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Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai literally means "the City by the Sea". It is situated in the central-eastern China, facing the East China Sea. Broadly, the city of Shanghai is divided into two parts: Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) and Puxi (west of the Huangpu River). A tributary of Yangtze River, Huangpu River runs through Shanghai from north to south.

Shanghai has two airports - Shanghai Pudong International Airport ( PVG ) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in Pudong new zone, east of Huangpu River while Shanghai Hongqiao Airport located in Puxi, west of Huangpu River. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is mainly for domestic and international flights while Hongqiao mainly for domestic flights.

For visitors, most attractions are in Puxi, where the old Shanghai is located while Pudong is the new development zone. Shanghai boasts of such important things to see and do like the Bund, Temple of Jade Buddha, Yu Garden, Old City Bazaar, Shanghai Museum, Children's Palace, People's Square, Xintiandi, Former Residence of Dr.Sun Yat Sen, Oriental TV Tower, Huangpu River Cruising and Acrobatics show.

So, how to plan your independent travel in Shanghai ?

Whether you prefer DIY travel or using a travel agency, there are still pros and cons to this approach. A DIY traveler prefers to travel like most locals do by taking the metro, trains, buses, taxi, biking, walking etc, adding to the experience of being there. But if you'd like everything tailored to your needs and budget, you are required to spend lots of planning time and do much research. If you want no hassle, we recommend private or group tours with a tour guide, which are much more expensive.

As for traveling Shanghai, it is a great way to mix independent DIY travel with private or group sight-seeing to enrich your travel experience out of your short Shanghai trip since Shanghai is so huge with its beaufitful neighbors such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Huangshan and Nanjing. You'll get more unique travel experience from the organized private or group tours sponsored by the local travel agencies, which the guidebooks or Shanghai online travel related information may leave you short.

Step 1: Book your flight, international cruise or train ride to Shanghai
Preparation for your trip to Shanghai usually starts with the booking of your international flights or international cruise for Shanghai from your native country. For international flights or cruise ship reservation, you may use your own travel agency or the online flight or cruise booking travel webs such as CheapTickets.com - Expedia.com - Hotwire.com - Kayak.com - Orbitz.com - Priceline.com - Travelocity.com. You are advised to book either domestic flights and train tickets if you are going to travel Shanghai from other parts of China such as Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou or Hong Kong.

Beijing Shanghai Train Tickets           Xian Shanghai Train Tickets
Beijing Shanghai Flight Schedule      Xian Shanghai Flight Schedule

Step 2: Book your hotel in Shanghai
So you have finished your flight or train reservation for your Shanghai trip, now you are thinking of finding an ideal hotel for your Shanghai stay. This is not an easy job since in Shanghai there are a myriad of choices of hotels ranging from budget hostels to luxury international chain hotels. You may ask your travel agent to do it for you. Or you may check the hotels through the online hotel booking travel wesbsites such as expedia.com - travelocity.com - booking.com - priceonline.com and many more. If you are mentally drained by the search for the numerous star-rated hotels in Shanghai, you may check our selected Shanghai best value hotels.

Step 3: Find the top things to do in Shanghai
After your lodging, inter-city transportation or international flight tickets are pre-arranged, you are going to learn some basic knowledge about the top attractions and things to do in Shanghai for your short trip. The attractions in Shanghai are plentiful with numerous sights spreading in its vicinity such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi and Huangshan. For the metropolitan city of Shanghai, it is worth checking the top 10 things to do in Shanghai to meticulously plan your 2-4 day short visit. The Top 10 Things to Do in Shanghai are picked from our internet users and other travel review websites like tripadvisor, virtualtourists and more. Hope the top 10 list will help you make a wonerful trip in Shanghai.

Step 4: How to get from Shanghai airports, Shanghai international cruise port, Shanghai railway stations to your hotel?
Now you focus your attention on how to go from Shanghai airports, Shanghai railway stations or cruise port to your hotel in Shanghai. First, you should get some basic information on the two airports in Shanghai: Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao International Airport, the two railway station: Shanghai Railway stations and Shanghai South Railway Station and Shanghai Port Transfer.

Shanghai Airport Shuttle Bus
Shanghai Airport Taxi
Shanghai Railway Station Private Transfer
Shanghai Airport Private Transfer
Shanghai Port Transfer

Step 5: Schedule your travel in Shanghai and its vicinity
Please find below my suggested Shanghai travel schedule for your reference only:

1) Shanghai in One Day:
Day 01: Yuyuan Garden, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, former French Concession, Xintiandi, the Bund, Jinmao Tower

2) Shanghai in Two Days:
Day 01: Yuyuan Garden, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, former French Concession, Xintiandi, the Bund, Jinmao Tower
Day 02: Shanghai Suzhou Day Trip

3) Shanghai in Three Days:
Day 01: Yuyuan Garden, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, former French Concession, Xintiandi, the Bund, Jinmao Tower
Day 02: Shanghai Suzhou Day Trip
Day 03: Shanghai Hangzhou Day Trip

4) Shanghai in Four Days:
Day 01: Yuyuan Garden, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, former French Concession, Xintiandi, the Bund, Jinmao Tower
Day 02: Shanghai Suzhou Day Trip
Day 03: Shanghai Hangzhou Day Trip
Day 04: Shanghai Wuzhen or Xitang Day Trip

Step 6: Get around in Shanghai City
Shanghai is an international metropolis with the largest population in China. Transportation in Shanghai city is believed to be much better than people usually think. The local government has made great efforts in alleviating the traffic pressure by expanding the subway lines, adding new public bus routes. Now the city has the world's largest public transportation system dealing the largest volume of passengers daily.

Shanghai Taxi	Shanghai Airport Shuttle Bus	Shanghai City Public Bus	Shanghai Bike
Shanghai Railway Station	Pudong Airport	Hongqiao Airport	Shanghai maglev train
Shanghai car rental service	Shanghai Subway

Step 7: Shangahi Travel Information
Traveling is also a way of learning. Shanghai, as an internation metropolis, of course, is a world of difference from your hometown. Having some empathy or putting yourself in "Shanghai's shoes" is highly recommended. It is necessary to cram for some basic facts and travel information about Shanghai before starting your trip.



Shanghai Hotels, Shanghai Transportation, Shangahi Attractions, Shanghai Shopping, Shanghai Dining, Shanghai Nightlife, Shanghai Weather

Book a Shanghai tour ?

As for traveling Shanghai, it is a great way to mix independent DIY travel with private or group sight-seeing to enrich your travel experience out of your short Shanghai trip since Shanghai is so huge with its beaufitful neighbors such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Huangshan and Nanjing. You'll get more unique travel experience from the organized private or group tours sponsored by the local travel agencies, which the guidebooks or Shanghai online travel related information may leave you short. We organize Shanghai tour from the moment you touch down at your airport to when we deliver you back there at the end of a perfect holiday. Or you may choose any of the travel service from us including transport, day tours, accommodation, meal arrangements, night shows, and tour guides.

Shanghai Hotel Booking	Shanghai car Rental
Shanghai Private Tour	Shanghai Bus Tour
Shanghai Side Trips	Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour	China Tours including Shanghai

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