Located on the Yangtze Estuary of China's east coast, with the Yangtze River to the north, Shanghai is a global center for finance, research, technology, manufacturing, and transportation, the gateway city to visit China. With Huangpu River flowing through the city, it was generally divided into Pudong (the east bank) and Puxi (the west bank), and the main accommodation areas are located in Puxi with the most iconic and recommended site, the bund. If you would like to stay around the Bund, the Lujiazui facing the Bund, the People's square area, Jing'an Temple area, Xujiahui Area, Xintiandi Area are all convenient to travel with different features such as skyscrapers, exotic architectures, interesting bars, and restaurants. As a megacity, wherever you go, Shanghai has no shortage of 5-star fancy hotels. It's easy to find a nice stay near the airports and railway stations. Some travelers would also choose to stay around the Disneyland the ancient Zhujiajiao Water town to enjoy their vacation. Here we list the best areas to stay in Shanghai to help you make full of your holiday and focus on the top Weihai attractions and activities. If you want to have some of them or some other experience included in your itinerary, feel free to tell us. We can customize a private tour according to your own ideas and needs.
Where to Stay in Shanghai (click to enlarge)
Fairmont Peace Hotel
Hyatt on the Bund Hotel
• Popularity: ★★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★★
As the landmark site of Shanghai, the best place to see the nightscape of Shanghai, the bund is the top choice to stay in Shanghai for sparking skylines by the riverside of Huangpu River, facing the skyscrapers in Pudong. For people visiting Shanghai for the first time, the charms of the Bund are irresistible. With the exotic colonial architectures, the bund is so fascinating to see both the historic and modern-day Shanghai.
As a megacity in the world, there are lots of top 5-star hotels lining by the river. You can stay in iconic hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria, or the extravagant Art Deco Fairmont Peace Hotel. Stuffed full of upscale luxury, the Bund is the place for high-end shopping and nightlife.
• Hyatt on the Bund Hotel: Contemporary lodging with high-end decor & a sleek spa, plus 2 Asian restaurants & a western eatery...
• Fairmont Peace Hotel: Elegant quarters in a sophisticated hotel with upscale restaurants, a plush spa & an indoor pool...
• The Peninsula Shanghai: High-end hotel offering 3 elegant restaurants, 2 bars & river views, plus a spa with an indoor pool...
• Bellagio Shanghai: Refined quarters in an elegant hotel offering 3 restaurants & 2 bars, plus a gym& spa treatments...
• Broadway Mansions Hotel Shanghai: Refined quarters in an upscale 1930s hotel with posh dining & a British pub, plus a gym &a spa...
• Swatch Art Peace Hotel: Ultra-stylish, high-end art hotel offering a rooftop terrace with a bar & city/river views...
More Recommended Hotels: The Shanghai Edition, Hotel Westin Bund Center, Metropole Hotel Jin Jiang
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour
Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai Hotel
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
• Popularity: ★★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★
Right close to the luxury Shanghai bund area, the area of Yu Garden is a second popular accommodation area to stay in, offering luxury, traditional high-end hotels and more economical staying choices. Since it is also stepping away from the Temple of City God, Shanghai Old Town, Yu Garden Bazaar, you can feel the traditional Chinese vibes hanging out and buying souvenirs in the bazaar.
• Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund: Opulent rooms & suites in a palatial hotel offering 3 elegant restaurants, an indoor pool & a spa...
• Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai Hotel: Chic rooms & suites in a polished river-view hotel offering free breakfast & Wifi, plus dining...
• Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel: Polished hotel offering stylish quarters & 5 eateries, plus a bar, an indoor pool & a 24-hour gym...
• Bulgari Hotel Shanghai: Polished rooms & plush suites in a choice hotel offering fine dining, plus chic bars, a spa & a gym...
• Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund: Posh hotel with chic quarters, fine dining & a rooftop lounge, plus river views & an indoor pool...
• Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel:Relaxed rooms in a contemporary hotel offering an airy French/Chinese restaurant & wine tastings...
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 3 Days Best Shanghai Family Holiday Tour
Pudong Shangri-La
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai
• Popularity: ★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★★
Facing the bund to the east, Lujiazui is the tip area of Pudong New Area where skyscrapers and towers stand tall to the clouds. You can get on the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower to enjoy the glitzy cityscape of Shanghai. Here, Pudong has no shortage of high-end hotels. You can stay in the high-end hotels like Pudong Shangri-La, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, and even the upper sphere of Oriental Peak Tower, and the mid-range hotels are also easy to find.
• Pudong Shangri-La: High-rise property offering refined rooms with sweeping views, plus 7 restaurants & a chic spa...
• Grand Hyatt Shanghai: Posh rooms & suites with skyline/river views in an 88-story tower hotel with upscale dining & a spa...
• The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong: Refined rooms & suites in this high-end hotel with 4 restaurants, an indoor pool & a spa...
• Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Hotel & Residences: Polished rooms & suites in a contemporary hotel offering a spa, a pool & a restaurants...
• Park Hyatt Shanghai: Luxe high-rise hotel offering sleek rooms & suites with a luxe spa, and indoor pool & fine dining...
• Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai: Polished quarters in a ritzy hotel with 3 restaurants, a bar & a spa, plus an indoor pool & a gym...
• JW Marriott Marquis Pudong: Sleek quarters in a posh hotel with 4 restaurants, a rooftop bar & an indoor pool, plus river views...
• Oriental Riverside Hotel: Polished quarters in an upmarket hotel offering an indoor pool, a spa & a gym, plus river views...
• Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai:Refined lodging offering chic rooms & suites, plus 2 restaurants & a spa with an indoor pool...
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Water Town
Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai
Jinjing Metropolo Hotel Classiq
• Popularity: ★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★
Located in the heart of the city, People’s square is one of the best places to stay for sightseeing. You can walk to most of the attractions in Shanghai with countless shops and restaurants and avoid the hustling and bustling of the bund area. Also, the Shanghai Museum and the Urban Planning Exhibition Center are located in this area and keep this place a great escape from the commercial atmosphere.
• The Langham Yangtze Boutique Hotel: A high-end hotel in a 1930 art deco building, offering genteel quarters, elegant restaurants, and a spa...
• Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai: Contemporary apartments in a sleek hotel with an indoor pool & a gym, plus free breakfast...
• Pacific Hotel: Upscale, 1920s-era hotel offering an Italian-style bar, 4 restaurants & a beauty salon....
• Jinjing Metropolo Hotel Classiq, YMCA: Community-focused nonprofit established in 1844 with recreational program & services for all ages...
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 3 Days Best Shanghai Cycling Tour
Paramount Gallery Hotel
The PuLi Hotel and Spa
• Popularity: ★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★
Jing’an Temple, named after an ancient Buddhist Temple, has a wide range of nice hotels from luxury ones to budget stays. With the famous bustling Nanjing Road, tranquil Jing’an Park, cool bars, and cafes, it is a top accommodation area in Shanghai.
• The PuLi Hotel and Spa: Sophisticated quarters in a sleek high-rise hotel offering a spa, an indoor pool & restaurant...
• JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square: High-end hotel with chic quarters & 2 polished restaurants, plus a posh bar, a spa & 2 pools...
• Cachet Boutique Shanghai: Trendy boutique hotel with flashy quarters & an art gallery, plus free breakfast & afternoon tea...
• Paramount Gallery Hotel: Sophisticated hotel offering free breakfast, plus a restaurant, a gym & a beauty salon...
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
Courtyard Shanghai Xujiahui
Regal International East Asia
• Popularity: ★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★
Situated just west of the center of Shanghai, Xujiahui is known as one of the most fun districts in Shanghai with many bars, restaurants, and a multitude of shopping malls to keep you entertained. With many world-class high-end hotels and many subway and bus lines, it is very popular among travelers.
• Crowne Plaza Shanghai: Airy rooms in a functional hotel with a restaurant, an indoor pool & an exercise room...
• Regal International East Asia: Refined rooms & suites in a high-end hotel, plus 2 restaurants, a bowling alley & a cafe...
• Courtyard Shanghai Xujiahui: Cosmopolitan hotel with stylish rooms & suites, plus a Warm quarters in a polished hotel topped by a palace, plus an indoor pool, a bar & a refined cafe...
InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin
Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai
• Popularity: ★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★
With traditional Shanghai lanes, exotic architectures, fashionable shopping malls, and featured international and local restaurants, the southwest area to the Bund where Xintiandi, French Concession, and Tianzifang are located in the best area for staying Shanghai to feel the cultural contrast in this city. The top recommended hotels are Langham Xintiandi Hotel and Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai. Besides, there are many other 5-star hotels including Okura Garden Hotel, InterContinental Ruijin, etc.
• Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai: Polished rooms & suites in a storied, upscale hotel offering 5 restaurants, 3 bars & an indoor pool...
• InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin: Sophisticated rooms, stylish dining & fitness facilities in a grand hotel with a ballroom & a spa...
• Yanan Hotel Shanghai: Warm quarter in a laid-back hotel featuring a modest restaurant, a fitness center & karaoke...
• Donghu Hotel: Elegant hotel offering a restaurant & a bar, as well as an indoor pool, a sauna & a gym...
• Langham Xintiandi Hotel: Top recommended hotel in Xintiandi area. It is an elegant hotel featuring multiple bars & restaurants, plus a spa, a gym & an indoor pool...
• Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai: Contemporary quarters in a sophisticated hotel with restaurants & bars, plus a spa $ an indoor pool...
CITIC Pacific Zhujiajiao Jin Jiang Hotel
Royal Tulip Zhujiajiao Shanghai
• Popularity: ★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★
About 50km away from the bund, Zhujiajiao water town in the suburban Qingpu district of Shanghai, is the closest ancient water town from Shanghai city center. Although it is conveniently connected by the metro from the downtown, some visitors will still choose to stay there to feel the traditional water town atmosphere. Besides the nice fancy hotel like CITIC Pacific Zhujiajiao Jin Jiang Hotel, there are many 4 star local hotels and cozy hostels.
• CITIC Pacific Zhujiajiao Jin Jiang Hotel ★★★★★: High-concept quarters in plush lodging with an indoor infinity pool, chic dining, 2 bars, and a gym...
• Royal Tulip Zhujiajiao Shanghai ★★★★: Located inside the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, the traditionally styled hotel offers a fitness center, tennis courts or indoor swimming pool, sauna center, etc....
• Shanghai Jingyuan Hotel Zhujiajiao ★★★: Warm rooms, some with lake views, in an upmarket hotel offering a restaurant, a bar, and a game room...
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Water Town
Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai
Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
• Popularity: ★★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★★
As the 6th Disneyland in the world, Shanghai Disney Resort is the only one in China mainland. Since it is only about 18km away from Shanghai Pudong International airport in the southeast of Shanghai. If you would like to stay in Shanghai Disney Resort and relax yourselves in this dreamy world, there are two themed hotels in Shanghai Disney Resort – one is Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the other is Toy Story Hotel. The rooms are decorated with all kinds of Disney characters and figures and are accessible to the magic kingdom club, garden, lake, with the Disneyland views out of the windows. Since the rooms of the two hotels are very limited, you may need to reserve a room in advance especially during the peak season. (https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/hotels/)
• Shanghai Disneyland Hotel: 420 rooms and 3 restaurants, 1 lounge, and 1 indoor pool...
• Toy Story Hotel: 800 rooms for tourists with 2 restaurants...
For travelers who would like to stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport, there are some recommended places to stay from 5-star luxury hotels to 3-star economical ones.
Hotels Near Shanghai Pudong Airport: Ramada Pudong Airport Shanghai (5 star, 2km to PVG), Shanghai Deco Hotel (4 star, 7km to PVG), Vienna International Hotel Shanghai (4 star, 9km to PVG) ...
• Popular Shanghai Tour: ✔ 4 Days Shanghai Magic Tour with Disneyland Park
Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi
InterContinental Shanghai Puxi
• Popularity: ★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★
Located in the north of the city center, Shanghai Railway Station is about 6km away from the bund, and the Jade Buddha Temple is only about 2km away from it. Shanghai railway station primarily serves north-south and westward locations, operating Most long-haul, non-high-speed trains bound for Jiangsu Province, Anhui Province, and the North. It also offers regional high-speed CRH trains to Nanjing and Hefei as well as overnight high-speed trains to Beijing and Xi’an. Passengers can stay around it to take a train and visit the nearby Jade Buddha Temple and it’s easy to take a bus/metro to other attractions in Shanghai.
• InterContinental Shanghai Puxi ★★★★★: Luxe lodging in a high-end, city center hotel, offering upscale dining, a spa & a business center...
• Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi ★★★★★: Modern Hotel offering polished rooms & suites with city views, plus buffet dining...
• Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai ★★★★: Functional hotel featuring 2 restaurants, a 24-hour gym & a cafe/bar, plus free wifi...
Other recommended hotels: Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Zhabei, Hotel Indigo Shanghai Jing’an, Ji Hotel Shanghai Railway Station West Tianmu Road...
Hyatt Place Shanghai Hongqiao CBD
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Hotel
• Popularity: ★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★
13 kilometers (8.1 mi) west of downtown, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is one of two international airports of Shanghai and an important airline hub of China, mainly operating domestic and regional flights as well as some international flights. It is easy to get there by metro and shuttle bus. With many nice hotels around it, you can just stay around it to catch the early flight.
• Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Hotel: A high-end airport hotel features chic eateries & bars, plus a gym, a spa & meeting facilities....
• Hyatt Place Shanghai Hongqiao CBD: Streamlined rooms & suites in a contemporary hotel offering 24-hour dining, a bar & breakfast...
• Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao: Polished rooms in a genteel hotel with 24-h dining, a bar, a gym, a spa & indoor /outdoor pools...
• Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao: Sleek upmarket airport hotel with international dining, plus a top-floor bar beside an indoor pool...
• Hotel Indigo Shanghai Hongqiao: Cosmopolitan rooms & suites in an upscale hotel featuring a 24/7 fitness center & an indoor pool...
• Sofitel Shanghai Hongqiao: Elegant rooms & plush suites in a refined hotel with dining, 2 bars & a spa, plus an indoor pool...
Lotel Hotel
Pullman Shanghai South
• Popularity: ★★★ • Hotel Rate: ★★★
About 14km away from the bund, Shanghai South Railway Station is a high-speed railway station in the south of Shanghai, Xuhui District. Its importance is second only to the Shanghai railway station. It serves most trains to cities of Zhejiang (including Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Jinhua, and Wenzhou) and the Southern provinces of China, excluding the Shanghai-Hong Kong Route. If you would like to take an early high-speed train. You can stay around the train station and there are many nice hotels around it.
• Pullman Shanghai South: Polished rooms in a sophisticated hotel offering a spa, an indoor pool & 3 restaurants...
• Grand Skylight Gardens Hotel: Rooms, suites, and villas in a sophisticated hotel with complimentary wifi, garden views & pool...
• Lotel Hotel: Unfussy rooms & suites in a canal-view option with free-wifi, plus a casual cafe and fitness room...
How to Get to Shanghai: You can fly to Shanghai directly from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles & many overseas countries (regions) and almost all major Chinese cities, like Beijing, Xian; or take high speed bullet train to Shanghai from domestic cities.
Best Time to Visit Shanghai: March to May (in spring) & September to November (in autumn), because these periods offer beautiful nature scenery and comfortable weather for outdoor sightseeing and activities.
Top Attractions to Visit in Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui Skyscrapers, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, French Concession, Shanghai Disney Resort…
Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Former French Concession, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.
✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour
✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
✔ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
Travel Shanghai with Hangzhou Suzhou, More Nearby Destinations
Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain, Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.
✔ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
✔ 6 Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train
✔ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train
Travel Shanghai with Beijing, Xian & More China Destinations
Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >>)
✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
✔ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing/Xian/Shanghai)
✔ 7 Days Shanghai Suzhou Beijing Contrast Tour by High Speed Train
As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.
Paul & His Wife Visited the Bund
Timothy Family in Yu Garden
Tailor-made Group Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
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