Discover boutique hotels in Shanghai, China

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.