Shanghai is the other face of China compared to youthful Shenzhen — a global city with old European colonial features along its riverfront Bund, and a futuristic skyscraper skyline on the opposite bank in Pudong. Before booking, time your trip carefully: the best window is March-May or September-November, when temperatures are moderate and the sky is clearer — especially important if you're planning to visit the Shanghai Tower or any panoramic observation deck that needs good visibility. Avoid the "Plum Rain" season in June-July, when humidity is suffocating and rain is nearly daily, as well as the peak of hot, humid summer, and the possible typhoon window between August and September, which can disrupt flights and ferries. Winter is relatively cold and damp but mild compared to northern China.
Getting there is now direct thanks to China Eastern Airlines, which operates a nonstop flight from Riyadh to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), taking roughly 10 hours — the easiest option if you want to avoid a stop in a third city. Pudong serves international flights, while Hongqiao Airport, closer to downtown, mostly handles domestic and regional flights; between them runs the Maglev high-speed train, connecting Pudong to the city's outskirts in a few minutes at over 300 km/h — an experience worth trying at least once.
On visas, the same rule applying to Shenzhen applies here: since June 2025, China extended its unilateral visa exemption for ordinary Saudi passport holders through the end of December 2026, for tourism, business, family visits, and transit, up to 30 days per visit with no advance visa, and the exemption also covers citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman under the same trial policy. Always check the Chinese embassy in Riyadh's official website right before departure, since these policies can change.
Getting around Shanghai is very easy thanks to one of the widest metro networks in the world, covering all major tourist districts at fares far cheaper than Gulf capitals. Didi works efficiently for individual rides and accepts foreign cards, and a local transit card simplifies paying for metro and buses without buying separate tickets each time.
Digital payment in Shanghai, like the rest of China, relies almost entirely on Alipay and WeChat Pay, both of which now allow direct linking of foreign Visa and Mastercard cards, with a transaction cap of roughly $5,000 for verified visitors and waived transfer fees on small transactions under 200 yuan. Set up one of the apps before your trip or right at the airport, since relying on cash alone makes daily life much harder.
For internet access, the easiest solution is an international eSIM rather than trying to use a VPN, since international roaming data isn't subject to the "Great Firewall" that blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western sites.
Budget-wise, Shanghai is slightly pricier than Shenzhen as a global financial hub — a budget traveler needs roughly 250-400 SAR a day (budget hotel, local food, public transport), while a mid-range traveler needs 500-900 SAR a day for a 3-4 star hotel near main tourist areas like the Bund or Nanjing Road. Xiaotaoyuan Mosque in Huangpu district, the city's oldest and largest, makes staying in the old city center a practical choice for Gulf travelers when it comes to halal food and prayer spaces.