Asia's Business Corridor: A Business Traveler's Guide to Mumbai and Shanghai

The Mumbai-Shanghai corridor represents one of Asia's most important business routes, with direct flights taking approximately 6.5 hours. For maximum productivity, I recommend booking with either Air India or China Eastern, both offering robust business class options with lie-flat seats and reliable Wi-Fi—essential for preparing those last-minute presentation tweaks.

As someone who flies this route quarterly, I've learned that the Tuesday and Thursday direct flights tend to be less crowded with business travelers. This gives you breathing room and often better service. My go-to setup for these medium-haul flights includes my noise-canceling headphones which have saved my sanity countless times when seated near the engines, and my travel pillow that prevents that awkward head-bob when you finally manage to catch some sleep.

Pro tip: If you're flying business class on China Eastern, request seats 2A or 2D—they're positioned perfectly between the galley and lavatories for minimal disturbance.

Mumbai hits you with a sensory overload that's both challenging and exhilarating. The moment you exit the climate-controlled airport, the humidity embraces you like an old friend who doesn't understand personal space. For business travelers, I strongly recommend arranging a pre-booked car service rather than attempting the taxi queue. My go-to is Uber Black, which offers professional drivers familiar with the business districts and air-conditioned sedans that provide mobile sanctuaries between meetings.

Staying connected is non-negotiable here, and local SIM cards can be tricky for foreigners. After several frustrating experiences, I now travel with a global hotspot that gives me reliable data access across both India and China without the paperwork hassle.

For accommodations, the sweet spot between luxury and practicality lies in South Mumbai. The Taj Mahal Palace offers old-world opulence with modern amenities, while the St. Regis provides a more contemporary business environment. Both place you within striking distance of the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai's premier business district where most multinational corporations have established their presence.

Here's where my business travel philosophy truly comes alive. Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive—nicknamed the Queen's Necklace—transforms during the pre-dawn hours from chaotic thoroughfare to photographer's paradise. On my last trip, I scheduled my meetings to start at 11 AM, allowing me to slip out at 5:30 AM with my camera gear packed in my camera sling bag.

The curved coastline offers spectacular compositions as fishermen prepare their boats against the backdrop of Mumbai's skyline. The light between 6:00-7:00 AM creates a golden glow that cuts through the morning haze, illuminating the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea beyond. This two-hour photography session energized me far more effectively than hotel room coffee ever could.

For the perfect sunrise shot, position yourself near Nariman Point facing northwest. The contrast between the modern high-rises and traditional fishing boats creates compelling visual narratives that my corporate followers particularly appreciate—it's the perfect metaphor for India's economic evolution. Just remember to keep your gear close; I use a travel security belt to store extra memory cards and cash when shooting in crowded areas.

Landing in Shanghai after Mumbai feels like fast-forwarding into the future. The contrast couldn't be more striking—from Mumbai's beautiful chaos to Shanghai's meticulous urban planning. Your first experience of this efficiency begins with the Maglev train, which whisks you from Pudong Airport to the city at speeds up to 430 km/h (267 mph). For business travelers with minimal luggage, this is both the fastest and most reliable airport transfer option, bypassing Shanghai's notorious highway congestion.

Connectivity works differently here—my VPN subscription is absolutely essential for accessing Google services, email, and social media platforms. I've learned through painful experience to set this up before arrival, as app stores become inaccessible once you're behind the Great Firewall.

For accommodations, the Lujiazui financial district puts you at the heart of Shanghai's business ecosystem. The Shangri-La Pudong offers exceptional service with direct access to the IFC Mall and multiple metro lines. If meetings take you to multiple districts, consider the Peninsula on the Bund for its central location between Pudong's financial center and Puxi's corporate headquarters.

Navigating between meetings is remarkably straightforward thanks to Shanghai's comprehensive metro system. I've abandoned car services entirely in favor of the subway, which is clean, punctual, and features English signage throughout. Download the Explore Shanghai Metro app before arrival—it works offline and provides accurate routing between stations.

After a week of back-to-back meetings in Shanghai's glass and steel environment, I desperately needed a nature fix. Just 1.5 hours from downtown Shanghai lies Zhujiajiao, one of China's best-preserved water towns dating back over 1,700 years. I blocked my calendar for a Wednesday afternoon (typically lighter on meetings) and hired a private driver through my hotel concierge.

Zhujiajiao offers the perfect counterpoint to Shanghai's modernity—ancient stone bridges arch over narrow canals lined with Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. The contrast makes for compelling photography, especially in the late afternoon when the low sun creates dramatic shadows across the stone pathways and wooden buildings.

While tourists cluster around the main bridges, venture deeper into the side alleys where local life continues largely unchanged. I found an elderly craftsman creating traditional shadow puppets in his workshop, providing both authentic cultural interaction and unique photography opportunities. My compact translator device facilitated a fascinating conversation about his family's multi-generational craft tradition.

For transportation within the water town, skip the touristy gondola rides near the entrance and walk to Cimen Bridge where local boatmen offer more authentic experiences at better prices. The perspective from water level reveals architectural details missed from the streets, and the late afternoon light filtering through the willow trees creates magical photography conditions.