Hello, I’m Mike Wang, a China travel expert with over 20 years of experience. During these two decades, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. I also totally love checking out those popular local hotels and soaking up the young, lively vibe there! Next up, I’m gonna share Shanghai’s top 10 trending hotels that everyone’s been raving about—they’re perfect spots for your next check-in spree, so stay tuned!
Kimpton Shanghai Front
Location: Pudong, Qiantan area
Price Range: $200-350 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.7/5
Special Amenities: Rooftop bar, pet-friendly rooms
Instagram Features: This hotel’s rooftop bar has become famous for sunset photos with the Qiantan skyline. The indoor swimming pool with colorful lighting creates perfect underwater shots. Their signature pink-themed afternoon tea appears constantly on Chinese social media. The modern art installations throughout the hotel make great photo backgrounds. Perfect for trendy travelers wanting stylish content during their China trip.
The Puli Hotel and Spa
Location: Jing’an Temple area
Price Range: $400-600 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.8/5
Special Amenities: Infinity pool, garden courtyard
Instagram Features: The 25-meter infinity pool appears in countless lifestyle blogs because it seems to connect with Jing’an Park outside. The hotel’s minimalist design with dark wood and stone creates sophisticated photos. The courtyard tea house is particularly popular during golden hour. Known as the “urban oasis” hotel, it offers peaceful photos that contrast with the busy city outside during your China visit.
Shanghai Center J Hotel
Location: Pudong, Shanghai Tower
Price Range: $800-1,200 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.8/5
Special Amenities: Highest pool in world, sky-high lobby
Instagram Features: Being the world’s highest hotel guarantees amazing content. The glass-bottomed observation areas on high floors create thrilling photos. The lobby’s crystal cloud art installation appears in thousands of posts. Dining rooms with 360-degree city views make every meal photogenic. Essential for travelers wanting ultimate height and luxury photos during their China trip.
Amanyangyun Shanghai
Location: Minhang District
Price Range: $1,000-1,800 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.9/5
Special Amenities: Ancient forests, restored Ming houses
Instagram Features: The story of transplanting entire ancient forests and Ming dynasty houses makes compelling content. The contrast between 400-year-old wooden structures and modern luxury creates unique photos. The reflection pool with ancient camphor trees is probably Shanghai’s most photographed hotel feature. Perfect for creating cultural and nature-focused content during your China visit.
Alila Shanghai
Location: The Bund area
Price Range: $300-500 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.7/5
Special Amenities: Art deco design, Bund views
Instagram Features: The restored 1930s art deco building provides vintage Shanghai glamour photos. The geometric staircase has become famous on architecture blogs. Rooms combine historical details with modern design that photographs beautifully. The small outdoor terrace offers intimate Bund views perfect for romantic travel content during your China trip.
Bellagio Shanghai
Location: North Bund
Price Range: $350-550 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.8/5
Special Amenities: LED light displays, Italian gardens
Instagram Features: The hotel’s spectacular LED light facade creates dramatic night photos. The grand staircase with crystal chandeliers appears in fashion shoots constantly. The Italian-style gardens along the Bund provide European-style photo opportunities. The hotel’s dramatic lighting and grand spaces make every photo look luxurious during your China visit.
The St. Regis Shanghai
Location: The Bund
Price Range: $400-650 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.8/5
Special Amenities: Butlers, classic luxury
Instagram Features: The classic luxury and butler service create “old money” aesthetic content popular on social media. The afternoon tea in the lobby lounge features in lifestyle blogs regularly. The Art Deco details throughout the hotel photograph beautifully. The combination of historic elegance and modern service makes perfect luxury content during your China trip.
Shanghai Changxing Songpin Hotel
Location: Changxing Island
Price Range: $250-450 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.6/5
Special Amenities: Traditional architecture, garden setting
Instagram Features: This hotel’s traditional Chinese architecture in a garden setting creates cultural content that stands out. The water villages and pavilions offer authentic Chinese aesthetic photos. The hotel looks particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season. Great for travelers wanting traditional Chinese cultural content during their China visit.
The Sukhothai Shanghai
Location: Central Shanghai
Price Range: $250-400 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.7/5
Special Amenities: Green wall, modern design
Instagram Features: The hotel’s signature green wall covered in living plants appears constantly in design blogs. The minimalist rooms with custom furniture create clean, aesthetic photos. The bamboo courtyard provides peaceful natural backgrounds. Popular with design-conscious travelers wanting sophisticated urban content during their China trip.
The St. Regis Jing’an Shanghai
Location: Jing’an District
Price Range: $350-550 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.8/5
Special Amenities: Rooftop bar, luxury spa
Instagram Features: The rooftop bar offers spectacular views of Jing’an Temple and the downtown skyline. The dramatic lobby staircase appears in fashion photography frequently. The hotel’s modern interpretation of 1930s Shanghai style creates elegant photos. Perfect for luxury lifestyle content with urban views during your China visit.
This Instagram hotel guide will help you choose the most photogenic accommodations for your Shanghai trip in China. Each hotel offers unique photo opportunities and social media appeal for your travel content.
Mike Wang
Mike Wang is a 40-something Chinese travel expert, has explored the world,
hosting numerous foreign visitors. He’s deeply interested in and knowledgeable
about ancient cultural architectures, enriching journeys with his insights.