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Shanghai Independent Travel Roadbook

Discover Shanghai independently with the Asia Reverie Travel Shanghai Travel Roadbook, a practical English travel guide created specifically for international visitors.

From the historic Bund and traditional gardens to modern Pudong, local neighbourhoods, nightlife and cultural performances, this roadbook brings the essential information you need for a Shanghai trip into one easy-to-use digital guide.

Instead of searching through multiple websites, social media posts and travel apps, you can use one guide to understand where to go, how to get there, what tickets may cost, how much time to allow, where to stay, what to eat and what to avoid.

Chinese place names are also included to make searching local maps and communicating with taxi drivers easier.

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1. 32-Page English Shanghai Travel Roadbook

A complete digital guide designed for independent international travelers.

The roadbook covers:

  • Trip preparation and booking advice
  • Shanghai weather throughout the year
  • Seasonal travel planning
  • Shanghai sightseeing
  • Hotels and recommended areas to stay
  • Local food
  • Performances and entertainment
  • Bars and nightlife
  • Transportation
  • Travel budget guidance
  • Practical travel tips

2. 16 Major Shanghai Attractions & Experiences

The roadbook provides 16 illustrated sightseeing entries, including:

  • The Bund
  • Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
  • Yu Garden
  • Yuyuan Bazaar & Old City Lanes
  • Shanghai Tower
  • Oriental Pearl Tower
  • Shanghai Museum East
  • Shanghai Natural History Museum
  • Jing’an Temple
  • Wukang Road & Anfu Road
  • Xintiandi
  • Tianzifang
  • Zhujiajiao Water Town
  • Shanghai Disneyland
  • North Bund Waterfront
  • Huangpu River Sightseeing Cruise

The guide also provides reference ticket information for these attractions—for example, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, Disneyland and the Huangpu River cruise.

For major attractions, information may include:

  • English and Chinese attraction name
  • Attraction introduction
  • Suggested map location
  • Reference entrance price
  • Recommended visiting time
  • How to get there
  • Practical visiting advice
  • Nearby attractions to combine
  • Common mistakes to avoid

3. Shanghai 12-Month Weather Guide

Understand Shanghai before choosing your travel dates.

The guide includes all 12 months, covering:

  • Average low temperature
  • Average high temperature
  • Rainfall reference
  • Recommended clothing
  • Seasonal travel advice

It also explains how Shanghai travel changes between spring, summer, autumn and winter, including rainy periods, summer heat, tropical storms and colder riverside conditions.


4. Shanghai Trip Planning Reference

The roadbook contains a five-day Shanghai planning reference, helping travelers understand how major attractions can be grouped geographically and how much time should be reserved.

It is a planning reference rather than a privately customized itinerary, so travelers remain free to arrange their own schedule.


5. Where to Stay in Shanghai

The guide explains the differences between major accommodation areas, including:

  • People’s Square & East Nanjing Road
  • The Bund & North Bund
  • Jing’an
  • Xuhui
  • Lujiazui
  • Shanghai Disney Resort area

It explains which areas are more suitable for sightseeing, nightlife, neighbourhood exploration or Disneyland, together with approximate accommodation budget ranges.

Hotel recommendations are for planning purposes only. Hotels are not included in the product price.


6. Food & Local Dining Guide

Discover Shanghai’s food culture and understand where dining can fit naturally into your sightseeing.

The roadbook provides food and dining suggestions alongside neighbourhoods and attractions, together with practical advice about:

  • Tourist-area restaurants
  • Menu prices
  • Minimum spending
  • Service charges
  • Local food stops
  • Restaurant reservations

7. Shanghai Performances & Entertainment

The roadbook introduces Shanghai evening entertainment and performance options, including theatre, live music and seasonal programmes.

It provides reference information about:

  • ERA performances
  • Shanghai Culture Square programmes
  • Peace Hotel live jazz
  • Disneyland entertainment

It also explains how early to arrive, what to verify before booking and how to plan transportation after the show.

Performance tickets are not included.


8. Shanghai Bars & Nightlife

The guide includes selected Shanghai evening experiences such as:

  • The Jazz Bar at Fairmont Peace Hotel
  • FLAIR at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
  • ROOF at The Shanghai EDITION

It also includes suggested evening combinations such as a Bund + jazz evening, Pudong skyline + rooftop bar, and an alcohol-free Shanghai evening.


9. Shanghai Transportation Guide

Understand how to move around Shanghai using:

  • Metro
  • Taxi
  • Ride-hailing
  • Pudong International Airport (PVG)
  • Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
  • Airport Link railway
  • Maglev
  • Railway stations
  • Zhujiajiao public transportation

The roadbook also provides useful transport budget references, such as typical metro fares and planning ranges for central taxis and airport transfers.


10. Budget & Booking Guidance

The guide helps travelers understand the approximate cost of major sightseeing experiences and what expenses should be budgeted separately.

It also explains:

  • How to check ticket categories
  • Passport requirements
  • Booking confirmations
  • Entrance locations
  • Performance booking
  • Weather-related adjustments
  • Accessibility considerations
  • Common booking mistakes

Who Is This For?

This roadbook is ideal for:

  • First-time visitors to Shanghai
  • Independent travelers
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Solo travelers
  • European and international visitors
  • Travelers who do not want to join a group tour
  • Travelers who want reliable information before arriving in Shanghai

INCLUDED

  • 32-page English Shanghai Travel Roadbook
  • 16 major attractions & experiences
  • Attraction introductions
  • Reference ticket prices
  • Suggested map locations
  • Transportation guidance
  • 12-month Shanghai weather guide
  • Seasonal travel advice
  • Five-day planning reference
  • Accommodation area guidance
  • Food & dining information
  • Performance information
  • Shanghai nightlife recommendations
  • Transportation budget guidance
  • Practical travel advice
  • Travel pitfall prevention tips

NOT INCLUDED

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Transportation
  • Attraction entrance tickets
  • Show / performance tickets
  • Meals and drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Private vehicle service
  • In-person tour guide
  • 24-hour concierge service

Please note: This product is a digital Shanghai travel roadbook only. Hotel accommodation, transportation, attraction tickets, performance tickets, meals and other third-party expenses are not included in the product price.

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Thank you for choosing Asia Reverie. To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and seamless journey, please read the following information carefully before your trip.

Asia Reverie Travel Tip

Domestic Flights
1. Checked Baggage

  • Each traveler is allowed one checked bag up to 20 kg.
  • Additional or overweight baggage may incur extra charges.

2. Carry-on Baggage

  • One carry-on bag up to 7 kg.
  • Carry-on luggage must also comply with airline size restrictions.

3. Lithium Batteries & Electronic Devices

  • Mobile phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, electric shavers, power banks, spare batteries and any device containing lithium batteries must be carried in your hand luggage.
  • Lithium batteries and power banks are strictly prohibited in checked baggage.

4. Power Banks (Very Important)

  • Power banks must display a valid CCC (China Compulsory Certification) mark.
  • Power banks without a CCC mark, with an unclear mark, or from recalled batches are not permitted on domestic flights in China.

⚠️ Many power banks purchased in Europe do not have a CCC mark and may be confiscated during security screening.

5. Liquids

  • Liquids, gels and aerosols over 100 ml must be placed in checked baggage.
  • Liquids carried onboard must comply with airport security regulations.

6. Sharp Objects

Knives, scissors, multi-tools and other sharp objects are not allowed in carry-on luggage and must be checked.
High-Speed Rail

1. Passport Required

Please carry your passport throughout the journey. It will be required for station entry and identity verification.

2. Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited:

  • Knives
  • Scissors
  • Sharp tools
  • Fireworks
  • Explosives
  • Flammable materials

3. Aerosol Products

Pressure containers such as hairspray, deodorant spray and insect repellent are limited.

  • Individual containers must not exceed 150 ml.
  • Total quantity is also subject to railway regulations.

4. Power Banks

Power banks are permitted if clearly marked and within the railway's capacity limits (generally up to 100Wh)

Do Not Bring

The following items are commonly confiscated during security screening:

  • Pocket knives
  • Swiss Army knives
  • Large scissors
  • Power banks without a CCC mark (domestic flights)
  • Lighters exceeding the permitted quantity
  • Oversized liquids
  • Self-defense sprays (pepper spray, mace, etc.)

Travelling in a group&Coach Transportation

Travelling in a group means you will experience both the pleasures and perhaps at times, some of the frustrations of travelling with people you don’t know. The good news is you all have at least one thing in common: a love of travel and exploration. Your fellow travellers will probably come from different parts of the world, and fall into different age groups. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group—patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the overall benefit of the group.

 

We kindly ask that when you are requested to be at a place at a certain time that you respect this request from your tour leader or local guide. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip before departure.

The size of your coach will comfortably accommodate your group. There's usually room for some extra seats, ensuring a relaxing journey. Your luggage will be safely stored either underneath the coach or in a dedicated trailer.

 

While the exact coach style may vary depending on the departure, all our coaches offer comfortable seating. Keep in mind that Wi-Fi and charging outlets might not always be available. To stay connected and avoid dead batteries, we recommend fully charging your devices beforehand or bringing a portable charger.

 

For longer journeys, we'll make sure to include ample restroom breaks along the way, so you can freshen up and recharge at your convenience, as facilities are not on-board the coach.

 

What's Included&What's Not Included

Transportation:
·Second-class high-speed rail (Beijing–Xi'an Xi'an–Chengdu)
·Economy-class flight (Chengdu–Shanghai)
·Private air-conditioned coach
·Maximum group size: 28 guests
Accommodation:
·11 nights in premium five-diamond hotels
·Twin-sharing rooms
·Single supplement available upon request
Dining Experiences:
·Round table service in the itinerary
·Authentic regional Chinese cuisine
·Traditional shared dining experiences
Tour Leader Local Guides:
·Professional English-speaking tour leader
·Experienced local guides
·Full travel assistance throughout the journey
Entrance Tickets:
·Admission to all attractions listed in the itinerary
·Basic internal transportation where applicable

·International flights
·Meals not specified in the itinerary
·Personal expenses
·Single-room supplement
·Optional activities upgrades
·Additional personal requests
·Visa fees and other items not listed as included
·Anythingnotmentioned in the itinerary

Food and Allergies

Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse and regionally distinct, offering everything from spicy Sichuan dishes to delicate dumplings and rich noodle soups. Meals on tour are a great way to experience local culture, and we often dine at local restaurants to give travellers a taste of authentic regional flavours.

 

Food in China is often different to what many people are used to at home. Dishes can be greasier or oilier than expected, particularly in certain regions where stir-frying and oil-based sauces are common. While the food is generally fresh and flavourful, it’s worth being prepared for richer textures and stronger seasoning.

 

English menus may be limited, but your guide will assist with ordering and explaining dishes. Dietary requirements can be accommodated in many cases, though options may be more limited in remote areas – flexibility is appreciated. If you enjoy trying new things, China is a food lover’s paradise.

 

While travelling with Asia Reverie Travel you'll enjoy iconic sightseeing, as well as experience the vast array of local cuisines. While many meals will be eaten together with your group, not all meals are included in your tour which gives you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let our Customer Support Team know before departure. Your Asia Reverie Travel tour leader or local guide will also be able to give suggestions on which restaurants to try during your trip. For those with a particular food allergy, your Asia Reverie Travel Leader will endeavour to advise the main ingredients in the dishes consumed. It is, however, still your responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any problematic ingredients.

 

Visas C Entry Requirements

Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your tour and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your tour. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the visa entry requirements for your nationality via our page here:

 

You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

 

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your tour so the information on your booking must match your passport exactly. Please take care to 

provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

Tipping

To recognize the hard work and dedication of the team who help make your journey enjoyable, gratuities are recommended at USD 5–8 per guest, per day (based on the 11-day itinerary).

This amount covers the services of your tour leader, local guides, drivers, hotel staff, and our behind-the-scenes operations team.

For your convenience, your tour leader will collect the gratuities at the beginning of the tour and distribute them appropriately throughout the journey.

This arrangement ensures that every member of the team providing services throughout your journey is fairly recognized.

Travel Insurance

For your peace of mind, your tour includes Tour Operator Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance arranged by us.

As individual travel needs may vary, we strongly recommend that guests purchase additional travel insurance covering medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and other personal requirements before departure.

In Case of Emergency

Although we strive to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, unforeseen circumstances can occasionally arise during travel. If any issues arise during your tour, it's essential to promptly communicate them to your tour leader or local representative. This ensures they can take immediate action to address the problem and mitigate any negative impact on the remainder of your journey.

 

We understand that there may be instances where your tour leader or local representative is unable to resolve a situation to your satisfaction. In such cases, we encourage you to request that the tour leader or local representative escalate the matter to their direct manager for further assistance.

 

When your final tour documentation is released, this will include an emergency contact for our local travel partner while you are on tour. If this is not included in your documentation, you will receive this on arrival during your welcome meeting.

Clothing&Climate

A mix of light weight, quick-drying clothing and warm layers is essential when traveling in this region. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and scarves are also useful for covering shoulders and knees when visiting religious

Closed-in shoes are recommended to protect your feet from injuries and potential bites or stings, whether you're walking in urban areas or through nature.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses to shield yourself from the sun.

A light, warm waterproof jacket is advisable

The regions visited on this tour experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons:

 ·Spring (March–May) offers mild and comfortable weather, with average daytime temperatures between 15–25°C, though evenings can still be cool.

· Summer (June–August) is typically hot and humid, especially in lowland areas, with temperatures often ranging from 28–35°C. Sudden showers or storms are possible.

· Autumn (September–November) is generally clear and pleasant, with temperatures similar to spring – typically 18–26°C – and lower humidity.

·Winter (December–February) can be cold, especially in the north, with average daytime temperatures from 2–10°C and colder nights. Snow is possible but not common in most areas.

 

Weather can vary from place to place due to China’s size and geography, so we recommend packing layers, comfortable walking shoes, and a light waterproof jacket for all seasons.

Currency and ATMs

China’s official currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY or RMB). While major cities have plenty of ATMs, not all will accept foreign cards. Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than other international cards, but it’s still a good idea to carry some cash, especially in smaller towns or for use at local restaurants and markets.

 

Mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used in China, but they can be difficult for foreign visitors to set up. Your guide can advise you on where to exchange money or withdraw cash, and we recommend informing your bank of your travel plans before departure.

Safety and Security

China is generally a very safe country for travellers, with low levels of violent crime. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, can occur in crowded areas like markets or train stations, so it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

 

Police and security presence is visible in many public areas, and travellers are expected to carry their passport with them for ID checks when required. As with anywhere, using common sense – such as avoiding poorly lit areas at night and keeping valuables secure – will help ensure a smooth and trouble-free trip.

 

Your tour leader will provide local safety tips throughout the journey, and our team monitors local conditions to keep you informed of any relevant updates.

 

Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your own government's advice for the most up-to-date travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip.

 

Your ART Tour Leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities listed on the itinerary, however, you'll have some free time to explore on


your own. While your Asia Reverie Travel tour leader or local guide will assist you as best they can with your requests and the options available outside your itinerary, please note Asia Reverie Travel makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running the activity. Please use your judgement when selecting an activity in your free time.

 

Please also note that your Asia Reverie Travel tour leader or local guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

Apps to Download

Internet use in China is heavily restricted, and many commonly used apps and websites – including Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and some news outlets – are blocked. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is needed to access these services, and it must be downloaded before you arrive in China, as VPN websites are also blocked once inside the country.

 

Other useful apps to download before travel include:

 

 

 Baidu Maps or MAPS.ME – for local navigation (Google Maps has limited functionality)

 Pleco or Google Translate (with Chinese downloaded for offline use) – for translation support

 WeChat – widely used for messaging, payments, and communication in China

 Trip.com – useful for checking train schedules and booking domestic travel

 DiDi - app-based transportation services

 

 

E-SIMs and international roaming can be unreliable in China, so we recommend checking with your provider beforehand or arranging a local SIM on arrival with the help of your guide. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels but can be slow or restricted. Downloading key apps and offline content before departure is strongly recommended.