City trip Shanghai
Shanghai combines the historic Bund boulevard, a futuristic skyscraper skyline, traditional garden and temple complexes and refined cuisine. KLM flies daily direct from Amsterdam in about 11 hours. Visa-free for Dutch citizens for up to 15 days. Best time: April to May and October.
✈️ Plan your trip to Shanghai →Updated on 28 August 2026
When is the best time to go?
April to May and October are the best months for Shanghai: pleasant weather with 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, little rain and lush parks and gardens. Early autumn (September to October) is ideal for the terrace culture along the Bund.
Summer (July to August) is hot (34 to 38 degrees) and humid. Winter (December to February) is cold (average 5 to 8 degrees) with sometimes cloudy days, but Shanghai has the fewest tourists and the cheapest flights and hotels then. Spring (March) can be rainy.
Best neighbourhoods in Shanghai
- The Bund (Waitan) The historic boulevard along the Huangpu River, with colonial banks and trading offices on one side and the futuristic Pudong skyline on the other. Free and open 24 hours. Best views are early in the morning or in the evening after sunset.
- Pudong (Lujiazui) The modern financial heart of Shanghai: Shanghai Tower (632m, tallest building in China), Pearl Tower, SWFC observation deck and major shopping malls. Impressive but less historical character than the west bank.
- French Concession (Frenchtown) Romantic and leafy: plane trees, art deco architecture, boutique restaurants, coffee bars and the best shops in Shanghai. Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. Centre around Xintiandi and Jing An.
- Yu Garden District (Yu Yuan) Historic centre around Yu Garden and the City God Temple. Crowded and touristy, but the garden itself (CNY 40, about EUR 5) is beautiful. Best visiting time: weekdays in the morning.
- Tianzifang Chic arts district with studios, galleries, cafes and small restaurants tucked into a maze of narrow alleyways (shikumen). Free to visit; popular with expats and tourists.
Top 5 things to do in Shanghai
- The Bund (free) An evening walk along the Bund is the most iconic Shanghai experience. The illuminated Pudong skyline is free to admire from the Boulevard. Across the river: Shanghai Tower, Pearl Tower and SWFC.
- Yu Garden (CNY 40) One of China's finest traditional garden complexes, laid out during the Ming Dynasty (1559). Open daily 8:30 to 17:00; admission CNY 40 (about EUR 5). Tip: go on weekday mornings as it gets very crowded in the afternoon.
- Shanghai Museum (free) One of China's best museums, with an extensive collection of ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy and traditional Chinese art. Free admission; open daily 9:00 to 17:00. Online reservation recommended.
- Shanghai Tower Skydeck Observation deck on the 118th floor (546m altitude) of the world's second tallest building. Admission CNY 220 (about EUR 28). Best views on a clear day. Queues can be long.
- Maglev train to Pudong Airport Already a sight in itself: the world's fastest commercial train (431 km/h) travels in 8 minutes from Longyang Road metro to Pudong Airport. Single CNY 50. Spectacular experience even if you're not flying (just take a return ride).
Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Shanghai
KLM flies daily direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in about 11 hours. Return tickets start from about EUR 550 in the low season (winter). Air China and China Eastern also fly direct from Amsterdam. Cheaper alternatives via a stopover (Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Qatar via Doha, Emirates via Dubai) start from about EUR 380 to 450 return.
From Pudong Airport, take the Maglev to Longyang Road (CNY 50, 8 minutes) then the metro to the centre. Or take metro line 2 direct to the city centre in about 55 to 70 minutes (CNY 8).
Shanghai's metro (21 lines) covers almost the entire city; a single journey costs CNY 3 to 9. Buy a Shanghai Metro Card (CNY 100 deposit + CNY 50 starting credit) at machines at every station. VPN note: Google Maps, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked in China; download a VPN before departure.
What does a Shanghai trip cost?
Hostel from CNY 150/night (about EUR 20); mid-range hotel CNY 500 to 1,200 per night. Street food (xiaolongbao dumplings, scallion pancake jianbing) costs CNY 10 to 30. Restaurant meals in the French Concession: CNY 80 to 200 per person. Metro journey CNY 3 to 9; Maglev CNY 50 return. Yu Garden CNY 40; Shanghai Museum free; Shanghai Tower CNY 220. Budget all-in (excluding flights) realistically CNY 300 to 600 per day, about EUR 40 to 80.
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Frequently asked questions about Shanghai
Do Dutch citizens need a visa for Shanghai?
No, Dutch citizens can visit Shanghai and all of China visa-free for up to 15 days (China's expanded unilateral visa-free policy introduced in November 2024 for 38 countries including the Netherlands). You only need a valid passport. Stays longer than 15 days require a Chinese tourist visa (type L).
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
April to May and October are the best months: pleasant weather (15 to 25 degrees Celsius), little rain and lush green parks. Summer (July to August) is hot (35 degrees+) and humid. Winter (December to February) is cold (average 5 degrees) but dry and with fewer tourists.
How do I get from Amsterdam to Shanghai?
KLM flies daily direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) in about 11 hours. Return tickets start from about EUR 550 in the low season. Air China and China Eastern also fly direct. From Eindhoven, connect via Amsterdam Schiphol, Brussels or Frankfurt.
What does a city trip to Shanghai cost?
A week in Shanghai costs realistically EUR 900 to 1,400 per person including flights. Budget hostels start from CNY 150 per night (about EUR 20); mid-range hotels CNY 500 to 1,200 per night. Street food (xiaolongbao, scallion pancake) costs CNY 10 to 30. Restaurant meals CNY 60 to 150 per person.
How does the Maglev train in Shanghai work?
The Shanghai Maglev is the world's fastest commercial train: 431 km/h from Pudong Airport (PVG) to Longyang Road metro in just 8 minutes. A single ticket costs CNY 50 (about EUR 6.50); return CNY 80. The Maglev runs daily from 6:45 to 21:50. From Longyang Road, take metro line 2 to the city centre.
What are the best free things to do in Shanghai?
The Bund (the historic boulevard along the Huangpu River, free), the Shanghai Museum in People's Square (free), the Nanjing Road pedestrian street (free), exploring the French Concession neighbourhood (free), and the viewpoint at Pudong Park. The skyline is free from the Bund, or paid from the Shanghai Tower (CNY 220).
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Shanghai?
Hotels and hostels in Shanghai on the map. Click for live prices and direct booking.
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