Where to Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors, Food, Nightlife, and More
Should you wake up to the Bund skyline, stroll the old concession streets, or keep the metro at your doorstep? After staying in different parts of Shanghai, these are the neighborhood trade-offs that matter most—and the hotels worth comparing.
The first thing I learned about Shanghai is that a beautiful hotel can still be in the wrong place. I’ve stayed in different parts of the city on separate visits, from the busy central streets to quieter neighborhoods. What changes most is not your sightseeing list, but the part of Shanghai you come home to each evening. When people ask me where to stay in Shanghai, I start with that decision and not just a hotel-star rating.
For a short first trip, the most useful bases are East Nanjing Road and People’s Square. For a different experience, Jing’an and the Former French Concession have better everyday streets; the Bund sells you the view. This guide separates these choices, compares actual hotel locations, and points out booking mistakes that are easy to miss on a map.
Some hotel links are affiliate links. If you book through one, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I have stayed in several Shanghai neighborhoods, but not at every hotel below; the hotel recommendations are selected from the supplied listings for location, features and fit, not presented as personal hotel tests.
Where is the best place to stay in Shanghai?
East Nanjing Road is the strongest first-time compromise if the Bund is high on your list. People’s Square makes moving around the city even easier, especially on a two-day visit.
Choose Jing’an for the best balance of restaurants and transport, the Former French Concession for leafy streets, or the Bund when the hotel and skyline view are part of the reason for going.
Pick the neighborhood, then the hotel entrance, then the room category. A “Bund” address may have no Bund view, and “Jing’an” can cover a much bigger area than the streets you actually want.
For sightseeing order, pair your base with my two-day Shanghai itinerary.
First decide what your hotel should give you
In Shanghai, the view from the room and the streets outside it can be two completely different things. These are the three decisions that narrow the map down quickly.
Choose the Shanghai view
Choose the Bund for the classic Pudong skyline or Lujiazui for high-floor views back toward historic Puxi.
Important: book a room category that explicitly states the view.
Choose great streets outside
Choose the Former French Concession or Jing’an for cafés, restaurants, tree-lined streets and easier aimless wandering.
You trade immediate Bund access for a better everyday neighborhood.
Choose the easiest first trip
Choose East Nanjing Road or People’s Square for useful metro connections and straightforward access across central Shanghai.
People’s Square wins on transport; East Nanjing Road wins on Bund proximity.
The sensible compromise: East Nanjing Road when the waterfront matters, People’s Square if the metro matters more. For a longer stay, southern Jing’an tends to feel less like a continuous sightseeing circuit.
Four of the best hotels in Shanghai worth shortlisting
These picks are here because each solves a different hotel-location decision. Compare the exact room and cancellation terms on your dates—especially if the view is the main attraction.
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
Beside People’s Square, this is the practical all-round choice when comfort, transport access and efficient sightseeing matter most.
Check prices & room options
Fairmont Peace Hotel
Landmark heritage character directly on the Bund. Choose it when the hotel itself should feel like part of the Shanghai experience.
Check prices & room options
The Sukhothai Shanghai
A polished modern Jing’an stay for travelers who want restaurants, transport and a calmer everyday base than the Bund.
Check prices & room options
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
A polished shikumen luxury stay for travelers choosing the Former French Concession for its lanes, architecture and neighborhood feel.
Check prices & room optionsHotel photos are from the linked booking listings. These are recommendations based on location and the property offering, not a claim of having slept in each of them.
How the main hotel areas fit together
Think west to east: the leafier neighborhoods are on the Puxi side; the skyline towers of Lujiazui sit across the Huangpu River. It is a simple mental map, not a promise that every pair of neighborhoods is walkable.
Best Areas to Stay in Shanghai at a Glance
For most leisure trips, stay in Puxi. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize easy sightseeing, Bund views, neighborhood atmosphere or business access. The most useful comparison is not just what each area gives you, but what you give up in return.
| Area | Choose it for | What you give up | Best anchor |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Nanjing Road | The easiest mix of Bund access and metro convenience | Quiet neighborhood atmosphere | Metro Lines 2 & 10 |
| People’s Square | Maximum transport efficiency | Character immediately outside the hotel | Metro Lines 1, 2 & 8 |
| The Bund | Iconic luxury, heritage and waterfront views | Metro convenience and value | East Nanjing Road / Yuyuan Garden |
| Jing’an | The best overall balance of atmosphere and transport | Walking to the Bund | Jing’an Temple / West Nanjing Road |
| Former French Concession | Leafy streets, cafés and neighborhood atmosphere | Sightseeing efficiency | South Shaanxi / Changshu / Shanghai Library |
| Xintiandi | Restaurants, nightlife and polished evenings | Local feel and value | Xintiandi / South Huangpi Road |
| Lujiazui | Business, towers and high-rise hotels | Puxi street life | Lujiazui |
| Eastern Suzhou Creek | Quiet waterside walks and repeat visits | Simplicity for a short first trip | Tiantong Road / Qufu Road |
East Nanjing Road
- Choose it for
- The easiest mix of Bund access and metro convenience
- What you give up
- Quiet neighborhood atmosphere
- Best anchor
- Metro Lines 2 & 10
People’s Square
- Choose it for
- Maximum transport efficiency
- What you give up
- Character immediately outside the hotel
- Best anchor
- Metro Lines 1, 2 & 8
The Bund
- Choose it for
- Iconic luxury, heritage and waterfront views
- What you give up
- Metro convenience and value
- Best anchor
- East Nanjing Road / Yuyuan Garden
Jing’an
- Choose it for
- The best overall balance of atmosphere and transport
- What you give up
- Walking to the Bund
- Best anchor
- Jing’an Temple / West Nanjing Road
Former French Concession
- Choose it for
- Leafy streets, cafés and neighborhood atmosphere
- What you give up
- Sightseeing efficiency
- Best anchor
- South Shaanxi / Changshu / Shanghai Library
Xintiandi
- Choose it for
- Restaurants, nightlife and polished evenings
- What you give up
- Local feel and value
- Best anchor
- Xintiandi / South Huangpi Road
Lujiazui
- Choose it for
- Business, towers and high-rise hotels
- What you give up
- Puxi street life
- Best anchor
- Lujiazui
Eastern Suzhou Creek
- Choose it for
- Quiet waterside walks and repeat visits
- What you give up
- Simplicity for a short first trip
- Best anchor
- Tiantong Road / Qufu Road
1. People’s Square & East Nanjing Road: Best for a First Trip
What it feels like to stay here
On a first visit, there is something reassuring about staying near a station that actually connects your sightseeing days. People’s Square and East Nanjing Road both keep you in central Puxi. The difference is simple: People’s Square is better for crossing the city by metro; East Nanjing Road is better for walking to the Bund after dinner.
People’s Square Station serves Metro Lines 1, 2 and 8, making it one of Shanghai’s most useful transport hubs. This is the better choice if you have only two or three days and want to move efficiently between different parts of the city.
The surrounding area is practical rather than picturesque, but it still offers glimpses of everyday Shanghai. On weekends, People’s Park hosts the well-known marriage market, where parents display handwritten profiles of their unmarried adult children on umbrellas and along the paths. It is an unexpectedly personal local scene in the middle of one of Shanghai’s busiest districts.
East Nanjing Road Station serves Metro Lines 2 and 10. It has fewer connections than People’s Square, but it places you closer to the Bund and makes evening walks along the waterfront considerably easier.
People’s Square or East Nanjing Road: Which Is Better?
Choose People’s Square if metro efficiency is your priority. Lines 1, 2 and 8 provide direct or convenient access to many of Shanghai’s major sights, so it is particularly useful for short, sightseeing-heavy visits.
Choose East Nanjing Road if you want the best compromise between public transport and walking to the Bund. You can explore the pedestrian shopping street, continue toward the waterfront and return to your hotel without relying on another metro journey.
Hotels directly around the East Nanjing Road pedestrian street can be noisier, and taxis may need to stop on a nearby side street rather than outside the lobby. Check the actual hotel entrance and vehicle access if you will arrive with heavy luggage.
People’s Square is the more efficient metro base; East Nanjing Road makes it easier to come back to the Bund without another train ride.
Best Hotels Near People’s Square and East Nanjing Road
TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai
Choose this if you want Art Deco style and a central base that feels more distinctive than a standard business hotel.
Before booking: Check the exact street-facing room category and the walking route to People’s Square.
Jinglai Hotel Boutique
A simpler stay near East Nanjing Road with convenient access to the pedestrian street and the Bund.
Before booking: Confirm the exact branch address; several Jinglai listings in Shanghai have similar names.
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
Beside People’s Square, this is the practical all-round choice when comfort, transport access and efficient sightseeing matter most.
Before booking: Check the precise room view; the central address alone does not guarantee a skyline-facing room.
If you arrive at Pudong or Hongqiao with luggage, check the Shanghai arrival options in my airport transfers guide before assuming the nearest station is the best way to reach your hotel.
2. The Bund: Historic Hotels and the Famous Skyline
What you gain by staying on the waterfront
The Bund is Shanghai’s most memorable hotel location. Its historic waterfront buildings face the futuristic towers of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, creating the cityscape that defines Shanghai for many visitors.
Staying here means you can walk beside the river early in the morning, return for the illuminated skyline after dark and experience one of Asia’s most dramatic urban settings without planning a separate journey across the city. The contrast between the Bund’s early-20th-century architecture and Pudong’s skyscrapers is especially striking after sunset.
The Bund also has Shanghai’s strongest concentration of landmark luxury hotels. Several properties occupy restored historic buildings, while others use rooftop terraces and river-facing rooms to make the skyline part of the stay itself.
Is the Bund the Best Location for a First Visit?
The Bund is the most iconic and memorable location, but it is not necessarily the most practical.
For easier metro connections, People’s Square or East Nanjing Road is usually the better first-time base. People’s Square provides access to Metro Lines 1, 2 and 8, while East Nanjing Road serves Lines 2 and 10 and remains within walking distance of the waterfront.
The Bund promenade does not have its own metro station. Depending on the hotel’s position, you may need to walk to East Nanjing Road or Yuyuan Garden station whenever you want to explore another part of Shanghai.
Choose the Bund if the waterfront experience is an important part of the trip. Choose East Nanjing Road or People’s Square if you care more about efficient sightseeing and straightforward public transport.
What Does “Near the Bund” Actually Mean?
Check every hotel’s position carefully. The Bund extends along a substantial section of the Huangpu River, and “near the Bund” is used loosely on booking websites. A property can be advertised as a Bund hotel while still requiring a considerable walk to reach the promenade.
Do not rely only on the neighborhood name or the straight-line distance shown on a hotel map. Check the actual walking route, the nearest metro station and whether major roads or pedestrian restrictions affect access.
The skyline is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, and my two-day Shanghai route gives you time for both an early waterfront walk and the night lights.
Best Hotels on the Bund
Fairmont Peace Hotel
Landmark heritage character directly on the Bund. Choose it when the hotel itself should feel like part of the Shanghai experience.
Before booking: A Bund address is not a promise of a river-facing room; select the view in the booking category.
The Shanghai EDITION
A polished modern choice near the Bund with skyline appeal and easy access to central sights.
Before booking: Check whether the selected room actually includes the skyline view you want.
The Peninsula Shanghai
Choose this for classic riverfront luxury, highly regarded service and one of Shanghai’s best-known addresses.
Before booking: Verify the exact river-facing category if the panorama is part of the splurge.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
A good fit if you prefer a more traditional, elegant stay with a quieter feel than some of the flashier riverfront hotels.
Before booking: Compare heritage-building and other room categories, and confirm the view.
Jinglai Shanghai South Bund Xintiandi
A more affordable central stay with convenient access toward the riverfront, Xintiandi and Shanghai’s historic core.
Before booking: Check the exact map pin: South Bund and Xintiandi do not mean the same doorstep.
3. Former French Concession: Leafy Streets and Cafés
The appeal of staying on these streets
Stay in the Former French Concession if you want attractive streets, independent cafés and a calmer atmosphere immediately outside your hotel. It feels more residential and less commercial than People’s Square, East Nanjing Road or the Bund.
The mornings are why this part of Shanghai stays with me. Around Fuxing Park, people practice tai chi, dance and play cards under the trees. Even without a sightseeing plan, it is an interesting neighborhood to wake up in. The trade-off is that you are farther from the Bund.
The tradeoff is convenience. Hotels here are more spread out, and you will probably use the metro or taxis more frequently when sightseeing elsewhere in Shanghai.
Where in the Former French Concession?
The Former French Concession is a large historical area spanning parts of modern Xuhui and Huangpu, not one compact hotel neighborhood. Two hotels using the Former French Concession name can be several kilometers apart.
For a short first stay, I would be especially careful with the exact metro stop here. The area covers more ground than the label suggests, and the Shanghai sightseeing route is much easier from a connected pocket.
Best Hotels in the Former French Concession
Shanghai Former French Concession Garden Hotel
A quieter, more characterful option for travelers who want leafy surroundings without paying full luxury prices.
Before booking: Save the hotel’s Chinese name and address from the booking confirmation.
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
A polished shikumen luxury stay for travelers choosing the Former French Concession for its lanes, architecture and neighborhood feel.
Before booking: Check the property’s exact position within the extensive Former French Concession area.
Note: Shanghai Former French Concession Garden Hotel may appear under a different English or local name on maps and taxi apps. Save the Chinese name and full address from your confirmation before arriving.
4. Jing’an: Restaurants, Transport and a More Lived-In Base
Jing’an offers a strong balance of transport, restaurants and a more settled atmosphere than Shanghai’s busiest tourist areas. It works especially well for longer stays and repeat visits.
This recommendation refers specifically to southern Jing’an around Jing’an Temple, West Nanjing Road and the edge of the Former French Concession. Modern Jing’an District extends much farther north, so do not book a hotel simply because its listing says “Jing’an.”
Jing’an Temple Station serves Metro Lines 2, 7 and 14, with convenient connections to People’s Square, Lujiazui and Hongqiao. West Nanjing Road is another useful base. Neither area is within practical walking distance of the Bund.
Best Hotels in Jing’an
The Kunlun Jing An
A practical option near Jing’an Temple when you want a comfortable central base without paying top-end luxury prices.
Before booking: Check the walk to Jing’an Temple metro, not just the wider district name.
The Sukhothai Shanghai
A polished modern Jing’an stay for travelers who want restaurants, transport and a calmer everyday base than the Bund.
Before booking: This is a Jing’an base, not a short walk from the Bund; plan the metro route.
The Jing’an trap: the attractive central area around Jing’an Temple and West Nanjing Road is not synonymous with the entire administrative district. Check the actual hotel pin and nearest station before booking.
5. Lujiazui: High-Rise Hotels Across the River
Lujiazui is the compact financial district most travelers mean when discussing staying in Pudong. It should not be confused with the enormous wider Pudong district.
I find Lujiazui impressive from the riverside, but it feels different from central Puxi once you leave the hotel. Think towers, malls and business districts rather than the kind of older side streets where you can wander for an hour. Line 2 takes you across to East Nanjing Road and People’s Square, so the crossing itself is straightforward.
Best Hotels in Lujiazui
Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai
Choose this for strong riverfront access, large-hotel facilities and the high-rise Pudong experience.
Before booking: If the river view matters, choose a room category that specifically includes it.
Atour Hotel Shanghai Center Lujiazui
A useful option if you want Pudong’s skyline and metro links without paying flagship-hotel rates.
Before booking: Confirm the hotel’s exact walking route to the nearest metro entrance.
The distinction matters for arrival, too: Pudong Airport transfers are a separate logistical question from booking a hotel among the Lujiazui towers.
6. Xintiandi: Restaurants and Easy Evenings
Xintiandi is built around restored shikumen houses, and the mix of old stone walls and modern storefronts gives the area a warm, elegant feel. It is one of the easiest neighborhoods for dining, with restaurants spilling onto terraces and a lively atmosphere after dark.
The Shikumen Open House Museum is a small but interesting stop, and the surrounding streets are pleasant to walk through. It is not as quiet as the Former French Concession, but it has a similar charm with a more polished edge. Evenings here are relaxed, with people lingering over drinks and small plates.
Xintiandi works best when restaurants, nightlife and easy evenings matter more than a quiet residential atmosphere. It is polished, central and convenient after dark, but generally expensive and more curated than local-feeling.
Best Hotels in Xintiandi
The Langham Xintiandi
A refined choice when you want restaurants, bars and polished evening life immediately around the hotel.
Before booking: Compare breakfast and cancellation terms for your specific dates.
Atour Hotel Xintiandi Subway
A more accessible price point with quick metro access in one of central Shanghai’s most polished areas.
Before booking: Confirm the exact branch and its distance from the subway entrance.
7. Eastern Suzhou Creek: A Quieter Base for Returning Visitors
Eastern Suzhou Creek around Tiantong Road and Qufu Road suits repeat visitors who want quieter evenings while remaining central. The area is spread out, so check the exact station and walking route before booking. It is less practical than People’s Square or East Nanjing Road for a first visit, but can be atmospheric.
Best Hotel near Eastern Suzhou Creek
Bulgari Hotel Shanghai
A quieter, more private five-star base for travelers who want central Shanghai without its busiest street scene.
Before booking: Book a clearly specified view rather than assuming every room faces the river.
For repeat visits: quieter waterways and creative neighborhoods are appealing, but check evening food options and the walk to your exact station. A bargain is less attractive if each day begins with a long detour.
Map: Shanghai Hotel Areas and Where They Sit
The hotel pin matters more than a broad district name. Use the map alongside the notes above, then check the actual walking route to your metro station before booking.
Areas to Avoid for a Short First Shanghai Trip
Some Shanghai hotels appear convenient because they are close to an airport, station or major attraction. For an ordinary city break, however, these locations usually create more travel time than they save.
Pudong Airport
Stay near Pudong Airport only for a late arrival, an early departure or an overnight connection. The airport is far from central Shanghai, and being in Pudong does not mean being close to Lujiazui.
Hongqiao
Hongqiao is useful before an early flight or high-speed train from Hongqiao Railway Station. Otherwise, it is less convenient than the central neighborhoods recommended above.
Shanghai Disneyland
Book a Disneyland-area hotel only when the park occupies a full day or is the main purpose of your stay. It is too far from central Shanghai to be a practical base for a normal city break.
Shanghai Railway Station
The area around Shanghai Railway Station is practical when you have a specific early train. For an ordinary first visit, People’s Square, East Nanjing Road or Jing’an provides a more useful and enjoyable base.
Yu Garden / Old City
Yu Garden is worth visiting, but I would not normally choose a hotel there solely to be close to it. For a typical first trip, East Nanjing Road gives you easier Bund access and stronger cross-city transport while leaving Yu Garden easy to reach.
There is one exception: a day trip from Shanghai may make Hongqiao useful if you have an early train to Suzhou or Hangzhou. For ordinary sightseeing, however, sleeping near the station is rarely necessary. My China train ticket guide helps with the booking side.
Six Hotel Details Worth Checking Before You Pay
A good district name is not enough. These details matter more in Shanghai than the broad neighborhood label.
Check the nearest metro station, not merely the district
Shanghai districts are large. Confirm the station, metro lines and actual walking route from the hotel entrance.
Check the exact room-view category
“City view” does not guarantee the Bund, Huangpu River or Pudong skyline. Book the view explicitly stated in the room name.
Save the hotel’s Chinese name, address and telephone number
Keep these details offline so a taxi driver or hotel staff member can identify the correct property.
Enter guest names exactly as shown in the passports
Use the same spelling and name order as the travel documents to reduce check-in problems.
Check which Shanghai railway station your train uses
Shanghai has several major stations. Confirm the exact departure station before choosing a hotel for an early train.
Do not confuse Pudong District with Pudong Airport
Pudong is enormous. Lujiazui, Shanghai Disneyland and Pudong Airport are in very different parts of it.
Make the Shanghai Hotel Location Work on Arrival
Choosing the right station is only half the job. On my China trips, the less glamorous preparation—hotel address saved in Chinese, mobile data working and a payment app ready—has saved more time than chasing a slightly cheaper room.
Coming from an airport?
PVG (Pudong) is far to the east; SHA (Hongqiao) is on the western side. Don’t pick a hotel merely because it shares an airport’s district name. My China airport transfers guide compares the Shanghai arrival choices, including when a direct pickup makes sense.
Coming by high-speed train?
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is useful for many routes, but not every Shanghai train uses it. Check the station on your ticket. My China train tickets guide covers booking and passport verification; day trips from Shanghai explains the common excursions.
Get maps, Didi and payments working first
A working China eSIM means you can open the hotel address and contact reception right away. I also recommend setting up the essential China travel apps and Alipay/WeChat Pay before departure, rather than trying to fix everything after you land.
Review networks, access and current plan terms.
Can Foreign Visitors Stay in Hotels in Shanghai?
Yes. You may still come across older advice about “foreigner-approved hotels.” Chinese authorities clarified in 2024 that hotels must not turn away foreign guests simply on the grounds that they lack special foreign-guest qualifications. In practice, I still favor properties with clear reception arrangements and a booking confirmation showing my passport name exactly.
At a normal hotel, the front desk handles the required accommodation registration. If you stay in a private residence or another non-hotel accommodation, the rules are different: since September 21, 2026, online registration has been available nationwide, normally within 24 hours of arrival. See the National Immigration Administration’s official notice for the distinction.
Before the taxi or Didi ride: save the hotel’s name and address in Chinese. I keep a screenshot of the confirmation and reception phone number, not just the map pin.
Where to Stay in Shanghai: FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Shanghai for first-time visitors?
People’s Square or East Nanjing Road is the best base for most first-time visitors. People’s Square offers the strongest metro connections through Lines 1, 2 and 8, while East Nanjing Road adds Lines 2 and 10 plus easier walking access to the Bund. Choose between them based on transport efficiency versus waterfront proximity.
Is it better to stay on the Bund or Nanjing Road?
East Nanjing Road is more practical, while the Bund is more memorable. East Nanjing Road has Metro Lines 2 and 10 and remains walkable to the waterfront. Choose the Bund for heritage hotels, luxury and views, but remember that the promenade has no metro station and a Bund address does not guarantee a river-facing room.
Is it better to stay in Puxi or Pudong?
Puxi is better for most leisure visitors, while Pudong suits business travelers and skyline-hotel stays. The Bund, People’s Square, Jing’an, Xintiandi and the Former French Concession are all in Puxi. Choose Lujiazui in Pudong for towers and high-rise hotels, not simply because your flight uses Pudong Airport.
What is the most walkable area of Shanghai?
The Former French Concession is Shanghai’s most enjoyable area for everyday walking. Its leafy streets, cafés and residential scale make it pleasant to explore near your hotel. However, the historical area is large, so choose a property near South Shaanxi Road, Changshu Road, Shanghai Library or Jiao Tong University rather than relying only on the district label.
Where should budget travelers stay in Shanghai?
Budget travelers should look around People’s Square and East Nanjing Road for lower-cost central hotels with strong transport. Staying near a useful metro station can reduce taxi costs and wasted time. Avoid paying a premium for a Bund address unless the waterfront setting matters, and compare smaller local hotels with larger international properties.
Where should I stay in Shanghai for food and nightlife?
Xintiandi is the easiest Shanghai base for dining and polished nightlife. It places restaurants, bars and relaxed evening options close to your hotel, although the atmosphere feels curated and upscale rather than strongly local. The Former French Concession is a better alternative for café streets, cocktail bars and a more residential setting.
Where should families stay in Shanghai?
People’s Square is the most practical Shanghai base for many families. Metro Lines 1, 2 and 8 reduce complicated transfers, while the area has large full-service hotels and straightforward transport. Jing’an is a good alternative for longer family stays when a calmer neighborhood matters more than walking access to the Bund.
What is the best area for a two-day Shanghai trip?
People’s Square or East Nanjing Road is best for a two-day Shanghai trip. Choose People’s Square for maximum metro efficiency or East Nanjing Road for the strongest balance of transport and walking access to the Bund. Both reduce unnecessary travel time and work better for a short stay than more distant residential areas.
Should I stay near Pudong Airport?
You should stay near Pudong Airport only for a late arrival, early departure or overnight connection. The airport is far from central Shanghai, and being in Pudong does not mean being close to Lujiazui. For a normal city break, choose a central Puxi neighborhood or Lujiazui if business is your priority.
Which area is best for an early train from Hongqiao?
Stay near Hongqiao Railway Station when your train departs very early. For a later departure, Jing’an Temple, West Nanjing Road or People’s Square can provide a better city base with direct or convenient Line 2 access toward Hongqiao. Always confirm that your ticket actually lists Shanghai Hongqiao rather than another Shanghai station.
Where to Stay in Shanghai: The Bottom Line
Shanghai is not one mood. The Bund is all drama and riverfront architecture, East Nanjing Road is hectic but convenient, and the Former French Concession is made for walks with no real destination. After staying in different parts of the city, I care more about the evening doorstep than a few extra square feet in a hotel room.
For a first visit: East Nanjing Road if the Bund is central to your plans; People’s Square if you want the simplest metro base. Choose Jing’an or the Former French Concession when the surrounding neighborhood matters more than being next to a landmark. A Bund hotel can be wonderful—but only pay for a view you actually booked.
If you are also planning what to do each day, read my Shanghai itinerary for a step-by-step route through the city as well as worthwhile day trips from Shanghai.
Your Shanghai base also affects the wider logistics of the trip. If you are arriving after a long flight, my China airport transfers guide explains the easiest ways to get from the airport into the city.
I also recommend setting up a China eSIM before you land, since maps, translation apps, hotel addresses and ride-hailing are much easier with mobile data.
If Shanghai is part of a longer China journey, my four-week China itinerary shows where it fits, while how to plan a trip to China helps with the route and bookings.
Last Updated on 21/10/2026 by Panos
