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Shanghai Travel Guide
Buy Chinese YuanShanghai at a glance
Shanghai is China's largest and most international city: the colonial-era Bund facing Pudong's towers across the Huangpu, plane-tree lanes in the former French Concession, and the easiest travel in the country for a first visit. China Eastern flies nonstop from Delhi to Pudong. Three to four days covers the city, with Suzhou and Hangzhou as day trips.
Most international flights land at Pudong (PVG), some 45 km east of the centre; Hongqiao (SHA), much closer in, handles mainly domestic flights and sits beside the high-speed rail station. From Pudong, Metro Line 2 runs straight to People's Square in about an hour for CNY 7. The Maglev covers the first stretch to Longyang Road in about eight minutes at up to 300 km/h, for CNY 50 one way or CNY 80 return, and you change to the metro there. A taxi costs roughly CNY 160 to 200 by day.
Walk the Bund at dusk and again after dark, then cross to Pudong for the view from the Shanghai Tower's 118th-floor deck (CNY 180). Yu Garden (CNY 30 to 40 by season, closed on Mondays) and the old town fill a morning, and the former French Concession, with Xintiandi and Tianzifang, an afternoon. Suzhou's classical gardens are about 30 minutes away by high-speed train, and Hangzhou's West Lake under an hour.
Indian passport holders need a visa: India is on neither the 30-day visa-free list nor the 240-hour transit list, so apply online and then submit your passport at a Chinese visa centre in New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. Money runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Set up at least Alipay before you fly and link a Visa or Mastercard, after switching on international use in your bank's app; payments above CNY 200 through the apps generally carry a 3% fee on a foreign card, and smaller ones are free.
Where to stay
The metro links all three to the Bund and Pudong in minutes.
People's Square and Jing'an
Central and on several metro lines, with the widest choice of hotels. A solid first-time base.
The former French Concession
Leafy streets of old lane houses, cafes and boutiques, calmer than the centre and still on the metro.
Near the Bund
The classic skyline on your doorstep, though busier and pricier in the evenings.
Paying in Shanghai
For the yuan itself, the visa for Indians, setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay, and how much cash to carry, see the China travel guide.
Shanghai has the widest card acceptance in China, at hotels, malls and many restaurants, and the metro gates take a tap of a foreign card. Small eateries and taxis still expect a QR payment or cash. Payments above CNY 200 through the apps generally carry a 3% fee on a foreign card; smaller ones are free. Keep CNY 500 to 1,000 in cash as a backup: refusing yuan is against Chinese law, so cash always works.
What Shanghai actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in Chinese yuan and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 29 September 2026, CNY 1 ≈ ₹14.31, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹3,150 to ₹14,310 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Xiaolongbao or noodles | CNY 20-50 |
| Casual restaurant meal | CNY 50-100 |
| Metro ride in the city | CNY 3-9 |
| Metro Line 2, Pudong Airport to People's Square | CNY 7 |
| Maglev, one way / return | CNY 50 / CNY 80 |
| Shanghai Tower, 118th-floor deck | CNY 180 |
Getting around
The metro is extensive, signed in English and cheap, and it reaches both airports and Hongqiao railway station. The Airport Link Line joins Pudong and Hongqiao in about 40 minutes for CNY 26. DiDi works inside Alipay in English for door-to-door trips.
Common mistakes in Shanghai
Assuming a visa-free or transit stay
India is on neither list. Apply online well ahead, then submit your passport at a visa centre in New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata.
Mixing up Pudong and Hongqiao
The two airports are about 60 km apart. Check which one your flight uses, and which station your train leaves from, before you plan the transfer.
Landing late and counting on the Maglev
The last Maglev leaves the airport at about 9:40 pm and Line 2's last train at about 10:30 pm. After that, take a taxi.
Arriving without Alipay set up
Install Alipay or WeChat Pay at home, verify your passport and link a Visa or Mastercard. Switch on international and online use in your bank's app first, as Indian cards are issued with both turned off.
Shanghai FAQs
Yes. India is on neither China's 30-day visa-free list nor its 240-hour visa-free transit list. Since December 2025 you apply online, then hand in your passport at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. Until 31 December 2026 a single-entry visa costs ₹2,900, and fingerprints are waived for short-term visas.
Metro Line 2 goes straight to People's Square in about an hour for CNY 7. The Maglev reaches Longyang Road in about eight minutes for CNY 50, then you change to the metro. A taxi costs roughly CNY 160 to 200 by day.
For the ride, yes: it runs at up to 300 km/h and covers the airport stretch in about eight minutes. It stops at Longyang Road rather than in the centre, so it saves less time than it seems.
Suzhou for its classical gardens, about 30 minutes by high-speed train, and Hangzhou for West Lake, under an hour.
Yes. China Eastern flies nonstop between Delhi and Shanghai Pudong. Otherwise, connect through Guangzhou or a Southeast Asian hub.
On 29 September 2026 one yuan was ₹14.31 at the mid-market rate, so CNY 100 is about ₹1,430.
More guides in China
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