Shanghai is the most internationally legible of China’s mega-cities — easier for Singaporean travellers to navigate than Beijing, more global than Shenzhen, more cosmopolitan than Guangzhou. Whether you’re going for business or leisure (or, increasingly, both), the trip benefits from a clear sense of which Shanghai you want to see.
If you’ve spent any time scouting book China flights on Traveloka, you’ll know how the right find can shift your whole budget. Shanghai’s hotel scene runs from backpacker hostels to USD 1,000-per-night colonial palaces — the mid-range is unusually deep.
The Bund vs Pudong
The Bund is colonial-era Shanghai: stone facades, river-facing promenade, the photogenic skyline backdrop. Pudong is the future Shanghai: Lujiazui’s skyscrapers, the Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower. Both are essential. Walk the Bund at sunset, then take the ferry across to Lujiazui.
The French Concession: Where Locals Want You to Spend Time
The tree-lined streets of the former French Concession — Wukang, Fuxing, Anfu — are where Shanghai feels most like a living city rather than a postcard. Boutique cafés, small galleries, and tucked-away restaurants line every block. Spend at least one full afternoon walking here.
Food: The Shanghai Specialty Tour
Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at Jia Jia Tang Bao or Din Tai Fung. Sheng jian bao (pan-fried buns) at Yang’s Dumpling. A proper old-school Shanghainese dinner at Fu 1015 or Lao Zheng Xing. Each meal can be its own destination.
For Business Travellers
Stay near Hongqiao or Pudong airports depending on your meetings. The metro is fast, clean, and English-signed. Don’t expect Western credit cards to work everywhere — WeChat Pay and Alipay are the de facto payment systems. Get a foreigner-friendly card or use cash for backup.
A Day Trip to Suzhou
If you have an extra day, a Shanghai-Suzhou day trip is worth the high-speed train ride (25 minutes). Suzhou’s classical gardens — Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lion Grove Garden — and the canal-side old town are the closest thing to a ‘traditional China’ experience near Shanghai.
When to Visit
Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are the best weather windows. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold and damp. National Day week (October 1-7) and Chinese New Year see massive domestic travel — book early or avoid.
Getting There
Direct flights from Singapore to Shanghai Pudong are 5-6 hours. Both Singapore Airlines and Chinese carriers serve the route multiple times daily. Visa-free transit is available for stays up to 144 hours — convenient for short business trips. Set up everything through book China flights on Traveloka in one window to align the airport choice with your hotel location.
A Note on the Practical Side
Shanghai metro tickets can be bought via Alipay, but having a backup of small cash notes (the 5-10 yuan denominations) is wise for taxis and street food. WhatsApp and Google are blocked — install a VPN before arrival. WeChat is the universal messaging app and works for nearly everything from paying to map navigation. Mobile data via a local SIM costs roughly USD 10 for 30 days and saves the constant Wi-Fi hunting.