Shanghai Travel FAQ

• When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

Spring and autumn is the best time to visit Shanghai. The weather during these seasons is the most comfortable. There are many annual events hosted in Shanghai that are wonderful to experience. During April, Shanghai hosts the Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival, in May, the International Dragon Boat Races are held in Shanghai's Qingpu District and in September and October of every year, and Shanghai holds the Shanghai Tourism Festival. These are wonderful times to visit Shanghai and witness the large variety of celebrations and activities available at these events.

• What is Shanghai's climate like?

Shanghai is located in a subtropical maritime zone, with four distinct seasons. For the most part, Shanghai enjoys a mild and moist climate. Shanghai's temperatures reach their height in July and August, while the coldest period is are from the end of January to early February. The rainy season is during early summer, and typhoon season is from August to the middle of September which brings heavy rains to the city.

• What is Shanghai's transportation like?

Shanghai is one of China's main travel hubs and getting in and around this city is pretty easy. Airplanes, trains, long-distance busses are convenient for visitors to travel in and out of Shanghai. For getting around the city itself, there are many options. The ferries, busses, sightseeing busses, the subway, and taxis are all convenient and easy to use, and many visitors opt to purchase or rent Bicycles to get around the city at their own pace.

• What are Shanghai's most recommended sites?

There are lots of places to visit in Shanghai. The Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai's only existing ancient garden, the stately old buildings on the Bund, the French Concession, the skyscrapers in Pudong, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the Shanghai Museum are usually listed on every visitor's must see list. Shanghai's two famous landmark towers, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and the Jinmao Towers should not be missed.

• Where can I go shopping in Shanghai?

Shanghai is said to be "the Oriental Paris" and "a Shopping Paradise". Visitors to Shanghai always end up doing lots of shopping. China's number one shopping street, Nanjing Road is famous for its boutiques, and the Yuyuan Bazaar is the place to go for traditional arts and crafts, as well as jewelry. Huaihai Road is another must stop shopping destination in Shanghai. For most visitors however, the small shops along Chang Le Lu and the French Concession area at the most popular. A number of the shops along these streets are run by individual designers of clothing, and jewelry, so the items on display are truly one of a kind.

• What is Shanghai's local cuisine like?

Generally, Shanghai local cuisine is sweet and oily, and seafood is one of the main ingredients since Shanghai is located near the sea. There are unique Shanghai dishes such as the Xiaolongbao, a stuffed bun filled with meat and steamed in a small bamboo cage, Shanghai's Crawfish, that are particularly popular in the hot summer months, and Shengjian and Guotie, known in the west as steamed bread, and pot stickers. The best place in Shanghai to taste these local snacks is on Wujiang Road.

• What are Shanghai's accommodations like?

Accommodation in Shanghai is generally more expensive than the other cities in China, since the living standard there is much higher, but this means that the services and facilities in the hotels are also of the highest level.

• Will the language barrier be a problem?

The language barrier should not be a problem. Visitor's tour guides will be able to speak English, and act as translators. Most of Shanghai's hotels staff members can speak English, and a few major restaurants and stores will have at least one employee who is able to speak English.

• What are the currency and banking services in Shanghai like?

It is highly recommended that visitors to China use the Chinese Yuan (RMB) wherever they go to avoid any unnecessary problems. In Shanghai, the banking services are highly advanced so visitors should have no problem exchanging money. Visitors can exchange any amount of money at the Pudong Development Bank, the Pudong Airport, or at any of the Bank of China locations. There are a large number of ATM machines located throughout the city, and most major ATM cards can be used in them.