Shanghai has two airports, Pudong and Hongqiao International Airport. When you have more than 8 hours in Shanghai, how do you plan your Shanghai day tour from airport? There are some tips you should be aware of.

1. Visa

Shanghai, the second largest city in China, has offered travelers 24 and 144 hours free-visa policy. One must transit to a third country or region(Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are included) with confirmed seat(ie: USA-Shanghai-Thailand).

24-hour free visa policy is almost available to all countries. 

While 144 hours free-visa policy is valid for these 53 countries and visa can be applied online before they travel to Shanghai.

24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco

6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

How to apply for a free visa at Shanghai Airport?

If you want everything more smoothly, please acquire a Chinese visa in your country in advance.

2. Weather

Check out the weather before you start Shanghai day tours from airport, dress properly for the different temperature.

3. Luggage

Shanghai airport has Left Luggage service, which starts from 6:00 am to 23:00 pm in Pudong, 8:00 am-21:30 pm in Hongqiao. Price varies according to your luggage size and storing time, it will cost less than $10 generally.

4. Money Exchange

Make sure to exchange RMB currency if you plan a Shanghai day tour from airport. 

5. Transportation

Shanghai has an incredibly well-developed subway system so that it’s very convenient for travelers to the downtown area by Metro Line 2. Most importantly for the first-time travelers, consider experiencing high-speed maglev from Pudong airport, a train runs on two magnets and can go at 248 mph and take you to Longyang Road within 10 minutes.

Shanghai subway map

6. What to See in Shanghai Day Tour from Airport

Classic Day Tour: Bund, Yu Garden, City God Temple Bazaar, Nanjing Road

Other Highlights: one of the skyscrapers(Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower)

                           Huangpu River cruise, Tianzifang, Former French Concession, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Xintiandi, Shanghai People's Square

Special Interests: Shanghai Confucian Temple, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, Jing'an Temple, Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center, Shanghai Disneyland

7. Food

There is much delicious food in Shanghai, try some local street snacks such as Xiaolongbao, Fried Baozi, Crab Shell Cake etc.