Written by Ruqin
July 14, 2026
The first thing that struck me about Shanghai wasn’t the skyline.
It was the contrast.
One minute, I was walking along the Bund, surrounded by grand European-style buildings. A few minutes later, I was looking up at the futuristic towers of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River.
Then I turned into a quiet lane. Laundry hung above my head. Neighbors chatted outside tiny shops. The city suddenly felt completely different.
That’s Shanghai.
It constantly shifts between old and new, East and West, tradition and innovation.
However, Shanghai also rewards travelers who come prepared. A few simple mistakes can waste time, cost money, or keep you from seeing the city’s best side.
Here are the seven mistakes I recommend avoiding on your first visit to Shanghai.
1. Expecting Google Maps to Work After You Land
Many first-time visitors discover this the hard way.
You land at Pudong Airport, open Google Maps, and…nothing.
Gmail, Instagram, and several other familiar apps may also stop working normally.
Your phone isn’t broken.
Mainland China has a different internet environment.
Before you leave home, install an international eSIM. I’ve heard consistently good feedback from travelers using Trip.com’s eSIMs, although several providers offer reliable options.
If you’d rather buy a local SIM card, head to the Foreigners’ One-Stop Service Center at Pudong International Airport. It’s open around the clock, and staff can help with SIM cards and mobile payments.
However, my biggest recommendation is to download Easy Go (入境通 Easy Go) as soon as you arrive.
Think of it as your digital travel companion for Shanghai.
It was designed specifically for international visitors and quickly becomes one of the most useful apps on your phone.
2. Relying Only on Cash
Shanghai is one of the world’s most cashless cities.
Even the lady selling scallion pancakes in a neighborhood alley probably accepts QR code payments.
If you only carry cash, you may run into awkward situations at small restaurants, convenience stores, or when taking a taxi.
Before your trip, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay using your passport and an eligible Visa or Mastercard.
Then paying becomes almost effortless.
If you’d rather not link your credit card, consider getting a Shanghai Pass after arriving.
This prepaid visitor card works on public transportation, in many shops, and at selected attractions.
It’s simple and doesn’t require registration.
Easy Go also walks you through different payment options. The app explains what works best for international travelers and offers practical alternatives if you don’t want to link a bank card.
3. Paying for the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
This is one tourist attraction I usually tell people to skip.
The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel connects the Bund with Lujiazui beneath the Huangpu River.
It sounds interesting.
In reality, it’s a short ride through a tunnel filled with colorful lights and sound effects.
For many visitors, the experience doesn’t justify the ticket price.
Instead, take the Dongjin Ferry across the river.
The ride costs only a few yuan.
Better yet, you’ll enjoy fresh air, beautiful river views, and one of Shanghai’s best bargains.
Open the Transportation section inside Easy Go and activate your Shanghai Public Transport QR Code.
Then simply scan your phone before boarding.
At sunset, the ferry ride becomes one of my favorite experiences in Shanghai.
4. Showing Up at Popular Museums Without Checking First
Shanghai has relaxed reservation requirements at many museums.
However, the city’s most popular attractions can still reach capacity, especially during weekends and public holidays.
The Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Natural History Museum remain especially popular.
There’s nothing more disappointing than arriving at the entrance only to find today’s tickets are gone.
Before you leave your hotel, check whether reservations are required.
Easy Go makes this surprisingly simple.
Its Explore section brings together ticket booking, opening hours, reservation requirements, and attraction information in one place.
Instead of jumping between different websites, you can plan everything much faster.
5. Eating Only Soup Dumplings
Yes, xiaolongbao deserves its reputation.
However, Shanghai’s food scene goes much further.
Some of my favorite meals have come from tiny neighborhood restaurants that barely appear in guidebooks.
Try shengjianbao, Shanghai’s famous pan-fried soup buns.
Order a bowl of scallion oil noodles.
Don’t miss fried pork chop with rice cakes, or, if you’re visiting in autumn, look for freshly baked pork mooncakes.
Then venture into the small local eateries that many visitors walk past.
If you’re visiting Nanxiang near Yu Garden, head upstairs for the dine-in restaurant instead of joining the takeaway line downstairs.
Locals usually know where the better experience is.
Not sure where to eat?
Open Easy Go and browse the Food section.
You’ll find nearby restaurant recommendations without spending hours searching online.
6. Visiting the Bund Only After Dark
Everyone wants to see the Bund at night.
That’s exactly the problem.
Between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m., the promenade becomes extremely crowded.
You’ll spend more time avoiding selfie sticks than enjoying the skyline.
Instead, change your schedule.
Arrive early in the morning.
From around 6:00 to 8:00 a.m., the Bund feels peaceful. Soft morning light falls across the historic buildings, and photographers have plenty of space.
Another excellent time is late afternoon.
Arrive around 4:30 p.m.
First, watch the setting sun turn the skyscrapers golden.
Then stay as daylight fades.
By the time the city lights come on, you’ve already claimed one of the best viewing spots.
If you really want to enjoy Shanghai’s famous skyline at night, consider taking a Huangpu River cruise.
The ticket costs more than the ferry.
However, the panoramic views are worth it, and you won’t need to fight the crowds along the waterfront.
7. Overlooking Shanghai’s Digital Visitor Services
Many first-time visitors don’t realize how much Shanghai has improved its services for international travelers.
Instead of downloading several different apps, start with Easy Go (入境通 Easy Go).
Launched in 2025 for overseas visitors, the app brings together many of the services you’ll use throughout your trip.
I think of it as Shanghai’s digital concierge.
Everything is organized into four simple sections.
Food
Search nearby restaurants.
Browse local recommendations.
Order food delivery through integrated services without creating multiple new accounts.
Transportation
Access buses, the Metro, suburban rail, ferries, and even the Maglev.
After activating your Shanghai Public Transport QR Code, you can travel just like local residents.
One feature I particularly like is the companion option.
If you’re traveling with family or friends, one phone can generate QR codes for up to two additional travelers.
That means fewer tickets to manage and much less hassle.
Explore
Book attraction tickets.
Check opening hours.
Find luggage storage.
Plan your sightseeing without jumping between different websites.
Shopping
Easy Go even includes a tax refund map for international shoppers.
If you’re eligible for VAT refunds, the app helps you locate participating stores and explains the refund process.
It also supports real-time translation in multiple languages, making everyday travel much easier.
Easy Go vs. Shanghai Pass: Which One Do You Actually Need?
This is one of the questions I hear most from first-time visitors.
The names sound similar, but they serve very different purposes.
Here’s the simplest way to remember it:
Easy Go is your travel assistant. Shanghai Pass is your travel card.
Think of Easy Go as the brain of your Shanghai trip. It helps you find information, book tickets, plan transportation, translate Chinese, locate restaurants, call taxis, and even navigate tax refunds. Best of all, you don’t need to preload any money to use it.
Shanghai Pass, on the other hand, is a physical prepaid smart card—similar to London’s Oyster Card or Hong Kong’s Octopus Card.
You can buy one at Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, or selected Metro service centers. After loading money onto the card, you can use it for the Metro, buses, ferries, and participating attractions like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Huangpu River cruises. There are also one-day and three-day travel packages available for some visitors.
So, Which Should You Choose?
My advice is simple.
Download Easy Go before you do anything else.
As soon as you land, install it and make it your digital travel companion. Throughout your trip, you’ll probably use it every day to plan routes, check attraction information, translate signs, book tickets, and discover local restaurants.
Then decide whether you actually need a Shanghai Pass.
If you expect to spend a couple of busy days riding the Metro, visiting major attractions, and prefer tapping a card instead of pulling out your phone every time, the Pass can be very convenient. Depending on your itinerary, one of the travel packages may even save you money.
On the other hand, if you’ve already linked your international credit card to Alipay and feel comfortable paying with your phone, you may find that you don’t need a Shanghai Pass at all.
That’s exactly what many experienced travelers do.
Looking Ahead
At the moment, Easy Go and Shanghai Pass operate separately.
However, Shanghai plans to integrate them more closely. From around mid-2026, travelers are expected to be able to purchase a digital Shanghai Pass directly through the Easy Go platform, making the whole process even easier.
For now, I recommend keeping things simple.
Download Easy Go before your trip.
Then, once you arrive at the airport, decide whether a Shanghai Pass fits the way you plan to explore the city.
Shanghai is not a city to rush through.
Slow down.
Walk beyond the famous landmarks. Wander into a neighborhood lane. Stop for a bowl of noodles. Take the ferry instead of the tunnel. Watch the skyline change as the sun sets over the Huangpu River.
That’s when Shanghai begins to feel less like a destination and more like a living city.
Before you leave home, prepare the essentials. Set up your internet access, mobile payments, and Easy Go. Then leave room for unexpected discoveries.
I think that’s the real magic of Shanghai.
It has all the excitement of a global city, yet it still rewards travelers who are willing to slow down and look a little closer. That’s the Shanghai I always hope first-time visitors will experience.
About the Author
Ruqin is the founder of Ruqintravel.com and has spent more than four decades working in China’s travel industry. Drawing on hands-on experience in cities like Beijing and Hangzhou, he personally researches and updates each guide to help international travelers navigate China with confidence.
Further Reading
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to China
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Beijing
Arriving at Beijing Airport: Arrival Card and Visa-Free Transit Guide
Useful and Emergency Numbers in China – A Foreigner’s Guide
How to Spot Fake Chinese Money: Simple Tips for Tourists
China Customs Regulations – A Foreigner’s Guide
