Shanghai

Shanghai has long been China's meeting point with the wider world, and that openness still shapes the city. Tree-lined streets in the former French Concession, the historic waterfront of the Bund and the skyline of Lujiazui make it one of the most visually striking cities in Asia.

For food and hotels, it is among the most sophisticated destinations in China, with some of the country's most ambitious restaurants alongside the delicate, slightly sweet cooking of Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangnan region.

Spring, from late March to May, and autumn, from late September to November, are the most comfortable seasons. Early summer brings the plum rains, and July and August are hot and humid. Winters are cool and damp. Autumn is also the season for hairy crab, one of the great seasonal delicacies of the region.

The Shanghai Metro is one of the largest networks in the world and the easiest way to cross the city; taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used. Pudong International Airport is linked to the city by metro and by the Maglev train to Longyang Road, while Hongqiao Airport, next to the high-speed railway station, is closer to the centre.

The Bund and its surroundings remain the classic choice, with The Peninsula Shanghai at its northern end and Bulgari Hotel Shanghai just across Suzhou Creek. For an entirely different experience, Amanyangyun, in Minhang, is a retreat among ancient camphor trees and restored Ming and Qing dynasty houses.

Shanghai's dining scene is exceptionally broad. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet is one of the most original restaurants in the world, while Mr & Mrs Bund offers a more relaxed take on French cooking on the waterfront. Fu He Hui shows how refined Chinese vegetarian cuisine can be. For local flavours, look for xiaolongbao, shengjian bao and hongshao rou, red-braised pork.

Walk the Bund, ideally early in the morning, then cross to the former French Concession for its villas and plane trees. The Shanghai Museum, the Yu Garden and the river views from Lujiazui are essential, while the West Bund has become the city's art district, with institutions such as the Long Museum and the Yuz Museum. The water towns of the region, such as Zhujiajiao, make easy day trips.

The currency is the renminbi (yuan). Mobile payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate, and both can be linked to many international cards; carry some cash as a back-up. Many international websites and apps are restricted in mainland China, so prepare accordingly. Entry requirements vary by nationality, and visa-free arrangements have been extended to many countries in recent years; check the current rules before travel.