Time zone
GMT +08:00
No time difference
Currency
Chinese Yuan
1EUR = 7.44CNY
Official languages
Chinese
Best time to visit
OCT - APR
Cool, comfortable temperature; do note that December-September is peak season and quite crowded
FEB - APR
Cherry Blossoms
Recommended trip duration
3 days
Flight time
11 hours
When departing from Sydney
Top things to do in Shanghai
Top attractions in Shanghai
Transport in Shanghai
Hotels in Shanghai
Shanghai travel guide
Reviews of Shanghai activities
Shanghai at a glance
Quick facts about Shanghai
What to know before visiting Shanghai
What Shanghai is known for
Shanghai’s top booking categories on Klook show a city built for big days out: Theme parks lead the way, followed by Tours, Observation decks, Parks & gardens and Zoos & aquariums. Demand follows a strong annual rhythm — Klook booking data shows a clear peak in January while August and September are noticeably quieter. That means travellers who prioritise lively, festival-like energy should time visits for the peak months, while those seeking calmer sightseeing have plenty of quieter months to choose from. Decide between peak atmosphere or smaller crowds — your timing shapes the whole trip, and Klook booking data reflects those seasonal swings.
Best months to visit Shanghai
Klook booking data puts January as the busiest month, with Peak demand, while August is the quietest, classified as Very quiet. Prices move separately at times: the median paid on Klook drifts low in October and spikes in March, so cheaper months and lower demand don’t always match. For smaller crowds and lower typical prices, aim for October or the late autumn quieter months; for lively atmosphere and events, January and the late-year peaks are better, though prices climb.
| Month | Demand Level | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak demand | AUD 25 |
| February | Busier than usual | AUD 66 |
| March | Very quiet | AUD 85 |
| April | Busier than usual | AUD 55 |
| May | Busier than usual | AUD 79 |
| June | About average | AUD 73 |
| July | Quieter than usual | AUD 58 |
| August | Very quiet | AUD 72 |
| September | Very quiet | AUD 37 |
| October | Quieter than usual | AUD 15 |
| November | Peak demand | AUD 19 |
| December | Peak demand | AUD 21 |
Demand is bookings in that month compared with a typical month, from historical Klook booking data, grouped into the demand levels above; typical price is the median paid on Klook in that month; prices are shown with their currency code. Based on Klook booking data, July 2025 – June 2026.
Where to stay in Shanghai
Klook booking data shows Jing'an is the most affordable neighbourhood on typical nightly hotel price, typically around AUD 130, while Pudong sits at the priciest end, typically around AUD 358. The gap between them is roughly 64%. Cheaper neighbourhoods like Jing'an tend to suit budget-conscious travellers or those who prefer more value for money and flexibility; pricier areas such as Pudong appeal to travellers prioritising a premium hotel experience and higher-end amenities. Use those trade-offs to match accommodation choices to the style of trip you want, as reflected in Klook booking data.
Tips for travellers from Australia
Most Australian travellers book experiences about two weeks ahead, while the earliest planners lock things in roughly 26 days out, according to Klook booking data. That means you have reasonable flexibility but benefit from booking earlier for January and other peak months when demand rises. For quieter months you can often book closer to travel, yet securing popular experiences on Klook earlier guarantees your preferred times. Keep an eye on the Klook listings and confirm bookings once your dates are set to avoid missing must-do activities while still enjoying booking flexibility.
FAQs about Shanghai
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
When is the cheapest time to visit Shanghai?
When is the cheapest time to visit Shanghai?
How far ahead should I book activities in Shanghai?
How far ahead should I book activities in Shanghai?
How much do activities in Shanghai typically cost?
How much do activities in Shanghai typically cost?
What is Shanghai best known for on Klook?
What is Shanghai best known for on Klook?
Explore more on Klook
Top Activities and Tours
- 1 Shanghai Disneyland Ticket
- 2 Shanghai Tower Ticket
- 3 Shanghai Wild Animal Park Ticket
- 4 Shanghai Maglev Train Ticket
- 5 Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
- 6 Huangpu River Cruise(Qingjiang Line)
- 7 Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
- 8 Shanghai Zhujiajiao Half-Day Ancient Town Tour with Transfers
- 9 Shuiguo · Hot Spring | Wujiaochang Store
- 10 Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
- 11 Jin Mao Tower Observation Deck Ticket
- 12 Shanghai Zoo Admission Ticket
- 13 Shanghai Eternal Love One-Day Tour (including tickets + show)
- 14 FORMULA 1 CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2026
- 15 Shanghai Disneyland Disney Premier Access
- 16 Shanghai Happy Valley
- 17 TASTE OF CHINA Immersive Restaurant
- 18 Shanghai + Nanjing + Wuxi + Suzhou + Hangzhou + Wuzhen 6-Day High-End Tour (Songcheng Eternal Love Show + Full 5-Star Luxury Hotel)
- 19 Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Ticket
- 20 No. 77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge Service at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Popular Hotels and Places to Stay
- 1 Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
- 2 Toy Story Hotel
- 3 SAVHE Hotel North Bund Shanghai
- 4 The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
- 5 Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
- 6 Atour Hotel Nanjing East Road, Shanghai on the Bund
- 7 The Shanghai EDITION
- 8 Intercity Hotel Shanghai Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street The Bund
- 9 JI Hotel (Shanghai People's Square Fuzhou Road)
- 10 Sofitel Shanghai Hongqiao
- 11 The Bund Puyan Hotel, Shanghai
- 12 Madison Hotel Shanghai Wild Animal Park
- 13 Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai
- 14 Conrad Shanghai
- 15 Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park Skyline Hotel
- 16 Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport by IHG
- 17 InterContinental Shanghai Pudong Hotel by IHG
- 18 Pullman Shanghai Central-in XinTianDi & Yu Garden Area
- 19 Holiday Inn Shanghai Nanjing Road by IHG
- 20 Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai
