Cheapest fares to Shanghai (Hongqiao)
Round trip
¥42,933〜
cheapest of any date
One way
¥42,933〜
cheapest of any date
📅 Cheapest by month — Cheapest month: Mai 2026 ¥22,269〜
2026-05
¥22,269
Prices are cached samples and may differ from live search.
Shanghai is China's largest city and its financial capital—a place where 1990s glass towers rise above water-town neighborhoods, where you'll see more English signage than anywhere else in mainland China, and where international business moves at genuine scale. It's also the hardest Chinese city to ignore if you're trying to understand modern China. Don't expect a museum piece; expect organized chaos with excellent infrastructure.
When to Visit
Shanghai's climate divides clearly into seasons. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer moderate temperatures between 15–25°C and lower humidity—these are genuinely comfortable months. Summer (June to August) brings heat, moisture, and occasional typhoons; temperatures regularly exceed 30°C and the air feels heavy. Winter (December to February) is cool (5–10°C) but dry and manageable for walking.
The city draws peak tourist crowds during Chinese New Year (late January or February, dates vary yearly), Golden Week holidays (early October), and summer school breaks. Business travel peaks year-round. If you want fewer crowds and pleasant weather, aim for late April, May, October, or early November.
Getting There
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) lies roughly 30 kilometers west of the city center and handles both domestic and international flights. Direct international routes connect SHA to Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and several European cities including London, Paris, and Amsterdam. North American connections (Los Angeles, San Francisco) exist but usually involve at least one stop in Asia.
The airport is well-integrated with the city's transport network: the Shanghai Maglev Train reaches the city center in 8 minutes, the metro connects through Line 2 and Line 10, and taxis queue at designated areas with meters that start at 14 RMB.
What Shanghai Is Known For
The Bund (Waitan) remains the waterfront landmark—a 1.5-kilometer stretch of 19th-century colonial buildings facing the Huangpu River and modern Pudong across the water. The view is genuine and worth a walk, though it's crowded and heavy on tourist infrastructure.
Yuyuan Garden in the old city represents classical Chinese landscape design—designed in the 1550s, now surrounded by a busy market of shops and restaurants. It's small but genuinely detailed.
Pudong's skyline and financial district define modern Shanghai. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower (China's second-tallest building) dominate the east bank. This neighborhood feels less like a city district and more like a vision from 1995 about what the future would be.
Shanghai food extends well beyond soup dumplings (xiaolongbao)—though places like Din Tai Fung serve them methodically at international-restaurant standards. The city also claims hairy crab (dazha xie), braised pork knuckle, and the sweet-savory flavors of Shanghainese cuisine that differ noticeably from Sichuan, Cantonese, or Beijing traditions.
The French Concession (Jing'an District and parts of Huangpu) preserves tree-lined streets, art deco buildings, and vintage villas from the 1920s–1930s. It's walkable, contains galleries and cafes, and feels genuinely separate from the rest of the city. This is where locals actually spend time.
Practical Tips
Currency is the Chinese Yuan (RMB). Cash exists but matters less than it did five years ago—Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate, and most travelers report that international cards (Visa, Mastercard) now work at major merchants, hotels, and restaurants, particularly in Pudong and the French Concession. Smaller vendors and neighborhood restaurants still operate cash-only, so carrying 200–400 RMB is sensible. ATMs accepting foreign cards exist throughout the city.
Public transport works efficiently. The Shanghai Metro spans 21 lines and reaches most districts in 5–10 minutes; a single journey costs 3–9 RMB depending on distance. Taxis are reliable but traffic makes them unpredictable during rush hours. The Didi ride-hailing app (Chinese equivalent of Uber) functions throughout the city and requires a Chinese phone number to book.
Internet Reality
Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and ChatGPT do not work in mainland China—including Shanghai. This is not a city-specific issue; it's nationwide enforcement via the Great Firewall. YouTube is blocked. Streaming services and news websites face regional restrictions.
Arrange a working VPN before you arrive in China. Download it and test it in your home country. Once you land, do not rely on public WiFi to set up VPN access—many airport and hotel networks block VPN traffic. Some travelers use residential VPNs or less-obvious proxy configurations, but these remain technically restricted under Chinese law. Plan accordingly.
Survival is possible without these services: WeChat (the local messaging and payments platform) functions perfectly, maps work with offline downloads, and hotel staff and taxi drivers can assist you.
Who Will Love This City
Shanghai suits travelers interested in contemporary Chinese business culture, food, and architecture—and willing to navigate mainland internet restrictions as a practical reality rather than a surprise.
Direct flights from Japan to Shanghai (Hongqiao)
| From | Airline | From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HND Tokyo (Haneda) | Air China (CA) | ¥42,933〜 | Search → |
| HND Tokyo (Haneda) | Shanghai Airlines (FM) | ||
| HND Tokyo (Haneda) | Japan Airlines (JL) | ||
| HND Tokyo (Haneda) | China Eastern Airlines (MU) | ||
| HND Tokyo (Haneda) | All Nippon Airways (NH) |
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Internet reality in China
Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, ChatGPT and Western news sites are blocked. Set up your VPN BEFORE you fly.