Where to Stay in Shanghai – Best Areas

Map of Shanghai Neighborhoods (Click to Enlarge)

For first-time Shanghai travelers, they may feel a little confused about where to stay in Shanghai and how to find a satisfying hotel. Generally, a lot of tourists choose to stay near the city center around People's Square and Nanjing Road, also one of the most expensive areas in Shanghai, where a five-star hotel costs USD 115-270. The Bund area and Lujiazui area are also very popular for business travelers while the Yu Garden area can be a budget choice which costs only USD 30-80 for a comfortable stay.

If you are a big fan of Disney, staying around Disneyland Park could not be better. Of course the neighborhoods near railway stations and airports are very good options. Here are the 10 best areas to stay in Shanghai to help you to figure out the neighborhood suits your style and budget.

Note: All the prices are based on the average prices on usual days, and they may differ on holidays and peak seasons.
 

 Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World		No.88 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu District
Yitel Premium (Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street)		No.379 Middle Zhejiang Road, Huangpu District
Home Inn Selected (Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street)		No.479 Tianjin Road, Huangpu District

 

 
In order to enjoy a better time in Disneyland Park, stay near the Disney Resort is very necessary and it can save a lot of time on transportation. As the hotels inside Disney resort are not very cost-effective, here are better choices for you. What’s more, it is accessible to visit the Wild Animal Park and Chuansha Ancient Wall Park.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Cozi Cottage (Shanghai International Tourism Resort)		No. 20 Zhoujiazhai, Xinchun Road, Pudong New Area
Maixinge International Hotel		No. 7779 Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area
Q+ Gudi Holiday Inn & Apartment		No. 800 Lumin Road, Pudong New Area

 See More: 6 Hotels near Shanghai Disneyland

 
The Bund is undoubtedly one of the best neighborhoods in Shanghai and it is also the best place to enjoy the splendid night views of the skyscrapers and exotic buildings. Meanwhile, it is near Nanjing Road and People’s Square, easy for shopping and sightseeing.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund		No. 2 East Zhongshan 1st Road, Huangpu District
Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel Classiq (East Nanjing Road, The Bund)		No. 98 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu District
JI Hotel (The Bund, Jiujiang Road)		No. 230 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District

Nearby Attractions: Huangpu River, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden and Old City God Temple

 

Here gather the tallest skyscrapers of the city, like Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower. It is surely one of the best places to stay in Shanghai, especially for business travelers. Metro Line 2 and several bus lines make it easy to visit attractions like Shanghai Ocean Aquarium.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Pudong Shangri-La		No. 33 Fucheng Road, Pudong New Area
Maixinge Boutique Hotel (Lujiazui The Oriental Pearl)		No. 168 Yuanshen Road, Pudong New Area
Ji Hotel (Oriental Pearl Tower)		No. 121 Dongfang Road, Pudong New Area

 
Nearby Attractions: Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center,  Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower

 

Most overseas travelers enter or exit Shanghai from the Pudong Airport. Staying near Pudong Airport is definitely a good option for the passengers who arrive at night or need to catch early flights. In addition, most hotels nearby have shuttle buses to the airport.  
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
The QUBE Hotel Shanghai Sanjiagang		No. 6 Lane 6666, East Huaxia Road, Pudong New Area
Vienna International Hotel (Pudong Airport Free Trade Zone)		No. 566 Shiwan 6th Road, Pudong New Area
Jinjiang Inn Select (Pudong Airport)		No.8 Qihang Road, Pudong New Area

 

Hotels near Yu Garden are more cost-effective compared with those in the Bund and Nanjing Road area. It is a good choice for the budget travelers and it is not far from the Bund and the People's Square. Also, the bazaar near Yu Garden is attractive.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Renaissance Yu Garden Hotel		No. 159 South He'nan Road, Huangpu District
Mercure Hotel (Yu Garden)		No. 789 East Fuxing Road, Huangpu District
Ibis Hotel (Yu Garden)		No. 85 Zhoujin Road, Huangpu District

Nearby Attractions:  Old City God Temple, Nanjing Road, the Bund, Shanghai Museum

 

It has been one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Shanghai because of the two transport hubs for flights and high speed trains. Travelers who want to visit other Chinese cities are recommended to stay here. The nearby attractions include Qibao Ancient Town and Shanghai Zoo, where you can get easily by bus or metro. 
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao		No. 333 Shenhong Road, Minhang District
Yitel Shanghai Hongqiao National Exhibition and Convention Center Huqingping		No. 220 Huqingping Road, Minhang District
Hanting Youjia Hotel (Hongqiao Transportation Hub)		No. 655 Huqingping Road, Minhang District

 

The Xintiandi features the traditional Shikumen residences and it is one of the most famous business centers in Shanghai. Staying there, you can not only appreciate those old buildings but also go shopping in name-brand stores. It is also very interesting to explore the Tianzifang, where located an array of unique stores.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin		No. 118 Ruijin 2nd Road, Huangpu District
Manxin Hotel (Xintiandi)		No. 68 Taicang Road, Huangpu District
Jinchen Hotel		No. 795-809 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu District

 

This is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Shanghai for business travelers as many companies set their offices here. Pudong New Area shows the most modern view of the city and the Century Park is the largest park of the city.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel		No. 1108 Meihua Road, Pudong New Area
Wassim R Hotel		No. 688 Gushan Road , Pudong New Area
James Joyce Coffetel (New International Expo Center)		No. 1121 Pujian Road, Pudong New Area

 
 

At present, Xujiahui is one of the most famous business centers of the city, a good place for shoppers to stay in Shanghai. Besides large shopping malls, the high-end hotels and luxury restaurants can offer you a great travel experience.  Shanghai's largest  cathedral, St. Ignatius Cathedral, is also located nearby.
  Top Picks:

Hotels	Hotel Rating	Location
Joya Hotel (Xujiahui)		No. 118 Puhuitang Road, Xuhui District
Citi GO Hotel (Xujiahui)		No. 88 Lane 1029 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District
Home Inn Plus (Xujiahui)		No. 400 Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District

 Read more:
​ Weekend Trips from Shanghai
​ Top 10 Things to Do in Shanghai
​ 15 Free Things to Do in Shanghai