Shanghai · 15 Places · Best March-May, September-November
Pudong travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Pudong, Shanghai, China.
Pudong New Area is the district east of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, home to the Lujiazui financial district with the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower. It also holds Shanghai Disney Resort, Pudong International Airport, large museums and the old towns of Chuansha, Xinchang and Gaoqiao.
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The 15 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Completed in 1994, the 468 m Oriental Pearl Tower with its stacked pink spheres was the first icon of the Pudong skyline. Observation levels include the main deck, a glass skywalk and an outdoor gallery, and the Shanghai History Museum occupies the base.
At 632 m, Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the tallest of the three Lujiazui supertalls. Its Top of Shanghai observatory is reached by some of the fastest elevators in the world.
Completed in 1999, the 421 m Jin Mao Tower blends Art Deco and traditional Chinese pagoda motifs. It houses offices and the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, and its 88th-floor observation deck sits above the hotel.
Completed in 2008, the 492 m tower is known as the Bottle Opener for the trapezoid opening at its crown. Its observation levels, including a glass-floored walkway on the 100th floor, sit lower than Shanghai Tower's and are typically less crowded.
This riverside walkway runs along the Pudong bank of the Huangpu River and faces the historic Bund across the water. It offers the standard view of the Bund's 1920s and 1930s facades and is busiest at dusk when both banks are lit.
The aquarium is organised by region, from Yangtze River habitats to Antarctic and Australian zones, and is known for a long underwater tunnel and a collection of Chinese freshwater species.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
A 362-room riverside hotel on Pudong Road South in Lujiazui, with 13 spa treatment rooms and Hangzhou-cuisine restaurant Yong Yi Ting on site.
Check rates on Booking.comA luxury hotel at 8 Century Avenue, within the Shanghai IFC complex in the core of Lujiazui, with a spa, sauna and hot tub and a rooftop bar and restaurant, Flair, overlooking the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Check rates on Booking.comA luxury hotel in the upper floors of the Shanghai World Financial Center at 100 Century Avenue, in the Lujiazui financial district.
Check rates on Booking.comA 548-room hotel occupying floors 58 to 85 of the Jin Mao Tower at 88 Century Avenue, with the Cloud 9 bar on the 87th floor.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Cantonese restaurant on the 53rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton Pudong inside Shanghai IFC. It has held a Michelin star since 2016, and a typical spend is upward of CNY 700 (~$104) per person.
Pudong branch of the Hong Kong Cantonese group, on the third floor of IFC Mall. The Michelin Guide lists it with one star, and lunchtime dim sum draws the largest crowds.
Huaiyang restaurant on the fourth floor of IFC Mall, created by the group behind Jardin de Jade. It appears on the Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Asia Recommended list for 2026.
First Asian branch of the Burgundy restaurant, pairing Burgundy recipes with local produce such as Yunnan mushrooms and green Sichuan pepper, with views over the Bund.
Modern French restaurant on the 36th floor of the Pudong Shangri-La's Grand Tower. It is a Michelin Selected restaurant in the 2026 guide, and a two-course lunch is listed at CNY 698 (~$104).
Jiangzhe restaurant inside Mandarin Oriental Pudong, listed by the Michelin Guide with one star at the three-yen price level.
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Pudong is served by Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and a dense metro network. Line 2 links the airport with Lujiazui and Century Avenue, Line 11 reaches Shanghai Disney Resort and Line 16 runs south-east to Lingang.
Daily spend by tier in CNY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥150 (approx. $22 USD) | ¥550 (approx. $82 USD) | ¥1,800 (approx. $268 USD) |
| Food (per day) | ¥100 (approx. $15 USD) | ¥270 (approx. $40 USD) | ¥700 (approx. $104 USD) |
| Transportation | ¥40 (approx. $6 USD) | ¥65 (approx. $10 USD) | ¥200 (approx. $30 USD) |
| Activities | ¥60 (approx. $9 USD) | ¥200 (approx. $30 USD) | ¥300 (approx. $45 USD) |
| Daily total | ¥350 (approx. $52 USD) | ¥1,085 (approx. $162 USD) | ¥3,000+ (approx. $447+ USD) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shanghai.
Spring and autumn bring mild temperatures (15-24°C / 59-75°F) and the clearest skyline views from the Lujiazui towers. Summer is hot and humid, often exceeding 33°C / 91°F, with occasional typhoon rain between July and September. Winter is cold and damp (0-8°C / 32-46°F). Shanghai Disney Resort and the Lujiazui towers are at their most crowded during May Day, National Day and Chinese New Year.
Visitors should install a reliable VPN before arriving in China — Google, Gmail, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and most Western news sites are blocked without one
Carry a passport (or a clear photocopy) at all times; police can request ID checks, and hotels must register foreign guests' passports on check-in
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with an international card before the trip, since taxis, small shops and vending machines are largely cashless
Keep the hotel's name and address in Chinese characters (a screenshot or business card) to show taxi drivers or in case of getting lost
Decline unsolicited invitations to tea ceremonies, art galleries or 'practice English' meetups from overly friendly strangers near the Lujiazui waterfront
Check the typhoon forecast between July and September before outdoor plans; Pudong is coastal and exposed to wind and heavy rain
Keep some cash and a physical transit or bank card as a backup in case payment apps lose connectivity
Pudong is a generally safe district with low rates of violent crime. The main concerns are petty theft in crowded tourist areas and on the metro. Both the US State Department and UK FCDO place mainland China at their standard advisory tier, citing occasional arbitrary enforcement of local laws rather than street-level danger. Emergency services: police at 110, ambulance at 120, fire at 119.
The best time to visit Pudong is March-May and September-November, when temperatures are mild (15-24°C / 59-75°F) and views from the towers are clearest. Summer is hot, humid and prone to typhoon rain, while winter is cold and damp. Avoid the May Day and National Day holidays and Chinese New Year if possible.
Metro Line 2 runs from Pudong International Airport to Lujiazui in roughly an hour for a few yuan. The Maglev reaches Longyang Road Station in about 8 minutes for ¥50 (approx. $7.45), where a transfer to Line 2 continues to Lujiazui. A taxi covers the roughly 40 km for approx. ¥150-¥200 (approx. $22-$30).
The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center all have observation decks. Shanghai Tower's observatory is the highest, listed at about ¥180 (approx. $26.83), and the Pearl Tower two-sphere ticket at about ¥199 (approx. $29.66).
The top attractions in Pudong include the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, the Lujiazui Riverside Promenade, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Museum of Art Pudong and Shanghai Disney Resort, with older sites at Chuansha, Xinchang and Gaoqiao old towns.
The currency is the Renminbi (Yuan), CNY, symbol ¥. Alipay and WeChat Pay handle most transactions and can be linked to a foreign bank card; cash and international credit cards are accepted less widely, so setting up mobile payment before arrival is recommended.
