Located on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is the biggest city in China. Being a global financial hub, the city is always bustling with people. But its iconic landscape, world-class museums, art galleries, and serene gardens attract travelers from around the world. Being the "showpiece" of blooming China, this city won't fail to amaze you.

Before you travel to Shanghai, be sure to purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance. With insurance, you can enjoy your trip to Shanghai without having to worry about financial setbacks caused by medical emergencies or other accidents or injuries.

Top Tourist Destinations in Shanghai

The Bund

Also known as Wai Tan, The Bund is located on the west side of the Huangpu River. From old buildings boasting Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance styles to amazing modern architecture, The Bund is a sight to behold. You can take a boat tour and go sightseeing around the Huangpu River. A good way to explore this area is on foot. And the best time is during the night when the skyscrapers light up.

Yu Garden

Also known as Yuyuan, Yu Garden is one of the most famous classical gardens in China. It was built by an official of the Ming Dynasty for his aging parents. Today it has become a popular tourist attraction in Shanghai. Yu translates into "pleasant" and "satisfying", and this place lives up to its name. With attractive pavilions, ornamented stones, and miniature mountain ranges, Yu Garden is a place of retreat from the bustling city.

The Oriental Pearl Tower

Enjoy the mesmerizing view of the Huangpu River and the city's landscape from this 485-meter (almost 1,600-foot) Radio Tower. Located on the east bank of Huangpu River, The Oriental Pearl Tower boasts 15 observation decks along with a restaurant at the height of 264 meters (866 feet).

The Shanghai Museum

The museum displays more than 130,000 national treasures. It houses a large collection of old coins, priceless paintings, spectacular ceramics, and traditional lacquer furniture from the Ming and Qing periods. Visit the Shanghai Museum to explore the cultural history of China. The building of the museum is a work of art itself, with a large round dome (representing heaven) and a square base, encompassing traditional Chinese architecture.

Nanjing Road

Being the principal shopping street of Shanghai, Nanjing Road attracts about a million shoppers every day. You can shop from among the various Chinese-themed souvenirs to traditional arts and crafts. You'll also find restaurants and cinemas on Nanjing Road. If you're visiting Shanghai during the Chinese New Year, you can't miss the festivities and fireworks at this place.

Key Guidelines For Travelers

Weather Conditions

The best time to visit Shanghai is during October and November. The season is comfortable, and tourism is at its peak. Due to high humidity, you'll perspire a lot during summer. Make sure you've got lots of clothes to change into. During winter, temperatures fall below 10°C (50°F). During the months of August and September, Shanghai is frequented by typhoons and rainstorms. Prepare your umbrellas and raincoats if you're traveling during these months.

Getting Around the City

If you're staying in Shanghai for more than a few days, buy the Shanghai Jiaotong Card. You can use this card to pay for the buses, metro, Maglev train, and even taxis. A taxi is a good option for transportation during rush hour. The Metro is pocket-friendly. Many private companies offer sightseeing buses with various packages and routes. You can board one such bus too.

Safety Concerns

Shanghai is a safe city to travel to. Violent crimes in the city are very rare. But crimes like pickpocketing and taxi scams are common. Here are some tips which will help you ensure your safety when you're traveling in Shanghai:

• Avoid nightclubs on Mao Ming Road and Le Road. Here, foreigners are often targeted for scams.
• Avoid taxis at night. If you find yourself in trouble, look for a uniformed police officer for help.
• When you're traveling in crowded places, keep an eye on your belongings. Most pickpocketing incidents take place in such places.
• Pollution can get worse on hot and humid days. It can cause respiratory problems. Avoid sightseeing during such times, and stick to indoor activities.
• During summer temperature can rise above 100°F (about 37°C). Thunderstorms are common during this season, too. Make sure you've looked at the weather forecasts for your travel days.

Medical Concerns

Due to changes in humidity and temperature, it's possible that you'll catch a common cold. Bring regular medications with you, or buy them from a legitimate pharmacy in Shanghai. Another common medical risk is an upset stomach, which can occur due to poor hygiene. Only eat food that's served hot. Drink bottled water. Excessive sun exposure during summer can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of water and carry sunscreen if you're traveling to Shanghai in summer.

Travel Medical Insurance for Travelers in Shanghai - FAQs

From iconic landmarks to beautiful gardens, Shanghai has a lot to offer to its visitors. It's a perfect destination for your next trip. But accidents can happen at any time when you're traveling. You can't risk your life savings in the hope that something won't go wrong. So, to be prudent, buy travel medical insurance for your trip to Shanghai.

Why buy travel medical insurance before traveling to Shanghai?

Medical treatment in foreign countries can get expensive. This might cause a serious financial loss. It's difficult to get access to the finest medical facilities when you're in a foreign country and don't speak the language. But with suitable travel medical insurance, you get 24/7 access to the best medical facilities in Shanghai. It also gives financial coverage for the treatment of injuries.

What should I look for in my Shanghai travel medical insurance?

Look for the following benefits in your travel health insurance plan:

• Coverage for emergency medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
• Ability to extend your coverage period if your trip runs longer than planned
• accidental death & dismemberment coverage
• Return of mortal remains coverage

Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Shanghai - FAQs

When airlines and hotels are offering attractive discounts, you can't resist but book your trip in advance. But sometimes you need to cancel if something unexpected comes up. Hotel and airlines charge hefty cancellation fees when you cancel the booking. To avoid paying for an international vacation you don't get to take, buy trip cancellation insurance.

Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Shanghai trip?

Your trip cancellation plan will reimburse you for any prepaid, non-refundable trip costs (like airfare and hotels) if you have to cancel for a reason included in your policy's certificate wording. Be sure to review your plan's fine print before purchase for a full understanding of the covered reasons. They vary by plan, but most standard plans include the most common reasons for cancellation, like getting sick before departure or getting called into jury duty. With trip cancellation insurance, you can plan your trip without worrying about the financial setbacks of the cancellation. Be sure to insure the full cost of your trip and to buy the insurance before the need for cancellation arises.

What should I look for in my Shanghai trip cancellation insurance?

There's more to travel insurance than just trip cancellation benefits. You can also get:

• Trip interruption coverage for covered reasons
• Trip delay coverage
• Missed connection coverage
• Coverage for baggage loss

Before You Travel to Shanghai: Do This

Pack a light jacket if you're traveling to Shanghai in winter. In summer, don't forget to pack sunscreen.

Download apps such as SmartShanghai and Shanghai Metro Map. These apps will help you navigate through the city effortlessly.

Buy travel insurance or travel medical insurance suitable for you and your travel mates. They can help prevent any serious financial loss due to medical emergencies or travel mishaps. This way, you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.