Shanghai is a brilliant collision of old-world charm and futuristic ambition. One moment you’re peering up at sleek skyscrapers that seem to slice through the clouds, the next you’re sidestepping bicycles in narrow lanes scented with dumplings and jasmine. With so many incredible Shanghai places to stay, deciding where to base yourself can feel a bit like picking from a box of handmade chocolates — every choice has its own delight.

Each of Shanghai’s neighbourhoods offers something different. This guide breaks them down so you can discover which slice of the city best suits your style.

If you fancy stepping outside your hotel to one of the world’s most spectacular riverfronts, the Bund is tough to beat. This grand promenade along the Huangpu River is a living museum of colonial architecture, with stately banks and trading houses dating back to the 1920s. The Bund was dubbed “the Wall Street of Asia” in the roaring 1930s, and staying here means you’re bedding down in what was once the financial epicentre of the continent.

Look across the water and Pudong’s futuristic towers greet you in glittering style — it’s hard not to gawp, especially after dark when the skyline turns into a technicolour marvel. Wander a few blocks inland and you’ll hit People’s Square, a cultural powerhouse that’s home to the Shanghai Museum, peaceful People’s Park, and the retail frenzy of Nanjing Road.

It’s little wonder many consider this the best place to stay in Shanghai for first timers, who want to step right out into the thick of iconic sights.

If you’re hunting for places to stay in Shanghai that feel a touch more laid-back, the French Concession is a dreamy option. Here, sycamore-lined streets shelter elegant villas and art deco mansions, leftovers from when this slice of the city was under French administration.

The area feels almost European at times, with shady pavements made for aimless strolls and a café culture that suits long mornings over fresh pastries. Those towering plane trees? Shipped from France over a century ago, now forming a leafy canopy that locals swear keeps this district a couple degrees cooler.

Duck down tiny lanes and you’ll stumble on independent galleries, second-hand bookshops, or locals airing laundry outside graceful old houses.

It’s no surprise that many seasoned travellers recommend this neighbourhood to anyone exploring Shanghai places to stay — here, even a morning coffee run turns into a mini adventure.

Looking for a district that neatly mixes old and new? Jing’an is a clever pick. At its heart sits Jing’an Temple, a gold-tipped wonder that’s stood on this site since 247 AD, flanked by sleek malls and office towers. Jing’an Temple’s giant jade Buddha weighs 15 tonnes — peacefully overseeing the swirl of modern city life just outside its doors.

Nearby, West Nanjing Road buzzes with shoppers darting between high-end boutiques and flagship stores. It’s also dotted with rooftop bars that are perfect for evening cocktails with panoramic city views.

Jing’an’s charm makes it one of the best Shanghai places to stay if you love the idea of starting your day with incense and finishing it with a glass of wine high above the streets.

Cross the river to Pudong and Shanghai transforms into something out of a sci-fi film. This is where you’ll find the Oriental Pearl Tower, the bottle-opener-shaped Shanghai World Financial Center, and the mighty Shanghai Tower — all bunched together in an architectural playground designed to dazzle.

Did you know? The Shanghai Tower elevator is the fastest on Earth, shooting up at a blistering 74 km/h—making even the journey to your hotel floor a mini adventure.

Many of the most luxurious places to stay in Shanghai are stacked here, with rooms offering sunrise views over the Huangpu that you’ll talk about for years.

Business visitors and skyline hunters flock here. With Traveloka, it’s easy to book a plush hotel in Pudong alongside tickets to observation decks or river cruises, so your high-rise holiday practically plans itself.

Love the idea of nights spent under glowing lanterns, with laughter spilling out of restaurants and live music drifting down cobbled lanes? Xintiandi is your spot.

 Here, historic Shikumen houses — a charming fusion of Eastern and Western architecture — now host trendy eateries, boutiques and buzzing cocktail bars. The stone gate Shikumen homes that make Xintiandi famous once sheltered Shanghai’s early middle-class families. Staying nearby gives your trip a dose of the city’s living history.

Just next door in Huangpu, Yu Garden is a wonder of Ming dynasty design, while the surrounding old town teems with stalls selling everything from silk scarves to steaming soup dumplings.

This district often pops up in conversations about the best place to stay in Shanghai for first timers, thanks to how effortlessly it combines traditional atmosphere with modern fun.

With the mighty Huangpu River carving the city in two, Shanghai’s districts each put on a unique show. Before diving into the most popular hotels in Shanghai, it pays to think about:

It’s all easy to arrange on Traveloka, where flights, hotels, attractions and even transfers line up neatly in one smooth booking — meaning less time faffing and more time planning dumpling feasts.

From evening walks along the Bund’s riverside grandeur to lazy brunches under the French Concession’s shady trees, Shanghai is a city that leaves an impression long after you’ve flown home.

With Traveloka, planning your journey is a breeze, from flights and hotels to attraction tickets all wrapped up in one app. That means you’ll have more headspace for the important stuff, like deciding which dumpling shop deserves your first stop.

Shanghai’s waiting, neon lights blazing, steam baskets brimming. Ready to find out which part of this dazzling city will tell your story?