Do I need to book Shanghai Museum East (上海博物馆东馆) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Official booking →Do I need to book The Bund (上海外滩) (Shanghai) in advance?
No reservation wall here — walk-up works. Free and open at all hours. Go at dusk for the lights; cross to Pudong on the ¥2 ferry rather than a paid 'cruise' if you just want the view.
Can foreigners book The Bund (上海外滩) with a passport?
Open public waterfront — no ticket, no booking.
How much does The Bund (上海外滩) cost?
Entry is free.
Do I need to book Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠广播电视塔) (Shanghai) in advance?
Yes — advance booking is required. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Do I need to book Shanghai Disney Resort (上海迪士尼度假区) (Shanghai) in advance?
Yes — advance booking is required. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Official booking →Do I need to book Tianzifang (田子坊) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Do I need to book Xintiandi (新天地) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Do I need to book Wukang Road & the former French Concession (武康路·衡复风貌区) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Do I need to book Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京路步行街) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Do I need to book People's Park & the marriage market (人民公园·相亲角) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Do I need to book Shanghai Natural History Museum (上海自然博物馆) (Shanghai) in advance?
Yes — advance booking is required. Booking window: Tickets are sold online; the museum publishes a venue calendar rather than a fixed release window.
Full booking rules →Official booking →Do I need to book Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (朱家角古镇) (Shanghai) in advance?
No — walk-up works. Passport accepted.
Full booking rules →Official booking →Can I pay with a foreign card (Visa/Mastercard) in Shanghai?
Yes — foreign Visa/Mastercard work in Shanghai, typically linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay for everyday spending. Carry a little cash as a backup.
Do hotels in Shanghai accept foreign passports?
It varies in Shanghai — mid-range and chain hotels usually register foreigners, while cheaper local guesthouses may not. Confirm foreign registration when booking.
What should foreigners know about hotels and registration in Shanghai?
Most international and mid-range hotels register foreign guests routinely; a few budget guesthouses don't and will decline you at check-in.
What's the main thing to know before visiting Shanghai?
Skip the overpriced cruise. The pushed Huangpu River 'night cruises' run ¥120+ for a loop you can get for ¥2 on the public ferry between the Bund and Pudong. Unless you specifically want dinner on board, take the ferry at dusk: same skyline, a fraction of the price, and it's how locals cross.
Any tourist traps or surprises to watch for in Shanghai?
Tea house / art student scam. Friendly young 'students' near Nanjing Road or the Bund who invite you to a tea ceremony or a private gallery are running a classic overcharge: you end up with a bill for hundreds of yuan. Politely decline invitations from strangers to go somewhere indoors to buy something.
What should I eat in Shanghai?
Two dumplings — know the difference. Xiaolongbao are steamed with hot soup inside: bite a small hole and sip first or you'll burn your mouth. Shengjianbao are pan-fried with a crisp bottom and even more soup. Locals queue at unglamorous shops; much above ¥30 a basket downtown is tourist pricing.
Where do locals eat in Shanghai, and what else is worth trying?
The breakfast four. Jianbing, youtiao (fried dough), warm soy milk and scallion pancake: the classic four, sold from corner windows before 9am. Follow the office workers. A full breakfast costs less than a downtown coffee.
Can foreigners use WeChat Pay and Alipay in Shanghai?
Yes. Since 2023 foreigners can link an international Visa or Mastercard to both Alipay and WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account, and they're accepted almost everywhere: taxis, restaurants, shops, tickets. Carry a little cash only as a backup for small vendors.
Do I need to reserve the Shanghai Museum, and does it cost anything?
No reservation needed any more for individuals; since 15 September 2024 you enter the East branch with a valid ID (your passport) through the B1 East Gate. Admission is free. It's open Wednesday to Monday 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00), closed Tuesdays except national holidays. Only groups of 20+ still book ahead, by phone.
What's the cheapest good view of the skyline?
The ¥2 public ferry across the Huangpu between the Bund and Pudong. It runs through the evening and gives you the same skyline as the paid cruises for almost nothing. Go at dusk when both sides light up.
How do foreigners buy Oriental Pearl Tower tickets?
Tickets are real-name with your passport, bought at the tower or via platforms that explicitly accept foreign passports, because there's no good official English online channel. Decide if you want it at all: the observation decks run ¥199+ with weekend queues, while the Bund promenade is free and rooftop bars give you the same panorama with a drink in hand.
Rules change. We re-check these facts on a schedule and date-stamp every page — but always confirm on the official channel before relying on a time.