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First Time in Pudong: Complete Guide 2026
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Pudong Nightlife Guide (2026)
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Best Day Trips from Pudong (2026)
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Pudong Airport to City Center (2026)
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Pudong Hidden Gems (2026)
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Pudong on a Budget: Tips 2026
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Where to Stay in Pudong (2026)
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3 Days in Pudong: Itinerary 2026
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Things to Do in Pudong (2026)
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Best Food in Pudong (2026)
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Best photo spots in Pudong?
Walk along the Binjiang大道 from the Pearl Tower down to the Lujiazui green space. You get a clean line of sight across to the Bund without the crowds that jam up the platform at the Oriental Pearl. If you want something less obvious, head to the rooftop bar at the Grand Hyatt on the 87th floor, one drink is around 120 yuan but the view south down the Huangpu is unbeatable at sunset.
fwiw the best sunset shot I've found is from the Ferry Terminal near the Dongchang Road dock. you take the 2 yuan ferry across to the Bund and back, but if you stand on the upper deck right as the sun goes down you get this insane reflection off the Jin Mao tower. plus the ferry itself is a cool backdrop with all the rust and neon
honestly the best kept secret is the viewing platform at the Shanghai World Financial Center, the one with the glass floor. It's like 180 yuan but you get that insane 360 degree view and you can see both the Bund and the new skyline at once. way less crowded than the Pearl tower and tbh the glass floor is kinda terrifying but makes for a sick shot
if u want something more low key, head to the outdoor terrace at the Kerry Hotel on Huamu Road. It's free and you get a nice angle of the Pudong towers from a distance, plus the fake beach chairs make for a weird contrast. Just grab a coffee from the lobby and walk out back
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.