24-Hour Shanghai Stopover: Your Ultimate Guide to a Whirlwind Adventure! 🇪🇺 🇨🇳
Hey globetrotters! On my recent trip back from Europe, I decided to spice things up with a 15-hour stopover in Shanghai via China Eastern Airlines (Paris to Shanghai). Why just pass through when you can explore, right?
Finding detailed info on Shanghai stopovers was like searching for a needle in a haystack, so I dove deep into Chinese travel groups to gather all the juicy details. This review is all about making your immigration/transit experience smoother than silk! 😉
1. Gear Up for Your Shanghai Blitz!
- SIM Card: I snagged mine from Travel Ez (based on a recommendation from a "Du lịch Trung Quốc tự túc" group). Super affordable at around 160k VND. WhatsApp, Facebook, Google – all worked like a charm! Plus, their support was top-notch. Highly recommend!
- Cash is King (Sometimes!): I exchanged 1000 RMB. While everyone raves about Alipay, I figured having cash on hand was a safe bet in case my Visa decided to play hide-and-seek. Turns out, cash is still widely accepted!
- Alipay: You can totally set this up beforehand using your Vietnamese phone number, passport info, and Visa card. I got as far as adding my passport since I had cash.
- Navigation Apps: I tried a few, but they were mostly in Chinese. So, I winged it! Google Maps isn't the best there, so finding a local navigation app is a plus.
- Must-See & Must-Eat List: Hairy crab noodles are a MUST! And don't be afraid to dive into other authentic Chinese dishes. Just follow the crowds! Make sure to note down the names of places in Chinese characters – makes asking for directions a breeze.
2. Conquering Immigration Like a Pro
- As you disembark, head to the immigration area. Look to your right for the 24/144-hour visa/immigration counters.
- Grab a "Fingerprints Voucher" from the fingerprint scanner – you'll need it at immigration.
- Fill out those forms! They're pretty straightforward (I've included a picture for reference). Fill this out prior to landing to save time. While the line wasn't crazy long, it still took over an hour to get through.
- Once you're out, the signs are super clear, so no need to fear getting lost. You've got options to get into the city: Maglev train (fast, but doesn't go to the city center, pricier), Metro (goes to key areas), Coach (bus).
3. Metro Magic!
Most people seem to opt for the Metro, so I followed suit and found the entrance to Line 2. A friendly lady was selling tickets near the entrance. I paid in cash. If you're just hitting up the city center, skip the day pass and grab a single-journey ticket (around 7 RMB). A day pass is probably not needed if you're only doing a return trip to the airport.
About an hour and 20+ stops later, you'll arrive at East Nanjing Road (南京东路) - station #10. Hop off here and you're within walking distance of Shanghai's main attractions!
4. Food, Souvenirs, and Skyscrapers!
- Take a short walk to Ningbo Road (宁波路) for breakfast – pick the busiest spot! Heads up: English isn't widely spoken, so have Google Translate ready.
- A little further and you'll hit Nanjing Road (Nam Kinh Road), where you can snag souvenirs like White Rabbit candies. Or, grab them at the airport – prices are pretty similar! Keep walking for about 200m to reach the TV tower.
- I was exhausted and the bus looked good, so I splurged on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. It loops around the city and stops at major landmarks (about 30 minutes for a full loop).
- I hopped off at People's Square to try the famous Chagee tea. Be prepared to wait in line! The Shanghai branches have fewer topping options, but it was still incredibly delicious! Again, English wasn't their strong point.
- Too tired to explore further, I conveniently hopped on Metro Line 2 back to the airport. Customs and security were a breeze.
Pro-Tips for Your Shanghai Stopover:
- Do your stopover on the way TO Europe, not on the way back like I did! Jetlag hit hard, and I couldn't enjoy my Shanghai adventure as much as I wanted to.
- Even with just 5 hours in the city, I loved Shanghai! Amazing food, friendly people. I'll definitely be back to experience it properly! 🎀
