Flights to Shanghai
 

Located where the Yangtze River meets the East China Sea, Shanghai is a global financial center, home of the world’s busiest container port, and a city of 24 million residents.

The architectural wonders of this densely-populated metropolitan area are renowned. History buffs will admire the colonial-era buildings that line the waterfront promenade in The Bund and the traditional pavilions, towers, and altars at the City God Temple. Contemporary architecture fans will marvel at the futuristic spire of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the modernist 121-floor Shanghai Tower skyscraper.

Old Town Shanghai is the heart of the city’s origins and where Chinese traditions hold fast. Visit temples, enjoy a tea ceremony, and shop the bazaar for kites, jade jewelry, and chopsticks.

There are also several outstanding cultural institutions that beckon, including The China Art Museum, the Shanghai Natural History Museum, the Propaganda Poster Art Center, and the Power Station of Art.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), aka Pudong Airport, is a major hub of China that primarily serves international flights. The city’s other international airport serves primarily domestic and regional flights. Located 19 miles east of Shanghai, the airport has two terminals. A third terminal is planned, and a satellite terminal currently under construction is expected to be complete in 2019.

Fans of American fast-food restaurants won’t be disappointed by the dining options. McDonald’s, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway, Starbucks, and Kentucky Fried Chicken are all represented. For a last parting taste of Chinese cuisine, there is Ajisen Hand-Pulled Noodles.

Shopping options include Dior, Montblanc, Emporio Armani and the duty-free shop.

  • Taxi service picks up passengers at Terminal 1 outside Gate 12 on 1F, and at Terminal 2 outside Gate 26 on 1F.
  • Airport Shuttle Bus provides transportation on lines 1 through 9 between the airport and nine in-city locations, including Shanghai Railway Station.
  • Maglev Train provides high-speed transportation to Longyang Road Metro Station and connecting routes.
  • Shanghai Metro provides trail transportation on Line 2 to Longyang Road Metro Station, People’s Square, and Shanghai Station.

The Bund is a stretch of waterfront along the western bank of the Huangpu River lined with colonial-era buildings representing Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classical, and Renaissance architecture styles. The area was a British settlement after Shanghai became a trading port in 1846. Across the river, visitors can admire dramatic views of the modern skyline of Shanghai’s financial district called Pudong.

Jade Buddha Temple houses two extraordinary Buddhist statues – Sitting Buddha and Recumbent Buddha -- carved from white jade and brought to Shanghai by a monk from Burma. The temple was originally built in 1882 but it was destroyed during the revolution that ended the Qing Dynasty. But the statues were saved and the new temple was built in 1928.

One of the largest museums in Asia, the China Art Museum, also called the China Art Palace, boasts a massive collection of modern Chinese art exhibited in 27 galleries. Located in the striking red China Pavilion from Expo 2010, the collection is divided into four themes that explore the origins of modern art in China, historical developments, cultural developments, and notable artists and movements.

Shopping is a huge attraction in Shanghai. But if you’ve had your fill of historic sites for the day, head over to Tianzifang, or Tianzi Fang, also known as Taikang Road. Here old residential buildings have been adapted into trendy bars, restaurants, coffee shops, teahouses, and shops, selling silk, antiques, crafts, and more. And you can dine on anything from burgers to foie gras.

Yuyuan Garden dates back to the 1500s and packs a lot of attractions into its five acres, including pavilions, halls, ponds, cloisters, and stunning jade rock.

Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong puts guests in the epicenter of Shanghai’s exciting modern skyline. Go for dip in the 41st-floor pool and admire the city’s most spectacular skyscrapers through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Two restaurants service Chinese and Italian cuisines. There’s also a spa and fitness center.

At Amanyangyun, the remains of Qing and Ming Dynasty dwellings have been reconstructed into 13 villas, along with the addition of 24 courtyard suites, set in a camphor forest just outside Shanghai. Amenities include five restaurants, a spa, and guided tours of area attractions.

For an authentic historic stay, Astor House Hotel in The Bund has been serving guests since 1858. The high ceilings, oak panels, stained glass and chandeliers recall the heyday of the colonial period. A museum on the ground floor chronicles the hotel’s history and highlights its celebrity guests.

Shanghai has a humid tropical climate, which means it’s generally mild and wet with four distinct seasons. The hottest months are July and August when the average highs are around 90 degrees, with average lows in the mid-70s. The coldest months are December, January and February, when the average lows are in the mid-30s, with highs in the mid-40s and low-50s.

The humidity hovers between 72 and 82 percent year-round. Because of its location on the Yangtze River, Shanghai receives rain one-third of the year. The wettest months are June, July, and August.