Shanghai flights and travel guide

Once upon a time, the Huangpu River, which divides Shanghai into east (Pudong) and west (Puxi), was the centre of the opium trade and Shanghai had the nickname the "whore of the Orient". Today, it is the largest city in China. Almost 16 million people live here and millions more from around the world take cheap flights to Shanghai each year to visit or do business.

This year, Shanghai will host the World Expo and has been building and developing and upgrading to ensure that it becomes a world-class city.

Pudong is the ultra-modern financial hub. It was farmland less than 20 years ago, but its skyline now is futuristic, dominated by the colourful Pearl TV Tower, the Jinmao Tower and the World Financial Centre Tower.

In contrast, Puxi is the older part of Shanghai. It boasts the Bund riverfront park (there are more than 50 historic buildings in different architectural styles - British, French, Russian, German, American), the French Concession Area, Yu Yuan Garden in the Old Town and swanky haute couture shops.

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Shanghai climate

The climate in Shanghai is humid subtropical. Summer (July and August) temperatures can soar to the mid-30s with 80 per cent humidity. Winters are damp and chilly. December and January temperatures can hover around the freezing mark, but snow is rare. Spring and autumn are the most temperate seasons. In May and October temperatures are in the teens and 20s. Typhoons are a risk.

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When to fly to Shanghai

Peak Season: 

Most tourists arrive on their cheap flights to Shanghai between May (Labour Day is May 1, a very busy time) and November. Other, very busy times are the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival - January or February, the date is based on a lunar calendar) and National Day (October 1). 

Off Season: 

December and January and February, depending on when Chinese New Year falls are low season times. 

Shoulder Season: 

March and April are shoulder season months, when you may be able to find lower hotel rates and cheaper flights and packages.

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Getting into town Shanghai

From Pudong, there are buses and taxis, but the best way to get downtown is by Maglev train. The 30km trip takes just seven minutes. 

There are also buses and taxis from Hongqiao Airport. Or, take a bus or taxi to Songhong Rd. Station and catch the subway (Line 2) to the city centre there.

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Getting around Shanghai

The roads are crowded, and, thanks to Shanghai's superb public-transport network and cheap taxis, there's no need to even think about renting a car. The public transport system covers metro, buses and trolleybuses. Pick up a Shanghai Public Transportation Card if you are staying for a few days. It can be used on all modes of public transport including the ferries that connects Pudong with Puxi. Several parts of Shanghai, the Bund for example, can be explored on foot. There are also biking tours.

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Shanghai insider information

• The Lu Jia Bang Road market has tailors who will run you up a new wardrobe in a couple of days. 
• The observatory at the top of the World Financial Centre is officially the world’s highest observation deck. It was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in August 2009. The 100th floor deck is 477.96m above the streets. 
• The Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1882, and then rebuilt in 1928 after a fire, houses two Burmese jade Buddha statues. 
• The Confucius Temple also offers a quiet space away from the city hustle and bustle. 
• Yu Yuan Garden, the Garden of Leisurely Repose, was built by a wealthy official in the late 1500s to please his parents. It's a charming example of a China garden with pavilions, bridges, rockeries and fish ponds. 
• Fuxing Park is the only French-style park in Shanghai. It was called Gujiazhai Park before the French bought it (in 1900) to station armies. There is a statue of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, sharing one body. It's a popular place to practice Tai Chi early in the mornings.

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Shanghai airports

Shanghai Hong Qiao International Airport(SHA) (website: www.shanghaiairport.com) The airport handles mostly domestic flights and is located 13km southwest of central Shanghai.

Pudong International Airport (PVG) (website: www.shanghaiairport.com) PVG is about 30km from central Shanghai. Pudong has more international flights.

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