144h Transit 240h Transit

Shanghai

144h & 240h Transit Guide — ChinaNeighbor

Why Transit Through Shanghai?

Shanghai handles more international transit passengers than any other Chinese city. With both Pudong Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao Airport (SHA) plus the Wusongkou Cruise Terminal, Shanghai offers unmatched flexibility for 144h and 240h transit.

Key fact: With 240h transit, you can travel freely within Shanghai plus the entire Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces — the “Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai” regional cluster.

144h Itinerary — 2 Perfect Days in Shanghai

Day 1: Classic Shanghai

Morning — The Bund (外滩) Start at the iconic waterfront promenade. Arrive before 8 AM to beat the crowds. The colonial-era buildings across the river in Pudong make for a stunning backdrop. Walk north along the Bund to Suzhou Creek.

Midday — Yu Garden & Old City (豫园) Take Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan Garden Station. Explore the 400-year-old classical garden, then lose yourself in the surrounding old city alleyways. Try shengjian bao (pan-fried soup dumplings) at the food stalls.

Evening — Nanjing Road & Xintiandi Nanjing Road is the world’s busiest shopping street. For a more refined evening, take the Metro to Xintiandi — a stylish entertainment district in a restored shikumen neighborhood.

Day 2: Modern Shanghai

Morning — Shanghai Tower & Lujiazui Visit the world’s fastest elevator (63 seconds to the 118th floor) at Shanghai Tower. The observation deck offers unobstructed 360° views of the city.

Midday — French Concession Wander the tree-lined streets of the French Concession. Grab lunch at a café on Yongkang Road, then explore the boutique shops on Anfu Road.

Afternoon — Tianzifang & Art Crawl Tianzifang is a maze of narrow lanes filled with art studios, cafes, and quirky shops. End your day at the Power Station of Art, Shanghai’s premier contemporary art museum.

Getting From the Airport

From Pudong Airport (PVG)

  • Metro: Line 2直达 (direct) — 70 min to People’s Square, ¥8
  • Maglev: World’s fastest train — 8 min to Longyang Road Station, then Metro Line 2, ¥50 (or ¥80 for includes Metro)
  • Taxi: ~45 min to city center, ¥200-250

From Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

  • Metro: Line 2 or 10 — 30 min to city center, ¥6
  • Taxi: ~25 min to city center, ¥80-100

Getting Around Shanghai

Metro

Shanghai’s metro is the world’s longest at 800+ km. Get a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (¥20 deposit) at any metro station. Top up with ¥50-100 for convenience. All major tourist areas are Metro-accessible.

Key lines for transit visitors:

  • Line 2: PVG Airport — City Center — SHA Airport
  • Line 10: Yu Garden, Nanjing Road East

WeChat Pay & Alipay

Both are essential. At PVG Airport, look for the WeChat Pay / Alipay counters in T1 and T2 arrivals halls. Staff will help you set up in 5 minutes with a foreign passport. You don’t need a Chinese bank account — link an international credit card.

Rideshare (DiDi)

Download DiDi in advance. Set your destination before approaching the car. For international visitors, DiDi offers an English-language mode in the app settings.

Luggage Storage

LocationCostHours
PVG T1/T2 Arrivals¥40-60/day24h
Shanghai Railway Station¥30-50/day6:00-22:00
LuggageHero partner shops¥50+/dayvaries

240h Extended Route: Jiangsu-Zhejiang

If you’re on a 240h transit, you can legally travel beyond Shanghai into Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Here’s what to add:

Hangzhou (1-2 days) — 45 min by high-speed train from Shanghai West Lake (西湖) is one of China’s most poetic landscapes. Take the G-train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East (¥73, 45 min).

Suzhou (1 day) — 25 min by high-speed train Famous for its classical gardens and canals. Take the G-train from Shanghai Hongqiao or Shanghai Station (¥54-64, 25 min).

Nanjing (1-2 days) — 1 hour by high-speed train Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Tomb, and the Presidential Palace. Take G-trains from Shanghai Hongqiao or Shanghai Station (¥140-180, 1h).

Practical Tips

  • WiFi: Free WiFi is available at both airports and most metro stations
  • Language: Use Google Translate with offline Chinese pack downloaded before arrival
  • SIM Card: China Mobile/China Unicom counters at PVG arrivals sell tourist SIMs (¥100-200 for 30 days, 10-20GB data)
  • Credit Cards: Most places accept Visa/Mastercard at hotels and large stores. Cash and WeChat/Alipay are needed everywhere else.

Emergency Contacts

  • Shanghai Tourism Hotline: +86-21-12301
  • Police: 110
  • Ambulance: 120
  • Foreign Affairs Office: +86-21-22021-2102