Originally Posted by
Billy Mumphrey
Thanks. Since you're familiar with PVG and Shanghai, what would you recommend with a layover between 5:15am and 2:30pm? Rent an hourly room at one of the hotels or go into Shanghai (at 7am with the Maglev?)?
I'd like to walk around a bit in the city, but resting in a hotel would be fine too if it's more practical given the early arrival time. I visited Shanghai with my wife 3 years ago, so a walk on the Bund would be more to stay awake and stretch my legs.
MU wouldn't give me a STPC hotel because my layover is less than 12 hours. I did get 2 food vouchers (each for 80 yuan) to spend in the terminal, and with the free car service from NYC to JFK I'm not complaining.
If you are feeling okay, I'd recommend against spending the entire layover in one of the airport hotels (they are very basic, though clean). That having been said, I wouldn't be eager to jump on the first Maglev either because a lot of places don't open until 8, 9, or 10.
Our one day in Shanghai thread might give you some ideas:
1 Day in Shanghai
Since you only have ~4 hours to work with, I grudgingly recommend that you stick to Lujiazui, and maybe pop over to the Bund. As you'll note from my posts in the above thread, I simply love the aquarium because they have fish that you can't see in US aquariums, and usually a pretty neat special exhibit (e.g. my favorite was one where they assembled a collection of fish that looked like various farm animals), but I realize that aquariums aren't for everyone. Also in Lujiazui, you can walk along Binjiang Park, which is opposite the Bund, and much less crowded, and a nice lunch. I wouldn't bother with the Pearl of the Orient because you can get better views elsewhere, and put the admission fee money saved towards a fancy cocktail. If you really want to see the Bund, I would do the public boat in one direction (leaves from the south end of Binjiang Park) and the sightseeing tunnel in the other (north end of Bund to Pearl of the Orient). This is overpriced, but very efficient.
Regarding other logistics, assuming you book an hour or two at one of the airport hotels, I suggest you leave your carry on at the luggage desk so you can do your excursion with nothing in tow. Line 2 can be extremely crowded, and walking around LJZ and the Bund is much more enjoyable without a bag. The Maglev is in the same structure between the terminals as the airport hotels.