City, China
Shanghai
China's most international city: skyline, Bund walks, strong food and nightlife, and the easiest English. Good for first-timers and nomads; expensive by Chinese standards, humid and crowded.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,940–3,280Comfortable, one person · ¥13,000–22,000Details
- Value for money22/100Better value than 21% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 32°CDetails
- Air quality28.4 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · Very pollutedDetails
- Internet238 MbpsFixed broadband, China medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or boiled water; hotels provide kettles and cafés serve filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$74–268Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundDiDiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessPractically cashless via Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card.Details
Where to stay in Shanghai
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Former French Concession | Long stays: tree-lined streets, cafés, bars, expats |
| Jing'an | Central, subway hubs, malls, coworking |
| The Bund–People's Square | First-timers: sights, riverfront, all lines nearby |
| Xuhui–Xujiahui | Locals' food scene, shopping, quieter evenings |
Apps that work in Shanghai
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Dominant; cars, English interface, pay via Alipay |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meituan | Widest choice; works best with Alipay or a Chinese number |
| Ele.me | Alibaba's app, reachable through Alipay |
- Maps: Amap or Apple Maps (Google Maps is blocked and inaccurate)
- Messaging: WeChat
- Alipay: Payments, DiDi rides and metro QR codes
- WeChat Pay: Backup payments and mini-program bookings
- Trip.com: Train and hotel bookings in English
- Taxis: Hail metered taxis or use DiDi; avoid unmarked airport touts. Many drivers use Chinese-only apps, so show your destination on Amap.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in China.
- Practically cashless Practically cashless via Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card. Cards are accepted in hotels; carry some yuan for small shops.
- Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY). US$1 ≈ ¥6.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC and other big-bank ATMs take Visa and Mastercard; per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary.
- Tipping: Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign Visa or Mastercard work almost everywhere; small fee on larger payments. Apple Pay rarely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
Plugs
Type A, C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in China
Going to Shanghai solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.