Pudong is the east bank of the Huangpu River, the half of Shanghai that faces the historic Bund across the water. Its western tip holds the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, where the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Shanghai Tower stand together along Century Avenue and form the skyline most visitors recognise. Beyond that core, the area stretches east to the coast and takes in the Expo grounds, Century Park, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, the international airport and the Disney resort.
For a visitor, the practical question is how far east you are willing to sleep. Lujiazui puts you on the river, a short crossing from the Bund and the old city, while the airport and resort zones sit far out with little within walking distance. Note that hotels in Pudong cater mostly to the business traveller; if you want a wider range of choices or to be closer to the main tourist sights, the sources suggest looking in Puxi instead. This guide covers the areas the sources name, the kinds of places you find in each, and how they connect to the rest of the city.
Best areas to stay in Pudong
1. Lujiazui
Lujiazui is the finance and trade zone at Pudong's western tip, on the river directly opposite the Bund. This is where the landmark towers stand, all along Century Avenue, and where the serviced apartments and upper-tier hotels cluster. It suits first-time visitors who want the skyline on their doorstep and business travellers who need the financial district.
Practically, it is the best-connected part of Pudong for sightseeing: you are a stone's throw from the metro and the Renmin tunnel, with quick access across to Puxi and the Bund. Expect the highest rates in the area and a landscape of towers rather than low-rise streets.
2. Jinqiao and Biyun
Jinqiao is an export processing zone in Pudong that has grown an international residential community, Biyun, at its heart. The accommodation here is largely apartment-style and mid-range, including serviced residences with studios through to multi-bedroom duplexes, kitchens and broadband. It suits longer stays, families and relocating or working visitors who want space rather than a river view.
It is a practical base rather than a sightseeing one, so plan on the metro or a car to reach Lujiazui and the riverfront sights.
3. Century Park and Minsheng Road
The area around Century Park, including Minsheng Road, is a quieter, greener part of Pudong with good-quality hotel rooms and a residential feel. It suits visitors who want calm at the end of a day of sightseeing while staying within reach of the centre, and families who value the park space.
It sits inland from the river, so you trade a walkable waterfront for lower noise and easier breathing room.
4. Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park
Zhangjiang is the technology-oriented business district, home to Fudan University's campus in the park and a concentration of corporate hotels with restaurants, function space and leisure facilities. It suits business travellers with meetings in the park and anyone wanting a full-service hotel away from the tourist core.
It is a working district first, so expect to rely on taxis or the metro for the Bund, Lujiazui and the rest of Shanghai.
5. Pudong Airport and Chuansha
The far east of Pudong, around the international airport and Chuansha, is a transit zone. Accommodation here is budget and practical, with a short car ride to the terminals and little within walking distance beyond the immediate surroundings. It suits early departures, late arrivals and overnight layovers rather than a city visit.
Treat it as a bed before a flight, not a base for seeing Shanghai: the journey back to the centre is long.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple, functional rooms in the outer parts of Pudong, particularly near the airport and Chuansha, where the main virtue is a short ride to the terminal. Expect few services within walking distance.
- Mid-range: business-oriented hotels and serviced apartments in Jinqiao, Biyun, Zhangjiang and around Century Park, often with restaurants, internet access, laundry and, in the apartment-style properties, kitchens.
- Splurge: high-floor rooms and suites in the Lujiazui towers and along Century Avenue, with river and skyline views, spas, pools and multiple restaurants. Rates here are the highest in Pudong.
Best area for a first visit
Lujiazui is the one to choose for a first visit. It puts you among the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Shanghai Tower, all along Century Avenue and facing the Bund across the river. It is also the most convenient part of Pudong for crossing to Puxi and the historic sights, with the metro and the Renmin tunnel close at hand.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Pudong or Puxi?
Pudong's hotels cater mostly to the business traveller. If you want a wider range of choices or to be closer to the main tourist sights, the sources suggest looking in Puxi instead.
Which part of Pudong is closest to the Bund?
Lujiazui, at the western tip of the district, faces the Bund directly across the Huangpu River, with the Renmin tunnel and the metro nearby.
Where should I stay if I have an early flight from Pudong airport?
The airport area and Chuansha, in the far east of the district, are the practical choice, with rooms a short car ride from the terminals and little within walking distance.
What kind of accommodation is available in Jinqiao?
Jinqiao and the Biyun international community offer apartment-style and serviced accommodation, from studios to multi-bedroom duplexes, with kitchens and internet access, alongside business hotels.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.