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Shanghai on a Budget: Your Ultimate DIY Guide (Part 2!) ✨
Dreaming of exploring China but don't know where to start? Let me tell you a secret: Shanghai is THE perfect place for your first independent adventure! This guide will help you navigate Shanghai on your own, especially if you're looking to save on transportation. Let's dive in!
🚇 Getting from the Airport to the City Center:
✈️ Pudong International Airport (浦东):
- Located about 30km from downtown Shanghai.
- Fastest & cheapest: Take the metro! Operates from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
🚌 Late Night Arrival? Airport Bus to the Rescue!
- Arriving after metro hours? No problem! Follow the signs for the AIRPORT BUS.
- Heading to the Bund area? Purchase a ticket to 延安东路浙江中路公交站 (Yan'an East Road Zhejiang Middle Road Bus Stop).
- Just show the ticket vendor this stop name, and they'll point you to the right bus (check my photos in the comments for a visual guide!).
- The ride takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes to the 4th stop. From there, grab a Didi (China's Uber) or walk to your hotel.
- Ticket Price: 22 RMB (about $3 USD).
✈️ Hongqiao International Airport (虹桥):
- Closer to the city center (18km).
- Metro is your best bet: Runs from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Ticket Price: 7 RMB.
✅ Bonus: Late Night Metro from Hongqiao!
- Line 2 (the line to the Bund!) has extra late-night trains:
- Monday - Saturday: 11:04 PM & 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:04 PM, 11:30 PM, 11:45 PM, & 12:00 AM
- Pro Tip: These trains are punctual, so don't be late!
🚌 Super Late? Night Bus or Taxi it!
- If you miss the extra metro trains, take a taxi if you are in a group or consider the night bus line 316 to 延安东路中山东 (near the Bund). This will take you about 1 hour and 20 minutes with 30 stops.
- Ticket Price: 2 RMB.
🏠⭐️ Hotel Recommendations (Budget-Friendly & Highly Rated!):
These hotels are clean, affordable, and close to metro stations – a winning combo!
- ✨汉庭酒店(上海南京东路地铁站店) Hanting Hotel (Shanghai East Nanjing Road Metro Station):
- Less than 100m from East Nanjing Road Metro Station!
- 💰Prices starting from 1300k VND (about $55 USD).
- ✨和颐至尊酒店(上海人民广场南京路步行街店) Yitel Premium (Shanghai people's Square Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street shop):
- 570m from People's Square Metro Station.
- 💰Prices starting from 1600k VND (about $68 USD).
❌ Heads Up!
Booking hotels on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is great for walking around and accessing the metro, but ordering a Didi can be tricky! You'll likely need to walk outside the pedestrian zone to get picked up.
❤️ Essential Tips for Your Shanghai Trip:
- Location, Location, Location! Always choose a hotel near a metro station to save energy on travel. Take a screenshot of your hotel address in case you get lost and need to hail a taxi.
- Get a SIM Card! Buy a China SIM card before you go to access Facebook, YouTube, and Google. These services are blocked in China without a VPN.
- Alipay is a MUST! Even if people say you can use cash, trust me, get Alipay and activate your account BEFORE you arrive.
- Make sure your passport information is verified in the "Account and Security" settings.
- Top up with 1000-2000 RMB – you can pay for almost everything with Alipay! It's faster, easier, and sometimes cash isn't accepted.
- Download Xiaohongshu (小红书)! This app is amazing for finding the best photo spots and angles before you go. No more wandering around aimlessly for that perfect shot!
- Don't Miss Out! I've got guides on how to take the 2 RMB ferry across the Huangpu River AND ride the double-decker bus (a must-do experience!).
- Check out the map provided with suggested routes.
🍜 Must-Try Shanghai Food!
- Hairy Crab Noodles (蟹黄鱼Xie Huang Yu, 蟹上黄 Xie Shang Huang): A true Shanghai delicacy!
- Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings): Try 鼎泰豐 Din Tai Feng or 莱莱小笼 Lai Lai xiao long (Michelin-recommended, expect a queue!).
- Hot Pot (珮姐老火鍋): Open until 2-3 AM! Perfect for late-night cravings.
- Bubble Tea: Chagee and Heytea are local favorites!
📍 I've included locations and metro directions for each spot in the photos. But I recommend using Apple Maps / Metroman or Gaodeditu 高德地图 for the most accurate directions.
📸 Images Source: 小红书 （Xiaohongshu)
Cre: Win Boo vi vu
#Nguyetchina
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