Your first trip to Shanghai won’t be burning a hole in your wallet with these accessible accommodation options!
Shanghai is one of my favourite cities. I’ve gone twice and I still feel like there’s plenty left to explore. Awesome food? Check. World-class city views? Check. Gorgeous cultural sites? Check.
From unparalleled skyline views at The Bund and bustling shopping streets like Nanjing Road to traditional Chinese architecture and history featured in places like Yuyuan Gardens, there’s truly something for everyone.
Read more: 25 Exciting Things to Do in Shanghai — First Timer’s Guide From Must-Dos to Hidden Gems
With so much to see in so little time, where you decide to stay in Shanghai is absolutely crucial to the success of your trip. But its reputation as the “Paris of the East” might give the impression that staying in the city is expensive!
In our Shanghai accommodation guide, we bring you the best hostels, hotels and apartments to explore the city under S$53/pax, with many iconic attractions within walking distance.
In the map above, blue pins indicate must-sees, pink pins indicate hidden gems, and yellow ones are the recommended accommodations nearby! We suggest using the map to plan which attractions you want to hit, and then decide where you want to stay based on proximity.
Accommodation Near People’s Square
People’s Square sits right at the heart of Shanghai and is where majority of the popular attractions are — all within walking distance!
The Bund, Yuyuan Gardens, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Huanghe Road Food Market and Xintiandi are located in this area.
1) The Pheonix Hostel Shanghai
Closest metro stations: Dashijie (line 8), People’s Square (lines 2 and 8)
The Pheonix Hostel Shanghai‘s prime location makes it the ideal base for exploring Shanghai. Not only can you walk to several of Shanghai’s must-sees, there are also endless food options located along the same street.
Photo credit: Booking.com
The rooms are clean, the lockers are spacious, and the beds are extremely comfy. You don’t typically get such thick mattresses in hostels (see above). Needless to say, we slept like babies here during our five days in Shanghai.
Cost: From ~S$19/bed
Address: 17 South Yunnan Road, Near east Yan`an Road, Huangpu, 200021 Shanghai, China
Read also: 2-Week China Itinerary — Rail Adventure Across Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou
2) Hao du Hotel Shanghai
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Dashijie (line 8), Yuyuan Garden (line 10)
Hao Du Hotel is furnished simply, but it has everything you need. Its location right in the city centre means that you can walk to many attractions — saving you both time and money!
This hotel offers laundry and dry cleaning services which is great when you’re on a longer trip.
Cost: From ~S$41/room
Address: No.41 Guangxi South Road, Huangpu, 200021 Shanghai, China
Accommodation Near Nanjing Road
Nanjing Pedestrian Road is Shanghai’s version of Times Square. It stretches for 5.5km, from Jing’an Temple all the way to The Bund. This area has plenty of shops, restaurants and things to do — shopaholics will love it here!
3) Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Nanjing East Road (lines 2 and 10)
Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel is a short five-minute walk from the main Nanjing Road shopping district as well as a few minutes’ walk from Huanghe Road Food Market and The Bund.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Both six-person dorms (~S$13/bed) and private double rooms (~S$46/room) are available at very affordable prices. The hostel also has a games room and a restaurant.
Cost: From ~S$13/bed
Address: No.258, Tianjin Road, Huangpu, 200001 Shanghai, China
4) Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: East Nanjing Road (lines 2 and 10)
Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel is located in downtown Shanghai, just off Nanjing Road but close enough to get to on foot.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Both shared dorms (from ~S$21/bed) and private rooms (from ~S$58/room) are available here. Bonus: The hostel offers movie nights, table tennis and billiards!
Cost: From ~S$21/bed
Address: 6F, No. 350, South Shanxi Road, Huangpu, 200001 Shanghai, China
5) Charms Hotel Shanghai
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: People’s Square (line 1, 2 and 8)
Charms Hotel Shanghai offers double rooms for two as well as family rooms if you’re planning to visit in a bigger group.
Cost: From ~S$67/room
Address: 619 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu, 200001 Shanghai, China
6) Campanile Shanghai Natural History Museum Hotel
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Natural Museum (line 13), Xinzha Road (line 1)
Campanile Shanghai is a trendy boutique hotel with sleek interiors and modern facilities. It sits along the Suzhou River and has an in-house restaurant and bar.
Photo credit: Booking.com
This hotel is a great option if you’re looking to stay in a quieter area, yet remain close to all the tourist must-sees.
Cost: From ~S$84/room
Address: No.1455 South Suzhou Road, Jing’an, 200041 Shanghai, China
Accommodation Near Jing’an
Jing’an district is named after Jing’an Temple, which is one of Shanghai’s oldest Buddhist temples, and also one of the most famous in the city. Other cool places to check out in the area include Jing’an Park, the Propaganda Poster Art Centre and Wukang Lu French Concession.
7) Shanghai Meego Qingwen Hotel
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Changping Road (line 7), West Nanjing Road (lines 2, 12 and 13)
There are dormitory rooms that sleep up to six (from ~S$19/bed) as well as loft-style private or family rooms (from ~S$50/room) if you want privacy.
Photo credit: Booking.com
The dormitory rooms have large storage lockers as well as bedside cubbies and sockets — perfect for charging all your gear!
Cost: From ~S$19/bed
Address: Floor 4 No 495 Jiangning Road, Jing’an, 200041 Shanghai, China
8) Apartment 637
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Changshu Road (lines 1 and 7), South Shaanxi Road (lines 1, 10 and 12)
Apartment 637 is a cosy little apartment sitting right in the centre of historical gems like Jing’an Temple, Wukang Lu and Tianzifang.
Photo credit: Booking.com
With a loft-style bedroom overlooking a comfortable living room and kitchen, this place is a great option for couples or friends looking to explore the artsy side of Shanghai.
Cost: ~S$106/apartment
Address: 8B Lane 637 Changle Road , Xuhui, 200000 Shanghai, China
Accommodation Near Tianzifang
Tianzifang is a bustling, youthful district with plenty of art galleries, quirky shops and restaurants — it’s also one of my favourite spots in Shanghai! Old shikumen (traditional Shanghainese architecture) houses retain their exterior but are given new life and now house trendy shops.
9) Ruijin Garden Apartment
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Dapuqiao (line 9)
Ruijin Garden Apartment has hostel-style bunk beds but feels more like a cosy Airbnb. There’s a shared living room, kitchen and dining area that’s nicely furnished and will make you feel like it’s your home away from home.
Photo credit: Booking.com
It’s more expensive than your average hostel, but the price is worth it for the comfort and space you’ll be getting.
Cost: ~S$43/bed
Address: Room 306, Building 2, Ruijin Garden, Lane 91, Jianguo West Road, Huangpu, 200030 Shanghai, China
Accommodation Near Wukang Lu French Concession
Photo credit: ChinaDaily
Previously known as Ferguson Lane, Wukang Lu lies in Shanghai’s former French concession. Here you’ll find many western-style buildings which are now home to modern shops and restaurants.
10) Xincun Huaihai Middle Road Old House Apartment
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Shanghai Library (line 10)
This apartment is perfect for a getaway with a group of friends or even your family! It sleeps up to six people and includes all the amenities you could possibly want — kitchen, living room, TV, the works.
Photo credit: Booking.com
It’s strategically located in the centre of attractions like Tianzifang and People’s Square, and is a short drive from the Shanghai Railway Station.
Cost: From ~S$102/apartment (4 – 6 pax)
Address: Floor 1, Unit 8, Lane 1487 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui, 200031 Shanghai, China
Accommodation Near Yuyuan Gardens
The Yuyuan Gardens is an iconic area in Shanghai — you can’t say you’ve visited Shanghai without coming here at least once. Highlights include the Chenghuangmiao Temple and Nine Bend Bridge!
11) Chelan Homestay
Photo credit: Booking.com
Closest metro stations: Xiaonanmen (line 9), Yuyuan Garden (line 10)
Photo credit: Booking.com
Chelan Homestay is a hostel located in the heart of old Shanghai. There’s a communal kitchen and spacious common area for you to relax in after a long day exploring the city.
Photo credit: Booking.com
The best part? There’s a rooftop terrace with a sick view of the city skyline! Perfect for catching sunsets and chilling with a beer.
Cost: From ~S$29/bed
Address: Lane 88, Zhonghua Road, Huangpu, 200001 Shanghai, China
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One of my favourite parts of Shanghai? Getting around is so easy, even for non-Mandarin speakers! Several tourist hotspots are within walking distance of one another, plus public transport and cabs are pretty easy to use with English apps available.
If you haven’t already been (or even if you have!) to the trendy, modern city of Shanghai, I think it’s about time you start planning a trip there.
Planning a trip to China? Check out some of our other articles below:
– 2-Week China Itinerary — Rail Adventure Across Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou
– Ultimate Shanghai Disneyland Guide — 11 Tips & Tricks To Beat the Crowd
– A Different Side to China — 9 Reasons Why Yunnan Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List
– 12D Yunnan Itinerary: China’s Best Kept Secret — Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la
Decided on where to stay in Shanghai on your next trip to China? Let us know in the comments!
