Where to stay in Shanghai: a first-timer’s guide to 9 areas
Where to stay in Shanghai: the Bund for a first trip (hotels typically about $90 a night), the French Concession or Jing'an for leafy streets, cafés and bars (about $76 to $83), and People's Square for value and transport (about $68).
Shanghai is vast, but a first trip happens mostly in central Puxi, west of the river: the Bund, People's Square, Jing'an and the former French Concession. Across the river, Lujiazui in Pudong has the towers and the high-floor views of the Bund. We compared 117 hotels in 9 areas: what each is like, its catch, who it suits, what its hotels typically cost and the best-rated ones, so you can choose by your own priorities.
Short on time? The quick answer
- First tripthe Bund $90 or People's Square $68The waterfront, Nanjing Road and the most metro lines.
- Best valuePeople's Square $68, Hongqiao $73 or Jing'an $76The lowest typical prices of the areas with 8 or more hotels.
- Romanticthe French Concession $83 or Xintiandi $189Leafy streets, cafés and lane-house restaurants.
- ViewsLujiazui $268 or the Bund $90The skyline from both sides of the river.
- Trains and DisneyHongqiao $73 or Disney $241High-speed trains and the theme park.
- LuxuryLujiazui $268 or the Bund $90The highest typical prices and many of the city's grandest hotels.
- FamiliesLujiazui $268 or People's Square $68The areas whose hotels guests most often recommend for families.
Best areas to stay in Shanghai at a glance
| Area | Best for | Typical price | Transit | Evenings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bund and East Nanjing Roadskyline views, waterfront, first trip | skyline views, waterfront, first trip | $90 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.9 |
| People's Squaremetro hub, museums, value | metro hub, museums, value | $68 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.5 |
| Yu Garden and the Old Cityclassical garden, old lanes | classical garden, old lanes | $110 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 9.4 |
| Jing'antemple, malls, cocktail bars | temple, malls, cocktail bars | $76 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.8 |
| Former French Concessionplane-tree streets, cafés, boutique hotels | plane-tree streets, cafés, boutique hotels | $83 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.7 |
| Xintiandirestored lane houses, dining | restored lane houses, dining | $189 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.9 |
| Lujiazui (Pudong)skyscrapers, Bund views, luxury | skyscrapers, Bund views, luxury | $268 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.9 |
| Hongqiao (station and airport)high-speed trains, domestic flights | high-speed trains, domestic flights | $73 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 8.8 |
| Shanghai Disney ResortShanghai Disneyland | Shanghai Disneyland | $241 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | 9.1 |
Typical price: the median nightly rate of the area's hotels on Staylist World. Transit: metro, rail and airport links. Evenings: how lively the area is after about 9 pm. Score: the average hotel score.
4 rules before you choose an area
- Stay in central Puxi for a first trip. The Bund, People's Square, Jing'an and the former French Concession, west of the river, put most sights close. Shanghai is vast, so a hotel far out adds an hour of travel a day.
- Be near a metro station. Shanghai's metro is fast, cheap and signed in English. A hotel within about 5 minutes of a station, ideally on line 2 or 10, saves time every day. Each hotel below shows its estimated walk to the area's main station.
- Check the hotel accepts foreign guests. Mid-range and upscale hotels almost always do; some budget hotels cannot register foreign passports. Trip.com shows this on the hotel page.
- Match the hotel to your airport. Pudong Airport is about an hour from the centre by maglev and metro; Hongqiao Airport and Railway Station are 30 to 40 minutes on lines 2 and 10.
1. The Bund and East Nanjing Road: best for a first trip and skyline views
Why stay here. The riverside promenade of 1920s banks and hotels facing the Pudong skyline, with the Nanjing Road pedestrian street running inland. Metro lines 2 and 10 meet at East Nanjing Road, and Yu Garden and People's Square are a short walk.
The catch. It is the most crowded part of the city in the evening, and river-view rooms cost much more.
- Good for
- First-timers, couples, skyline lovers, short stays
- Not ideal for
- Quiet streets
By the numbers: 27 hotels, typically about $90 a night (most $61 to $126), average score 8.9.
Best hotels in the Bund
- 19.6Metropolo Nanjing Road Nanjing Hotel, Shanghai4-star · about 12 min walk to East Nanjing Road metrofrom $106 / night
- 29.3Hyatt On The Bund Shanghai5-star · about 11 min walk to East Nanjing Road metro$213 / night
- 39.4The Peninsula Shanghai5-star · about 2 min walk to East Nanjing Road metro$432 / night
Compare the top 5 in the Bund All hotels near East Nanjing Road, with walk times
2. People's Square: best for value and the most metro lines
Why stay here. The city's centre: the Shanghai Museum, People's Park and the western end of the Nanjing Road pedestrian street. Lines 1, 2 and 8 meet here, so the airports, the stations and most sights are a direct ride away.
The catch. It is busy and commercial, and many hotels are business or chain hotels.
- Good for
- First-timers on a budget, families, travellers who want easy transport
- Not ideal for
- A neighbourhood feel
By the numbers: 25 hotels, typically about $68 a night (most $44 to $168), average score 8.5.
Best hotels in People's Square
- 19.6Shanghai Bund Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street Jianguo Palace Hotel4-star · about 4 min walk to People's Square metrofrom $75 / night
- 29.6Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre5-star · about 5 min walk to People's Square metro$185 / night
- 39.5Opartment The Far Eastern Hotel5-star · about 8 min walk to People's Square metrofrom $310 / night
Compare the top 5 in People's Square All hotels near People's Square, with walk times
3. Yu Garden and the Old City: best for old Shanghai and the classical garden
Why stay here. Yu Garden's pavilions and rockeries, the City God Temple and the bazaar's tiled roofs, with the Bund a 10-minute walk north. Metro line 10 stops at Yuyuan Garden.
The catch. The bazaar is packed and touristy, and there are few hotels.
- Good for
- Culture seekers, first-timers, families
- Not ideal for
- Nightlife
By the numbers: 6 hotels, typically about $110 a night (most $103 to $125), average score 9.4.
Best hotels in Yu Garden
- 19.7Atour Hotel Shanghai Bund Yuyuan Subway Station4-star · about 5 min walk to Yuyuan Garden metrofrom $103 / night
- 29.1The St.Regis on the Bund,Shanghai5-star · about 8 min walk to Yuyuan Garden metro$387 / night
- 39.7UrCove by Hyatt Shanghai on the Bund4-star · about 8 min walk to Yuyuan Garden metrofrom $125 / night
4. Jing'an: best for shopping, cocktail bars and a polished base
Why stay here. The golden Jing'an Temple among the luxury malls of West Nanjing Road, with cocktail bars and restaurants on the side streets. Metro lines 2, 7 and 14 serve it, and the former French Concession is next door.
The catch. Around West Nanjing Road it feels more like a business district than old Shanghai.
- Good for
- Couples, business trips, shoppers
- Not ideal for
- Old-Shanghai atmosphere
By the numbers: 13 hotels, typically about $76 a night (most $53 to $131), average score 8.8.
Best hotels in Jing'an
- 19.7Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Jing'an Temple by IHG4-star · about 12 min walk to Jing'an Temple metro$115 / night
- 29.4Jing'an Shangri-La, Shanghai5-star · about 5 min walk to Jing'an Temple metro$231 / night
- 39.6Jing'an True GO Hotel (Shanghai Jing'an District/West Nanjing Road)3-star · about 9 min walk to Jing'an Temple metrofrom $53 / night
5. Former French Concession: best for leafy streets, cafés and boutique hotels
Why stay here. Plane-tree-lined streets of villas and lane houses, with cafés, wine bars, independent shops, Wukang Road and the Tianzifang lanes. Several metro lines run through it.
The catch. There are fewer big hotels, and the most charming streets are spread out.
- Good for
- Couples, repeat visitors, food and coffee lovers
- Not ideal for
- Travellers who want the Bund outside the door
By the numbers: 15 hotels, typically about $83 a night (most $49 to $120), average score 8.7.
Best hotels in the French Concession
- 19.6Youke Homestay2-star · about 9 min walk to South Shaanxi Road metrofrom $44 / night
- 29.5InterContinental Hotels Shanghai Ruijin by IHG5-star · about 14 min walk to South Shaanxi Road metro$241 / night
- 39.3Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai5-star · about 11 min walk to South Shaanxi Road metro$120 / night
6. Xintiandi: best for restaurants in restored lane houses
Why stay here. Restored shikumen stone-gate houses turned into restaurants, bars and shops, around a small lake park, with luxury hotels nearby. Lines 10 and 13 stop here.
The catch. It is polished and expensive, and the area is small.
- Good for
- Couples, food lovers, luxury stays
- Not ideal for
- Budget travellers
By the numbers: 4 hotels, typically about $189 a night, average score 8.9.
Best hotels in Xintiandi
- 19.6Atour Hotel Shanghai HuangPu Xintiandi Metro Station4-star · about 8 min walk to Xintiandi metrofrom $98 / night
- 29.5The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi5-star · about 5 min walk to Xintiandi metro$194 / night
- 39.1Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai, by Hyatt5-star · about 6 min walk to Xintiandi metro$269 / night
7. Lujiazui (Pudong): best for high-floor views of the Bund
Why stay here. The skyline itself: the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Tower and the financial towers, with luxury hotels high above the river looking back at the Bund. Metro line 2 crosses to Nanjing Road in a few minutes.
The catch. It is corporate and spread out, with long walks between towers and quiet evenings.
- Good for
- Luxury stays, business trips, view lovers
- Not ideal for
- Street life
By the numbers: 9 hotels, typically about $268 a night (most $219 to $292), average score 8.9. In 8 AI overviews of guest reviews, the most common praise is for the views (7) and staff (6).
Best hotels in Lujiazui
8. Hongqiao (station and airport): best for early trains and domestic flights
Why stay here. Hongqiao Railway Station, with high-speed trains to Beijing, Hangzhou and Suzhou, sits next to Hongqiao Airport. Metro lines 2 and 10 run to the centre in about 30 to 40 minutes.
The catch. It is far from the sights, with little to do in the evening.
- Good for
- Early trains, one-night stopovers, business trips
- Not ideal for
- A sightseeing base
By the numbers: 14 hotels, typically about $73 a night (most $57 to $97), average score 8.8.
Best hotels in Hongqiao
9. Shanghai Disney Resort: best for Shanghai Disneyland
Why stay here. The resort's own hotels and the hotels nearby, a short walk or shuttle from the park gates. Metro line 11 runs to the city centre in about an hour.
The catch. It is far from the rest of Shanghai, and prices peak on holidays.
- Good for
- Families on a Disney trip
- Not ideal for
- A whole Shanghai trip
By the numbers: 4 hotels, typically about $241 a night, average score 9.1.
Best hotels in Disney
Staying a week? Split your stay
Most visitors need one base. With 5 nights or more, try 3 near the Bund or People's Square and 2 in the former French Concession; add a night at the Disney Resort for a park day.
Where not to stay in Shanghai
- Hotels far out in the suburbs sold as "Shanghai": check the metro time to People's Square.
- Budget hotels that do not accept foreign guests: check before you pay.
- Pudong Airport hotels for a city stay: the airport is an hour away.
- Booking late for Golden Week (early October) and Chinese New Year.
Tips for booking a hotel in Shanghai
- Set up payments before you fly. Link a foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay: taxis, metro tickets and street food are paid by QR code. See our Alipay for foreigners guide.
- Sort out mobile data. Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked on Chinese networks; a roaming plan or a travel eSIM from abroad keeps them working.
- Ask for a high floor. On the Bund and in Lujiazui, a high floor facing the river is what you are paying for. Check the room type.
- Drop your bags before check-in. Most hotels keep luggage before check-in and after check-out, so you can sightsee on arrival and departure days.
- Compare a few hotels side by side. Every area above lets you compare its top picks by score, typical price and walk before you book.
Before you go to Shanghai
- Hotels in Shanghai for foreigners: 483 hotels whose booking page says they accept guests from all countries.
- Hotels that accept foreigners in China: how to book, check-in with a passport, deposits and police registration.
- What hotels cost in Shanghai, by star class and budget.
- Paying: set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly.
- Entry: check whether you can visit China visa-free for 30 days or use the 240-hour transit.
The best hotel in each area, side by side
One pick per area, compared on score, typical price and what guests say.
Compare 8 areas' top hotels or explore Shanghai on the map
Questions about where to stay in Shanghai
Where is the best place to stay in Shanghai for first-timers?
Near the Bund or People's Square: the waterfront, Nanjing Road and the metro hub are on foot. Staylist World lists 27 hotels by the Bund, typically about $90 a night.
Is it better to stay near the Bund or in the French Concession?
Near the Bund for the views and the sights (about $90 a night). In the former French Concession for leafy streets, cafés and boutique hotels (about $83 a night). They are about 15 minutes apart by metro.
What is the cheapest area to stay in Shanghai?
People's Square (about $68 a night), Hongqiao (about $73 a night) and Jing'an (about $76 a night) have the lowest typical prices of the areas we compared, counting only areas with 8 or more hotels.
Where can I stay in Shanghai for less?
Around People's Square (typically about $68 a night), with metro lines 1, 2 and 8 to the airports and stations.
Should I stay in Puxi or Pudong?
Puxi, west of the river, for a first trip: the Bund, Nanjing Road and the old streets are there. Pudong's Lujiazui is for skyline views from a luxury hotel.
How many days in Shanghai is enough?
Three days covers the Bund, Yu Garden, the former French Concession and the Lujiazui skyline. Add a fourth for a day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou, about 30 minutes and an hour away by high-speed train.
Is North Bund a good area to stay in Shanghai?
Yes, if you want Bund views for less: North Bund, in Hongkou across Suzhou Creek from the Bund, has newer riverside hotels and is a short walk from the Bund's northern end. It is quieter in the evening than East Nanjing Road.
Can foreigners stay in any hotel in Shanghai?
Most mid-range and upscale hotels accept foreign guests; some budget hotels cannot register foreign passports. Check the policy on the hotel's Trip.com page before booking.
Where should families stay in Shanghai?
Guests most often recommend hotels in Lujiazui and People's Square for families. Check the room size and bed type on each hotel's page before you book.
Should I stay in more than one area of Shanghai?
Most visitors need one base. With 5 nights or more, try 3 near the Bund or People's Square and 2 in the former French Concession; add a night at the Disney Resort for a park day.
Our verdict
For a first trip, book near the Bund or People's Square: the waterfront, Nanjing Road and the metro are on your doorstep. Choose the former French Concession or Jing'an for leafy streets, cafés and bars, Lujiazui for skyline views, Hongqiao for trains, and the Disney Resort only for park days.
How we compared: each hotel belongs to its nearest area centre (within walking distance) and is counted once. Walk times are estimates from the map. Prices, scores and guest praise or complaints come from Staylist World's data and AI overviews of guest reviews; transit and evening ratings are our own judgement of rail links and nightlife. Previously observed price; confirm current price and availability. Data updated 27 October 2026. How Staylist ranks hotels.