Shanghai, the pearl of the East, is a city where ancient traditions merge seamlessly with futuristic innovation. From classical Chinese gardens and art deco architecture to soaring skyscrapers and cutting-edge cuisine, Shanghai offers an intoxicating blend of experiences. For travelers seeking comfort and elegance, business class flights to Shanghai make it possible to arrive refreshed and ready to explore this dynamic metropolis.
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Landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, one of Asia’s most advanced aviation hubs, you are immediately immersed in China’s technological prowess. Business class travel ensures you step off the plane ready to embrace every moment. Whether you choose to head straight into the neon-lit streets of the Bund or take a high-speed Maglev train ride reaching 430 km/h, the city offers an electrifying welcome from the very start.
A visit to Shanghai would be incomplete without strolling along the Bund, the city’s most iconic waterfront promenade. This historic mile-long stretch showcases stunning art deco and neoclassical buildings from the 1920s and 30s, standing in dramatic contrast to the futuristic Pudong skyline across the river. The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower create a vertical symphony that’s particularly breathtaking when illuminated at night.
Located in the heart of the city, Yu Garden (Yuyuan) is a classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty in 1559. Its intricate rockeries, peaceful pavilions, and koi-filled ponds offer a serene escape from the urban energy. The surrounding Old Town, with its traditional architecture and bustling bazaar, transports visitors back centuries. Here, steaming baskets of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) emerge from century-old restaurants, offering authentic tastes of Shanghai’s culinary heritage.
Shanghai boasts impressive Buddhist temples that showcase the city’s spiritual dimension. The Jade Buddha Temple houses two precious jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in 1882, while active monks continue their daily practices among visiting tourists. Jing’an Temple, meanwhile, sits dramatically amid modern skyscrapers, its golden roofs and red walls creating a stunning juxtaposition that perfectly symbolizes Shanghai’s blend of ancient and contemporary.
For culture enthusiasts, the Shanghai Museum offers a world-class journey through Chinese art and history. The building itself, designed to resemble an ancient bronze cooking vessel, contains over 120,000 precious artifacts spanning ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy, paintings, and jade. The ancient Chinese sculpture gallery and Ming-Qing furniture collection are particularly exceptional, offering insights into China’s artistic evolution across millennia.
Xintiandi represents Shanghai’s genius for adaptive reuse. This pedestrian district transforms traditional shikumen (stone gate) houses into upscale boutiques, international restaurants, and trendy bars. Walking these lanes during the day reveals stylish cafés and art galleries, while evenings bring sophisticated dining and people-watching opportunities. It’s the perfect spot to experience how Shanghai honors its past while embracing cosmopolitan culture.
Once governed by the French from 1849 to 1943, this charming neighborhood retains its European character through plane tree-lined avenues, vintage villas, and hidden garden restaurants. Wandering streets like Wukang Road and Fuxing Road reveals architectural gems, independent boutiques, artisan coffee shops, and some of the city’s most romantic dining venues. The area’s bohemian atmosphere attracts artists, designers, and anyone seeking Shanghai’s more intimate side.
At 632 meters, Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest building and the world’s second-tallest. The observation deck on the 118th floor offers vertiginous views across the entire Yangtze River Delta. The high-speed elevator ascends at 18 meters per second, making the journey itself an experience. Visiting at sunset allows you to witness the city transform from day to night, as countless lights illuminate the urban landscape below.
Hidden within the former French Concession, Tianzifang transforms traditional longtang (alleyway) housing into a labyrinth of art studios, craft shops, galleries, and intimate cafés. Unlike commercialized tourist districts, Tianzifang retains authentic residential life alongside its creative spaces. Local artists sell original works, while tiny restaurants serve everything from Sichuanese hot pot to artisanal ice cream.
While traditional Shanghainese dishes like hongshao rou (red-braised pork), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), and hairy crab remain beloved staples, Shanghai has emerged as China’s gastronomic capital. Michelin-starred restaurants blend Eastern and Western techniques, while food markets like Wujiang Road offer authentic street food adventures. Whether you crave hand-pulled noodles, molecular gastronomy, or regional Chinese cuisines from across the country, Shanghai’s dining scene dazzles at every level.
Just an hour from Shanghai’s urban core, ancient water towns offer glimpses of traditional Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze) life. Zhujiajiao’s Ming and Qing dynasty architecture lines picturesque canals crossed by stone bridges, while gondola-like boats glide beneath willow trees. These escapes provide peaceful contrast to metropolitan energy, showcasing the timeless China that inspired classical poets and painters.
Shanghai’s contemporary art scene thrives in districts like M50 Art District and West Bund, where converted industrial spaces house cutting-edge galleries. The Shanghai Grand Theatre presents world-class opera, ballet, and symphonies, while the stunning Shanghai Oriental Art Center showcases both Western and Chinese performing arts. MOCA Shanghai and Power Station of Art offer rotating exhibitions featuring international contemporary artists.
Nanjing Road, one of the world’s busiest shopping streets, stretches for kilometers with everything from international brands to traditional Chinese stores. For luxury goods, Huaihai Road and IFC Mall showcase the latest from global fashion houses. Meanwhile, fabric markets in the French Concession and antique markets near Dongtai Road offer unique treasures and custom tailoring opportunities at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Beyond traditional teahouses, Shanghai’s nightlife rivals any global city. Rooftop bars like Flair at the Ritz-Carlton and VUE Bar offer cocktails with spectacular views, while the Bund’s waterfront establishments attract sophisticated crowds. Hengshan Road and Found 158 district pulse with live music venues, craft beer bars, and dance clubs. Jazz clubs maintaining 1930s Shanghai glamour coexist with electronic music venues pushing sonic boundaries.
Spring: Cherry blossoms transform parks into pink paradises, while comfortable temperatures make urban exploration ideal.
Summer: Despite heat and humidity, evenings along the Bund come alive with breezes and illuminated skylines.
Autumn: Golden weather and mid-autumn festival celebrations featuring mooncakes and lanterns create magical atmospheres.
Winter: Festive decorations, relatively fewer tourists, and cozy soup dumplings make winter visits surprisingly rewarding.
Transport: The metro system is extensive, efficient, and English-friendly. Taxis are affordable, though ride-hailing apps like Didi work best.
Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY) is used throughout. Mobile payments dominate, though cash still works everywhere.
Language: Mandarin is primary, though Shanghainese dialect remains common among locals. English appears on signs in tourist areas.
Connectivity: VPN services help access Western websites and apps. Free WiFi is available in most hotels and cafés.
Visa: Most nationalities require visas in advance, though 144-hour visa-free transit options exist for qualifying travelers.
With premium airlines offering competitive business class flights to Shanghai, traveling in luxury has never been more accessible. This means you can enjoy lie-flat beds, gourmet meals inspired by both Eastern and Western cuisines, and priority services at a more attractive price point, leaving you with more budget and energy to experience Shanghai’s endless attractions. The city’s infrastructure continues evolving, with new museums, restaurants, and cultural venues opening regularly, ensuring every visit reveals something fresh and exciting. No matter when you head off to next, always remember to Travel Till You Drop!
* All photo credits: Mr. Jerry SEO
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Hi! I’m Jill, a Dallas, Texas girl traveling the world. After a career in the Air Force and touring over 50 countries later, my need to explore keeps going! It’s time to rock & roll and find all those places I never knew I was missing.
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