7 Best Beaches In Shanghai
Discover Shanghai’s hidden coastal gems and waterfront escapes, from urban beaches to island retreats
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
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Jan 2025
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Expert Contributors
Why Shanghai’s Beach Scene Matters
While Shanghai might not be known as a beach destination, the city offers surprising coastal experiences within reach. From artificial beaches with modern amenities to natural shorelines on nearby islands, these waterfront destinations provide essential respite from urban intensity and showcase Shanghai’s relationship with the East China Sea.
Shanghai’s beaches range from man-made urban waterfronts with full facilities to natural island beaches accessible by ferry, offering diverse experiences for different preferences and budgets.
Peak beach season runs from May through September, with summer weekends requiring advance planning for popular destinations and ferry transportation to island locations.
Most beaches offer modern amenities including restaurants, changing facilities, and water sports equipment, making them suitable for families and day-trip visitors seeking convenience.
Pro Tip from Our Beach Experts
Book our Shanghai Belle Escape package for exclusive beach club access, private transportation, and curated coastal experiences that most visitors never discover. Our local connections ensure you enjoy the best beach days possible.
Shanghai Coastal Areas & Islands
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SHANGHAI COASTAL AREAS MAP ║
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║ ║
║ [4] Chongming Island ║
║ ┌─────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ │ ║
║ │ ~ EAST CHINA SEA ~ │ ║
║ │ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ │ ║
║ └─────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ BAOSHAN │ │ YANGPU │ │ PUDONG │ ║
║ │ [1] │ │ │ │ [2][3] │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ JIADING │ │ HUANGPU │ │ FENGXIAN │ ║
║ │ │ │ │ │ [5][6] │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ JINSHAN │ ║
║ │ [7] │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ~ ~ HANGZHOU BAY ~ ~ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Top 7 Beach Locations
[1] Baoshan Beach
[2] Binjiang Forest Park Beach
[3] Century Park Beach
[4] Chongming Dongtan Beach
[5] Fengxian Bihai Jinsha
[6] Fengxian Beach
[7] Jinshan City Beach
Transportation Key:
🚇 Metro accessible beaches: [1], [2], [3]
🚌 Bus + Metro required: [4], [5], [6], [7]
⛴️ Ferry required: [4] Chongming Island
🚗 Car recommended: [5], [6], [7] for convenience
The Complete Top 7 Beach Ranking
1
Jinshan City Beach (金山城市沙滩)
★★★★★ 4.8/5
📍 Jinshan District
🏖️ 1.5km Sandy Beach
Shanghai’s premier artificial beach destination featuring 1.5 kilometers of imported golden sand along Hangzhou Bay. This comprehensive beach resort offers swimming areas, water sports facilities, beachfront restaurants, and entertainment complexes. The beach maintains excellent water quality and provides full amenities including changing rooms, showers, and lifeguard services throughout the swimming season.
Best Time: May-September
Swimming: Supervised areas available
Entry: ¥30 (peak season)
Facilities: Restaurants, shops, water sports
Transport: Metro Line 1 + Bus
Distance: 60km from city center
2
Fengxian Bihai Jinsha (奉贤碧海金沙)
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
📍 Fengxian District
🏖️ 2km Artificial Beach
A large-scale artificial beach resort featuring 2 kilometers of fine sand imported from Hainan Island. This family-friendly destination offers extensive recreational facilities including water slides, beach volleyball courts, and children’s play areas. The resort maintains high safety standards with professional lifeguards and clear swimming zones marked for different skill levels.
Best Time: June-August
Swimming: Multiple zones available
Entry: ¥50 (includes facilities)
Facilities: Water slides, volleyball, restaurants
Transport: Metro Line 5 + Bus
Distance: 45km from city center
3
Chongming Dongtan Beach (崇明东滩)
★★★★☆ 4.4/5
📍 Chongming Island
🌿 Natural Wetland Beach
A pristine natural beach located on Chongming Island, offering an authentic coastal experience within Shanghai’s boundaries. This protected wetland area features mudflats, salt marshes, and diverse bird populations, making it ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers. The beach provides a peaceful escape from urban life with minimal commercial development and stunning sunrise views over the East China Sea.
Best Time: April-October
Swimming: Limited (mudflats)
Entry: Free (nature reserve)
Facilities: Visitor center, boardwalks
Transport: Metro + Ferry + Bus
Distance: 80km from city center
4
Binjiang Forest Park Beach (滨江森林公园)
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
📍 Pudong District
🌳 Forest + Beach Combo
A unique combination of forest park and riverside beach along the Yangtze River. This 120-hectare park features sandy areas, walking trails through wetlands, and excellent views of the river and city skyline. The beach area is more suitable for relaxation and picnicking rather than swimming, but offers a peaceful natural environment easily accessible from central Shanghai.
Best Time: March-November
Swimming: Not recommended
Entry: ¥20 (park admission)
Facilities: Walking trails, picnic areas
Transport: Metro Line 6 + Bus
Distance: 25km from city center
Complete Rankings 5-7
| Rank | Beach Name | District | Rating | Type | Swimming | Entry Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Fengxian Beach | Fengxian | ★★★☆☆ 3.8 | Artificial | Yes | ¥25 | Families |
| 6 | Century Park Beach | Pudong | ★★★☆☆ 3.6 | Park Lake | Limited | ¥10 | Relaxation |
| 7 | Baoshan Beach | Baoshan | ★★★☆☆ 3.4 | River Beach | No | Free | Walking |
Beach Categories Explained
🏖️ Artificial Beaches: Man-made with imported sand, full facilities, safe swimming
🌿 Natural Beaches: Undeveloped coastline, wildlife viewing, limited facilities
🏞️ Park Beaches: Urban lake/river beaches, relaxation focus, no ocean swimming
🚶 River Beaches: Yangtze River access points, walking and views, no swimming
Beach Season Guide & Weather Patterns
Beach Weather by Month
Temperature (°C) & Beach Conditions:
Jan ████ 5°C – Too Cold
Feb ██████ 8°C – Too Cold
Mar ████████████ 15°C – Cool, Windy
Apr ████████████████ 20°C – Pleasant
May ████████████████████ 25°C – Good
Jun ████████████████████████ 28°C – Excellent
Jul ████████████████████████ 32°C – Hot, Peak
Aug ████████████████████████ 31°C – Hot, Peak
Sep ████████████████████ 26°C – Excellent
Oct ████████████████ 21°C – Pleasant
Nov ████████████ 16°C – Cool
Dec ██████ 10°C – Too Cold
Seasonal Beach Activities
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Swimming, Water Sports
Beach Volleyball, Sunbathing
Peak Season – Book Ahead
Spring/Fall (Apr-May, Sep-Oct)
Beach Walking, Photography
Picnics, Kite Flying
Comfortable Weather
Winter (Nov-Mar)
Bird Watching (Chongming)
Scenic Photography
Limited Beach Activities
Transportation Guide & Tips
Public Transport
Metro + Bus: Most economical
Total time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Cost: ¥15-25 per person
Best for: Budget travelers
Requires transfers and walking
Private Transport
Private car/taxi: Most convenient
Total time: 1-1.5 hours
Cost: ¥200-400 round trip
Best for: Families, groups
Direct access, flexible timing
Organized Tours
Beach day tours: All-inclusive
Total time: Full day
Cost: ¥300-600 per person
Best for: Hassle-free experience
Transport, meals, activities included
Essential Beach Day Tips
🧴 Sun Protection: Bring high SPF sunscreen – Shanghai sun is stronger than expected
💧 Hydration: Carry plenty of water, especially during summer months
🏊 Swimming Safety: Only swim at designated beaches with lifeguards on duty
📱 Weather Check: Monitor air quality and weather conditions before traveling
Ready for Your Perfect Beach Day?
Let us arrange your ideal Shanghai beach experience with private transportation, exclusive beach club access, and local insider knowledge
🚗 Private Transport
Door-to-door service
🏖️ Beach Club Access
Premium facilities included
🍽️ Dining Arranged
Beachside restaurants booked
📋 All Equipment
Beach gear provided
📞 +86 150 2657 7566 | ✉️ [email protected] | 🕒 Daily Planning Support
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