Shanghai's skyline is one of the most dramatic on earth. Towers you've seen in films, a waterfront that stretches further than you expect, and a street-level energy that takes about 30 minutes to get used to. China Eastern flies there non-stop from London Gatwick from £509 return. Dates available through October, November and December.
✈️ The deal
- From: London Gatwick, UK
- To: Shanghai, China
- Airline: China Eastern
- Stops: Non-stop
- Price: £509–£599 return
- When: October–December 2026
Example dates:
01/10/2026 – 08/10/2026
01/10/2026 – 10/10/2026
04/11/2026 – 29/11/2026
12/11/2026 – 23/11/2026
01/12/2026 – 31/12/2026
💰 How far does your money go?
A local beer at a neighbourhood bar costs about £1. A bowl of xiaolongbao at a canteen near the Old Town runs around £2.50. Street food at the Yu Garden bazaar starts at £1 a portion. What you'd spend on a round in central London covers a full day of eating in Shanghai.
☀️ The weather
October is one of Shanghai's best months: temperatures between 18°C and 25°C, low humidity, and mostly clear skies. November cools considerably, with highs around 17°C early in the month dropping to around 10°C by the end. December is cold, with daytime temperatures between 8°C and 12°C and nights that can approach freezing. Bring layers for November and a proper coat for December.
🏨 Where to stay
The Bund area and Jing'an are the most practical bases, both central and well-connected.
Atour Hotel Shanghai Bund — 8.5/10 · From £50/night
Well-located near the Bund with clean, modern rooms and easy metro access. Good value if you plan to spend most of your time out.
Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai — 8.7/10 · From £120/night
Polished mid-range hotel in Pudong with a large pool, solid breakfast, and direct metro connections to the Financial District.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund — 9.2/10 · From £350/night
One of the most iconic addresses in Shanghai. A restored colonial building directly facing Pudong's skyline, with impeccable service and a bar worth visiting even if you're not staying.
🎯 What to do
Shanghai has enough for a week, but these four cover the essential range.
The Bund — The city's most famous strip: a colonial-era waterfront facing the Pudong skyline. Best seen at dusk, when the towers start to light up.
Yu Garden — A 16th-century classical garden in the Old Town, built during the Ming Dynasty. Surrounded by a bazaar of food stalls and tea houses that is one of the best places in the city to eat cheaply.
The French Concession — Tree-lined streets, independent cafes, boutiques and some of Shanghai's best restaurants. The neighbourhood that shows the city's most international side.
Huangpu River cruise — A 45-minute boat ride linking the Bund and Lujiazui at night. The skyline from the water is the best view Shanghai offers, and it's far cheaper than a seat at a rooftop bar.
🗺️ Where to go from here
Shanghai sits at the centre of one of China's most densely connected rail networks. Getting out is easy.
Suzhou — 30 minutes by high-speed train. Classical gardens, ancient canals and one of China's best-preserved old towns. A straightforward day trip.
Hangzhou — 45 minutes by high-speed train. West Lake, tea plantations and a city with a pace entirely different from Shanghai. The Dragon Well tea here is the real thing.
Zhujiajiao — 1 hour by bus or taxi. A Ming Dynasty water town on Shanghai's doorstep. Stone bridges, narrow canals, and street food you won't find in the city.
Nanjing — 1 hour 20 minutes by high-speed train. Former imperial capital with ancient city walls, the Ming Tombs, and a historical weight that Shanghai doesn't have.
£509 for a non-stop return flight to one of the world's most extraordinary cities. Prices at this level won't last long. Check availability before they go.
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