Planning6 min read
Best Time to Visit Shanghai: A Season-by-Season Guide
Choose the right season for your Shanghai trip with a practical look at weather, crowds and the style of journey each time of year suits best.
Shanghai stories
Shanghai Travel Guide
Practical guidance and considered itineraries for seeing Shanghai beyond a checklist of sights.
Itineraries8 min read
3 Days in Shanghai: A Thoughtful First-Timer Itinerary
A well-paced three-day introduction to Shanghai, combining the Bund, Yu Garden, local neighbourhoods, cultural stops and modern Pudong.
Planning10 min read
First Time in Shanghai: Everything You Need to Know
A complete first-timer's guide to Shanghai — from arriving at the airport to finding your way around, paying for things, and making the most of your visit.
Practical9 min read
How to Pay in Shanghai: A Foreigner's Complete Guide
Cash, cards, mobile payments — what actually works in Shanghai, what doesn't, and how to avoid spending your first day hunting for ATMs.
Transport8 min read
Shanghai Metro Guide: How to Navigate Like a Local
Everything you need to ride Shanghai's metro confidently — buying tickets, key stations for tourist attractions, navigation apps, and practical tips.
Planning7 min read
Best Areas to Stay in Shanghai: Where to Book Your Hotel
A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide to choosing where to stay in Shanghai — pros, cons, vibe, and who each area suits best.
Itineraries10 min read
Shanghai Itinerary 3 Days: The Perfect First Visit
A practical 3-day Shanghai itinerary that balances iconic sights with hidden neighbourhoods — designed by locals who know the city's rhythm.
Practical10 min read
Is Shanghai Safe? What Visitors Actually Need to Know
An honest, detailed safety guide for Shanghai visitors — crime, scams, food safety, traffic, nightlife, and what concerns are real vs. imagined.
Planning8 min read
China Visa Guide: How to Get Your Tourist Visa
A complete walkthrough of China's tourist visa application process — types, requirements, timelines, and practical tips for different nationalities.
Practical10 min read
Alipay for Foreigners: Step-by-Step Setup Guide
How to download, set up and use Alipay as a foreigner in China — linking international cards, troubleshooting common problems and practical tips.
Practical9 min read
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Explore China in 10 Days
China's expanded 240-hour visa-free transit policy lets 55 nationalities stay up to 10 days without a visa. Here is exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how to maximize every hour.
Practical10 min read
China eSIM & Internet Guide: Stay Connected Without a VPN
The complete 2026 guide to getting online in China — eSIM vs VPN vs local SIM, provider reviews, setup walkthroughs, and what actually works behind the Great Firewall.
Planning8 min read
China Visa-Free Countries: The Complete 2026 List
China now offers visa-free entry to citizens of 50+ countries and 240-hour transit to 55. Here is the complete, updated list and exactly how to use each pathway.
Transport10 min read
China High-Speed Rail Guide for Foreigners
Everything you need to ride China's 40,000 km high-speed rail network — booking tickets on 12306 and Trip.com, passport rules, station navigation, and common mistakes to avoid.
Practical11 min read
Is China Safe for Tourists? The Honest 2026 Guide
An honest, detailed safety guide for foreign tourists visiting China — crime, scams, traffic, food safety, health care, data privacy, and what concerns are real vs. imagined.
Itineraries8 min read
Shanghai to Suzhou & Hangzhou: Day Trips by High-Speed Rail
Two of China's most beautiful cities are 30 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed rail. Here is how to day-trip to Suzhou and Hangzhou — self-guided or with a private tour.
Itineraries11 min read
Beijing to Shanghai: The Ultimate China Route
The definitive 7-10 day Beijing to Shanghai itinerary — the Forbidden City, Great Wall, high-speed rail, the Bund, French Concession, and a day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou.
Practical10 min read
WeChat for Foreigners: The Complete Setup Guide
How to download, set up and use WeChat as a foreigner in China — messaging, WeChat Pay with international cards, mini-programs, Didi, and practical tips for daily use.
Planning10 min read
China Travel Without a Tour: The Independent Travel Guide
Yes, you can travel China independently in 2026 — no group tour required. Here is everything you need: visas, payments, internet, transport, and when a private guide still adds value.
Planning9 min read
Chengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, Hotpot and Slow Living
China's most relaxed major city — giant pandas, fiery Sichuan hotpot, ancient tea houses, and a pace of life that makes Shanghai feel frantic. Here is how to do Chengdu right.
Make it personal
Ready to turn an idea into a journey?
Use these notes as inspiration, then build a private Shanghai journey at the pace that works for you.