Just returned from Shanghai with my sister, and despite planning, we still encountered some pitfalls. Here’s a post-trip guide to help you prepare better for your Shanghai adventure.
Shanghai Travel Essentials:
1. Documents: ID card, student ID (some attractions offer half-price discounts for students).
2. Toiletries: Facial cleanser, makeup remover, towels, shampoo, cosmetics.
3. Others: Charger, masks, umbrella, selfie stick.
Getting Around Shanghai:
Subway: Convenient for exploring; covers almost all attractions.
Taxis: Flag down with the meter; less likely to encounter scams but may face traffic.
Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1: Disneyland one-day tour
Day 2: Yu Garden & Old Street — City God Temple — Nanjing Road — Shanghai Center & Oriental Pearl Tower with a cruise on the Huangpu River
Day 3: Shanghai Museum — Wukang Road — Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling — Xintiandi
Day 4: Tianzifang — Fuxing Park — Shanghai Pudong Art Museum
Must-Know Tips for Shanghai Visitors:
1. Avoid the Sightseeing Tunnel at the Bund: It’s a tourist trap.
2. Shanghai Wild Animal Park and Shanghai Zoo are Different Places: Don’t confuse them.
3. Don’t Buy Souvenirs in Tourist Attractions: Expensive and not great; shop at supermarkets during your city tour.
4. Use the Subway in the City: Public buses may get stuck in traffic.
5. Avoid Going to the Bund for Night Views After 10 PM: Lights go out at 10 PM.
6. No Need for Spare Change for Public Buses: Mobile payments are accepted.
Top Attractions in Shanghai:
1. The Bund: Witness Shanghai’s historical development.
2. Shanghai Disneyland: A must-visit attraction (currently closed).
3. Shanghai World Financial Center: Offers a 474-meter high observation deck.
4. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum: A hub for science education and leisure.
5. Shanghai Tower: A towering landmark with a giant skyscraper.
6. Yu Garden: Birthplace of old Shanghai culture.
7. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street: Shanghai’s most prosperous street.
8. Wukang Road: A historical street with a century-old history.
9. Oriental Pearl Tower: Located on the tip of Lujiazui, one of Shanghai’s iconic buildings.
10. Duo Yun Bookstore: A bookstore in the sky with panoramic views of Shanghai.
11. Tianzi Fang: A maze of alleys in an old Shanghai neighborhood.
Remember these tips, and your trip to Shanghai will be even more enjoyable!