Shanghai Travel Guide 2025 - Plan Your Trip From Pakistan

Shanghai is China’s most international city, where historic riverside buildings face a futuristic skyscraper skyline. It is a place of luxury malls and quiet temples, food streets and art districts, river cruises and peaceful gardens. For travellers from Pakistan, Shanghai is an exciting first step into China and an ideal base for exploring other cities.

This 2025 Shanghai travel guide is written especially with Pakistani visitors in mind. It covers the best attractions, the latest visa and transit information, the best time to visit, transport, money and cultural tips, plus how Malik Express Travel & Tours can design a smooth, worry-free trip for you.

Why Visit Shanghai?

Shanghai is more than just a big city. It is:

• A Major World Financial Centre with iconic skyscrapers and a famous skyline.
• One of China’s Most Visited Destinations, combining colonial waterfront architecture at the Bund with ultra-modern Pudong across the river.
• A base for nearby Water Towns like Zhujiajiao and Suzhou, which show traditional canals and bridges.

You Can Enjoy:

• Skyline views by day and night
• Shopping from budget to luxury
• Famous Chinese Dishes and street food
• Family Attractions like Shanghai Disneyland
• Easy High-Speed Train connections to other cities
   

Top Attractions In Shanghai

1. The Bund

The Bund is Shanghai’s most famous riverside promenade, lined with historic buildings on one side and facing the modern skyscrapers of Pudong on the other.

What To Do At The Bund:

• Walk along the river and enjoy views of the skyline
• Visit at night to see the buildings lit up
• Take a Huangpu River cruise for panoramic photos
• Join a walking tour to learn the history of the banks and consulates

2. Pudong Skyline And Observation Decks

Across the river from the Bund is Pudong, where Shanghai’s futuristic towers stand.

Key Towers Include:

• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Shanghai World Financial Center
• Shanghai Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world, with a high-speed lift and observation deck.

You can visit at sunset and stay into the evening to see the city change from day to night.

3. Yu Garden and Old City

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) is a classical Chinese garden with pavilions, ponds and rock formations, surrounded by narrow shopping streets and old-style buildings.

Nearby you will find:

• Traditional tea houses
• Souvenir shops and snack stalls
• Decorative city gates and ancient-style architecture

Try to visit in the morning on weekdays to avoid crowds.

4. Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road is one of China’s busiest shopping streets, running from the Bund towards People’s Square.

Here You Will Find:

• International brands and Chinese department stores
• Street snacks and dessert shops
• Pedestrian-only sections that are easy to walk and explore

It is especially lively in the evening when locals and visitors come out to shop and stroll.

5. Former French Concession

The Former French Concession is a leafy area of low-rise buildings, tree-lined streets, cafés and boutiques.

Highlights Include:

• Walking through historic residential streets
• Relaxing in small parks and cafés
• Exploring design shops and galleries

If you prefer slower-paced exploring, this is a good contrast to the busy Bund and Nanjing Road.

6. Shanghai Museum And People’s Square

Shanghai Museum, located in People’s Square, is one of China’s top museums, known for ancient bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and traditional furniture. Many exhibits have English explanations.

Combine A Visit With:

• A walk through People’s Park
• Shopping nearby
• A quick look at other cultural centres in the area
   

7. Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland is very popular for families and young travellers. It features themed lands, shows and rides designed for Chinese and international audiences.

Tips:

• Buy tickets early, especially on weekends and holidays
• Arrive before opening time to enjoy shorter queues in the morning
• Plan which major rides you want to prioritise

8. Day Trips: Water Towns and Nearby Cities

From Shanghai, you can take day trips or overnight trips to:

• Zhujiajiao Water Town - ancient bridges and canals, about one hour away
• Suzhou - famous for classical gardens and canals
• Hangzhou - known for West Lake and tea plantations

High-speed trains make these trips convenient.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

Shanghai has four distinct seasons.

• Spring (March to May): Mild temperatures, flowers blooming and comfortable weather. Often recommended as one of the best seasons.
• Summer (June to August): Hot and humid, with chances of heavy rain and heatwaves. Indoor attractions and shopping malls help you stay cool.
• Autumn (September to November): Pleasant temperatures, less rain and clear skies. Many guides rate autumn as ideal for first-time visitors.
• Winter (December to February): Cold but usually above freezing. Fewer crowds and lower hotel prices, except around New Year and Chinese New Year.

For Most Travellers, The Best Time Is:

• March to May
• September to November

when temperatures are comfortable and sightseeing is easier.

Visa, Transit and Entry Information (2025)

Visa rules depend on your nationality and purpose of visit. Pakistani citizens normally require a Chinese visa in advance for tourism, business or study.

However, transit passengers from certain countries can use visa-free transit policies when connecting through Shanghai. From December 2024, China upgraded its transit policy from 144 hours to 240 hours in some areas, giving eligible travellers up to 10 days of visa-free transit in selected regions.

Key Points:

• Visa-free transit applies only to citizens of specific countries listed by Chinese authorities.
• You must be in transit from one foreign country to another and hold confirmed onward tickets.
• You must stay within the permitted region during the transit period.
• Since Pakistani citizens typically still need a regular visa, it is important to:
• Confirm the latest rules with the Chinese embassy or consulate in Pakistan or official Chinese government sources before you travel.
• Allow enough time to apply, because delays are common in peak seasons.

 

Malik Express Travel & Tours can provide updated guidance on current visa options and help you understand which rules apply to your passport.

Getting Around Shanghai

Airports

Shanghai has two main airports:

• Pudong International Airport (PVG) - in international gateway
• Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) - many domestic and some regional flights

The city’s official travel website highlights that both airports are well-linked to downtown by metro, taxis and buses.

Airport to City Transport

• Maglev train from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road, then metro or taxi
• Metro lines directly into the city
• Taxis and ride-hailing services

For most visitors, the metro is cost-effective and easy to use, as station signs and announcements are usually in both Chinese and English.

Metro and Public Transport

Shanghai’s metro network is one of the most extensive in the world and connects nearly all major attractions.

Tips:

• Purchase a rechargeable transport card for metro and buses
• Avoid rush hours if you can, as trains get crowded
• Keep a map app or offline map to check routes

Money, Connectivity and Practical Tips

Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB). Card use is increasing but cash and mobile payments remain common.

Mobile payments: Many locals use apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay. Some foreign cards now work in these apps, but it is safer to have cash as backup.

Language: Mandarin is the main language. In tourist areas, some staff speak basic English, but translation apps are helpful.

Internet: Many popular Western websites and apps are restricted in mainland China. Consider this when planning how you will access maps and messaging.

Safety: Shanghai is generally considered safe for tourists, but follow usual travel precautions and keep valuables secure.

Food And Halal Options

Shanghai is a large, diverse city, and you will find:

• Local dishes such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and noodles
• Sichuan, Cantonese and other regional cuisines
• International restaurants and fast-food chains
   

For Pakistani And Muslim Travellers:

• Look for certified halal restaurants, often around certain mosques and international districts
• Choose seafood or vegetarian dishes when halal certification is unclear
• Research halal-friendly areas before you go and save addresses for easy navigation
• Local tourism and travel guides often note a growing number of halal and Muslim-friendly options in big Chinese cities such as Shanghai.

Suggested Itineraries

Short Trip: 2–3 Days in Shanghai

Day 1

• The Bund (morning walk)
• Nanjing Road shopping
• Evening river cruise or night walk at the Bund

Day 2

• Yu Garden and Old City
• People’s Square and Shanghai Museum
• Evening in the Former French Concession

Day 3 (Optional)

• Pudong skyscraper observation deck
• Free time for shopping or a half-day visit to a nearby water town
   

Longer Trip: 5 Days In Shanghai

• Day 1

Arrival, hotel check-in, short walk around neighbourhood

• Day 2

The Bund, Nanjing Road, Pudong skyline at night

• Day 3

Yu Garden, Old City, nearby bazaars

Tea house visit and traditional snacks

• Day 4

Day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town or Suzhou

• Day 5

Shanghai Disneyland or extra shopping and museums
 

Departure preparations

How Malik Express Travel & Tours Can Help

Planning a trip to China can feel complex because of language, visa, and payment differences. Malik Express Travel & Tours simplifies the process for travellers from Pakistan.

What Malik Express can do for you:

• Provide up-to-date advice on China visa requirements for Pakistani citizens and help you prepare your application file.
• Design full Shanghai and China itineraries that match your budget, travel dates and interests.
• Arrange flights from Pakistan to Shanghai, domestic flights or trains, hotel bookings, airport transfers and guided tours.
• Build family, honeymoon or group packages that include highlights such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and nearby water towns, all coordinated under one plan.
• Offer guidance on local customs, language basics and halal-friendly options so you feel confident on the ground.

With professional support, you can focus on enjoying Shanghai’s skyline, streets and culture, while Malik Express handles the logistics.

Final Thoughts

Shanghai in 2025 offers a powerful mix of tradition and modernity, from riverside walks at the Bund to glass-floor viewpoints high above the city. For visitors from Pakistan, it is a memorable introduction to China and an excellent starting point for wider exploration.

By understanding the best time to visit, key attractions, up-to-date transit and entry rules, and practical travel tips, you can plan a smooth and enjoyable trip. Partnering with Malik Express Travel & Tours  gives you personalised support from the planning stage until you return home, so your focus stays on discovering one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.