🌃 Hostels in Shanghai for Backpackers & Solo Travellers: Skyline Views, Dumplings & Old Lanes
Shanghai in 2026? One of China's biggest cities, it mixes a futuristic skyline with colonial-era buildings, tree-lined lanes and busy food streets. It is usually an easy first stop in China, with a huge metro network and plenty to see on a backpacker budget.
🏠 Where to Stay in Shanghai
Hostels in Shanghai are mostly near People's Square, the Bund and the old lanes of central Puxi. Hostelworld.com lists over 26 Hostels in Shanghai, all rated by travellers like you, with more than 2667 reviews. In Shanghai hostels you can usually find:
- Dorms and private rooms close to metro stations
- Rooftop bars or lounges at some hostels
- Help with apps, payments and train tickets
- Social events such as dumpling nights or city walks
💡 Pro tip: Set up a mobile payment app and a way to get online before you arrive. Many places prefer mobile payments, and some apps and websites you use at home may be blocked.
🏆 Top Hostels to Stay in Shanghai in 2026
Looking for top-rated Hostels in Shanghai? According to Hostelworld.com travellers, these are two crowd favourites:
🗺️ Neighbourhoods to Explore
- The Bund – A riverside walk past grand old buildings, facing the Pudong skyline
- Former French Concession – Leafy streets with cafés, bars and old villas
- Yu Garden & Old Town – A classical garden, tea houses and busy snack stalls
- Jing'an – A central area around a golden temple, with shopping and nightlife
- Lujiazui (Pudong) – The skyscraper district across the river, with observation decks
🚇 Getting Around Shanghai
- From the airport: Pudong Airport has the Maglev train and the metro; Hongqiao Airport is on the metro too
- Metro: The metro is usually cheap, clean and reaches most sights, with signs in English
- Ride-hailing: DiDi is the main app, and many taxis take mobile payments
- Walking: Central Puxi is great to explore on foot, especially the old lanes
🚄 Day Trips by Train and Water Town
High-speed trains from Shanghai make day trips easy. Suzhou is known for its classical gardens and canals, and Hangzhou for West Lake. Closer to the city, water towns such as Zhujiajiao have stone bridges, canals and old streets, though they may be busy at weekends.
💡 Pro tip: Bring your passport for train tickets and some sights. You should check the latest visa and entry rules, as visa-free options may apply to some nationalities.
🌍 Want More Hostel Adventures?
Check out other top-rated hostels across China → China Hostels
