Best Shanghai Travel Guides of 2025

The Shortest History of China is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding China's past, present, and future. This book delivers a succinct yet captivating narrative of China's journey from its tribal origins to becoming a modern superpower. Linda Jaivin's masterful storytelling skills are on full display in this book, as she seamlessly weaves together political, social, and cultural events from each period. What makes this book unique is its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of China's history in one riveting read. Overall, The Shortest History of China is an informative, thought-provoking book that will leave readers well-informed and better prepared to make sense of the world that China is remaking.

The Easy Chinese Phrase Book by Lingo Mastery is a comprehensive guide to mastering everyday Chinese phrases. It covers over 1,500 common phrases with accurate English translations, a phonetics pronunciation guide, and a detailed introduction on how to pronounce vowels and consonants in Chinese. This book is perfect for language learners who want to communicate naturally with native Chinese speakers. It's unique in its focus on everyday phrases used in native surroundings, making it a valuable resource for anyone traveling or living in China.

This language instruction book titled "Conversational Chinese Dialogues: Over 100 Chinese Conversations and Short Stories" by Lingo Mastery is a valuable resource for beginners who are struggling to learn Chinese. The book contains over 100 short stories and conversations in Mandarin with English translations, making it easy for readers to learn how to speak Chinese in real-life situations. The Hanyu Pinyin romanization system also helps readers to accurately pronounce Chinese characters. This book is an excellent tool for anyone looking to learn Mandarin Chinese and expand their social circles.

The Rough Guide to Japan is a comprehensive travel guide that provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas. With extensive listings and maps, this guidebook is packed with information to help travellers make the most of their Tokyo 2020 Olympic adventure. Featuring honest recommendations by independent experts, the guide covers detailed regional coverage, meticulous mapping, fabulous full-colour photography, time-saving itineraries and travel tips and info. Overall, this guide is an essential pre-departure tool for anyone planning a trip to Japan.

Fodor's Essential China is a comprehensive travel guidebook that offers readers top recommendations on what to see, eat, and do in China. It comes with detailed maps and multiple itineraries to help travelers maximize their time. The guidebook also includes local insider advice, historical and cultural overviews, and practical tips on trip planning. The highlight of this new edition is its fully-redesigned layout and beautiful images that make travel planning more intuitive. Overall, Fodor's Essential China is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to China or looking to learn more about the country's rich history and culture.

Fodor's Shanghai 25 Best is a compact and affordable travel guidebook that offers highlights of major city destinations in Shanghai. With a sturdy, detailed street map, readers can easily navigate the city's top 25 sights and experiences, all divided by neighborhood. The guidebook provides discerning recommendations for sightseeing, eating, drinking, sleeping, and shopping, for every budget. It also includes practical tips and essential Chinese phrases to help travelers feel like a local. The book's full-color photos and full-size street maps cover the best Shanghai has to offer, making it an indispensable trip-planning tool for tourists. Overall, Fodor's Shanghai 25 Best is a must-have guidebook for anyone planning to visit Shanghai.

The Oriental Fairies Coloring Book is a delightful escape into a world of peace and tranquility, inspired by the cultures of Japan, China, and Korea. With 40 illustrations of beautifully designed fairies, this coloring book is an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce stress and anxiety while developing their creativity and artistic skills. This book is a thoughtful and unique gift for anyone who loves coloring, art, or fairies. Overall, the Oriental Fairies Coloring Book is a perfect choice for anyone looking to relax or add a beautiful addition to their coffee table.

The Shanghai Urban Sketching Artbook is a captivating collection of artwork by Evgeny Bondarenko. With 55 original black and white illustrations, the book showcases Bondarenko's talent in capturing the spirit of Shanghai's traditional Chinese culture and modern urban life. His illustrations are more than just travel notes, as they explore the human experience and incorporate elements of daily life into his works. Bondarenko's ability to organize seemingly chaotic scenes into harmonious compositions has been praised for its contemplative nature. This book is a must-have for art lovers and those interested in exploring the beauty of Shanghai.

This meticulously researched book, titled "Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze," offers a gripping account of one of the most significant battles of the 20th century. Author Peter Harmsen provides a vivid portrayal of the epic struggle between nearly a million Chinese and Japanese soldiers, which ultimately led to Pearl Harbor and shaped the course of world history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, particularly the early stages of World War II in Asia.

Lonely Planet Shanghai (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guidebook that provides up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await in the city. The book covers essential information such as hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices, and insider tips to save time and money. It also includes cultural insights that give readers a richer, more rewarding travel experience. The book's pull-out map and over 30 color maps make navigating the city easy. Overall, Lonely Planet Shanghai is the perfect choice for anyone looking to explore both top sights and take roads less traveled in Shanghai.