Create meetup in Pudongchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Pudong Guides
First Time in Pudong: Complete Guide 2026
claudiabruns
Pudong Nightlife Guide (2026)
cornelia
Best Day Trips from Pudong (2026)
valeskaschmitt
Pudong Airport to City Center (2026)
zhangyim
Pudong Hidden Gems (2026)
kristinekress
Pudong on a Budget: Tips 2026
myriamweiss
Where to Stay in Pudong (2026)
sindybothe
3 Days in Pudong: Itinerary 2026
rosel
Things to Do in Pudong (2026)
renildelueth
Best Food in Pudong (2026)
hannah
bar_chart Trends in Pudong
Where to Stay in Pudong (2026)
Lujiazui is Pudong's iconic skyline district, home to the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. It suits business travelers and luxury seekers, with hotels like… 🏙️ Lujiazui: The Financial Core
Lujiazui is Pudong's iconic skyline district, home to the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. It suits business travelers and luxury seekers, with hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Grand Hyatt offering skyline views. Expect high prices, with rooms starting around $200 per night.
🌳 Century Park Area: Quiet Retreat
Century Park is Shanghai's largest green space, ideal for families and joggers. Nearby hotels like the JW Marriott Shanghai provide a peaceful escape from the city buzz. Prices are moderate, around $150 per night, and the park is perfect for afternoon strolls.
🎉 Pudong Avenue: Nightlife Hub
Pudong Avenue runs along the Huangpu River and offers a vibrant nightlife scene with bars and clubs like Bar Rouge. This area suits young travelers and party-goers, with boutique hotels and hostels available. Expect lively streets until late, with room rates from $80 to $150.
💻 Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park: Digital Nomads
Zhangjiang is Pudong's tech district, home to many startups and co-working spaces. It's ideal for digital nomads seeking affordable serviced apartments and long-stay options. Prices are lower, around $60 per night, and the area has good metro connectivity to central Shanghai.
💸 Jinqiao: Family-Friendly Suburb
Jinqiao is a residential area popular with expat families, featuring international schools and parks. Hotels like the Holiday Inn Pudong Jinqiao offer spacious rooms and kid-friendly amenities. Prices are moderate, around $100 per night, and the area is quieter than the city center.
🚇 Getting Around Pudong
Pudong is well-connected by Metro lines 2, 4, 6, and 9, with Line 2 linking directly to the Bund and Hongqiao. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Didi are affordable, with fares starting at 14 RMB. For airport access, the Maglev train from Longyang Road reaches Pudong Airport in 8 minutes.
💰 Budget Tips for Pudong
For budget travelers, consider hostels near Shangnan Road or guesthouses in the Huamu area. Prices can drop to $30 per night, and these neighborhoods offer local eateries and markets. Book in advance during peak seasons like Chinese New Year to secure lower rates.
the guide's right about the metro being solid but line 6 is the one you want for getting to the century park area without transfers. also the pudong avenue stretch between shanghai tower and the river has this walking path that's way less crowded than the bund side, great for sunset photos without the tourist chaos. for food, the huamu road night market near century park gate 1 is legit but go early, the grilled squid vendors sell out by 9pm.
lujiazui is stunning at night but honestly the hotel prices there are insane for what you get. i stayed at a place near pudong avenue last trip and it was way more fun, walkable to the bars and the river path. if you want skyline views without the ritz price tag, grab a drink at the flairs rooftop bar in the grand hyatt instead.
one thing the guide missed is the century park area has some killer little food streets off huamu road. cheap xiaolongbao and skewer spots that tourists never find. also the maglev is cool but the metro line 2 goes straight to pudong airport too, takes longer but costs like 7 yuan instead of 50. i'd skip zhangjiang unless you're actually working there, it's dead after 7pm.
honestly the jinqiao area gets overlooked a lot but it's actually my favorite spot for longer stays. there's this big green space called the jinqiao sports park where locals play badminton and fly kites on weekends, and the biyun road area has some solid korean restaurants since a lot of expat families are from there. the holiday inn mentioned is fine but if you want something cheaper try the jinqiao ting hotel, it's like 70 a night and right next to a carrefour for snacks.
one thing nobody mentions is that pudong has these huge underground shopping malls near shanghai science and technology museum station. tons of fake street food but also legit stalls selling handmade noodles for 15 yuan, and the metro exit leads directly into it so you don't even have to go outside in summer. also the century park area has a decent night market on weekends near the gate 1 entrance, grilled squid and corn on the cob style stuff, gets busy around 8pm.
First Time in Pudong: Complete Guide 2026
Upon arrival at Pudong Airport, you can buy a prepaid SIM card from kiosks in the arrivals hall, with China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom offering tourist p… 📱 SIM Cards and Connectivity
Upon arrival at Pudong Airport, you can buy a prepaid SIM card from kiosks in the arrivals hall, with China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom offering tourist plans. A 7-day package with 10GB of data costs around 100 RMB and includes a local number. Alternatively, consider an eSIM from providers like Airalo or Holafly before you travel, which can be activated immediately. Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and major malls, but a VPN is essential to access Google, Facebook, and Instagram.
💴 Currency and Payments
The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (RMB), and you'll need cash for small vendors and some taxis, though most places accept mobile payments. Alipay and WeChat Pay are ubiquitous, and you can link your international credit card to these apps for easy payment. ATMs at Bank of China and ICBC accept foreign cards, but notify your bank before traveling to avoid blocks. For currency exchange, use airport counters or major banks; avoid street exchangers.
🚇 Getting Around
The Metro is the fastest and cheapest way to navigate Pudong, with Lines 2, 4, 6, 9, and 16 covering most attractions. Buy a Shanghai Public Transportation Card at any station, or use the Shanghai Metro app with Alipay for contactless entry. Taxis are metered and start at 14 RMB, but ride-hailing apps like Didi are more convenient and often cheaper. For a scenic route, take the Maglev train from the airport to Longyang Road Station, reaching 431 km/h in just 8 minutes.
🏛️ Cultural Etiquette
When visiting temples like the Jade Buddha Temple, dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering prayer halls. Always accept business cards with both hands and avoid writing on them. Tipping is not customary in China, so don't feel obligated to tip at restaurants or hotels. Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases like 'ni hao' (hello) and 'xie xie' (thank you), as English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas.
🌆 Must-See Landmarks
Start with the Shanghai Tower, the world's second-tallest building, where the observation deck on the 118th floor offers panoramic views (180 RMB, open 8:30-22:00). Nearby, the Oriental Pearl Tower has a glass-bottomed walkway and a history museum (220 RMB for the observation deck). Don't miss the Bund's skyline across the river, especially at night when the lights are dazzling. For a taste of old Shanghai, visit the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum area, which has a vibrant underground market.
🍜 Food and Dining
Pudong offers everything from street food to fine dining. Try xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Din Tai Fung in Super Brand Mall, or sample local noodles at a small shop like Lao Wang Ji. For a unique experience, visit the Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant on Yu Garden's edge, where you can watch chefs at work. Seafood lovers should head to the Lujiazui Seafood Market, where you can pick live catches and have them cooked on the spot. Budget around 50-100 RMB for a casual meal, and expect to pay more at upscale restaurants.
🛍️ Shopping and Souvenirs
For high-end shopping, visit the Super Brand Mall in Lujiazui, which houses international brands and a cinema. For unique souvenirs, explore the Shanghai Old Street near Yu Garden, where you'll find silk, tea, and traditional crafts. The Science and Technology Museum underground market is a bargain hunter's paradise, with electronics, clothing, and accessories at low prices. Remember to bargain at markets, but not in department stores.
🗓️ Suggested Itinerary
With 3 days, spend day one on the Bund and Lujiazui, day two in Yu Garden and the Old City, and day three at the Shanghai Museum and Nanjing Road. For 5 days, add a day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town (about 1 hour by metro and bus) and a visit to the Shanghai Disneyland Park (399 RMB for a weekday ticket). Always check opening hours and book tickets in advance for popular attractions to avoid queues. Keep a copy of your passport with you, as some places require it for entry.
good guide, covers the basics well. one thing nobody mentions is the ferry across the river, the 2 RMB public ferry from dongchang road to the bund side. way better than the sightseeing tunnel which is a total tourist trap. at night the skyline from the water is unreal and you'll have it mostly to yourself.
for the shanghai tower, skip the official observation deck and go to the bar on the 88th floor of the jin mao instead. same view, no queue, and a drink costs less than the ticket. the bar staff don't care if you just order a soda and hang out for the sunset.
also, if u're near lujiazui at lunch, the food court under the super brand mall has a stall called "yang's fried dumplings" that does the crispy-bottomed sheng jian bao better than most sit-down places. 8 yuan for four, eat them standing at the counter like everyone else.
solid guide, honestly covers most of it. one thing i'd add: the metro card is fine but if you're staying a while, just link your Alipay to the metro directly. saves you the 20 RMB deposit and the hassle of returning it. also, the Maglev is cool once, but the regular metro line 2 to the airport is half the price and only like 15 min slower, so unless u're in a rush, skip the gimmick.
for food, skip Din Tai Fung honestly. it's good but you can get xiaolongbao just as good at Jia Jia Tang Bao near the Bund for a third of the price. queue is long but moves fast. and for the Lujiazui seafood market, yeah it's fun but check the price per jin before you pick, some stalls try to upcharge tourists. bargain hard.
oh and if you're here on a weekend, the Science and Technology Museum underground market gets packed. go on a weekday morning if u can, way easier to browse without getting shoved.
The guide's spot on about Alipay being essential. I'd add that you should set it up before you land, because linking your card can take a few tries and the airport Wi-Fi is patchy. Once it's working, you'll use it for everything from vending machines to the metro.
For the Shanghai Tower, I'd actually skip the official deck and go to the Jin Mao's 88th floor bar instead. Same skyline, no queue, and a coffee costs less than the 180 RMB ticket. The bartenders are used to people just coming for the view, so nobody rushes you.
One thing nobody mentions: the public ferry from Dongchang Road to the Bund side. It's 2 RMB and runs late, and at night you get the whole skyline from the water with maybe five other people on board. Way better than the sightseeing tunnel, which is just a neon tube with a price tag.