Luxury holidays in Shanghai

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When to go

Best times to visit are April to June, or September to November. Summer is hot and humid. Winters are wet and cold.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Shanghai is the only city in China with two international airports – but you’re likely to arrive in Pudong. Don’t pay more than 200RMB for a cab to get downtown.
  • Boats

    Strictly for sightseeing: a Huangpu River Cruise – sounds tacky but the views of Shanghai’s space age architecture overlooking the harbour are spectacular.
  • Trains

    The Maglev (magnetic suspension) train is an exhilarating way to enter Shanghai from the airport….even if it only hits its top speed of 400km/h for a few seconds. The subway system is crowded but thankfully air-conditioned in summer.
  • Automobiles

    Don’t hire a car unless you’re feeling daring: the concept of giving way doesn’t exist. Road signs are in Chinese and English. The Chinese drive on the right hand side of the road – most of the time.
  • Taxis

    Cheap and plentiful. Get your hotel to write down your destination - most drivers only speak Mandarin and Shanghainese. Shanghai streets are long so get the cross street too. Don’t try and exit from the driver’s side rear door.