The best time to visit Shanghai is during Spring and Autumn, from March to May and September to November respectively.
Shanghai has a typical subtropical marine and monsoon climate with four distinctive seasons. Shanghai’s weather is warm and with abundant rainfall. The hottest period is between July and August with more than ten days of high temperature exceeding 35°C and is not ideal for outdoor activities. The coldest period is between January and February when it rarely snows but the chilly northern wind makes it barely bearable, thus it is important to keep warm. The rainy season is in early June and July and typhoons occur end August till early September with the occasional sudden storms. It is recommended that visitors bring along an umbrella when visiting Shanghai during these two periods.
Shanghai has two airports, namely Pudong International Airport (code: PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (code: SHA). Most of the international flights operate out of Pudong International Airport with routes covering 73 international cities and 62 domestic cities. The flights at Hongqiao International Airport are mainly domestic except for a few routes flying to Japan and Korea. Shanghai is also an important railway hub with two railway stations in the downtown area such as Shanghai railway station (the new station), which is the main passenger station with over 70 trains to large and medium sized cities in China and The Shanghai South railway station, which has over 30 trains that mostly travel to Southern China as well as to the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Hongqiao International Airport is just 13 kilometres from the city centre. Public transport such as shuttle buses are available at the airport and it is inexpensive to take a taxi to the airport, which costs approximately RMB 40 from Renmin Square. During peak hours in the mornings and evenings, it is recommended to go to the airport via subway line 2 to Songhong Lu station and then take a taxi to the airport. The estimated cost is RMB 15 to 18. There are long-distance buses from the airport to Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi and other cities.
Airport shuttle buses are available between the city centre and Pudong International Airport. Passengers can also take subway line 2 to Longyanglu Station and then transfer to the magleve trains (6:45- 21:30), which only takes 7 minutes to reach the city and the ticket fare costs RMB 50 (RMB 40 with air ticket). It takes 45 minutes by taxi and costs RMB 120. There are long-distance buses from the airport to Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi and other cities. There are connecting walkways and terminal shuttles between Pudong International Airport’s Terminals 1 and 2. The complimentary terminal shuttle service operates between the two terminals from 6:00 to 21:00 at intervals of 15 minutes.
Shanghai used to be a small town which was mainly focused on fishery and cotton manufacturing industries. In the 19th century, the city became one of China’s foreign trading ports with due to its advantageous location and developed quickly to become the central hub of eastern and western trading. In the1930s. Shanghai became a trading and business hub for multinational companies and the most prosperous business centre in Asia Pacific and was called “Eastern Paris”.
Presently, Shanghai has become the largest economic centre in Mainland China and the largest trading port in the world. It is not only an important centre of technology, trade, finance and information in China, it is also a place of global cultures. Shanghai has developed into an international metropolis and is committed to becoming an international financial and shipping centre. The 2010 World Expo will be held in Shanghai.
This international metropolis has undergone tremendous changes but traditions have not disappeared. The old Shikumen-style houses have become an iconic brand and are now in vogue. The magleve trains and international airports have taken over the fields facing the river. Racing grounds were turned into parks and the arch-shaped Wusheng Road was once a turning point of a carriageway a hundred years ago. What has not changed is the fact that that Shanghai has always been the business centre and the convergent point of fortune in China for the past hundred years. It is also the important link between China and the rest of the world.
Waitan (the Bund) is Shanghai’s landmark and the most famous scenic view of this oriental metropolis. Appreciate the spectacular view of Shanghai’s Huangpu River, gaze at the new visage of Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in Pudong opposite the river, enjoy the lovely trees and flowers in the metropolis garden and renjoy the refreshing air and sunshine. Meanwhile, take note of every street you have passed. Streets in Shanghai exude a certain charm, are scenic and full of culture.
A favourite haunt of artistic youths, Duolun Road has many elegant art galleries and avant-garde art institutes, where frequent seminars and forums are conducted by famous artists. Full of Wutong trees (Chinese parasol trees) and shaded greenery, Hengshan Road is a quiet street during the day but becomes a bustling place at night with its many bars and crowds of people.
- Waitan (the Bund): Shanghai’s landmark and the most famous scenic view of this oriental metropolis. The old "Eastern Paris" can be found on the western front, with its 52 buildings which showcase the different architectural styles including Gothic, Roman, Baroque and Western-Chinese etc.
- The Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the CPC: the former residence of Li Shucheng, brother of Li Hanjun, the representative of the First National Congress of the CPC. It is a Shikumen-style building. When the Congress was first being held there, it was discovered by a French spy so the representatives left immediately and continued the meeting on a boat on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province and it was there that the Chinese Communist Party was founded.
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street: one of the most famous pedestrian streets in the world. It is filled with century-old shops that bring back memories of the bustling old Shanghai. Xintiandi: Shanghai.
- Xingtiandi is a fashionable pedestrian street which comprises Shikumen-style houses and modern architectures. The place is filled with historic and cultural elements of Shanghai and trendy international entertainment and fashion outlets.
- Oriental Pearl Broadcasting & Television Tower: located at the tip of Lujiazui in Pudong, next to the Huangpu River, it is directly opposite the buildings with a variety of western architectural styles along the Bund across the river. It is one of the most famous landmarks of Shanghai.