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Plan your Shanghai tour? There are plenty of hotels to choose in Shanghai ranging from deluxe 5-star hotels to budget hostels. There is a neighborhood guide to the best areas to stay in Shanghai, as chosen by our trip experts.

Shanghai Districts

As the largest city in China, Shanghai is divided into 16 districts and one county (8 urban districts and 8 suburban districts). Each district has its own core city.

Most of the visitors would choose the hotels in the 8 districts which are all located in Puxi ( the west bank of Huangpu River) while Business travelers will select Pudong New District which is located to the east bank of Huangpu River one of the 8 suburban districts.

8 Urban Districts
Jing’an District (静安区)
Huangpu District (黄浦区)
Xuhui District (徐汇区)
Changning District (长宁区)
Putuo District (普陀区)
Zhabei District (闸北区)
Hongkou District (虹口区)|
Yangpu District (杨浦区)

Suburban Districts Pudong New District (浦东新区)
Baoshan District (宝山区)
Minhang District (闵行区)
Jiading District (嘉定区)
Jinshan District (金山区)
Songjiang District (松江区)
Qingpu District (青浦区)
Fengxian District (奉贤区）Chongming County

So where to stay in Shanghai?

Best for Romance and Nostalgia : Hotels in Huangpu District

Huangpu District is located on the west bank of Huangpu River after which the district is named. To the west is Jing’an District; to the north are Zhabei District and Hongkou District.

Huangpu District is one of the most sought after area to stay in Shanghai since many of the highlights are located in this district such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Yuyuan Garden. Starting from People’s Square to Shaanxi South Road is the center area of the former French colonial community till 1949.

Huangpu Attractions: The Bund, Shanghai Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai Xintiandi, Yu Yuan Garden and Bazar,Shanghai Xiao Taoyuan Mosque, Longtang in Shanghai, Cruising on Huangpu River, Shanghai Site for the First Congress of the Chinese Community Party, Shanghai Safari Park, Shanghai Grand Theater.

Huangpu Transportation: Subway 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and Huangpu Cruise port

Recommended hotels in Huangpu District:
Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai
Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
The Peninsula Shanghai
Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
The Westin Bund Center Shanghai
Hotel Sofitel Shanghai Hyland
JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
The Bund Hotel Shanghai
Central Hotel Shanghai
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
Howard Johnson Plaza Shanghai
Park Hotel Shanghai
Salvo Hotel Shanghai
Citadines Shanghai Jinqiao Aparthotel
The Langham Yangtze Shanghai
Pacific Hotel
The Seventh Heaven Hotel
Shanghai Henry Business Hotel
Starway Hotel Nanquan Shanghai Pudong BaBaiBan
Starway Hotel Haode Wanyuan Shanghai Lujiazui
Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai
24K International Hotel (Fuzhou Road)
24K International Hotel (People’s Square)

Best for High-end and Business: Hotels in Jing’an District

Jing’an District is named after the temple in the same name in the district. Jing’an District is a city core in Shanghai urban area. To the east is Huangpu District; to the west are Putuo District and Changning District; to the south is Xuhui District; to the north is Zhabei District.

Jing’an District is commonly regarded as the high-end business and high-quality residential area. It is one of Shanghai’s most densely populated districts. Jing’an District takes the northern part of former French Concession with an array of colonial architecture.

Jing’an Attractions: Shanghai Children Palace, Jing’an Temple, Jing’an Park, Shanghai Exhibition Center
Jing’an Transportation: Subway 7, 2

Recommended hotels in Jing’an District:
The puli hotel and spa shanghai
URBN Hotel Shanghai
Four Seasons Hotel
Hilton Shanghai Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Rendezvous Merry Hotel, Shanghai
Swissotel Grand Shanghai
Hotel Equatorial Shanghai
Julu Garden Villa
Yan’an Hotel
Shanghai Hotel
Hanting Express (Jingan Temple)
HanTing Season Hotel Of Jing`An Temple
Green Tree Inn Shanghai Middle YanAn Road Hotel
Motel 168 (Shanghai Jingan Temple)

Best for Designer Shopping:  Hotels in Xuhui District

Xuhui District is located to south of Jing’an District, to the west of Huangpu District and east of Changning District. Xuhui District was originally named after a famous scientists in Ming Dynasty – Mr.Xu Guangqi (1562 – 1633).

After his death, Xu Guangqi was buried here and many of his descendants still live in ths district. Xuhui District has the west part of the former French Concession with colonial buildings of that time. Here you can find high-end bars, cafes and shops.

Xuhui Attractions: Shanghai Xu Jia Hui Cathedral, Song Qingling’s Former Residence, Shanghai Longhua Martyr Cemetery, Long Hua Pagoda and Temple, Shanghai Botanical Garden
Xuhui Transportation: Subway 4, 6, 8 and Shanghai South Station

Recommended hotels in Xuhui District:
Jin Jiang Hua Ting Hotel & Towers
Ramada Plaza Gateway Shanghai
Jianguo Hotel Shanghai
Sports Hotel
Xujiahui Park Hotel Shanghai
New East Asia Hotel
Home Inn Shanghai Xinhua Road

Best for Business and Foreign Consulates: Hotels in Changning District

Changning District is the economic development zone and business area in Shanghai extending from west of Jing’an District and Xuhui District to Shanghai Zoo and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

Foreign consulates in Shanghai are concentrated here in Changning District. This district is also an important place where many international companies are located.

Changning attractions: Shanghai Zoo, Zhongshan Park, Shanghai International Exhibition Center,
Changning Transportation: Subway 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7; Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Recommended hotels in Changning District:
Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao
Crowne Plaza Hotel Shanghai
The Longemont Shanghai
Hotel Nikko Shanghai
Metropark Service Apartment Shanghai
Motel 168 (Shanghai West Yan’an Road)
Home Inn(Shanghai Yanan West Road Changning Branch)

Best for the Old Shanghai: Putuo District

Putuo District is located to the northwest of the downtown Shanghai, to the south is Changning District; to the northeast is Zhabei District and to the east is Jing’an District. Its core city is very busy with trade and commerce. It has a rich culture heritage.

Putuo attractions: Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple,
Putuo Transportation: Subway 3, 7 and 11

Recommended hotels in Putuo District:
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park
Holiday Inn Vista Shanghai
Shanghai Duxiana Hotel
Pier One
8 Colors Hotel
24K International Hotels(Xinhui Road)
Hanting Hotels (Shanghai Changshou Road)
Motel 168 (Shanghai Aomen Branch)
Jinjiang Inn West Shanghai Yejiazhai Rd

Best for Mixing with the Common People in Shanghai: Hotels in Zhaibei District

Zhabei District is located to the north of Jing’an District, to the west of Hongkou District and to the east of Putuo District. Before 1949, Zhabei was designated as the residential area for local Chinese without any colonial buildings. Great changes have taken place in the district with the fast building of infrastructure.

Green belts and new buildings are scattered around the district. Shanghai Railway Station is located in Zhabei District.

Zhabei attractions: Daning Lingshi Park, Shanghai Circus City, Zhabei Park and Zhabei Stadium
Zhabei Transportation: Shanghai Railway Station and Subway 1,3 and 4

Recommended hotels in Zhabei District:
InterContinental Shanghai Puxi
Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Shanghai
Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai
Ramada Shanghai Zhabei Hotel
Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya
Mingde Grand Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Rhea Boutique Hotel (Zhabei)
Yafan Longmen Hotel
Yafan Fashion Hotel(Shanghai Zhongxing Road)
Starway Shengxianju Hotel Shanghai
Home Inn (Shanghai Railway Station South Square)

Best for One of the Colonial Areas: Hotels in Hongkou District

Hongkou District is located just to the north of Huangpu District (downtown), along the upper Huangpu River, to the east of Zhabei District and to the west of Yangpu District. It was also the part of the former colonial community. Now it is one of the residential areas in Shanghai.

Hongkou is the largest metro transfer hub in the northeast of Shanghai. Hongkou District is positioned as the shipping center in Shanghai. Shanghai International Cruise Port is located in the district.

Hongkou attractions: Shanghai Luxun Park, Shanghai Lu Xun’s Former Residence,
Hongkou Transportation: Subway 3 and 8; International Cruise Port

Recommended hotels in Hongkou District:
Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Sanzhi Hotel
sunrise on the bund hotel shanghai
Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel
New Century Hotel
The Unity Hotel
Starway jiaxin hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Sisu Guesthouse
Cityhome Hotel(Shanghai Luxun Park)
Swan Hotel
Haning Express
Home Inn (Shanghai Luxun Park Branch)
Life Adamo
Green Tree Inn (Shanghai Quyang Hotel)
Jinjiang Inn (Shanghai Chifeng Road)

Best for International Community: Hotels in Yangpu District

Yangpu District is located in the northeast of Shanghai, along the lower Huangpu River with its south part being the former eastern colonial community. Now Yangpu District is one of the four side city centers in Shanghai. It has a big international community – Xinwan Gangcheng. Many of the top 500 international companies have their branches and headquarters in Yangpu Disttict.

Yangpu attractions: Yangpu Park, Jiangpu Park, Huangxing Park and Gongqin National Forest Park
Yangpu Transportation: Subway 8 and 10

Recommended hotels in Yangpu District:
Howard Johnson Caida Plaza
Starway Hotel Dayuan Apartment Hotel Shanghai Huangxing Road
Fortune Hotel
Pattaya Holiday Inn
Fuxuan Hotel
Days Hotel Tongji Shanghai
Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Wujiaochang Shanghai
a8 Hotel (Guoshun branch)
Home Inn (Shanghai Jiangwan Stadium)

Best for Business Travel: Hotels in Pudong New District

Pudong New District is located on the east bank of Huangpu River, developing from a backwater to a modern and trendy business center of Shanghai.

Pudong New District attractions: Lujiazui, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Expo, Shanghai Century Park, International Convention Center, Science & Technology Museum,

New Pudong Transportation: Pudong International Airport, Maglev and Waigaoqiao Port Cruise Terminal

Recommended hotels in Pudong New District:
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong
Kerry Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai – Shangri-La
Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai
Gran Melia Shanghai Hotel
Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao
InterContinental Shanghai Pudong
The St Regis Shanghai
Novotel Atlantis Shanghai
Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong
LDF All Suites Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai-Pudong
Baoan Hotel
Sport Park Hotel
Grand Soluxe Zhongyou Hotel Shanghai
Supreme Tower

Add On

Top 10 Shanghai Budget Hotels
Top 10 Shanghai Luxury Hotels
Top 10 Shanghai Boutique Hotels

Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours

If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:

Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings

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Top 10 Attractions in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai

Any questions, just drop a line.