Air
Shanghai is relatively easy to get to. It’s already China’s second largest international air hub (third largest if you count Hong Kong) and if you can’t find a direct connection, the city is only an hour’s flight from Beijing or Hong Kong. There are two international airports. The newer is Pudong, which was opened in 1999 and is about 19 miles from central Shanghai. The Maglev Train, a magnetic levitation train and the fastest in the world, connects the airport with Metro line no.2 at Longyang station (journey time: 8 minutes). The airport station is connected to the terminal by a bridge. There are five bus routes that serve various parts of Shanghai: No 2, for instance, travels to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. Other routes run to Zunyi Road, Dongjiagwan Road and Shanghai Railway Station. Taxis are also available and visitors should make sure the driver uses the meter; passengers must join the correct queue for the desired destination: queues are determined by journey duration (journey time to Shanghai: 25-40 minutes). Passengers are advised to have their destination written in Chinese or indicated on a map.
Shanghai’s other airport is Hongqiao, which is situated about 11 miles from downtown. Public buses run regularly to city destinations. Bus 925 runs to People's Square; the 938 to Pudong Yangjiadu; the 806 to Zhong Shan Nan Yi; the 807 to Shanghai West Railway Station; and Airport Bus 1 runs to Shan Xi Lu. Metered taxis are available at the airport. Full details of transportation and other services can be found at www.shanghaiairport.com
Train
China’s rail service is vast and excellent. There’s a direct train link to all major cities in China, although bear in mind that this is a huge country. A trip to Beijing, for example, could take anything up to 21 hours. There’s also a direct rail service to Hong Kong. www.china-train-ticket.com
Before You Go
Nearly all foreign visitors to China will need a visa. Forms should be available for download from the website of the Chinese embassy or consulate in your city. Generally what’s needed is a completed form, a passport photo and your passport with a blank double page in it. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of entry into China.
