Shanghai travel guide
Where to Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas & Hotels
Stay near People’s Square or Nanjing Road for maximum convenience (metro hub, walkable Bund), in the former French Concession for character and café life, or in Lujiazui for skyline views and five-star value. Doubles run ¥400–800 mid-range; dorms ¥80–150.
Shanghai’s best areas at a glance
Shanghai sprawls across two banks of the Huangpu — staying near a metro interchange matters more than the exact address. Prices are typical mid-season ranges for a double room; ¥100 is about AU$21.
People’s Square & Nanjing Road — best for first-timers
The geographic and metro centre: lines 1, 2 and 8 meet here, the Bund is a 15-minute walk, and the Shanghai Museum is next door. Big mid-range and five-star hotels dominate (¥500–1,200), with hostels tucked into side streets (dorms ¥80–150).
Former French Concession (Jing’an & Xuhui) — best for character
Plane-tree avenues, lane-house boutiques and the city’s densest café and restaurant scene. Boutique hotels and restored shikumen guesthouses run ¥400–1,000; luxury heritage properties beyond. Lines 1, 7, 10 and 12 crisscross the area.
Lujiazui (Pudong) — best for views and business
The skyline side of the river: five-star towers with Bund views that often undercut their Puxi rivals (from ¥1,000–1,500), a riverside promenade, and line 2 straight to both airports’ transport spine. Quieter at night; you will cross the river for atmosphere.
The Bund & North Bund — best for a splurge
Heritage hotels in 1920s landmarks and new luxury towers along the northern waterfront (¥1,200–3,000+). Wake up with the tai chi crowd outside your window; Hongkou’s North Bund is the value play of the riverfront.
Hongqiao & Changning — best for transit
Near the domestic airport and the high-speed rail hub: practical for early trains to Suzhou and Hangzhou, with solid mid-range options (¥350–600) on lines 2 and 10.
Booking tips
Confirm the property accepts foreign passports (booking platforms filter for this). Golden Week and big trade fairs (especially spring and autumn expo seasons) spike prices — book ahead. For stays over four nights, Concession serviced apartments often beat hotels on price and space. Always check walking distance to a metro station; taxis in rush hour crawl.
Also in China
Shanghai hotels — FAQs
Puxi or Pudong — which side of the river should I stay on?
Puxi (the Bund side) for first visits: the historic core, museums and the French Concession are all there. Pudong (Lujiazui) suits business trips and view-seekers — five-star rooms often cost less than equivalent Puxi hotels, with the metro bridging the gap in minutes.
How much do hotels cost in Shanghai?
Dorm beds ¥80–150, mid-range doubles ¥400–800, five-stars from around ¥1,000–1,200 — roughly 10–20% more than Beijing, but still below Tokyo or Singapore equivalents.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.