Puxi is the historic core of Shanghai, the part of the city on the west bank of the Huangpu River, facing Pudong across the water. It holds most of the city's tourist attractions and many of its hotels, and it is where the old Chinese city and the former International Settlement once stood. For a visitor, this is the Shanghai of the Bund, the museums and theatres, and the dense street life of the older neighbourhoods.
Puxi is not one neighbourhood but a group of districts, and the metro ties them together: almost all Shanghai Metro lines pass through Puxi, and several lines plus tunnels and bridges link it to Pudong. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like for different kinds of traveller, and what to expect at each budget level. It does not recommend individual hotels.
Best areas to stay in Puxi
1. Huangpu
Huangpu covers the historic core, including the Bund, People's Square and the Old City. This is the most central base you can choose, with the Bund, the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theatre and People's Park all here. It suits first-time visitors who want to walk to the main sights and have the widest choice of metro connections.
You find the widest range of accommodation here, from backpacker places just off the Bund to grand old art deco hotels and high-end international chains, several of them on or near the Bund, Nanjing Road and People's Square. It is the busiest and most tourist-oriented part of Puxi, so expect central-city noise and crowds.
2. Jing'an
Jing'an is a downtown district with good metro access and a mix of shopping, temples and residential streets. It suits visitors who want to be central but slightly away from the heaviest sightseeing traffic, and it works well for both short city breaks and longer stays.
All the downtown districts except the Old City have high-end hotels, and Jing'an is one of them, with luxury properties close to the temple and metro station. The area north of Jing'an Temple is also one of the places to look for low-priced and mid-range accommodation, which makes Jing'an unusually flexible across budgets.
3. The French Concession (Xuhui)
The French Concession, in Xuhui, is the old concession area with tree-lined streets, and it is close to Xintiandi and the old town. It suits travellers who prefer a quieter, more residential feel while staying within easy reach of the centre.
This is a downtown district, so it has high-end hotels, including properties near Xintiandi. It is a good base if you want to combine sightseeing with evenings in a calmer neighbourhood, and the metro connects it to the rest of Puxi.
4. Changning and Hongqiao
Changning is an inner suburb bordering the downtown core, built up and well served by the metro. It suits travellers arriving or departing by air or rail, and anyone who wants cheaper accommodation than downtown while keeping good connections.
Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station are in this area, on the border between Changning and the northern tip of Minhang, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is Puxi's airport. Inner suburbs like this have hotels that are cheaper than downtown but still convenient for sightseeing or shopping, and there is at least one international chain hotel at the airport.
5. Putuo and the area north of Jing'an Temple
Putuo is an inner suburb with metro service and a mainly residential character. It suits budget and mid-range travellers who are willing to trade a central address for lower prices and a short metro ride to the sights.
Quite a few low-priced and mid-range places are in the area north of Jing'an Temple, in Jing'an, Zhabei and Putuo districts. This is the most practical zone in Puxi for keeping costs down without leaving the city proper.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: backpacker dorms, which are under ¥100 in most places, and budget chains with locations in most districts of Shanghai. Hostels and the plainer hotels often provide private rooms with private shower in the ¥250–600 range.
- Mid-range: plainer hotels and hostels with private rooms, plus mid-range places concentrated north of Jing'an Temple and in Jing'an, Zhabei and Putuo. Inner-suburb hotels are generally cheaper than downtown ones while remaining convenient for sightseeing.
- Splurge: high-end hotels in all the downtown districts except the Old City, with prices near international levels, from around ¥700 a night upwards. Many international chains have locations in central Puxi, and older art deco hotels are often somewhat cheaper than the newer luxury properties. For long-term stays, expect to splurge, as real estate prices are among the highest in the world.
Best area for a first visit
Huangpu is the best base for a first visit to Puxi. It puts the Bund, People's Square, the Shanghai Museum and the Old City within walking distance, and it has the densest metro coverage for reaching everything else. It also offers the widest spread of accommodation, so you can stay central whatever your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Puxi should I stay in if I want to walk to the main sights?
Huangpu, the historic core, is the most central option. The Bund, People's Square, the Shanghai Museum and the Old City are all here, and many metro lines run through the area.
Where can I find cheaper accommodation in Puxi?
Look at the area north of Jing'an Temple, in Jing'an, Zhabei and Putuo districts, which has quite a few low-priced and mid-range places. The inner suburbs also have hotels that are cheaper than downtown but still convenient for sightseeing or shopping.
How do I get between Puxi and Pudong?
Puxi and Pudong are connected by fourteen tunnels, four major bridges, and Metro Lines 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 18.
Is it practical to stay in Puxi if I arrive by air or rail?
Yes. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai railway station and Shanghai South railway station are all in Puxi, and Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station sit on the border between Changning and the northern tip of Minhang.
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