Reply To: Shanghai and Beijing – October 2025

[JDB]

@WA81741 – in Shanghai it’s difficult to know where best to stay and it depends a bit what you want to see/do. If you stay on the Bund, you won’t see the Bund that well so that may be a consideration as well as the fact that the Bund is very busy. After trying many hotels, our last four stays and our next one will be at the Grand Kempinski in Pudong. It’s right on a bend in the river and by the Pearl Tower with great views towards the Bund and Pudong. It’s right on the riverside walkway which is great and next to a ferry that takes you across the river. There are no pedestrian bridges and this is one of only two ferry crossings in the centre. Cost is 25p. It’s also an easy walk to lots of restaurants and the Luijiazui metro. So many hotels in Pudong that have good views are in poor/inconvenient locations – that doesn’t apply on the Bund as long as you stay on the main section (eg not too far south like the Indigo).

In Beijing, particularly for a first visit, I would aim to stay in the Dongcheng/Wanfujing area which is in walking distance of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, fairly close to Temple of Heaven (and the Hongqiao market!) and the Working People’s Palace. Metro at Dengshikou or Jinyu Hutong Loads of places to eat at all price points. The Regent is in this area, as well as the Peninsula which is usually cheaper than the Waldorf Astoria across the street, there’s also a big Hilton and ? Hyatt. Lots of options.