Shanghai is a city split by water. The Huangpu River runs through it, and that single fact shapes how you choose where to sleep: the historic core on the west bank, known as Puxi, and the newer financial skyline of Pudong directly across the river on the east bank. Suzhou Creek cuts through the northern part of the downtown area, and the old walled Chinese city sits at the southern end of the centre.
For a visitor, the practical question is whether to base yourself in the downtown districts, where most of the tourist attractions and many hotels are and where many metro lines converge, or to trade a little convenience for lower prices in the inner suburbs, which are residential but well connected by metro. This guide covers the areas the source material identifies, what each suits, and roughly what you get at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Shanghai
1. Downtown Puxi
This is the historic core: the old Chinese city plus the area of the International Settlement that began in the 1840s and lasted until the 1930s. It is still the core of the city today, and it holds most of the tourist attractions and many of the hotels. Many metro lines run through it, which makes it the simplest base for a first visit.
It suits first-time visitors above all, and anyone who wants to walk to sights rather than commute to them. You find both new and old hotels here, some with classy architectural styles and charm, including grand old art deco hotels from the city's 1840s–1930s glory days, which are often somewhat cheaper than the newer luxury properties. If your budget allows, all the downtown districts except the Old City have high-end hotels.
2. Pudong
Directly across the river from downtown, Pudong has been a major centre of development since about 1990 and is now a skyscraper-filled financial centre. It can be described as an extension of the downtown core, or even as the new centre of the city. It is well connected to the Puxi side by metro and river crossings.
It suits travellers who want modern accommodation and are comfortable crossing the river to reach the historic sights. Modern amenities commonly found in Pudong hotels rival many hotels in Asia and beyond, and many international chains have a location here as well as in central Puxi. Prices are near international levels.
3. Jing'an
Jing'an is a downtown district with a temple and metro station at its heart, and it is one of the areas where you find high-end hotels. It also borders the zone north of Jing'an Temple, where quite a few low-priced and mid-range places are located, so the district spans a wide range of budgets within a central location.
It suits visitors who want to stay central without being in the most expensive riverside spots. The metro station next to the temple makes it easy to reach the rest of the city.
4. The French Concession
The French Concession is part of the historic downtown area, and it sits close to both Xintiandi and the old town. It is one of the downtown districts with high-end hotels, and its central position puts the old city and the modern shopping and dining areas within easy reach.
It suits visitors who want a central base with a historic streetscape and quick access to the old town. As with the rest of downtown Puxi, many metro lines serve the area.
5. Inner suburbs
The inner suburbs all border the downtown core except Yangpu, are quite built up, and have good metro service. They are primarily residential, but most have considerable industry and offices as well, and all have some large shopping malls. Several have universities, and nearby areas tend to have many low-priced restaurants and bars catering to the student market.
They suit budget travellers and longer stays. Several have hotels that are cheaper than those downtown but still convenient for sightseeing or shopping. Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station are in this area, on the border between Changning and the northern tip of Minhang, which makes it a practical base if you arrive or depart by air or rail.
6. Outer suburbs
The outer suburbs wrap around the southern, western and northwestern sides of the city, with the sea to the east and south and the Yangtze River to the northeast. All still include some farmland, but large parts are already covered with residential and industrial suburban development. What were once rural villages serving nearby farms have become towns, often interesting ones preserving traditional buildings while hosting new high-rises and malls.
They suit travellers with a specific reason to be there, or those staying long enough to want a quieter base. All have metro connections and there are also many buses. The beaches along the seacoast at the southern edge — Fengxian, Jinshan and Nanhui — are popular as a weekend getaway for Shanghai residents.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Backpacker dorms are under ¥100 in most places. For clean, safe, budget accommodation, the Jin Jiang Star, Motel 168 and Motel 268 chains have locations in most districts of Shanghai. Backpacker places exist close to the centre as well as further out.
- Mid-range: Many hostels and most of the plainer hotels can provide private rooms with a private shower in the ¥250–600 range. 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.
- Splurge: If your budget allows, all the downtown districts except the Old City have high-end hotels, and Pudong across the river has many others. Prices are near international levels, anywhere from around ¥700 a night to several times that. Grand old art deco hotels from the 1840s–1930s are often somewhat cheaper than the newer luxury properties. For long-term accommodation, be prepared to splurge, as Shanghai's real estate prices are among the highest in the world.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown Puxi is the best base for a first visit. It is the historic core, it holds most of the tourist attractions and many of the hotels, and many metro lines run through it, so you spend your time at the sights rather than travelling to them. It also gives you the widest choice of accommodation, from budget places to grand old hotels.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of the river should I stay on?
Downtown Puxi is the historic core with most of the tourist attractions and many metro lines, while Pudong across the river is a newer skyscraper-filled financial centre that can be treated as an extension of the downtown core. Choose Puxi for proximity to the sights and Pudong for modern accommodation.
Where can I stay cheaply without being far from the centre?
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, and there are backpacker places just off the Bund. The inner suburbs also have hotels that are cheaper than those downtown but still convenient for sightseeing or shopping, and all have good metro service.
Are the inner suburbs a practical base for sightseeing?
Yes. They all border the downtown core except Yangpu, all are quite built up, and all have good metro service. Several also have universities, and the areas around them tend to have many low-priced restaurants and bars catering to the student market.
What can I expect to pay for a high-end hotel?
Prices are near international levels, anywhere from around ¥700 a night to several times that. All the downtown districts except the Old City have high-end hotels, and Pudong across the river has many others. Grand old art deco hotels from the city's 1840s–1930s period are often somewhat cheaper than the newer luxury properties.
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