Shanghai Travel｜Pre-trip Preparation Guide

Basic Info
2025.07.05

Hello, I’m Ron.

Shanghai, packed with tourism, cuisine and culture even within mainland China, is a city where you can enjoy an intensely rich experience even on a short trip. What’s more, it’s currently visa-free, making it a hugely popular overseas destination easily accessible from Japan.

I’ll be sharing real experiences based on my trip, covering things like ‘what I’m glad I prepared’ and ‘cost breakdowns that turned out cheaper than expected’. I hope this proves useful for anyone planning to visit Shanghai!

In this blog, “Future Atlas by Ron,” I write realistic travel diaries of the places I have visited based on my experience of traveling to more than 15 countries, as well as my impressions and insights from my travels.

I usually travel on my days off while working full time in Tokyo, and I am active in my efforts to share the charm of international travel with everyone.

👇The entire trip and cost details can be found in the [Shanghai Trip Summary Article]

【Shanghai】Travel Information Summary
Based on my actual experiences visiting Shanghai, China's modern metropolis, along with key points and precautions, and a sample itinerary, I hope this serves as a helpful reference for those thinking, “I want to go to Shanghai!”
futureatlasron.com
2025.08.21

Preparation Checklist

Visa

  • Japanese nationals not required (resumption from November 2024)
  • Permitted period of stay: Up to 30 days

App download

  • Alipay（支付宝）: The only choice for payments in China. No cash required.
    👉 Download the app here: [Apple Store] [Google Play]
  • Baidu Maps（百度地图）: Google Maps does not work within China (the maps may be misaligned). It is only available in Chinese, but you can generally understand the meaning from the Chinese characters.
    👉 Download the app here:n [Website] [Apple Store] [Google Play]

Booking of airline tickets

  • Recommended booking period: 1 to 3 months in advance.
  • This time: 1 month in advance.

Hotel booking

Preparing the SIM card

  • Pre-purchase a 3-day unlimited data eSIM via Klook.
    ※If you haven’t downloaded Klook yet, click here 👉【Klook Official】
    • Price: ¥1,178 (data only)
    • SIM card details here:【Klook eSIM Plan】
    • ※With eSIM, no need to swap SIM cards at the airport. Ready to use immediately upon arrival.

Shanghai Disneyland Tickets

Shanghai Travel Packing List: Items You Should Prepare

It is no exaggeration to say that the comfort of a trip is largely determined by prior preparation.
This time, I’ll share items I felt glad I brought along versus those I wished I’d bought locally after actually visiting.

🌴 Clothing and Fashion

  • Temperature: Around 18°C year-round, similar to Japan.
  • Seasons:
    • Spring: March to May. Mild, 20–25°C
    • Summer: June to August. Over 30°C
    • Autumn: September to November. Pleasant and comfortable
    • Winter: December to February. Average temperature around 4°C. Strong winds make it feel colder.

👉 Generally, clothing suitable for Japan’s seasons is fine. Winters are colder than Tokyo, so thick down jackets, gloves, scarves, and other cold-weather gear are essential!
👉 I also recommend buying clothes locally! You can match Chinese fashion trends, and they make great souvenirs or mementos!

🔌 Electronics-related

  • Mobile Power Bank
    　Essential for sightseeing, as Baidu Maps and camera usage drain batteries quickly.
    👉 Several mobile power bank rental services operate in Shanghai. We particularly recommend ‘Meituan Charging’, the most commonly seen option within the city!
  • No adapter plug required
    　Shanghai uses the same A-type plugs as Japan, alongside O-type plugs with three pins. Consequently, an adapter plug is often unnecessary. However, as some facilities only accept O-type plugs, it’s reassuring to carry one.

🧳 Documents and essentials

  • Passport
    Absolutely essential. Carrying a photocopy provides peace of mind (in case of theft or loss).
  • e-ticket (air ticket) and hotel booking confirmation
    Generally fine on your smartphone, but printing a hard copy is handy for emergencies.
  • Credit card
    Most shops in Guam are cashless. Therefore, there’s no need to withdraw cash.
  • Overseas travel insurance certificate (if required)
    If your credit card includes insurance, it’s advisable to check the details beforehand.

Summary

Preparing apps, tickets and an eSIM in advance ensures a smooth trip to Shanghai. As a cashless society with lower prices than Japan, it offers excellent value for money. This city allows you to enjoy sightseeing thoroughly even on a short visit, making it highly recommended as your next overseas destination.

Please take a look at the summary article as well!

＞＞[Shanghai Trip Summary Article]

【Shanghai】Travel Information Summary
Based on my actual experiences visiting Shanghai, China's modern metropolis, along with key points and precautions, and a sample itinerary, I hope this serves as a helpful reference for those thinking, “I want to go to Shanghai!”
futureatlasron.com
2025.08.21

The atmosphere of this trip and what I felt on the ground is left in a video on
YouTube.
Rather than a record, I would be happy if it could be a trigger for someone else’s journey.
▶︎ YouTube ‘UYUTABI’ channel here

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