Shanghai
The easiest first week in China — if you know which app to open at the airport, and which station your train actually leaves from.
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Days needed
- 4–6
- Airports
- PVG · SHA
- Difficulty
- Low
What to see
The short version
Shanghai is where most first trips start, and for good reason: the metro is bilingual, the airport is manageable, and everything in the payment chapter works here first.
It's also the least "ancient" of the big cities — which, on day one, is a feature rather than a compromise.
Shanghai through the year
March–May
Spring
Cherry blossoms in Lujiazui
In late March, look up from the flowering branches near Dongchang Road to see Lujiazui’s towers through the blossoms.
June–August
Summer
The Bund at night
Save the Bund for the evening. From the west bank, watch the lights come on across the Huangpu.
September–November
Autumn
Autumn colour in a Shanghai park
Look for turning leaves in the city’s parks. For a named stop, try the maples at the Shanghai Botanical Garden or in Lu Xun Park.
December–February
Winter
Century Park after snow
Walk the lakeside paths in Century Park on a quiet winter morning. Snowfall is unusual in Shanghai.