Tampere to Shanghai Flights (TMP-PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) serves Shanghai from just outside of the city. Shanghai, the “Pearl of the Orient” and one of the most recognisable cities in the People’s Republic of China, is lovingly referred to as the “New York of Asia”. It is also one of the largest cities in the world in terms of population. In Shanghai, you can travel around by car on elevated roads and look out over a city that appears almost futuristic. Amid this sea of modernism, however, you can still find quiet parks where people enjoy a spot of tai chi in the morning, and busy yet quaint hutongs (narrow lanes or alleyways in a traditional residential area of a Chinese city).

SHANGHAI POINTS OF INTEREST

Just a couple of decades ago, a field covered the area in Pudong that now boasts a wealth of luxury hotels, banks and high-end shopping centres. Bund Boulevard, winding along the banks of the Huangpu River, is an excellent place to admire the neon-lit night-time skyline of Shanghai. The buildings along the boulevard date back to the British colonial era in the 1800s.

Bund Boulevard also features the highest quality restaurants of Shanghai; a city known for its excellent cuisine. You should also keep in mind the tea rooms and golden temples of the city. In fact, be sure to attend the China Shanghai International Tea Expo if you’re visiting in May.

When the weather is good, Jinshan City Beach is the place to go to play beach sports, while traditional Chinese style can be admired at the Yuyuan Garden. Shanghai’s shopping is among the best in the world, so be sure to bring along an extra suitcase!

SHANGHAI WITH CHILDREN

If you’re planning a family trip to Shanghai, you’ll find plenty of great things for people of all ages. Here are some ideas when you fly to Shanghai with children.

Shanghai Disneyland – A family favourite, you can enjoy various rides and attractions, snap photos with Disney characters and marvel at the parade and firework show.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium – Boasting the world’s longest underwater tunnel, this huge aquarium is home to many fascinating aquatic species from all over the planet.

3D Magic Fun House – Immerse yourself in art and get lots of great photos of your family in fun 3D scenes.

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND SHANGHAI

Hangzhou - A city in China that can be reached by bullet train. This historical province is mostly a farming community and has many natural attractions, including the World Heritage-listed West Lake.

Shanghai World Financial Center - This tower has the highest observation deck in the world. A glass elevator takes you to the top of the 100-floor structure and provides panoramic views of the city.

South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market - Some of the best tailors in the city have shopfronts here and will tailor-make garments in less than 24 hours.

Riverside Promenade - A riverside walkway along The Bund with views of the city’s skyline and architecture.

The Bund City Sculptures - Examples of classical, Gothic, Roman and Baroque-European architecture alongside the futuristic cityscape.

Suzhou - A major city in China that can be reached in a few hours. The city is built on canal lines and has lots of green outdoor spaces, temples and historical attractions.

Zhouzhuang - A quaint rural town in Jiangsu province. Zhouzhuang has an intricate canal system that runs through every part of the town.

FOOD AND DRINK IN SHANGHAI

Try these local dishes on your trip to Shanghai:

Seafood - Fresh seafood is a staple of the Chinese diet. You’ll find dishes such as steamed or buttered crab and smoked fish slices on most restaurant menus.

Poultry - Chicken and duck are the most popular meat choices. Chicken is slow cooked until the meat is tender enough to fall off the bone and is usually served in a sweet, sticky sauce. Duck is pan-fried or roasted on an open flame to make a crispy skin and then served in slices alongside rice, or shredded and served with pancakes.

Steamed buns - These snacks are made of dough that is stuffed with either a vegetarian filling or a pork or poultry filling. The bun is steamed in a bamboo steamer until very tender. The buns are either served alone or in a soup or broth. There are hundreds of varieties to try and these can often be picked up at markets or street vendors for an easy snack.

Desserts - Shanghai residents have more of a sweet tooth than those from the rest of China, so there are many more dessert options on menus. Options can range from fruit platters to sweetened, sticky rice or a sweet stuffed pastry.

Tea - Most restaurants will serve black tea free of charge when you sit down to meals. Tea is a cultural highlight of visiting China and you can get the best cup of tea when you attend an authentic tea ceremony.

GETTING AROUND SHANGHAI

Shanghai has the biggest transport hub in Eastern China so there are plenty of public transport options to navigate the city after your flight to Shanghai.

Bus - The system of buses in Shanghai is very extensive and includes nearly 1000 bus routes through the city. Lines 1-200 serve downtown Shanghai and are often best suited to travellers. Additional routes numbered 201-299 are used during rush hour to avoid overcrowding on buses. Special night lines numbered 301-399 offer transport around the city in the evenings and late into the night.

Metro - There are 15 metro lines in and around Shanghai, so often this is the most convenient way to travel within the city. There are stops at or in close proximity to every attraction and commercial area of Shanghai. Peak times are between 07:00-09:30 and 16:30-19:30. If you are travelling on the metro during these times, expect it to be very cramped and crowded and be prepared to push through the sea of people to get off at your stop.

Train – The Shanghai maglev train is a fast train that serves the airport. The journey takes just 8 minutes. The bullet train is a high-speed vehicle that operates from Shanghai to other provinces in China.

Ferry - Shuttle boats and ferries operate between Pudong New Area and the Puxi region.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SHANGHAI

The best time to visit Shanghai is generally said to be autumn, when temperatures are pleasant and the weather is moderate and fairly dry. Spring is also a popular time, with nice weather and widespread celebrations for Chinese New Year. Reserve your accommodation and plane tickets to Shanghai well ahead of time if you plan to experience the vibrant New Year festivities.

Summers are hot and humid, particularly in the months of July and August, and winters are cold and damp. You’ll still find plenty of tourists and business travellers flying to Shanghai, though; it’s a year-round destination.

The shoulder periods of late March and early November are often the best times to find great Shanghai flight deals. Visiting just outside of the peak season means that you can avoid the larger crowds, still enjoy nice weather and stand a better chance of finding cheap flights to Shanghai.

FLIGHTS TO SHANGHAI

Finnair has the shortest routes between Europe and Asia. Furthermore, most of our Shanghai flights use the A350 aircraft, with advanced technology, plenty of space and enhanced passenger comfort.

We operate direct flights to Shanghai from Helsinki, with a flight time of a little under 09h. UK to Shanghai flights with Finnair take around 12h, including the short transit time through Helsinki. Stopover times vary on all routes, but you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied while you wait and, conveniently, all transit services are in the same terminal building at Helsinki Airport. We have flights to Shanghai from many destinations worldwide, including Zurich, Warsaw, Munich and Stockholm, as well as from domestic airports in Finland such as Vaasa and Oulu.

Reserve your airline tickets to Shanghai for high standards of comfort and tasty in-flight dining, or upgrade to Nordic Business Class to take advantage of fully flat seats, priority boarding and check-in, an enhanced in-flight entertainment system and other features to make your journey even more comfortable.