Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tickets Shanghai

The red route: People's Square, Nanjing Road, the Bund and Yuyuan Garden

The red city route is the classic Shanghai tour. It starts around People's Square and People's Park, the civic heart of the city, then follows Nanjing Road, China's most famous shopping street, to the Bund, the riverfront promenade lined with early 20th-century banks and hotels facing the skyline of Pudong. Further stops include Yuyuan Garden, a classical Ming-dynasty garden beside a lively old bazaar, and Xintiandi, a district of restored shikumen lanes now full of cafes and restaurants.

If you are asking how to get to the Bund or Yuyuan Garden, the red route is the simplest answer: hop off, explore and hop on the next bus, which comes about every 30 minutes during the day.

The blue route: Pudong and the skyline

The blue Pudong route crosses the Huangpu River to the modern financial district of Lujiazui. Stops include the Oriental Pearl Tower, with its distinctive pink spheres, and the World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower, two of the tallest buildings in the area. The route also stops at Cool Docks and Pier 16, from where river cruises depart; cruise tickets are not included.

Observation decks and cruise tickets are optional extras and are not part of this ticket, but the bus makes them easy to reach. Buses run in the daytime only, so for the evening skyline plan a walk along the Bund after your ride.

The green route: temples, museums and Jing'an

The green temple route links People's Square with Nanjing Road (New World City), the Shanghai Museum, Huaihai Road and Jing'an Temple on Nanjing West Road. The Shanghai Museum holds one of China's finest collections of bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy, while Jing'an Temple is a Buddhist temple set among skyscrapers, a contrast that sums up modern Shanghai.

This route suits shoppers and museum lovers. Huaihai Road has department stores and boutiques, and the Shanghai Museum is a rewarding half-day stop. Combine the green route with a lunch stop near Huaihai Road to make a relaxed half day.

How the ticket works: kiosks, times and the best time to ride

The ticket is valid for 24 hours from first use and covers unlimited rides on all three routes. You can board at any stop, but first exchange your voucher at a sales kiosk at People's Square, The Bund or Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Buses run about every 30 minutes during the day, roughly from 9:00 until late afternoon.

The best time to ride is on a clear morning, when the skyline is visible, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons in Shanghai. Commentary is available in English, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Korean. Optional attraction tickets, food and beverages are not included.