). Summers are hot and humid, and June often brings heavy rain.
Get Your China Visa With Visa Express
Planning a trip to Shanghai? Visa Express prepares and submits China visa applications for US citizens in all 50 states. See our China visa requirements, fees and processing times, or read the China visa guide for US citizens.