Things to do and where to stay in Shanghai
Where to stay · China

Where to stay in Shanghai — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Shanghai is the face of modern China, where the soaring skyscrapers of Pudong gaze across the Huangpu River at the European-style buildings of the Bund. The city blends luxury, shopping, mellow-sweet Shanghai cuisine, and classical Chinese gardens into one seamless whole.

🌃The Bund🏙️Pudong towers🥟Xiaolongbao🛍️Nanjing Road🚄World's fastest Maglev
1ranked guides
10hotels reviewed
11See & Eat
🤝 Curated by the TopOfHotel team · scores from real guest reviews · live price comparison across 3 sites · no hidden adsHow we review →

Why stay in Shanghai

🌃

The Bund

A riverside promenade for taking in the colonial buildings and Pudong skyline by night

🏙️

Pudong skyline

The Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower, with sky-high observation decks

🏮

Old town

Yu Garden and the Chenghuangmiao market, full of classical Chinese atmosphere

🛍️

World-class shopping

Nanjing Road and Xintiandi, packed with brands and cafes

Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Shanghai

Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights

Find the right Shanghai hotel for you

1 ranked reviews

Local dishes to try in Shanghai

  1. 1🥟

    Xiaolongbao

    Small pork-filled soup buns — a Shanghai original you have to try

    📍 Nanxiang
  2. 2🍤

    Stir-fried River Shrimp

    Small, tender river shrimp stir-fried with the mellow-sweet flavor typical of Shanghai

    📍 Citywide
  3. 3🥯

    Shengjianbao

    Pan-fried buns with crisp bottoms and a pork-and-soup filling, sprinkled with sesame and scallion

    📍 Citywide
  4. 4🦀

    Shanghai Hairy Crab

    Freshwater hairy crab rich with roe, steamed and dipped in ginger vinegar — best in late autumn

    📍 Seasonal
  5. 5🍜

    Scallion Oil Noodles

    Cong you ban mian — noodles tossed in fragrant scallion oil with a distinctive aroma

    📍 Citywide
  1. 1🌃

    The Bund

    A riverside promenade where colonial-era buildings face off against the Pudong skyline

    📍 Huangpu
  2. 2🏙️

    Oriental Pearl Tower

    Shanghai's signature sphere-shaped tower, complete with a glass floor

    📍 Lujiazui
  3. 3🏯

    Yu Garden

    A classical Ming-dynasty garden with pavilions and lotus ponds

    📍 Old Town
  4. 4🗼

    Shanghai Tower

    The tallest building in China at 632 meters, with the world's fastest elevators

    📍 Lujiazui
  5. 5🌳

    French Concession

    Leafy streets lined with European-style houses, cafes, and stylish boutiques

    📍 Xuhui
  6. 6🏘️

    Xintiandi

    A district of shikumen brick houses renovated into modern restaurants and bars

    📍 Huangpu

Things to do in Shanghai

Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Shanghai — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.

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★ TEAM'S TOP PICKS

3 Shanghai hotels our team picked for you

Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison

Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre★ 9.4Luxury

Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre

📍 Shanghai⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#1 luxury 5-star · heart of People's Square

From~$129/night
read the full review →
Metropolo Jinjiang Hotel Classiq Nanjing Road★ 9.4Upper-mid

Metropolo Jinjiang Hotel Classiq Nanjing Road

📍 Shanghai⭐⭐⭐⭐

#3 Design hotel · On Nanjing Road, great value

From~$69/night
read the full review →
Atour Hotel Nanjing East Road on the Bund★ 9.4Upper-mid

Atour Hotel Nanjing East Road on the Bund

📍 Shanghai⭐⭐⭐⭐

#7 Design hotel · Atour chain, steps from The Bund

From~$74/night
read the full review →
🏨 ALL PICKS

โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในShanghai

ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ

#4

Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World

★ 9.4⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Shanghai

#8 5-star · high-rise city view

~$109/night
#5

Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel Classic Nanjing East Road

★ 9.3⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Shanghai

#5 classic hotel · steps from The Bund

~$63/night
#6

Majesty Plaza Shanghai

★ 9.3⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Shanghai

#9 4-star hotel · heart of People's Square

~$80/night
#7

Treasury Hotel Shanghai Nanjing East Road

★ 9.3⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Shanghai

#10 design hotel · 5-minute walk to The Bund

~$69/night
#8

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

★ 9.3⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Shanghai

#1 Flagship · Art Nouveau on Wishing Star Lake · Character Dining

~$357/night
#9

Sofitel Shanghai Hyland

★ 9.2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Shanghai

#2 5-star hotel · on Nanjing Road shopping street

~$114/night
#10

Toy Story Hotel (Shanghai Disney Resort)

★ 9.2⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Shanghai

#2 Disney Value · Toy Story Theme · Most Affordable in Resort

~$171/night

🚆 Getting around Shanghai

🚄

Maglev

The magnetic-levitation train from Pudong Airport into the city, reaching up to 430 km/h

🚇

Metro

20 lines — the largest system in the world, fully signed in English and connecting every landmark

⛴️

Ferry

Ferries cross the Huangpu River between the Bund and Pudong — lovely views at a low price

🚕

Taxi / DiDi

Plenty of metered taxis, or hail one through DiDi for easy travel all day

Where to go next near Shanghai

Frequently asked — where to stay in Shanghai

When is the Bund at its most beautiful?+

In the early evening after sunset, around 7:00 PM, when the Pudong towers are fully lit and the colonial buildings glow. It's the signature Shanghai view you can't miss.

Which area should I stay in Shanghai?+

The Huangpu / Bund area is convenient for walking around, while the French Concession has a romantic feel with lots of cafes. If you love high-rise views, choose to stay on the Lujiazui side.

How does Shanghai differ from Beijing?+

Beijing stands out for history and palaces, while Shanghai is all about modernity, shopping, and nightlife. The high-speed train between the two cities takes about 4.5 hours.

Ready to book your Shanghai stay?

Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking