If you traveling Shanghai for flight layover, consider exploring the highlights of Shanghai.

Let’s start with 24/144 hours free-visa policy. You can know whether you are qualified to get out of the airport and learn how to apply for free visa after landing at Pudong or Hongqiao International Airport.

Furthermore, make sure your layover time is over 7 hours. In spite of free-visa application time(1-1.5h), you will spend around 1-1.5 hours separately to arrive at the center of Shanghai and return to the airport.

Plan Your Shanghai Layover According to Your Time and Interests

Recommend sites:

1. Bund (1h)

For a century, the Bund has been one of the most recognizable symbols and the pride of Shanghai. The architecture along the Bund is a living museum of the colonial history of the 1800s. Some people said you've never been to Shanghai if you haven’t seen the Bund.

2. Towering Modern Buildings(Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, World Financial Center) (1-2h)

They are outstanding skyscrapers of Pudong New Area, the top-rated financial center in the world. Standing on the high observation deck, you will amaze at the spectacular city scenery and wonder how these gigantic and shaped buildings were built so high! When the night falls, the sparkling neon lights bring the city a fresh new look, no wonder Shanghai was called the city that never sleeps. Add them in your wanderlust list.

3. Yu Garden & City God Temple Bazaar (2-3h)

Yu Garden is a famous classical garden and believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago. The exquisite layout, beautiful scenery, and the artistic style of the garden architecture have made the garden one of the highlights of Shanghai. The nearby City God Temple Bazaar is a well-known Taoist temple in that area and is one of the must-see attractions for shopping and enjoying local food.

4. Nanjing Road (1.5h)

Nanjing Road is one of China's premier shopping streets. Today it is a must-see metropolitan destination attracting thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world. 

For other attractions, like Former French Concession, Tianzifang, Shanghai Old Street, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, etc, add them into your Shanghai layover plan if you have more time.

What you can do for the Shanghai layover night tour? Huangpu River cruise is the best option.

If you want to experience maglev which connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station, where travelers can interchange subway to the downtown area.

Shanghai Subway Map, please check this link, https://exploreshanghai.com/metro/

Take 1-2 day to experience ancient and tranquil Water Town, you can get inspirations from how to choose Water Town.

Besides, if you have more than 2 days, consider Suzhou and Hangzhou layover tour from Shanghai airport. They both can be reached easily by high-speed train and ground transportation.