Best Maps for Shanghai

by Christopher O’Keeffe, Managing Director of Mapworld

Shanghai is a river city, a port, a vast municipality and the principal gateway to the Yangtze River Delta. The right map depends on whether you want to walk the Bund and the former concession streets, understand the Metro, identify the correct airport or railway station, plan a trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou, choose a China wall map or see how the city appeared at an earlier moment. In this guide, I compare the most useful Shanghai street, transport, regional, wall and historical maps for Australian travellers, educators, businesses and collectors.

The first thing I look for in a Shanghai map is the river.

The Huangpu is not background decoration. It is the line that makes the central city legible. The historic Bund sits on its western bank. Lujiazui’s towers rise almost directly opposite on the eastern bank. Suzhou Creek reaches the Huangpu near the northern end of the Bund. From that simple framework, Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Yuyuan Garden, Xintiandi, Jing’an, Xuhui, Hongkou and the wider districts begin to settle into place.

That is what a good printed map gives us before a phone starts issuing instructions: a stable picture of how the city fits together.

Shanghai still needs more than one map. A street plan preserves distance, street grain, waterways and the shape of neighbourhoods. A Metro diagram makes a huge rail network readable by straightening it. An airport or station plan deals with platforms, levels, terminals and exits. A regional sheet connects Shanghai with Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and the rest of eastern China. A wall map gives a group the same overview. A historical sheet lets us compare today’s metropolis with the treaty-port, post-war or reform-era city represented by an earlier cartographer.

For most visitors, I would begin with four layers:

1. the China South East & Shanghai ITMB Map, whose two sides combine a 1:16,000 central Shanghai plan with a 1:2,500,000 map of south-east China;
2. the Shanghai municipal government’s current Metro guidance and network map;
3. the official map or directions for the exact airport, railway station, museum, garden or attraction being visited; and
4. a live local digital map for the last few hundred metres, current entrances and real-time routing.

If Shanghai is one stop in a larger Chinese journey, I would add the China Eastern Half ITMB Map, the waterproof China East National Geographic Folded Map or the national China ITMB Map. Our full Asia maps, guides and road atlases collection is the best place to compare those options.

For planning rooms, classrooms and homes, browse our Wall Maps of Countries and Regions. For cartography that shows a dated view of China and its coast, explore our Historical Wall Maps and Vintage National Geographic Maps.

The closest companion to this city guide is Best Maps for China, where I compare national, eastern, western, city and wall maps in much greater country-wide depth. Best Maps for Beijing is helpful if the classic Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai route is taking shape. Best Maps for Tokyo and Best Maps for Singapore develop the same paper-plus-live-information approach for two other large Asian cities.

For the wider thinking behind this guide, see GPS vs Paper Maps: Why Paper Maps Still Matter in a Digital World, How to Read a Map and How Maps Improve Spatial Thinking.

A Note on Shanghai, Live Information and Map Dates

Shanghai’s broad geography is wonderfully persistent. The Huangpu still divides Puxi from Pudong. The Bund still faces Lujiazui. People’s Square still anchors the central grid. The city’s waterways, historic street patterns and major corridors remain useful long after a printed sheet has gone to press.

Operational details change much faster.

Metro extensions open. Stations can be renamed. First and last train times vary. A railway service may depart from Shanghai Hongqiao rather than Shanghai Railway Station. An airline may use Pudong rather than Hongqiao. An attraction can introduce a timed booking system, move an entrance or close a gate. Construction can alter the final walk from a station. Even a current app may show a point in the middle of a large block when the public entrance is on another street.

That is why I make a firm distinction between orientation and operation.

Use a printed map for:

• the stable street framework;
• the relationship between Puxi, Pudong, the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek;
• comparing districts and grouping sightseeing days;
• understanding the scale of the municipality;
• seeing where Shanghai sits in the Yangtze River Delta and eastern China;
• collaborative planning around a table or wall; and
• a dependable overview that does not depend on a battery or data connection.

Use current official or live information for:

• Metro lines, station names, interchanges, exits, service times and disruptions;
• airport terminal, airline, flight and ground-transport details;
• railway station, train, ticket and identity-document requirements;
• ferry piers, sailing times and route changes;
• museum, garden, tower, event and attraction entrances;
• accessibility, lifts, step-free routes and assistance;
• traffic, road works, pedestrian diversions and temporary controls;
• weather, flood, typhoon and air-quality information;
• visas, entry rules, registration and local laws; and
• any app, payment or internet-service requirement that may have changed.

The Shanghai municipal government’s Travel in Shanghai portal is a useful current starting point. Its Transportation section brings together Metro, bus, taxi, ferry, airport and driving guidance. The city has also published information about the English version of Amap, which is designed to offer English labels and locally relevant route information for international visitors.

Before relying on any phone service, install and test it, download what can be used offline, and save your accommodation and essential destinations in both English and the Chinese characters supplied by the hotel or venue. I would also keep a simple written record of the address, nearest Metro station and preferred exit. That small bit of preparation is more useful than assuming one app will behave exactly as it does in Australia.

For national rail, use the official China Railway 12306 English website. Shanghai’s municipal guide to buying train tickets explicitly identifies 12306 as the official China Railway Customer Service Centre website. Match the complete station name on the booking rather than routing to a generic “Shanghai station”.

For air travel, use the official Shanghai airport website and the municipal guide to transportation at Shanghai airports. Shanghai has two principal airports: Pudong International Airport, coded PVG, and Hongqiao International Airport, coded SHA. They are in different parts of the municipality. The Airport Link Line, which began operating in December 2024, connects the two airport hubs, but current service times and the traveller’s terminal still need checking.

Australian travellers should review Smartraveller’s China advice. When I checked it on 6 September 2026, the Australian Government advised travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in China overall, with higher advice levels applying in some areas. Advice and entry conditions can change, so the live page—not a sentence preserved in this article—should guide the final decision.

Product specifications below follow our catalogue as checked on 6 September 2026. Prices are omitted because they change. Availability, supplied editions, finishes, dimensions and production times can also change; confirm the product page before ordering.

The Best Maps for Shanghai: Quick Recommendations

My Short Answer: Which Shanghai Map Should You Buy?

If you want one physical map for a first Shanghai visit, I would choose the China South East & Shanghai ITMB Map.

The Shanghai side is at 1:16,000, which means 1 centimetre on the sheet represents 160 metres on the ground. That is a generous city scale. It gives central streets enough room to breathe and makes it much easier to see the relationship between the Bund, Old Town, Nanjing Road, the main railway station, Xuhui and the central Pudong connections than on a small national inset.

The sheet also marks subway lines, ferry routes, visitor landmarks, hotels, key intersections and an inset of the Maglev route towards Pudong International Airport. I would treat the transport content as orientation and check every operational detail against a current source, but the street and river geometry remain the heart of its value.

Turn the sheet over and the scale changes to 1:2,500,000—1 centimetre represents 25 kilometres. The regional side reaches from Beijing to Hong Kong and west to Xi’an. It includes Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, along with principal expressways and high-speed railway corridors. That makes the map unusually useful for travellers whose “Shanghai trip” is really a Shanghai-and-eastern-China journey.

The complete sheet measures approximately 690 × 990 mm. We sell it folded, and we can also flatten and encapsulate it in 80-micron gloss laminate. Lamination makes sense for repeated planning, teaching or office use; light fold lines may remain because the map begins life as a folded sheet.

What I like most is the change of scale. One side answers, “How does central Shanghai fit around the Huangpu?” The other answers, “How does Shanghai fit into the eastern seaboard?” That is a much more useful pairing than a city plan with an unrelated reverse.

I would not ask this one sheet to do everything. Add the current official Metro map, a tested live local map and the official plan for any complicated terminal or large attraction.

Choose the China Eastern Half ITMB Map as an additional regional sheet when Shanghai is part of a journey spread across eastern China and you want a broad 1:3,000,000 overview with several city insets. Choose the China East National Geographic Map when waterproof synthetic material, shaded relief and National Geographic’s adventure-map style are priorities. Choose the China ITMB Map when a single whole-country sheet matters more than extra eastern detail.

For a wall, the China South East Map from The Times is the most directly useful Shanghai regional option. It gives the lower Yangtze and south-east coast enough space for group planning. For a large national display, move to the China National Geographic 1470 × 1170 mm Wall Map.

For historical display, I would start with the People’s Republic of China, 1980 because it has a direct editorial connection with Shanghai through the accompanying National Geographic feature. For a longer timeline, place it beside the 1912, 1945, 1953 coastal, 1964 and 1991 sheets. The publication year should always remain visible.

How Shanghai’s Map Layers Fit Together

1. Begin with the Huangpu River

Shanghai’s central geography makes much more sense once the Huangpu is treated as the first line on the page.

The Bund belongs to the western bank, within Puxi. Lujiazui belongs to the eastern bank, within Pudong. The two skylines appear almost face to face, yet movement between them is channelled through Metro tunnels, road tunnels, bridges and ferries. A map that shows only attractions as a list misses the city’s most important relationship.

I would learn four river anchors before anything else:

• the Bund on the west bank;
• Lujiazui on the east bank;
• Suzhou Creek meeting the Huangpu near the north Bund area; and
• the Old Town and Yuyuan Garden south-west of the central Bund.

Once those are secure, People’s Square and Nanjing Road sit naturally to the west, while the towers and riverside spaces of central Pudong sit to the east. The map becomes a city rather than a collection of pins.

2. Read Puxi and Pudong as Different Map Fields

Puxi literally means west of the Huangpu; Pudong means east of it. The terms are spatially useful, but neither describes one uniform neighbourhood.

Central Puxi contains the Bund, People’s Square, Nanjing Road, Old Town, Jing’an, much of Xuhui and many historic residential areas. Pudong New Area extends far beyond the Lujiazui skyline towards major residential districts, industrial and port landscapes, Shanghai Disney Resort and Pudong International Airport.

A central visitor map can make Lujiazui appear to represent all of Pudong. A municipality map corrects that impression. The same applies in reverse: Puxi is not simply “the old side”. It contains modern business districts, major stations, contemporary cultural venues and extensive suburbs.

Use the river to establish the halves, then use district names and Metro corridors to refine them.

3. Put the Street Map Beside the Metro Diagram

A Metro diagram is designed for connections, not for measuring the surface city. It simplifies curves, enlarges the central network and spaces stations so names remain readable. A street map preserves actual direction, block size, waterways, parks and the location of stations in the urban fabric.

I use them side by side:

• the current Metro diagram chooses the line and interchange;
• the street map shows whether the destination is north, south, east or west of the station;
• the station or venue instructions identify the right exit; and
• the live map confirms the final walk.

That sequence is especially helpful around very large roads, shopping complexes, railway hubs and riverside areas. A station dot can be close to a destination in diagram space while the correct street exit is several minutes away.

4. Treat the Station Exit as Part of the Route

In a network this large, reaching the correct station is only the first half of the job. Exits may emerge on different sides of a wide road, inside a shopping complex, beside an elevated walkway or at opposite ends of a long concourse.

Before leaving the hotel, save:

• the station name;
• the line number or colour;
• the exit identifier;
• the destination address in Chinese characters;
• a screenshot or offline view of the final approach; and
• a clear landmark near the entrance.

At the station, follow current signs rather than an old printed exit number. Once outside, stop for a moment and orient the street map. That small pause prevents the most common kind of big-city detour: walking quickly in the wrong direction because everyone else is moving confidently.

5. Keep PVG and SHA Distinct

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is PVG. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is SHA. The codes are short; the ground journeys are not interchangeable.

Pudong lies well east of central Shanghai. Hongqiao lies to the west and forms part of a major transport hub with Hongqiao Railway Station. Both connect with urban rail, and the Airport Link Line now connects the airport hubs, but line, terminal and service information should be checked for the actual travel time.

I would circle the airport code on the itinerary and repeat it beside the accommodation address. Then I would use a municipality-scale map to understand the direction of travel and the official airport information for the terminal itself. A central street map is not designed to navigate an airport building.

6. Use the Full Railway-station Name

Shanghai has several significant passenger railway stations. The municipal government’s guide to railway stations distinguishes major hubs including Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Station, Shanghai South and Shanghai Songjiang, as well as smaller stations.

The words after “Shanghai” matter.

Hongqiao is a vast western hub tied to the airport and Metro Lines 2, 10 and 17. Shanghai Railway Station is much closer to the central city. Shanghai South and Shanghai Songjiang serve different corridors and districts. A booking on 12306 names the station; the physical map shows what that choice means for the rest of the day.

Copy the full bilingual station name from the ticket. Check the departure station again before booking accommodation or arranging a meeting. On travel day, allow time for the station’s security and identity processes as well as the train itself.

7. Understand the Former French Concession as Historical Shorthand

Visitors often use “the former French Concession” to describe a broad area of tree-lined streets, lane houses, villas, cafés and historic architecture in parts of today’s Huangpu, Xuhui and neighbouring districts. It is useful cultural shorthand, but it is not a single present-day administrative district with one precise visitor boundary.

For practical routing, save the exact street, building, Metro station and district. For historical interpretation, compare period maps with today’s roads and protected heritage zones. The official page for the Hengshan Road–Fuxing Road Historical and Cultural Block is a better contemporary geographic anchor than an unbounded label.

This is also where map reading becomes genuinely enjoyable. Former road names, concession boundaries and today’s districts reveal different stories. Keep the date of each map attached and resist folding several decades into one romantic “old Shanghai”.

8. Distinguish the Central City from Shanghai Municipality

Shanghai is one of China’s province-level municipalities. Its administrative extent includes far more than the visitor core: outer districts, satellite centres, farmland, waterways, coast, industrial areas, islands and ancient water towns.

Central maps are excellent for the Bund, Old Town, Jing’an and Xuhui. They cannot explain the full distance to Pudong Airport, Shanghai Disney Resort, Lingang, Chongming Island or Zhujiajiao. A municipality or regional map supplies that missing scale.

Zhujiajiao is a good example. The official visitor material places the ancient town in Qingpu, about 40 kilometres from central Shanghai. It is still “in Shanghai”, but it belongs to a different kind of day from a walk between the Bund and People’s Square. The map should make that visible before an itinerary is packed too tightly.

9. Move Outward to the Yangtze River Delta

Shanghai is not only a destination; it is a regional hinge.

Suzhou lies to the west in Jiangsu. Hangzhou lies to the south-west in Zhejiang. Nanjing sits farther up the Yangtze corridor. Water towns, lakes, ports, industrial cities and high-speed railway lines form a dense network around the municipality.

A central Shanghai map cannot show why one excursion is a short regional rail trip and another requires a more involved transfer. This is where the regional reverse of the Shanghai ITMB sheet becomes valuable. It places the city inside the broader eastern corridor and encourages planning by direction and station rather than by a random list of day-trip names.

Use the paper map to choose the regional shape of the trip. Use 12306 for the actual train, date, departure station and ticket.

10. Add the Publication Year to Every Historical Map

Historical Shanghai is not one fixed scene. A 1912 map, a 1945 map, a 1953 coastal map, a 1964 national map, a 1980 reform-era map and a 1991 thematic sheet represent different political, linguistic, economic and cartographic moments.

Names change. Boundaries change. Transport networks grow. Port functions move. The city expands into Pudong. The balance between river, rail, industry and urban development changes dramatically.

The year is therefore part of the map’s meaning. If a historical sheet is framed, keep the title and date visible. If it is used in a classroom, pair it with a current map at a comparable scale. If it is used as décor, let its dated viewpoint be part of the conversation rather than presenting it as timeless geography.

Understanding Shanghai Map Scale

Scale tells us how much the real world has been reduced. A map at 1:16,000 shows a smaller area in far greater detail than one at 1:3,000,000. The terminology can sound counter-intuitive: 1:16,000 is called a larger scale because the representative fraction is larger.

Scale is not a quality ranking. The best scale is the one matched to the question.

For walking from the Bund towards Yuyuan Garden, 1:16,000 is useful. For comparing Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing, 1:16,000 is far too detailed and geographically narrow. For understanding the Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai route, 1:3,800,000 is sensible. For choosing a Metro exit, none of these scales is enough: use the current station information and a live local map.

I also look at the physical size of the sheet. A 690 × 990 mm map provides considerably more reading area than a pocket leaflet. That helps with overview, but it also affects how the map is handled. A folded copy suits luggage and table planning. A laminated copy suits repeated use on a wall or desk. A very large wall map needs a measured viewing distance and enough clear wall space around it.

1. China South East & Shanghai ITMB Map

Best Overall Physical Map for Shanghai

The China South East & Shanghai ITMB Map is the strongest all-round printed recommendation in this guide because it joins a genuine city scale to a useful regional scale.

The map is double-sided and measures approximately 690 × 990 mm unfolded.

The Shanghai side is 1:16,000 and covers central Shanghai from the main railway-station area towards Xuhui, with the Bund, Old Town, Nanjing Road and central Pudong connections clearly part of the map’s visitor field. Our catalogue lists ferry routes, subway lines, tourist landmarks, selected hotels, major intersections and an inset showing the Maglev connection towards Pudong International Airport.

The regional side is 1:2,500,000. It extends from Beijing in the north to Hong Kong in the south and westward to Xi’an. It includes Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other major centres, together with principal motorway and high-speed rail corridors.

That is a lot of geography on one sheet, but the two sides do not compete. They are meant for different moments.

Use the Shanghai side when:

• dividing the city into sensible sightseeing areas;
• seeing the river before plotting individual attractions;
• comparing the Bund, Old Town, People’s Square and central Pudong;
• orienting a hotel against major streets and Metro corridors;
• planning a walking day in the central city;
• deciding which destinations belong together; and
• keeping a physical overview at a meeting or family planning session.

Use the regional side when:

• comparing Suzhou and Hangzhou excursions;
• placing Shanghai within the lower Yangtze region;
• continuing to Nanjing, Beijing, Xi’an, Guangzhou or Hong Kong;
• explaining a multi-city business itinerary;
• following the broad shape of rail and road corridors; and
• connecting the city visit with eastern China as a whole.

What I would check live

The map’s published transport symbols are useful orientation, not a promise that every line, station name, ferry, Maglev service or airport connection is unchanged. Shanghai’s network evolves. Use the official Metro guidance, airport transport page, railway-station guide and the relevant operator for the operative journey.

The central plan also does not attempt to cover the full municipality at walking detail. Pudong Airport, outer districts, water towns and remote municipal areas belong on a wider map. That is not a shortcoming; it is what allows the central side to remain readable at 1:16,000.

Folded or laminated?

Choose the folded copy for travel. It packs easily and gives you both city and regional coverage without carrying a book.

Choose our laminated version for a classroom, office, regular planning table or long-term itinerary board. We flatten the folded sheet and encapsulate it in 80-micron gloss laminate. Suitable whiteboard markers can be used and wiped away, and removable map dots can mark hotels, meetings or places visited. Because the source map is supplied folded, subtle fold lines can remain visible after lamination.

My verdict

If I could put only one physical Shanghai map into a traveller’s hand, this would be it. The 1:16,000 side builds a real mental model of central Shanghai; the reverse keeps the city connected to the journey around it. Pair it with live Metro and terminal information and it becomes the stable centre of a very capable map kit.

2. Shanghai’s Official Visitor and English Digital Maps

Best Current Cross-check for Places, Events and Last-mile Routing

The most useful current visitor layer is not one static downloadable sheet. It is the set of municipal travel resources gathered under Travel in Shanghai, supported by the city’s Transportation portal and the official tourism site Meet in Shanghai.

These sources add the detail a printed map cannot preserve indefinitely:

• current attractions and exhibitions;
• official city-walk ideas;
• heritage-zone information;
• opening and booking guidance;
• transport updates;
• neighbourhood itineraries;
• seasonal events; and
• links to official venue information.

I particularly like the official City Walk section as a companion to the physical street plan. A suggested walk becomes much more meaningful when traced on the 1:16,000 map first. You see its direction, distance, relationship to the river and nearby alternatives rather than following it as a disconnected sequence of stops.

For live digital navigation, the municipal government has promoted the English version of Amap. The city says it offers English labels for important locations and functions intended for international visitors. Because apps and supported features change, check the current version available to your device and test address searches before the travel day.

A practical way to combine them

1. Find the neighbourhood or official route in the visitor portal.
2. Trace it on the physical Shanghai map.
3. Save the exact venue name and Chinese address.
4. Check the current Metro journey.
5. Save the station exit and final walk in a live local map.
6. Recheck opening and booking details with the venue.

That workflow feels natural after the first day. The printed map answers “What kind of day am I building?” The live sources answer “What is open, and how do I reach the right door now?”

3. Shanghai Metro Map

Best Current Public-transport Layer

Shanghai’s Metro network is too large and too changeable to freeze into a permanent recommendation by line count. I would begin with the municipal government’s How to Take Metro in Shanghai, which presents the current network map sourced from Shanghai Metro. Use current station signage and service notices on the day.

The diagram is excellent for:

• identifying lines and endpoints;
• spotting interchange stations;
• following the network between Puxi and Pudong;
• seeing the connections to the airports and railway stations;
• building a rough sequence of journeys; and
• communicating a route quickly within a group.

It is not designed to show:

• the true bend of the Huangpu River;
• exact surface distance between two stations;
• the size of a park, compound or superblock;
• which station entrance is closest to a destination;
• how a road crossing works at street level; or
• the full walking character of a neighbourhood.

That is why I resist the temptation to call the Metro diagram “the Shanghai map”. It is one of Shanghai’s essential maps, but it describes the transport network rather than the complete city.

Build a route in two passes

On the first pass, use the Metro map to choose the line, direction and interchange. Write down the destination station in English and Chinese if available.

On the second pass, put the station back onto the street map. Check the river bank, road side, exit, block and final entrance. If the destination is a timed meeting, a large museum or a transport terminal, add the official site plan as a third layer.

This two-pass method is simple and reliable. It also teaches the city. After a few trips, People’s Square, Century Avenue, Jing’an Temple, Xujiahui, Lujiazui, Hongqiao and other major interchanges start to function as mental anchors rather than isolated station names.

4. Airport, Railway-station and Ferry Maps

Best Maps for Arrivals, Departures and River Crossings

Transport hubs deserve their own maps because they are three-dimensional places. A central street sheet can show where a terminal sits in the municipality. It cannot show the correct floor, security entry, check-in area, platform or arrival gate.

Pudong International Airport — PVG

Pudong is the major international airport east of central Shanghai. Start with the airport code PVG, confirm the airline and terminal, then compare the available city connections on the current Shanghai airport transport page.

The printed ITMB map includes the Maglev corridor as useful orientation. The current choice between Maglev, Metro, Airport Link, taxi, private transfer or another service depends on arrival time, luggage, destination, interchange tolerance and service status. Verify those details live.

Hongqiao International Airport — SHA

Hongqiao, coded SHA, is west of the centre and closely associated with Hongqiao Railway Station. The airport and station are neighbours, but they are not the same building or one generic stop. Use the exact terminal and transport connection shown by the airline and official site.

Hongqiao can be very convenient for the western side of Shanghai and for onward rail, yet the size of the hub demands time. A map of the municipality explains where you are going; the current terminal and station signs carry you through the complex.

The Airport Link Line

Shanghai’s Airport Link Line connects the two airport hubs and provides a major cross-city transport layer. The municipal guide lists seven stations for the initial phase and describes an airport-to-airport journey of around 40 minutes. Treat that as published guidance, then check the current timetable, station access and the complete door-to-door transfer for your date.

Railway stations

The official railway-station guide is the best overview of which terminal is which. The 12306 English website is the operative source for the booked train.

My checklist is short:

1. copy the complete departure-station name from the ticket;
2. save it in Chinese characters;
3. match it to the physical map;
4. choose the current Metro or road route;
5. allow for the station’s entry, security and waiting layout; and
6. confirm the train and gate again at the station.

Ferries across the Huangpu

The Huangpu ferries are both transport and one of the loveliest ways to understand the city. The municipal guide to exploring Shanghai by boat describes the current network, pier pairs and selected sightseeing-friendly routes.

On the printed street map, first identify the two banks and the approximate ferry corridor. Then use the current guide to confirm the correct pier and operating hours. A route is only useful when both ends are right. The ferry also gives the map a memorable physical reference: after crossing the Huangpu at water level, Puxi and Pudong are much harder to confuse.

My verdict

Keep a separate saved map or screenshot for every airport and railway departure. Keep the city map for context. For ferries, use the printed river geography and the current official timetable together. Those are different tools, and each becomes clearer when it is allowed to do its own job.

5. China Eastern Half ITMB and China East National Geographic

Best Regional Maps for Shanghai and Eastern China

Once a journey extends beyond Shanghai, I usually recommend adding one regional map. The choice here is between the transport-led China Eastern Half ITMB Map and the more physical, waterproof China East National Geographic Folded Map.

Neither replaces the detailed Shanghai side of the city-and-region ITMB sheet. These are broader maps for understanding the eastern half of China.

China Eastern Half ITMB

The ITMB sheet is double-sided, measures approximately 690 × 1000 mm unfolded and is mapped at 1:3,000,000. One centimetre represents 30 kilometres.

Our catalogue describes coverage across China’s eastern half, including the dense coastal corridor and inland regions such as Sichuan and Yunnan. It marks political boundaries, cities, towns, railways, airports, highways, rivers, mountains, parks and visitor landmarks. It also includes inset plans of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

I would choose it when:

• Shanghai is part of a longer eastern-China route;
• road and rail corridors are the main planning interest;
• the traveller wants city insets as quick orientation panels;
• a paper sheet is preferred to synthetic material;
• optional lamination will be useful on a planning wall; or
• several people need to discuss a multi-city itinerary at once.

The Shanghai inset is an overview, not a substitute for the 1:16,000 city plan. Its role is to show how the city relates to the regional sheet.

China East National Geographic Folded Map

The National Geographic Adventure Map is 1:2,950,000, measures about 965 × 660 mm unfolded and folds to roughly 235 × 108 mm. It is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic material.

One side reaches from China’s north-eastern borders through Beijing and the North China Plain towards Nanjing. The other carries the eastern and southern coverage through Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau and Hong Kong, as well as important inland areas.

Its cartographic character is different from ITMB. Shaded relief, mountains, rivers, protected areas and visitor sites play a stronger visual role. It also shows major roads, railways, ports and airports. I would choose it when:

• durability in luggage matters;
• the itinerary mixes cities with landscapes and heritage areas;
• physical geography is as important as transport;
• a compact folded synthetic sheet is preferred; or
• the traveller is continuing well beyond the Yangtze Delta.

Which one would I buy?

For a rail-heavy eastern-city itinerary, I lean towards China Eastern Half ITMB. For a durable sheet with stronger physical geography, I lean towards China East National Geographic.

If the journey is centred on Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou and nearby cities, the regional reverse of the China South East & Shanghai ITMB may already be enough. Add another regional sheet only when its coverage, material or cartographic emphasis genuinely earns space in the bag.

Shanghai becomes an even better regional base when Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and the wider Yangtze Delta can be seen on one sheet. 

6. China ITMB Map

Best Whole-country Companion to a Shanghai Map

The China ITMB Map is the strongest single national travel overview in our range. It is mapped at 1:3,800,000, measures approximately 690 × 1000 mm and is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic material.

The map includes major roads and expressways, high-speed rail corridors, provinces, cities, mountain ranges, rivers and lakes. The reverse includes separate insets for Shanghai and Beijing.

At this scale, one centimetre represents 38 kilometres. That is far too broad for street navigation, but it is exactly why the sheet is useful for questions such as:

• How far is Shanghai from Beijing, Xi’an or Guangzhou?
• Which part of China does the Yangtze Delta occupy?
• How does the coastal concentration compare with the western interior?
• Which major railway corridor connects the cities in our itinerary?
• What terrain and river systems sit between the stages of the trip?
• Are we planning one compact region or crossing a continent-sized country?

I would carry the China ITMB with the Shanghai ITMB when the itinerary crosses several major regions. The national sheet stays folded until a planning session or long train journey. The Shanghai sheet does the daily city work.

The map’s waterproof material is helpful, but the live-information rule still applies. A printed line can explain the broad rail corridor; 12306 defines the train that is actually bookable. A road can explain regional structure; current local rules, licence requirements, restrictions and traffic determine whether driving is appropriate.

For a fuller comparison of national and regional sheets, read Best Maps for China.

7. China South East Wall Map from The Times

Best Shanghai-centred Regional Wall Map

The China South East Wall Map from The Times is the wall map I would examine first when Shanghai and the south-east coast need more emphasis than the rest of China.

It measures approximately 675 × 924 mm and is derived from the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World. The map brings together political boundaries, cities, transport, rivers, relief and coastal geography. Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Taiwan and surrounding provinces are prominent within the coverage.

This is a reference wall map, not a street map. Shanghai appears as the leading city in a regional system. That makes it well suited to:

• an office working across eastern and southern China;
• a classroom examining urbanisation and coastal geography;
• a travel agency planning multi-city routes;
• a logistics or trade discussion that needs shared context;
• a home study focused on East Asia; or
• a large itinerary board for an extended journey.

At wall distance, the map makes the coast, provinces, large river systems and city network easy to discuss. Up close, it rewards study of secondary cities and transport corridors. It cannot show the Bund or a Metro exit, and it should not be judged by that standard.

We offer this map in paper, laminated and canvas formats, with timber hang rails available on selected finishes. I would choose laminated for an active planning wall and paper or canvas for display.

8. China Coast — Atlas of the World

Best Coastal Geography Wall Map

The China Coast Atlas of the World Wall Map is a modern National Geographic political-and-physical map derived from the 11th edition of the Atlas of the World.

It is available in a standard format of approximately 610 × 790 mm and a 915 × 1197 mm Supermap. The catalogue dates the cartography to 2019 and lists a Lambert conformal conic projection.

The coastal emphasis is particularly apt for Shanghai. The city’s significance is inseparable from the lower Yangtze, the East China Sea, port geography and the chain of major coastal urban regions. The map includes political geography, cities, transport corridors, terrain, rivers, islands, ocean depths and coastal features.

Choose it when the wall needs to explain:

• Shanghai as a port and coastal metropolis;
• the connection between the lower Yangtze and the sea;
• China’s east coast as a continuous geographic system;
• the relationship between cities, river basins and coastal waters; or
• a broader East Asian maritime setting.

The standard size suits a study, smaller office or classroom display. The Supermap has more room presence and is easier for a group to read from a distance. Measure the wall and likely viewing distance before choosing. Our guides How to Choose a Wall Map and What Size Wall Map Do I Need? explain that decision in more detail.

9. Current China Wall Maps

Best National Maps for Planning, Education and Display

A China wall map serves a different purpose from a Shanghai map. It keeps the city in national context every day, without asking anyone to open an app or unfold a sheet. That constant visibility is useful in classrooms, offices and homes because it invites unplanned comparison.

China National Geographic 770 × 600 mm

The China National Geographic 770 × 600 mm Wall Map is the most manageable current national display in this guide. The catalogue dates it to 2022.

It combines political boundaries, thousands of place names, transport networks, shaded relief, rivers, deserts, surrounding seas and neighbouring regions. Shanghai is visible as one major city within a country whose scale becomes immediately apparent.

I recommend it for:

• a home office or study with limited wall space;
• a school classroom where national context matters;
• a business with China-wide rather than Shanghai-only interests;
• a traveller building a multi-region itinerary; or
• anyone wanting an informative map that still reads comfortably as wall art.

China National Geographic 1470 × 1170 mm

The large China National Geographic Wall Map uses the classic National Geographic style at a far more substantial 1470 × 1170 mm.

This is the version for a boardroom, lecture space, library or generous feature wall. The greater printed area gives place names, terrain and transport more breathing room. It also allows several people to stand around the map and discuss a journey without crowding one another.

The large size is a benefit only if the room supports it. Measure the clear wall width and height, allow space for furniture and rails or framing, and consider where viewers will stand. A highly detailed map placed above a deep desk may be hard to read even when it fits mathematically.

China Executive National Geographic

The China Executive Antique Style National Geographic Wall Map is for a warmer decorative palette. It measures approximately 770 × 600 mm and includes current-style national reference content in tan and earth tones.

The word “antique” describes the design treatment. It does not make the map a historical document. I make that distinction whenever someone wants an old-looking map: choose Executive for atmosphere and contemporary geographic reference; choose a dated 1912, 1945, 1953, 1964, 1980 or 1991 sheet to study how geography was represented at that time.

My wall-map verdict

Choose the China South East Times map when Shanghai’s regional setting is central. Choose China Coast when port and maritime geography matter. Choose the 770 × 600 mm National Geographic map for a compact national view. Choose the 1470 × 1170 mm version when a room-scale reference is the goal. Choose Executive when the décor calls for warmth but the content should remain modern.

10. Historical Maps of Shanghai and China

Best Maps for Seeing the City Change Through Time

Shanghai’s twentieth-century transformation is so substantial that historical maps should be read as a sequence, not as one nostalgic image.

A national historical map will not necessarily contain a detailed Shanghai street plan. Its value is different. It shows the city’s name, national position, river and coastal relationships, contemporary boundaries, transport networks and the cartographic language of its date. The strongest historical reading comes from placing such a sheet beside a current map and asking what changed around Shanghai—and what the older publisher chose to emphasise.

China and Its Territories, 1912

The China and Its Territories Wall Map, 1912 was published in October of the year in which the Qing dynasty ended and the Republic of China emerged. It is mapped at 1:10,000,000 and measures approximately 577 × 436 mm.

At this broad scale, the sheet is a national and territorial reference rather than a close Shanghai map. Look for period place names, provincial relationships, rivers, coast and the city’s position near the lower Yangtze. Its compact dimensions also make it a practical first piece in a chronological grouping.

China, 1945

The China Wall Map published in 1945 measures approximately 932 × 668 mm and is mapped at 1:7,000,000.

It presents period boundaries, cities, towns, transport, relief, rivers and coasts at the close of the Second World War. For a Shanghai-focused reader, the value lies in the city’s wartime-era national setting and in comparing the transport and place-name density with earlier and later sheets.

China Coast and Korea, 1953

The China Coast and Korea Map, 1953 is the most directly coastal historical choice in this group. It is 1:3,500,000 and measures approximately 659 × 1074 mm.

Published shortly after the Korean War armistice, it focuses on the Chinese coast and Korean Peninsula, including cities and ports, islands, shorelines, principal transport, relief and hydrography. The long portrait format and stronger scale give the coast more room than a broad national sheet. It is particularly good for studying Shanghai as one port within a larger maritime region.

China, 1964

The China Map published in 1964 is 1:6,652,800 and measures approximately 480 × 630 mm. It records cities, transport, relief, rivers, coasts and period administrative boundaries at a Cold War moment.

Placed beside the 1945 and 1980 sheets, it helps create a measured mid-century sequence. The purpose is not to treat every printed boundary as a present-day claim; it is to examine what the map represented in 1964.

People’s Republic of China, 1980

The People’s Republic of China Map, 1980 has the strongest explicit Shanghai connection in our historical group. National Geographic published it with the companion Peoples of China map and the feature “Shanghai: Born-again Giant”.

The sheet measures approximately 950 × 771 mm and presents provinces, important cities, administrative geography and infrastructure during the early reform era. Shanghai appears at a point before Pudong’s later skyline and development came to define the contemporary image of the city.

For a richer paired display, add the Peoples of China Map, 1980. One sheet emphasises political geography and infrastructure; the other considers cultural, linguistic and ethnic themes. Together they show that a country cannot be explained by boundaries alone.

China and China History, 1991

The China Wall Map published in 1991 provides the political and physical counterpart to China History, 1991.

The History sheet measures approximately 557 × 731 mm and combines two large thematic maps—population density, and industry and agriculture—with six smaller historical maps. For Shanghai, the population and industrial themes are particularly revealing when compared with the lower Yangtze corridor and the modern city.

This pair suits classrooms and studies where the purpose is inquiry rather than decoration alone. Put a contemporary China map beside them and ask how the eastern urban network has changed since publication.

How I read historical Shanghai maps

Keep the date in the title

Write “China, 1945”, not simply “old China map”. A year immediately tells the reader which political and cartographic moment is being examined.

Separate former names from current routing

Historical Shanghai maps may use older English spellings or former road names. Those are valuable evidence, but the present-day destination should be checked against a current bilingual source.

Distinguish reproduction from original artefact

Our products are high-quality reproductions printed for modern display. The historical image originates in an earlier publication; the physical print itself is newly produced. That distinction matters to collectors and should be stated clearly.

Separate antique colour from historical content

The Executive map has an antique-toned style but modern reference content. A dated National Geographic reproduction preserves an earlier cartographic viewpoint. Buy the first for a warm aesthetic, the second for historical interpretation.

Read boundaries as period evidence

Historical borders and labels record what a publisher represented at a particular time. They do not settle current legal or political questions. A careful caption should identify the publisher and year and avoid presenting the sheet as a current authority.

Compare like with like

A national 1912 map and a modern 1:16,000 Shanghai plan are so different in scale that many apparent omissions are simply cartographic. For a fair comparison, pair maps of similar geographic extent where possible, or state clearly that one shows national context and the other shows streets.

Look for what moved in importance

Track the river, port, railway corridors, administrative emphasis and the appearance of Pudong. Ask which places receive labels, which transport lines dominate and how the balance between city and region changes. The omissions are often as interesting as the additions.

My historical-map verdict

For one Shanghai-linked historical wall map, I would choose People’s Republic of China, 1980. For coastal context, choose China Coast and Korea, 1953. For a long chronology, begin with 1912, add 1945 or 1964, then finish with the 1980 and 1991 sheets. Keep the dates visible and place a current map nearby.

Our articles Why Historical Maps Make Beautiful and Meaningful Wall Art and Vintage Maps as Wall Art cover the display side in more depth.

Choosing a Wall-map Finish

The same cartography can feel completely different in paper, laminate or canvas. I would decide first whether the map will be used, framed or displayed as a finished textile print.

Paper

Choose paper when the map will be professionally framed under glass, stored flat or studied closely on a table. Fine linework and type remain crisp, and the matte surface avoids the gloss of laminate.

Paper is also the most flexible option for a bespoke frame and mount. It needs protection from handling, moisture and creasing, so it is less suitable for an active planning wall unless placed behind glazing.

Laminated

Choose laminated when the map will be handled, annotated or used in a classroom, office, travel-planning room or family space. Our encapsulated maps have a wipe-clean surface compatible with suitable whiteboard markers and removable map dots.

Gloss laminate can reflect strong light. Before hanging it, stand where people will read the map and check the windows and overhead fittings. A slight change of wall or angle can make a large difference.

Canvas

Choose canvas for a softer, gallery-style wall display. Our canvas options use heavyweight professional matte material and pigment-based inks. The texture gives historical and warm-toned maps a particularly appealing presence.

Canvas is not the first choice for the smallest labels or frequent annotation. It is best when the map is meant to be enjoyed as décor and read at a more relaxed distance.

Timber hang rails

Timber rails create a clean, informal display without a full frame. Selected laminated and canvas maps can be supplied with rails and cord. Because each set is professionally mounted, allow the production time shown on the product page; our catalogue commonly asks customers to allow up to ten working days.

My simple rule

• Frame paper for a formal interior and maximum control over presentation.
• Choose laminate for teaching, planning and repeated handling.
• Choose canvas for a warm feature wall.
• Add rails when an easy, relaxed hanging system suits the room.

Read Paper vs Laminated vs Canvas Maps before making the final choice.

Build the Right Shanghai Map Kit

There is no prize for carrying every map. The aim is to choose the smallest set that answers the questions your particular trip will ask.

First-time Shanghai visitor

I would pack:

• the folded China South East & Shanghai ITMB;
• the current official Metro map;
• a tested local digital map with offline material saved where possible;
• the hotel name and address in English and Chinese; and
• screenshots for the airport, railway station and any timed attractions.

This is the best balanced kit. It gives you the city, the transport network, current last-mile routing and a regional reverse for ideas beyond Shanghai.

Two- or three-day stopover

Keep it lighter. Use the Shanghai ITMB side to understand the Bund, People’s Square, Old Town, central Pudong and the area around the hotel. Save the current Metro network and the exact airport transfer.

The key is to group sights geographically. A short stopover benefits more from one coherent day in central Puxi and one river-and-Pudong day than from trying to cross the city repeatedly.

Business traveller

Begin with the meeting address, not the company name alone. Save the building, district, nearest Metro station, preferred exit and Chinese address. Mark all appointments on the physical map so the daily sequence is visible.

If work extends beyond the municipality, add China Eastern Half ITMB or the regional reverse of the Shanghai ITMB sheet. For an office planning several trips, laminate the map and use removable dots. It becomes a shared briefing surface rather than a disposable itinerary.

Family trip

A large physical map is excellent for involving children and dividing the day into manageable areas. Let each person mark one priority, then look for clusters rather than building an exhausting zigzag route.

Keep transport plans simple and save toilets, meal breaks, entrances and a clear return route. A current attraction map matters for large sites such as Shanghai Disney Resort, museums, parks and water towns. The physical city map remains the overview everyone can understand.

Traveller with mobility or access requirements

Use the street and Metro maps for broad planning, but confirm lifts, accessible exits, boarding assistance, step-free paths and venue access through current official sources. An exit that is geographically closest may not be the accessible one.

I would contact the transport operator, hotel or venue directly for any requirement that affects whether the journey is possible. Save the response and allow a second route. The map still helps by showing how far apart the alternatives are.

Architecture and city-walk visit

The 1:16,000 Shanghai side is especially useful here. Trace walks through the Bund, Suzhou Creek, Jing’an, Xuhui and the Hengshan Road–Fuxing Road heritage area before leaving. Add the official City Walk collection and current heritage-zone pages.

Do not route to “the former French Concession” as though it were one attraction. Choose an actual sequence of streets and buildings. That makes the historical label more precise and the walk more enjoyable.

Food-focused visit

Use the paper map to choose one neighbourhood or street field for each session, then use a live local service to confirm the exact restaurant, opening time and entrance. Save the Chinese name and address.

The physical map is valuable after the meal too: it encourages a walk to the next nearby place instead of a reflexive cross-city ride to a highly ranked pin.

Pudong and modern-architecture day

Start with Lujiazui in relation to the Bund, then decide how the river crossing fits the day. Use the current Metro map for the rail journey and an official map for any tower, museum or riverside venue.

Remember that Pudong extends far beyond Lujiazui. If the day also includes the airport, Disney or an outer business district, move to a municipality-scale view and check realistic travel time.

Zhujiajiao or water-town day

Use the regional map to see Qingpu and the western side of the municipality. Then switch to the official Zhujiajiao day guide and current transport information.

The broader Qingpu water-town guide also introduces Liantang and Jinze. A map makes clear why several water towns form a regional theme, while current information helps decide which one fits the available day.

Shanghai and Suzhou itinerary

The regional reverse of the Shanghai ITMB is an excellent starting point. It shows Suzhou west of Shanghai and keeps the route inside the lower Yangtze setting. Use 12306 for the actual train and check which Shanghai and Suzhou stations are named on the ticket.

If both cities receive several days, add a dedicated Suzhou visitor map or local official source. The regional sheet explains the connection; it cannot provide garden entrances or local street detail.

Shanghai and Hangzhou itinerary

Again, begin with the regional reverse or China Eastern Half ITMB. Hangzhou sits south-west of Shanghai in Zhejiang and belongs to a different directional corridor from Suzhou and Nanjing.

The official Shanghai portal’s Zhejiang travel introduction provides a current starting point, while 12306 supplies the train. A separate Hangzhou map is worthwhile once the stay extends beyond a day trip.

Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai route

Add the waterproof China ITMB. Its national scale makes the distances and broad rail corridors intelligible. Keep the Shanghai ITMB for the city and, if Beijing is a major stage, read Best Maps for Beijing.

This route is a perfect example of why nested scales matter: national for the journey, regional for the corridor, city for the day and live mapping for the door.

Classroom or library

I would combine one current wall map with one dated historical map. The China South East Times map gives Shanghai strong regional context. The People’s Republic of China, 1980 creates a particularly useful comparison.

Choose laminate when students will annotate the maps. Keep a label beside every historical reproduction with title, publisher, original publication year, scale and a clear note that it is not for present-day navigation.

Home, office or hospitality display

Choose the geography that matches the conversation you want the wall to begin.

• China South East says Shanghai and its region.
• China Coast says port, river and maritime Asia.
• China National Geographic says the city inside a continental country.
• Executive China says warm contemporary reference.
• 1953 China Coast says historical maritime perspective.
• 1980 People’s Republic of China says Shanghai at a turning point.

Then choose the finish for the room rather than for the product photograph.

Historical timeline

Start with 1912, add 1945 or 1953, then 1964, 1980 and 1991. A complete line-up is not essential; three well-chosen dates can tell a coherent story.

I would place the current map at the end rather than in the centre. That encourages the viewer to move through time and finish with present geography. Keep all dates visible and use consistent frames or rails so the cartography, not the hardware, carries the sequence.

A Practical Shanghai Planning Workflow

Step 1: Name the real geography

Write down every destination with its district, street, nearest Metro station and exact transport hub. “Bund”, “French Concession”, “Pudong” and “Shanghai station” are too broad on their own.

Step 2: Draw the river first

On the physical map, locate the Huangpu, the Bund, Lujiazui and Suzhou Creek. Add the hotel. This gives every later decision a stable orientation.

Step 3: Group the days by area

Make clusters such as Bund–Nanjing Road–People’s Square, Old Town–Yuyuan, Jing’an–Xuhui heritage streets, or Pudong–Lujiazui. The best grouping depends on your interests, but it should be visible on the map before transport is chosen.

Step 4: Add the current Metro layer

Use the official network map to choose lines and interchanges. Do not infer real walking distance from the diagram. Mark the station back onto the street plan.

Step 5: Resolve the exit and entrance

Check the exact exit, side of the road and public entrance. Save the address in Chinese. For large venues, use the official site plan and booking instructions.

Step 6: Separate every terminal

Write PVG or SHA beside each flight. Write the full railway-station name beside each train. Save a separate terminal or station map and allow the access time shown by current guidance.

Step 7: Plan day trips at regional scale

Turn the Shanghai ITMB sheet over. Compare Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Zhujiajiao in the wider geography. Only then search the current service and booking.

Step 8: Prepare the phone before departure

Install and test the local map and transport tools you intend to use. Save essential addresses, screenshots and offline information. Keep the hotel address somewhere that does not depend on opening one particular app.

Step 9: Recheck the volatile details

The evening before a journey, confirm the Metro or railway service, entrance, opening time, ticket and weather. On the morning, check again if the timing is critical.

Step 10: Keep the overview visible

At the end of each day, look at the paper map. Trace where you went and where the next day sits in relation to it. This takes a minute and steadily turns Shanghai from a sequence of rides into a place you understand.

A Few Shanghai Mapping Traps I’d Avoid

Using the printed Metro layer as the final authority

Keep it for orientation, then switch to the current official network and station information. The physical street framework and the live Metro network age at different speeds.

Estimating street distance from the Metro diagram

Schematic spacing is designed for clarity. Put the station back on the street map before deciding that two places are walkable or that an interchange is close to the destination.

Saving only an English attraction name

Save the Chinese name and full address supplied by the venue or hotel. This helps with search, signs and communication without pretending that every translation is identical across services.

Choosing a station but not an exit

A large junction can turn the wrong exit into a long detour. Save the exit, then confirm it against current signs when you arrive.

Treating the map pin as the public door

Museums, parks, campuses, compounds and shopping complexes can occupy large blocks. A central pin describes location; it may not describe access.

Confusing PVG and SHA

Circle the airport code on every booking and transfer plan. If the trip crosses between airports, map it as a separate journey with a generous allowance.

Routing to a generic Shanghai railway station

Copy the full station name from 12306. Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Station, Shanghai South and Shanghai Songjiang are different destinations.

Treating Lujiazui as all of Pudong

The skyline is only one part of a very large new area. Use a municipality map when the journey goes towards the airport, Disney, Lingang or outer districts.

Treating “former French Concession” as a current district boundary

Use the phrase for historical and cultural context, then route to a specific street or recognised heritage block. That is both more precise and kinder to the city’s complexity.

Assuming every place in Shanghai is central

The municipality includes ancient towns, islands, coast and distant districts. A place can be administratively in Shanghai and still require a regional journey.

Booking a day trip before checking the departure station

Suzhou and Hangzhou are well connected, but the correct city terminal and destination station still matter. Map the door-to-door day, not only the time on the train.

Depending on one foreign internet service

China’s digital environment differs from Australia’s. Test locally relevant tools, save offline material and keep a paper overview plus written addresses. Follow current official travel advice and local law.

Reading a historical map without its date

A beautiful old sheet can be misleading when the title is cropped away. Keep the year, publisher and reproduction status visible.

Calling an antique-toned map historical

Decorative colour is a style choice. Historical evidence comes from dated content. The Executive China map and the 1912 China map are made for different purposes.

Buying a wall map before measuring

Measure the wall, furniture clearance, likely viewing distance and access for hanging. A Supermap that technically fits may still be difficult to read if viewers cannot step back.

Assuming a product page fixes the supplied edition forever

Publishers update maps and stock changes. Check the live page or contact us before ordering if a specific edition, size or finish is essential.

How We Can Help You Choose

We stock maps for very different kinds of Shanghai questions: a central city visit, an eastern-China rail journey, a China-wide itinerary, a planning wall or a historical display. If you tell us how the map will be used, we can usually narrow the choice quickly.

The details that help us most are:

• where the trip begins and ends;
• whether Shanghai is the main destination or one stage;
• whether the map will travel, sit on a desk or hang on a wall;
• whether street detail, transport corridors, terrain or history matters most;
• the available wall dimensions;
• whether the map will be written on; and
• whether a particular publication year is important.

We can also help with the finish. Some folded maps can be flattened and laminated for repeated planning. Many wall maps are available on paper, laminated or canvas, and selected products can be fitted with timber hang rails. We describe any remaining fold lines or production lead time so the finished map is what you expect.

What we cannot do—and should never pretend to do—is turn a printed map into today’s timetable, entrance notice or travel advisory. I see that as a strength of honest map advice. We help you choose the best stable geographic layer, then point you towards the current source for the details that move.

Explore our Asia collection, country and regional wall maps, historical wall maps and Vintage National Geographic maps. If you are still choosing between two products, contact us with the itinerary or wall size and we will talk it through with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall physical map of Shanghai?

I recommend the China South East & Shanghai ITMB Map. It combines a detailed 1:16,000 central city plan with a 1:2,500,000 regional map on one double-sided sheet.

What size is the Shanghai ITMB map?

It measures approximately 690 × 990 mm unfolded and is supplied as a folded travel map, with optional professional lamination.

What does the Shanghai side show?

It covers central Shanghai, including the Bund, Old Town, Nanjing Road, the main railway-station area, Xuhui and central Pudong connections. It also marks visitor features, subway lines and ferry routes.

Is the Shanghai ITMB Metro information current?

Treat its transport symbols as orientation. Use the current official Shanghai Metro map and service information for operative routes, station names, exits and times.

Can the Shanghai ITMB map be laminated?

Yes. We can flatten and encapsulate it in 80-micron gloss laminate. Light fold lines may remain because the source sheet was originally folded.

What is the best current Shanghai Metro map?

Start with the municipal government’s How to Take Metro in Shanghai, which provides a current network map sourced from Shanghai Metro. Check live notices on the travel day.

Why do I need both a street map and Metro diagram?

The Metro diagram explains lines and interchanges. The street map shows real distance, road direction, waterways, blocks and where the station sits on the surface. They answer different questions.

What is the best current visitor-map source?

Use the municipal Travel in Shanghai portal and the official Meet in Shanghai tourism site for current attractions, routes and visitor guidance.

Which live digital map should international visitors consider?

Shanghai’s municipal government has published guidance about the English version of Amap. Check current device support and test it before relying on it.

Which Shanghai airport is PVG?

PVG is Shanghai Pudong International Airport, east of central Shanghai. Confirm the airline terminal and current ground transport through official sources.

Which Shanghai airport is SHA?

SHA is Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, west of the centre and beside the wider Hongqiao transport hub.

What is the best map for travelling between PVG and SHA?

Use the current official Airport Link Line guide, plus the terminal instructions for each flight and enough time for the complete transfer.

Does the ITMB map show the Maglev?

Our catalogue says the Shanghai side includes an inset of the Maglev connection towards Pudong International Airport. Check the current service before travel.

What is the best map for Shanghai railway stations?

Use the municipal railway-station guide for orientation and China Railway 12306 for the booked train and exact departure station.

Is Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station the same as Shanghai Railway Station?

No. They are separate major stations in different parts of the city. Always use the full station name shown on the ticket.

What is the best map for the Bund and Lujiazui?

Use the 1:16,000 Shanghai ITMB side to see both banks of the Huangpu, then add the current Metro or ferry route and the exact destination entrance.

What is the best map for Huangpu River ferries?

Use the physical city map for river and bank orientation, then the official guide to exploring Shanghai by boat for current pier pairs and service details.

Is the former French Concession a current district?

No. It is a historical and cultural description spanning parts of present-day districts. Route to a specific street, building or recognised heritage area.

What is the best map for Zhujiajiao?

Use a municipality or regional map to understand its position in Qingpu, then use the official Zhujiajiao visitor guide and current transport information.

What is the best map for Shanghai and Suzhou?

The regional reverse of the Shanghai ITMB or the China Eastern Half ITMB provides the right broad context. Use 12306 for the exact train and stations.

What is the best map for Shanghai and Hangzhou?

Begin with the Shanghai ITMB regional side, China Eastern Half ITMB or China East National Geographic. Add a dedicated Hangzhou source for local detail.

What is the best map for the Yangtze River Delta?

For a Shanghai-centred trip, start with the 1:2,500,000 reverse of China South East & Shanghai ITMB. For wider eastern-China planning, choose China Eastern Half ITMB.

What is the best waterproof map of eastern China?

The China East National Geographic Folded Map is waterproof and tear-resistant at 1:2,950,000.

What is the best whole-country map to pair with Shanghai?

The waterproof China ITMB Map gives a 1:3,800,000 national overview and includes a separate Shanghai inset.

What is the best Shanghai-centred regional wall map?

The China South East Wall Map from The Times gives Shanghai and the south-east coast useful room-scale emphasis.

What is the best wall map for China’s coast?

Choose the China Coast Atlas of the World Map, available in standard and Supermap sizes.

What is the best compact current China wall map?

The China National Geographic 770 × 600 mm Wall Map is a manageable current national reference for homes, offices and classrooms.

What is the best large China wall map?

The China National Geographic 1470 × 1170 mm Wall Map gives strong room-scale detail and shared-viewing value.

Is the China Executive map historical?

No. It uses an antique-toned visual style but is intended as a contemporary reference. Choose a map with an original publication year for historical study.

What is the best historical map with a direct Shanghai connection?

The People’s Republic of China Map, 1980 was issued with the feature “Shanghai: Born-again Giant”, making it the strongest direct editorial connection in this selection.

What is the best historical coastal map?

The China Coast and Korea Map, 1953 focuses on ports, shorelines, islands, transport and regional coastal geography at 1:3,500,000.

What is the best early historical China map?

The China and Its Territories Map, 1912 offers a broad view from the transition between the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China.

What is the best thematic historical China map?

China History, 1991 combines population, industry and agriculture mapping with six smaller historical maps.

Can I navigate present-day Shanghai with a historical map?

No. Historical maps are for dated interpretation, comparison and display. Use current street, transport and official visitor information for navigation.

Are the historical maps originals?

The products discussed here are modern, high-quality reproductions of historical map images. They are not original sheets removed from old magazines.

Which finish is best for a classroom?

Laminated is usually the most practical because it is durable, wipe-clean and suitable for annotation with compatible whiteboard markers.

Which finish is best for a home?

Paper framed under glass gives a formal look; canvas gives a warm gallery feel; timber hang rails create a relaxed ready-to-display finish.

Why carry a paper map if I have a phone?

A paper map keeps the whole city or region visible, supports group planning and remains available without battery or data. A phone supplies live routing and operations. Shanghai is best understood with both.

Should I check stock and editions before ordering?

Yes. Product availability, editions, finishes and production times can change. Check the live page or contact us when a particular specification matters.

Related Mapworld Reading

• Best Maps for China — national, eastern, western, city, wall and historical options in greater depth.
• Best Maps for Beijing — the strongest companion for a Beijing–Shanghai itinerary.
• Best Maps for Tokyo — a similar street, rail, regional, wall and historical comparison.
• Best Maps for Singapore — another guide to combining a physical city map with live transport and visitor layers.
• GPS vs Paper Maps — why overview and live guidance work better together.
• How to Read a Map — practical foundations for direction, scale and route planning.
• How Maps Improve Spatial Thinking — how overview builds a stronger mental model.
• How to Choose a Wall Map — matching geography, scale, size, style and finish to a room.
• What Size Wall Map Do I Need? — a practical guide to wall measurements and viewing distance.
• Paper vs Laminated vs Canvas Maps — choosing the right material and display format.
• Why Historical Maps Make Beautiful and Meaningful Wall Art — reading and displaying maps as dated stories.
• Vintage Maps as Wall Art — using historical cartography in an interior.
• Maps: An Essential Tool for Geopolitical Analysis — reading boundaries and geographic relationships critically.

Final Verdict

The best physical map for Shanghai is the China South East & Shanghai ITMB Map.

Its 1:16,000 city side is detailed enough to make the Bund, Old Town, Nanjing Road, Xuhui, the main railway-station area and central Pudong connections meaningful. Its 1:2,500,000 reverse is broad enough to connect Shanghai with Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and the wider eastern route. Few single sheets make such a useful jump from city to region.

I would pair it with the current official Metro map, a tested live local map and the exact official plan for each airport, railway station or major attraction. That combination gives you both kinds of confidence: the calm overview of paper and the current detail of a live service.

For a longer eastern-China journey, add China Eastern Half ITMB or the waterproof China East National Geographic. For a whole-country itinerary, add China ITMB.

For the wall, choose China South East from The Times when Shanghai’s region is the main story, China Coast when maritime geography matters, or the China National Geographic editions for national context.

For history, begin with People’s Republic of China, 1980 for its direct Shanghai connection, or China Coast and Korea, 1953 for a coastal view. Add 1912, 1945, 1964 or 1991 to build a chronology, and keep every year visible.

Most of all, start with the Huangpu River. Once the Bund and Lujiazui are fixed on opposite banks, Shanghai begins to unfold. The Metro joins the districts, the regional map opens the delta, and the historical maps reveal just how extraordinary the city’s changes have been.