Shanghai
The colonial Bund, futuristic skyscrapers, old lanes and great food.
Find flights to Shanghai
Pick your airport and month and we'll open live fares for the first direct flight. You can change the date on the next page.
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What Shanghai is like
Shanghai is China's biggest city, a dazzling mix of colonial-era waterfront, futuristic skyscrapers, old lanes and great food.
Don't miss
- 01The BundThe colonial waterfront facing the Pudong skyline.
- 02Yu GardenA classical Chinese garden in the old city.
- 03Shanghai TowerViews from one of the world's tallest buildings.
- 04Former French ConcessionLeafy streets of cafés and boutiques.
Where to stay
- Near the BundClassic views.
- Former French ConcessionLeafy and walkable.
Worth knowing
Shanghai Tower, at 632 metres, is the tallest building in China.
Zhujiajiao: a canal water town
Photo: BrokenSphere · CC BY-SA 3.0
An old water town of stone bridges, canals and lanes lined with shops.
Direct flights to Shanghai from the UK
| From | Airlines | Months with flights | Distance | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | British Airways · China Eastern | All year | 5,742 mi | Fares → |
From the airlines' and Heathrow Airport's own timetables for October 2026 to September 2027. Pick an airport to see the exact days.
Weather in Shanghai by month
Average daytime highs. The warmest months are July, August, September.
| Month | Day | Night | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9° | 3° | – |
| February | 11° | 4° | – |
| March | 15° | 8° | – |
| April | 21° | 13° | – |
| May | 26° | 18° | – |
| June | 29° | 22° | – |
| July | 33° | 26° | – |
| August | 33° | 26° | – |
| September | 29° | 22° | – |
| October | 24° | 17° | – |
| November | 18° | 11° | – |
| December | 11° | 5° | – |
Long-term averages from the national weather service's station record, as compiled on Wikipedia (Shanghai). This station doesn't publish a count of rainy days with at least 1mm, so we don't show one.
Before you go
- Until 31 December 2026 you can visit visa-free for up to 30 days; after that, check whether you need a visa.
- You must register your address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do this when you check in.
- Your passport must expire at least 6 months after you arrive and have 2 blank pages.
From the Foreign Office's China travel advice, checked on 16 October 2026. Rules change, so check it before you travel.