City, China
Shanghai for solo travelers
Is Shanghai good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Safe alone at all hours. Harassment is uncommon; watch drinks in club districts and use DiDi late. |
How to meet people in Shanghai
Hostels with tours, language-exchange nights, expat meetups in the French Concession, running clubs on the Bund and weekend food groups on WeChat.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Bund at dawn and cross to Pudong
- Cycle the West Bund riverfront and galleries
- Wander the Former French Concession cafés
- Eat xiaolongbao and sheng jian at local counters
- Take a day trip by train to Suzhou
Where to stay in Shanghai
| 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 |
Solo travel across China
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 5/5 | Limited |
| Beijing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Shanghai | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Xi'an | 4/5 | Limited |
| Chongqing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 | Limited |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lijiang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Xiamen | 4/5 | Limited |
| Dali | 4/5 | Limited |
| Huangshan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kunming | 4/5 | Limited |
| Qingdao | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nanjing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Changsha | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pingyao | 4/5 | Rare |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Guilin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 | Rare |
| Suzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Harbin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Sanya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Lhasa | 3/5 | Rare |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 | Rare |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 | Rare |
| Kashgar | 3/5 | Rare |
| Wuhan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Tianjin | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Shanghai good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). China's most international city: skyline, Bund walks, strong food and nightlife, and the easiest English.
How do you meet people in Shanghai?
Hostels with tours, language-exchange nights, expat meetups in the French Concession, running clubs on the Bund and weekend food groups on WeChat. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Shanghai?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Shanghai safe for solo female travelers?
Safe alone at all hours. Harassment is uncommon; watch drinks in club districts and use DiDi late.
More about Shanghai
Going to Shanghai solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Shanghai meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.