Plunged into the heart of Shanghai, no one would guess that China’s most populous megalopolis was once a humble fishing village. Situated on the China Sea and crossed by the Huangpu River, the city has gradually developed into a cosmopolitan center where all nationalities rub shoulders, both in its inhabitants and in the DNA of its architecture.
The Pearl of the Orient now stretches over 6,340km² and has much to offer travelers looking to get to know it. But before we set off to discover the megalopolis, let’s consider the question “where to stay in Shanghai?“.
In this guide, we’ve listed the main tourist districts to see during your stay in Shanghai, as well as the best accommodation each has to offer.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Shanghai, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Shanghai:
- $ this hotel, to stay close to the main attractions without breaking your budget,
- $$ this hotel, lets you experience luxury at a reasonable price,
- $$$ this luxury establishment, is an invitation to a change of scenery in a colonial-style establishment.
Map of Shanghai’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of where to stay in Shanghai, you’ll find on the map below all the Shanghai accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Shanghai
Places to stay in Shanghai
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where to stay in Shanghai.
Accommodation in the heart of Shanghai: discover Huangpu
In the center of Shanghai lies one of the most densely populated districts in the world: Huangpu. Overflowing with life and energy, this district is where everything meets: the old city rubs shoulders with modern infrastructure, skyscrapers look down on temples from another era, while local markets rival the shops of Nanjing Road.
In the midst of these contrasts, we stop for a breath of fresh air in parks and gardens such as Yuyuan Garden or Fuxing Park. We continue on our way to Tianzifang, where the small art galleries frozen in the 1930s make us forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Finally, we enjoy our evening in People's Square, before beaching ourselves at the confluence of the Suzhou and Huangpu rivers to admire the Bund (also known as Waitan) and itscolonial-era facades.
Numerous luxury establishments dominate the river, offering impeccable accommodation and upmarket restaurants. But if you head further inland, you can find places to stay and eat at more reasonable prices. On average, you should expect to pay over a hundred euros per night.
The advantage of staying in this district lies in its practicality: it is served by several metro lines and numerous buses that will take you from one end of the city to the other. On the riverbank, ferries will take you across the rivers with ease. It's the perfect place to stay if you want to see as much as possible without having to worry about getting around.
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Located less than 1km from Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, People's Square and Nanjing Road, this accommodation offers you the chance to stay close to many tourist attractions. Just a few hundred meters from two metro stations, it's easy to get around, so you won't waste any time.
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The Crowne Plaza is prime accommodation just a few hundred meters from Nanjing East Road. Just a short walk away, you'll find People's Square and Yuyuan Garden. It's the ideal place to stay in the heart of a district bursting with activity.
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Experience staying in a colonial-style room just steps from the Bund. This hotel occupies a neo-classical building dating from 1911, as well as a more modern tower, allowing you to stay in the comfort of the grandest palaces while enjoying the elegance of yesteryear.
Xuhui: stay in the historic center
Away from the opulence of Huangpu, we discover the calm of Xuhui, one of the historic centers of the megalopolis. Here again, modern and ancient infrastructures rub shoulders, both strongly influenced by a European style reflected in the architecture and shops. Art-deco buildings stand side by side with Shikumen, the traditional houses of Shanghai.
Other highlights include theformer French Concession (FFC) (an area once governed by the French and now rehabilitated as an art and leisure center), Longhua Temple, Saint Ignatius Cathedral(also known as Xuhihui Cathedral), Guangqi Park and the Shanghai Botanical Garden.
When night falls, the small European-style cafés give way to intimate jazz clubs and the many theaters in the area. If you want to stay overnight, there are relatively few hotels. Xuhui is rather residential, and the few accommodations for holidaymakers can be a bit pricey.
Nevertheless, it's strategically located and crossed by several metro and bus lines.
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If you're looking to stay in the heart of a quiet neighborhood, yet close to all amenities and on a tight budget, you'll appreciate staying in this 4-star accommodation. Close to several museums and Guangqi Park, it's also within easy reach of public transport.
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Staying in this charming, colorful hotel means you're close to transport links and sites of interest such as People's Square, the Jade Buddha Temple and Longhua Temple.
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The Hualuxe offers 5-star accommodation just a stone's throw from the metro. Enjoy peaceful accommodation in the city center, close to all amenities. In addition to staying overnight, you can also relax in the hotel's gym, sauna and beauty salon.
Jing An, a district as rich as it is touristy
Here, the Yufo Sisuzhai temple (also known as the Jade Buddha Temple) stands in stark contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers. This blend of tradition and modernity nourishes the district, whose international inspirations are reflected in the urban landscape.
Here, you can admire the impressive collection of the Shanghai Museum of Natural History and the sculptures of the Jing An Sculpture Park, learn about the history of the temple of the same name, and catch a glimpse of the singular Moller Residencein the distance... Jing An is an astonishing district brimming with architectural treasures.
The richness of its buildings is undoubtedly what makes it so inaccessible. The price of accommodation rises quickly, and it's hard to come by. The most housing is to be found on the border between Jing'An and Huangpu, but the further you move away from this district, the less you'll find. The district is gradually becoming one of the most expensive residential areas in the city.
The same applies to restaurants: they are few and far between, and are concentrated on the border with Huangpu. You'll find the most eateries between Zhabei Park and Daning Lingshi Park.
As far as transport is concerned, there's plenty to take you from one end of Shanghai to the other, by bus or metro. Shanghai railway station is also nearby, just a few kilometers away.
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The Golden Tulip is one of the most accessible accommodations in Jing An. Here, you can stay just 5 minutes from a subway station, while enjoying close proximity to Bund Boulevard and Nanjing Road.
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Just a stone's throw from the Natural History Museum, this hotel offers you the chance to stay in one of its art-deco rooms. It's the perfect place to stay close to Huangpu and other places of interest, at an attractive price.
Staying amid Pudong's futuristic skyscrapers
This former agricultural area is now one of the most visited business districts. This is where you'll find the Oriental Pearl, a large television tower that you can climb to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. You can also admire the Shanghai Tower, the third-tallest skyscraper in the world and the tallest in China, as well as the Jin Mao Tower.
In the midst of all these vertiginous monuments lies a small haven of peace, Century Park, where vegetation replaces asphalt and almost makes you forget the presence of the megalopolis. Those who wish to venture here are not lost, however, as an efficient public transport network provides easy and efficient access to other attractions.
Restaurants are easy to find in this district. A wide choice of specialties is on offer: Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Indian... The food here is as cosmopolitan as the city itself!
Most of our accommodations are located close to the Huangpu River and Dongfang Road, one of the main routes for getting around by car. They generally offer unparalleled views of the Shanghai skyline. Nevertheless, the influence of the Shanghai World Financial Center on the rest of the area can be felt, with prices soaring on this side of the river.
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Located on Pudong Avenue, this accommodation is less than a 10-minute walk from the subway station of the same name. It also offers a 360° view of the city from the 50th floor. It's the perfect place to stay to take in the sights and sounds of the Pearl of the Orient.
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Directly connected to the Kerry Parkside shopping center, the Kerry Hotel is a 3-minute walk from a subway station. From the hotel, you can reach Disneyland Park in just 17 minutes. Its strategic location makes it the ideal place to stay in Pudong.
Stay in Qibao for a unique experience
Known for its old town, Qibao amazes visitors with its typical Chinese architecture. Here, you can immerse yourself in the China of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, stepping back more than 1,200 years to discover a timeless city.
In addition to its temples and museums, the city's cuisine is also a delight for the curious. Typical dishes can be found in unrivalled establishments along Qingnian Road, where you can also enjoy tea in the traditional way.
A few buildings can be seen in the distance, but they don't come close to matching the skyline of the city center. Here, the buildings are lower, so you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Although it can be reached by metro line 9, Qibao is particularly far from the main attractions. As a result, there are relatively few places to stay, apart from a few luxury establishments that can be quite pricey. Nevertheless, if you're looking for accommodation in Qibao, you'll have the advantage of being just a few kilometers fromHongqiao airport.
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This establishment offers you all the comforts of a 5-star hotel, just a few minutes from Qibao Old Town and Shanghai Zoo. You'll also appreciate our proximity to Hongqiao airport for easy travel.
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Stay less than 15min by car from the Shanghai exhibition center, Hongqiao airport and railway station. You can also stay within a 10-minute walk of the old town and its tourist attractions.
Summary
Although it covers thousands of square kilometers, Shanghai’s main attractions are concentrated around the Huangpu River. It’s therefore relatively easy to get from one district to another thanks to the metro network that has developed in this hypercenter, although the journey can seem a little long depending on where you are and where you arrive.
As far as accommodation is concerned, prices are generally high due to the excellent location. There are many luxurious establishments, particularly in the Huangpu and Jing An districts.
Shanghai’s districts and their accommodations now hold no secrets for you, all that remains is to choose where to stay in Shanghai.