The Best Areas to Stay in Shanghai for Any Budget

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)

• Shanghai Natural History Museum
• Peace Hotel
• Rockbund Art Museum

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

• Shanghai World Financial Center
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport
• Oriental Pearl Tower
• Shanghai Disneyland Park
• Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
• China Art Museum
• Toy Story Hotel
• Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
• Disneytown
• Long Museum

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

• Yu Garden
• Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant

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

• Shanghai Museum
• Shanghai Grand Theatre
• Shanghai Art Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai
• Grand Cinema
• Shanghai History Museum
• JW Marriott Shanghai
• Pacific Hotel Shanghai

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.