The Best Areas to Stay in Shanghai for Any Budget
Wondering which neighbourhood is best for you? Read on ...
China is a vast nation with countless magnificent and historical cities, but none evoke the the same romanticization and reverence accorded to Shanghai. As the predominant portal for Western trade and influence in the 19th century, Shanghai rose to become China's cosmopolitan standard-bearer and still enjoys that position today. Modern Shanghai contains fascinating remnants of the era of Western colonialism and is the city that has incorporated the most aspects of Western culture down to the fashions one sees on the streets and metro.
Shanghai is one of four Chinese municipalities that is considered to be its own province. The municipality consists of the entire end of a triangular peninsula on the East China Sea, bordered by the mouth of the Yangtze River to the North and Hangzhou bay to the south. However, virtually everything of interest to most travelers is contained within a small area close to the banks of the Huangpu River, a wide tributary that ultimately empties into the Yangtze Estuary close to the sea.
Price Snapshot for Shanghai, China
Budget range (bottom 25%)
Average price (in USD)
Top 25%
What are these prices?
We analysed all the minimum prices for accommodation in Shanghai. The prices are for the cheapest room / bed available for a one night's stay. Prices are shown in US Dollars. The chart gives an idea of what accommodation price distribution is like in Shanghai. You can use it to work out what is considered cheap for Shanghai and what is considered expensive.
The Bund (Waitan)
The quintessential historical area of Shanghai is the Bund, known to locals as Waitan. This area on the Western bank of the Huangpu contains most of the remaining colonial architecture in Shanghai and attracts thousands of people on a nightly basis for views of the sunset and the Pudong skyline across the river. The Bund is also a convenient place to embark on cruises on the Huangpu River.
Attractions in The Bund (Waitan)
Popular accommodation in The Bund (Waitan)
No.180 Middle Jiangxi Road
Metropolo Classiq, Shanghai, Bund Circle
No. 422, Tian Tong Road
Golden Tulip Bund New Asia (The Former Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel Classiq Shanghai,Rock Bund)
No. 2 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

Pudong
Across the river from the Bund is Pudong, Shanghai's most modern area that contains some of the world's tallest buildings and many luxury hotels and restaurants. Pudong is also the home of many of Shanghai's most popular museums as well as Shanghai Disneyland, although the latter is quite far from the Lujiazui waterfront area.
Attractions in Pudong
Popular accommodation in Pudong
1288 Lujiazui Ring Road
Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai
No 1388 Hua Mu Road
Kerry Hotel Pudong
1108 Meihua Road
Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai

Old Shanghai
South of the Bund, Old Shanghai is the ancient urban core of the city. Roughly bordered by Renmin Road to the north and Zhonghua Road to the south, Old Shanghai boasts the Yu Gardens and most of the few remaining old-style neighborhoods and markets in Shanghai.
Attractions in Old Shanghai
Popular accommodation in Old Shanghai
No.98 Shou Ning Road
Fraser Residence Shanghai
No. 839 Ren Min Road
SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund
No. 33 Fujian South Road Huangpu District
Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel

Nanjing Pedestrian Street / People's Square
Inland from the Bund is the busy commercial area around Nanjing Pedestrian Street and People's Square. This area is ideal for those who love to shop and be around mixed crowds of locals and tourists. Nanjing Street is one of the few remaining places in Shanghai where it is still possible to find authentic street foods.
Attractions in Nanjing Pedestrian Street / People's Square
Popular accommodation in Nanjing Pedestrian Street / People's Square
88 Nanjing West Road
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
555 Middle Xizang Road (Close to Nanjing Road)
Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
505 Nanjing Road East
Sofitel Shanghai Hyland

Xintiandi
Slightly further afield from the center is Xintiandi, a modern development that is largely pedestrianized. Xintiandi is known for international restaurants and upscale malls, and is a popular area for young, wealthy Shanghainese to socialize in the evenings. Many of Xintiandi's buildings are constructed in the historic Shikumen style, making the neighborhood one of the city's most atmospheric outside of Old Shanghai.
Popular accommodation in Xintiandi
No.3 Building. No.139.Danshui Road(Nearby Taicang Road)
Lanson Place Jinlin Tiandi Residence Shanghai
No 282, Huaihai Road Central
Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai
99 Madang Road
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
More popular places to stay in Shanghai
No.88, Lane 1029, Zhaojiabang Rd.
CitiGO Hotel Shanghai Xujiahui
1288 Lujiazui Ring Road
Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai
No 601 FengYang Road (NanJing Road)
THE ONE Executive Suites Managed by Kempinski - Shanghai
No 1388 Hua Mu Road
Kerry Hotel Pudong
Nong 888 Dong Da Ming Road
River View The Bund
No.3 Building. No.139.Danshui Road(Nearby Taicang Road)
Lanson Place Jinlin Tiandi Residence Shanghai
88 Nanjing West Road
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
No 282, Huaihai Road Central
Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai
555 Middle Xizang Road (Close to Nanjing Road)
Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
1108 Meihua Road
Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai
99 Madang Road
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
No. 380, Weihai Rd
The Sukhothai Shanghai
Lane 1199, Biyun Road
Green Court Serviced Apartment-Green City International
No. 77 Zhengxue Road
SSAW Pagoda Hotel Shanghai
1 Changde Road
The Puli Hotel And Spa
No.199, Huang Pu Road
Hyatt on the Bund
1 Yuyuan Road
Swissôtel Grand Shanghai
Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Avenue