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What to see in Shanghai in 1 day | Perfect itinerary for a layover
Seeing all of Shanghai in one day is impossible, but it is possible to You will be able to visit some of the main places And I assure you that after exploring the streets of Shanghai during your layover, you'll be eager to return and visit it properly. The city is perfect for a layover, as its international airport is the seventh largest in Asia and has direct flights to all of Europe, making it a great idea to combine with another destination for your next vacation.
In this article we tell you What to see in Shanghai in 1 daywith an itinerary specially designed for a layover, plus key tips on getting around town and how to make the most of every hour.
¿It's worth leaving the airport with a layover in Shanghai?
The short answer is yes. If your layover lasts long enough, Leaving the airport in Shanghai is totally worth itIt's a very well-connected city, easy to get around by public transport and on foot, as the tourist areas are very close to each other. That's why it's a great city for a quick visit.
One of the points that generates the most confusion is the visa issue. Most European nationalities have visa exemption for visiting China, including for layovers. On the other hand, transit travelers from most countries can benefit from [the visa exemption]. free transit visa This allows you to leave the airport without needing to apply for a full visa. Even so, it's important to check the specific requirements for your passport before traveling, as each nationality has different procedures.
Regarding the airport, the most common option for international flights is arrive at Pudong International Airportwhich is quite well connected to the center.
Minimum recommended time to leave the airport
To be able to leave the airport and visit Shanghai during a layover You need to have enough timeWe can't give you an exact number of hours since it depends on each person, but we can give you an idea so you can decide if in your specific case it's worth visiting the city or not.
Beyond the hours spent on tourism, There are several factors you need to considerYou'll also need to allow some extra time in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Let's add up the approximate times:
- Passport and immigration controlBetween 30 minutes and 1 hour.
- Airport to city center transportation: Between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Margin before your flightArrive at the airport about 2 hours before your next flight.
Doing a quick calculation, taking into account that passport control and transport must be added both ways, you will need between 5 and 6 hours, not counting the time you spend visiting the city.
In conclusion, our advice is:
- Less than 6 hours: Do not leave the airport.
- Around 8 hours: Only if you're very fast and want to see something very specific.
More than 8 hoursYou will be able to see several interesting places in the city.
What to see in Shanghai in 1 day
If you only have a few hours to visit Shanghai, it's essential be clear about what to watch and in what orderIt is one of the largest cities in the world, but many of Its iconic landmarks are relatively close and well connected, so with good planning you can learn the essentials even during a layover.
This itinerary is designed for you to see Shanghai's must-sees in 1 daycombining traditional and historical monuments with its famous modern skyline. You won't see everything, but in a few hours you'll get a pretty good idea of Shanghai, a city you'll want to return to.
We share with you one step-by-step routeBased on our experience, this guide will tell you exactly what to do from the moment you leave the airport. To learn how to get around by subway, we recommend reading our guide. Shanghai public transport guide.
Arrival at People's Square city center
Begin your layover in Shanghai visiting People's Squarea place easily accessible from the airport. Further on you can read a section explaining How to get from Shanghai airport to the city center quickly.
People's Square is very famous and interesting because on weekends it hosts the singles marketIf you don't visit during the market, your stroll through this square will be quite brief.
👉 Our adviceIf your layover is very short and does not coincide with a weekend, do not visit People's Square; go directly by subway or taxi to Nanjing Road to visit the next point.
Walk along Nanjing Road to The Bund
Continue on foot towards Nanjing Road, Shanghai's most famous pedestrian streetThis shopping street is quite long, lively, and full of attractions, with numerous shopping centers, restaurants, car dealerships, historic hotels, and more. It can be visited at any time of day, but it's busiest in the afternoon and evening.
To explore this entire street, you'll need at least an hour before reaching The Bund, the next place we recommend visiting during a day in Shanghai.
The Bund, the must-see star in Shanghai
Exploring The Bund is one of the main reasons why it's worth leaving the airport during your layover in Shanghai.
Nanjing Road ends at the river. On the bank you're on, you'll see many historic European-style buildings constructed during the colonial era. Directly opposite, on the other bank of the river, you'll have the world-famous futuristic skyline of Pudong, with the striking Oriental Pearl Tower that you've probably seen in many photos.
Take your time visiting The Bund; it's the perfect place for a stroll, enjoying the views and taking plenty of photos from the best angles along the promenade. If your stop coincides with sunset or At night, the skyline stands out much more.If you don't have more time, this place is perfect to end your layover in Shanghai; if you still have a few hours, keep reading.
Yu Garden and Shanghai's Old Town
After exploring The Bund, you will visit one of the city's most traditional areas: the Yu Garden and its surroundings. They are just a 20-minute walk along the river or a 5-minute taxi ride if you prefer not to walk.
Here the atmosphere and surroundings are completely different. In an instant, you go from the most modern and futuristic Shanghai to streets full of red lanterns, shops, food stalls, and buildings with traditional chinese architectureIt's a very touristy area, but also very eye-catching and photogenic.
To enter the garden you need to buy a ticket and there might be a queue. If you're short on time, you can stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere; we assure you it's worth it. If you have a little more time, Entering the garden is a good ideaInside you'll see ponds, bridges and very traditional pavilions.
This area is Perfect for taking a break and grabbing a quick bite.You'll find plenty of restaurants and local food stalls where you can try typical dishes. It's a great time to recharge and rest a bit before continuing with your one-day Shanghai itinerary.
Pudong Financial District
If you still have a few more hours to visit Shanghai during your layover, we suggest ending your trip by changing scenery once again and going from traditional architecture to skyscrapers. To do this... cross to the other side of the riverThis way you'll get to know the city skyline from below, the same skyline you've been able to see from The Bund.
To get here The fastest way is to take metro line 14 and make the only stop between Yu Garden and Lujiazui subway station, at the foot of the Oriental Pearl Tower. You'll be impressed as soon as you step off the subway. In this neighborhood, wherever you go, you'll be surrounded by skyscrapers, though undoubtedly The most prominent one is the Shanghai Tower, the third tallest building in the world.
How to go From Shanghai airport to the city center
One of the keys to making the most of your layover is not to waste time in the transfer from Pudong airportWe have an article comparing all the options in detail for going from the airport to downtown ShanghaiSo now we'll talk about the two fastest options.
Maglev train
El Maglev train It's a maglev train that connects Shanghai Airport to the city center. It operates daily between 7 am and 9:40 pm, and tickets can be purchased online.
This train takes just 10 minutes to reach the end of its route at Longyang Road, a station where You have to change to metro line 2 (green) until reaching People's Square or Nanjing Road.
Taxi / Didi
This is the most comfortable method to get from Shanghai airport to the city center because they will drop you off right where you want to start your visit to Shanghai.
Most drivers don't speak English and you'll have to communicatecarI'll use Google Translate for you. If you show him the name of the place you're going to in Chinese And you shouldn't have any problems with the location on the map.
The taxi ride to the city center depends on traffic, normally about 45 minutesThe price is determined by the taximeter and can range from 120 to 200 yuan depending on the time and exact final destination.
Personally We recommend using the Didi appDidi, which is the Chinese equivalent of Uber. It's cheaper than a taxi, and you'll know the price and destination from the moment you book. You can use Didi directly from the app. Alipay appThat way, your payment method is now linked. confirm that you are the customer who has booked They may ask for your phone number.
Tips for a layover in Shanghai
Do you have more time in Shanghai? Organize your visit with our guide for See Shanghai in 2 days.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions when traveling to Shanghai for a layover in 1 day.
Internet access in China is controlled by the government, and some Western apps and websites like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Maps don't work. To avoid these restrictions, we recommend purchasing [a paid subscription/service]. This eSIM with VPN integrated, so your phone will work normally. We have a more detailed guide on how to have internet in China.
Cash is almost nonexistent in China, and paying by card as we're used to in Western countries is also uncommon. In China, everything is paid for through the WeChat or Alipay apps. This guide explains how, step by step. how to pay in chinaIf you know how to do it, it's simple.
Inside the airport itself there are several places to store your luggage; you can ask where to find them at the information points.
¿Where to stay Are you staying overnight in Shanghai?
If you have to spend the night in the city during your layover, choose a good accommodation in Shanghai It's key to avoiding wasted time on travel and the worry of missing your next flight. That's why it's so important. prioritize location and public transport connections.
The two best options are stay near the center (The Bund or People's Square) or directly next to the airport.
- Best option near the airport: The hotel Ramada Plaza It is located just 3 minutes away and offers free transfers to and from the airport at any time.
- Best option in the center: Meta Tree People's Square, very central and about 5 minutes from the metro stop.
If your layover is long enough, leaving the airport and visiting Shanghai is well worth it. You won't see the whole city, but you'll get a great sense of its contrasts between tradition and modernity.
And this far Itinerary with everything to see in Shanghai during a layoverWe hope this has been very helpful in planning your time in the city. You can also read the suggested itinerary for a stopover in Beijing If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!
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