Shanghai Travel Guide: Budget, Visa Info & Must-Have Apps for First-Time Visitors

Travel Diary
2025.07.05

Hello! I have compiled some basic information about my actual 3-day/2-night travel to Shanghai in 2024, including basic information, a sense of cost, and some points that helped me in my preparation.

Shanghai is a city in mainland China that is packed with sightseeing, cuisine, and culture, and you can spend an intense time there even in a short period of time. Moreover, since Shanghai is currently exempt from visa requirements, it is a destination that is attracting a great deal of attention as an overseas travel destination that can be easily accessed from Japan.

I will introduce some of the things I actually felt on my trip, such as “things I was glad I prepared” and “breakdown of costs that were cheaper than expected,” based on real experiences, so I will be happy if this will be helpful to those who are thinking of visiting Shanghai in the future!

Let’s start with the basic information.

Basic Information

  • Location: A large city located in the east of mainland China. The center of China’s economy.
  • Language: Mandarin Chinese
  • Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
    • *Basically no cash is needed in Shanghai, as the city is almost entirely cashless.
  • Travel Time: Approximately 3.5 hours by air from Japan (Tokyo/Narita).
  • Temperature: Fluctuates between 1°C and 32°C throughout the year.
    • This time I traveled in January, and it was so cold that I needed a down coat.
  • Transportation: Subway (metro) is recommended.
    • A single trip within Shanghai costs about 2-5 yuan.
    • This time I visited the city plus suburbs (Nanxiang and Zhujiajiao), and the total transportation cost was about 1,500 yen.
  • Ease of sightseeing: The sightseeing spots in Shanghai are well organized and can be enjoyed even on a short trip.
  • Hotel: Comfortable hotels are available for approximately 9,000 to 10,000 yen per night.
  • Food: Prices are relatively inexpensive, with most meals costing less than 1,000 yen per meal.
  • Total trip cost (3-day/2-night travel):
    • Approximately 110,000 yen (about $760) per person.
    • Currently (after 2024), the visa waiver period is in effect, so the price may be even lower.

Preparation List

Visa

  • Not required (resumed after November 2024)
  • Permitted period of stay: 30 days or less
  • Countries exempt from visa: Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia

Application Download

  • Alipay (支付宝): The only way to pay in China. No cash required.
  • Baidu Maps (百度地图): Google Maps may not work with some SIMs. It is only available in Chinese, but you can get a general idea of what it means using Chinese characters.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland: You can manage tickets, mobile ordering, wait times, show times, etc.

Ticket Reservations

  • Time: 1-3 months in advance is recommended.
  • This time, we booked one month in advance on Jetstar’s official website.

Hotel Reservations

Preparation of SIM card

  • Pre-purchase an eSIM with unlimited data for 3 days at Klook.
    • Price: 1,178 yen (data communication only)
    • Klook eSIM Plan
      With eSIM, there is no need to replace the SIM at the airport. You can use it immediately upon arrival.

Shanghai Disneyland Tickets

Finally

Travel to Shanghai can be enjoyed smoothly by preparing apps, tickets, and eSIM in advance. Shanghai is a cashless society, and prices are lower than in Japan, making it a very cost-effective destination. It is a city where you can enjoy sightseeing even in a short period of time, making it a highly recommended destination for your next overseas trip.

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