Lujiazui & Pudong
Glass towers, empty boulevards and the best view of old Shanghai.
Lujiazui is the financial district that grew opposite the Bund, home to the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center and the city's biggest malls. It is spectacular at night and convenient for business, with modern hotels and observation decks. As a place to stay, it suits travellers who value big rooms, river views and easy taxis over street life; the blocks are wide, the pavements are empty and the nearest local restaurant may be inside a mall. The Bund is one metro stop or a 20-minute riverside walk away.
What works
- The best skyline views and observation decks
- Modern hotels with pools and large rooms
- Quiet, planned streets and easy taxi access
What doesn’t
- Little street-level character or local food
- Wide roads and long walks between buildings
- 20–30 minutes to the historic sights
One local move
Go up an observation deck late in the afternoon, stay for sunset and the lights, then walk the riverside promenade back toward the ferry. Skip the overpriced riverside dinner and eat in the ifc mall or take the metro one stop to Puxi.
Getting around
Lujiazui on line 2 is the main station, with exits directly into the malls and towers. The Bund is one stop away; Century Avenue is the interchange for lines 2, 4, 6 and 9. Walking between sights inside Lujiazui is longer than it looks. Use taxis or DiDi for the airport and for evenings across the river.
Safety
Very safe and well lit, with heavy security around the towers and malls. The main annoyance is the expense of riverside bars and restaurants. Keep an eye on belongings in the observation deck crowds and on the riverside promenade at night.
4 picks in Lujiazui & Pudong
One strong pick per tier. All prices are sample ranges, not live quotes.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai
Rooms high in the Jin Mao Tower, with dramatic views over the river and the Bund. It is a classic Shanghai skyline stay, though the decor is older than the newest towers and the lobby is on the 54th floor.
InterContinental Shanghai Pudong
A reliable upscale hotel on Zhangyang Road, with a pool and larger rooms than the riverside towers. It is a 10–15 minute walk or a short taxi from the Lujiazui waterfront, so the price is lower than a true river-view room.
Jinjiang Inn Shanghai Lujiazui
A simple chain hotel on Pudian Road, a few metro stops from Lujiazui. Rooms are compact and functional, with no river view; it is a practical base if you want to stay in Pudong on a budget.
Park Hyatt Shanghai
Occupying the upper floors of the Shanghai World Financial Center, with rooms above the clouds and one of the city's most dramatic pools. It is expensive and slightly removed from street life, but unforgettable.
Nightly ranges are sample estimates in USD for a standard double room. They move with season, events and how early you book.
Eat & drink nearby
Din Tai Fung (ifc mall)
Taiwanese · dumplings
A reliable branch of the Taiwanese dumpling chain in the ifc mall, with xiao long bao and English menus. It is not adventurous, but it is clean, fast and good for families.
Haidilao Hot Pot
Hot pot
The famous hot pot chain, with attentive service and a lively room. It is a comfortable introduction to Chinese hot pot, with English menus and staff used to foreign guests.
Flair Rooftop
Bar · views
The rooftop bar at the Ritz-Carlton Pudong, with a terrace facing the Pearl Tower and the Bund. Drinks are expensive, but it is one of the best places in the city for a sunset view.