Hey all, looking for anyone’s recommendations for what to do and where to eat in Shanghai on a budget. trying to keep it under $50 per person per day (exclude accomm and flights - already paid).
It’s our first holiday with a mortgage weighing down on us. so we feel almost guilty to go away for a little. But the Easter + Anzac Day public holidays lining up so well it got the better of us.
We love to try new things and travel to enjoy the local cuisine… any suggestions are welcome :)
Ticked off Disneyland in Florida when USD/AUD at parity and before the mortgage. Pretty glad about that!
Jeez, you are one BIG Iron Chef Fan.
A walk along the river at sunset is free, food is cheap and great.
Shanghai museum was interesting, as was the park to wander through next door with the marriage market.
Yu gardens were very touristy, but worth a look.
I’m a big fan of eating where the locals do, in shopping strips near subway stops or similar, wherever is busy. I also liked the Uigher style fast food place we tried with everything on a kebab stick. I don’t speak any Chinese, so usually just ask the wait staff to bring me what is good, or point at another diner’s tasty looking plate.
Thanks for that. Adding those to the list. I downloaded an app to translate all the written Chinese characters by hovering my camera over it… praying it will work well :)
If you are flying in / out of Pudong, get the Maglev train at least one way to or from Longyang Road Station. It costs 40 Yuan upon presentation of same-day air ticket but is the world's fastest train at up to 431 km an hour.
Metro is cheap (from 3 Yuan) and widespread (even goes to Disneyland). Taxis are cheap but traffic is appalling so Metro is much better.
Don't bother with the Huangpu river cruise but walk along the Bund or boardwalks instead, especially in the evening to catch the building lights.
Nice! Definitely going to give that maglev train a go.
I heard taxi drivers in China often overcharge tourists anyway so I will avoid them. Metro for the win!
$50 a day is doable, but really doesn't leave much room for trimmings.
It's been a while since I've been there and Shanghai changes very quickly. I've always enjoyed the Jing'an district and from there wander around the French Concession and Xintaindi areas. These areas (generally) are the more upmarket areas of Shanghai so costs of food, etc. in these areas can be pricier, but it costs nothing to wander around.
You should also get yourself along the Bund, both during the day and at night. The night time light shows including the views over to Pudong are worthwhile.
You probably should go over to Pudong and look into the observation arrangements at one of the relevant buildings over there … Shanghai Tower or similar. There's not a lot to look at over in Pudong other than tall buildings, but worth getting to the top of one to see out over all of Shanghai.
One of the main roads of Shanghai in Nanjing Road. A lot to do on and just off it. If you're looking for cheap eats, just look for a joint with a lot of locals, although be aware that the level of English may well be non-existant.
Thanks for the write up Seraphin7. Did you have a favourite building to get the view of the cityscape? Preferable if it’s free :)
I went to Jin Mao tower last Wednesday. I think it was 120 yuan. As you are there for a few days, save this for a relatively clear day.
When I was last there I went to the bar in the Jinmao Tower on level 88. I think it was called Cloud 9.
Since then, two taller buildings have gone up … Shanghai Tower and Shanghai Financial Centre. It's likely you'll need to cough up some sort of entrance fee to get to the observation decks.
Not cheap, but theres a disneyland on Shsnghai