Transportation in Shanghai
The winding Huangpu River separates old Shanghai's leafy French Concession quarter and central shopping districts from the new commercial powerhouse of Pudong. Photograph both skylines from the riverfront promenade in the Bund area, before exploring China's largest city. Most attractions cluster in five adjacent districts in the city centre. Get your hotel to write out the main sights in Mandarin and start taxi hopping. Travel to the French Concession for grand colonial-style cafés and tree-lined streets crammed with boutiques. Stroll east into Xintiandi for the city's newest shopping malls and nightlife. Step back in time in the neighbouring Old City, home to ancient relics and the Yu Yuan Gardens. Head north to People's Square and the Bund, its riverfront promenade offering views towards the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Taxi
Shanghai's multitude of taxis are cheap and usually abundant – just make sure your destination is written out in Mandarin beforehand. It's unclear what the giant plastic screen between driver and passenger is for, as proceedings are always courteous. Don't forget to ask for a printed receipt – it logs all the journey information, and is the only way you'll get your wallet back if it drops down the seat.
Metro
The adventurous will find Shanghai's underground system surprisingly easy to navigate. Signs are in English, ticket machines are easy to use, and many of the city's sights can be reached on lines one and two. There are 17 million people in Shanghai. That in itself is a very good reason to avoid the rush hour.
Foot
Despite Shanghai's size, the central districts can be easily explored on foot. Besides the main attractions, walking is also the best way to watch – and wonder – at daily Shanghainese street life.
Car
Driving in Shanghai is an unforgettable but probably unwise experience. Tourists are no longer forbidden from renting cars but very few do. If you're lucky, you may be offered a chauffeur. Even outside rush hour, the city's roads are a riot of breakneck manoeuvring and the signs, though in English characters, are still a mystery even to hardened expats.
Rent your car
Navigating Shanghai’s streets could test your patience, especially during its arduous peak morning and evening traffic jams. Cars weave in and out of the traffic rather than moving fast, so it’s more a matter of getting used to the local way and knowing the roads. Shopping centres often have free parking.
Transportation Tips
Travel cards, available in metro stations, are valid on the metro, buses and taxis, and are a good bet if you're staying for more than a few days. Ask your concierge, or a bilingual friend to help you. Remember that a deposit is included in the price, which is refunded when you return the card. Taxis are usually easy to flag down in the city but if it's late, rush hour or rainy, head to the nearest posh hotel, where staff will call one for you.
Special Transportation
Bike
Katie Melua reckons there are nine million bicycles in Beijing. Shanghai probably has a few more, and there's no reason not to join the city's plethora of two-wheelers. Many roads have cycle paths and are surprisingly safe, partly due to sheer safety in numbers. However, you're not allowed to ride on many main roads – as a general rule, if it looks wide on the map, it's probably best avoided. Back streets are the safest, and most interesting, places to cycle on.
