Travel Guide of Shanghai in China by Influencers and Travelers
Shanghai is one of the four municipalities of the People's Republic of China. It is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze, with the Huangpu River flowing through it.
The Best Things to Do and Visit in Shanghai
TRAVELERS TOP 10 :
1 - The Bund
The Bund or Waitan is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu District.
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2 - Chen Yi Square
Chen Yi Square is a square along The Bund in Shanghai, China. It features the only bronze sculpture of Chen Yi, the city's first community mayor.
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3 - Shore Excursions in Shanghai
If you have very limited time in Shanghai, and want to go home with a great understanding of Shanghai, its people, history and culture, then this private day tour is perfect for you! You will visit both the east and west sides of Shanghai and also discover Shanghai's fascinating mix of modern and classic character. The major attractions in this tour includes: Shanghai Tower, The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, The Bund, Riverside Promenade (Binjiang Da Dao), Yu Yuan Garden, French Concession area and much more! Note that observation decks in Lujiazui area are optional so you can choose based on conditions.
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4 - Jin Mao Tower
The Jin Mao Tower, also known as the Jinmao Building or Jinmao Tower, is an 88-story landmark skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, China. It is 420.5 metres tall and is one of the tallest buildings in the world.
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5 - Yu Garden
Yu Garden or Yuyuan Garden is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in the northeast of the Old City of Shanghai at Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi. It abuts the Yuyuan Tourist Mart, the Huxinting Teahouse and the Yu Garden Bazaar. This garden is accessible from the Shanghai Metro's Line 10 Yuyuan Garden Station. A centerpiece is the Exquisite Jade Rock a porous 3.3-m, 5-ton boulder.
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6 - Culinary Tour in Shanghai
Get ready for Shanghai’s most delicious food tour! As the sun sets, you’ll get off the tourist trail and into family-run restaurants serving the most authentic regional cuisines the city has to offer. You’ll wash it all down with Chinese beers and spirits (or soft drinks), as you get to know more about Shanghai’s history and culture, one bite at a time. Explore just how diverse the cuisines of China can be with more than 15 tastings on this Shanghai evening food tour!
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7 - Jing'an Temple
Jing'an Temple is a Buddhist temple on the West Nanjing Road in Shanghai. Jing'an District, where it is located, is named after the temple.
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8 - Waibaidu Bridge
The Waibaidu Bridge, called the Garden Bridge in English, is the first all-steel bridge, and the only surviving example of a camelback truss bridge, in China.
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9 - Gondola Cruises in Shanghai
Discover Shanghai’s most incredible city attractions and beautiful Zhujiajiao Water Town during this wonderful private day tour. Accompanied by a professional guide, stroll around the old lanes with antiquated architecture, wander along the canal with old bridges and take the boat on tranquil canals in Zhujiajiao for a half day. Followed by another half day tour to see the Shanghai city top attractions, such as Yu Garden, the spectacular skyline on the Bund as well as the panoramic view from the top of Shanghai Tower. An authentic Chinese lunch in the water town, boat ride ticket, entrance fee to Shanghai Tower, private guide and driver service are all inclusive.
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10 - 上海市人民英雄纪念塔
Huangpu Park is the name of the triangular stretch of green at the northern end of the Bund in Shanghai, the oldest and smallest park of the city.
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11 - Bund Center
Bund Center is a 198 m, 50-storey tower in the Huangpu area of Shanghai, China. Designed by the architects of John Portman and Associates, the tower was completed in 2002.
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12 - Mountain Bike Tours in Shanghai
On our multi-theme & off-the-beaten-path bicycle experience, your experienced Tour leader will escort you for an interactive and fun way to enjoy Shanghai "like a local". Food, Architecture, History, Traditions, Religion...you will get everything in just a 1/2 day!
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13 - City God Temple of Shanghai
The City God Temple or Temple of the City Gods, officially the City Temple of Shanghai, is a folk temple located in the old city of Shanghai.
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14 - Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower is a 632-metre, 128-story megatall skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. It is the world's second-tallest building by height to architectural top and it shares the record of having the world's highest observation deck within a building or structure at 562 m.
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15 - Sightseeing Cruises in Shanghai
Shanghai is an international metropolis and her night scenery is charming. The Bund looks completely different at night time. The ornate classical and modern buildings take on a new and exciting look as they are lit up by an abundance of colored lights. Taking a cruise along the Huangpu River, the night sight is all under your eyes. the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower is a magical sight. Depending on your preference, you can choose one for your dinner between the buffet at the Huangpu River Cruise and the special dim-sum at Dingtaifeng Restaurant. 1. Walk along the Bund and enjoy 26 buildings of different western architectural styles 2. Take a cruise along the Huangpu River and enjoy the night scenery 3. Choose your dinner according to your preferences
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16 - Himalayan
13 km away
The Tibetan Plateau, also known in China as the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau or the Qing–Zang Plateau or as the Himalayan Plateau in India, is a vast elevated plateau in Central Asia and East Asia, covering most of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Northwestern Yunnan, Western half of Sichuan, Southern Gansu and Qinghai provinces in Western China, Indian regions of Ladakh and Lahaul and Spiti as well as Bhutan.
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17 - Shanghai Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Tourist Zone
41 km away
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18 - Zhujiajiao
42 km away
Zhujiajiao is an ancient town located in the Qingpu District of Shanghai. The population of Zhujiajiao is 60,000. Zhujiajiao is a water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, and was established about 1,700 years ago.
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Disover the best Instagram Spots around Shanghai here
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Pictures and Stories of Shanghai from Influencers
20 pictures of Shanghai from Denys Nevozhai, javen yang, Hanny Naibaho and other travelers
- This beautiful skyline was taken after a heavy rain in shanghai in the year 2015. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Healthycliff Syndor | ©Unsplash
- Shanghai Financial District in Pudong on the Huangpu River. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Rafik Wahba | ©Unsplash
- Night view from Shanghai! Reflection from the river ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Ming Han Low | ©Unsplash
- Nightscape of The Bund in Shanghai, China ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Tom Rickhuss | ©Unsplash
- View of Pudong from The Bund in Shanghai ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Victoria Laroche Creux | ©Unsplash
- Shanghai's Pudong District by Night ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Macau Photo Agency | ©Unsplash
- Shot on a windy night at the Bund. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Sean Lim | ©Unsplash
- Shanghai skyline from The Bund ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Alejo Meza | ©Unsplash
- Shanghai's foggy Pudong peaks ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Max van den Oetelaar | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Shanghai ?
Travel to Shanghai if you like:
🛣️ Road trip 🗼 Landmark 🏘️ Town 🌆 Skyline 🌉 Bridge 🏰 TempleHow to visit Shanghai ?
Why travel to Shanghai?
Shanghai, China's largest city, is an international hub that blends modernity with rich cultural heritage. Traveling to Shanghai offers a unique opportunity to witness the city's incredible skyline, including iconic structures such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. The city is also home to numerous historical landmarks, such as the Bund and Yuyuan Gardens, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a mix of history and modernity.
How to get there?
Shanghai has two major international airports, Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Most international flights land at Pudong Airport, while Hongqiao Airport primarily serves domestic and regional flights. From the airports, you can take the metro, taxi, or airport shuttle to reach the city center. Shanghai is also well-connected by high-speed trains to other major Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Hangzhou, and Suzhou.
What to book in advance?
To make the most of your Shanghai experience, it is recommended to book tickets for popular attractions, such as Shanghai Disneyland and the Oriental Pearl Tower, in advance. If you plan to visit during peak travel seasons, consider booking accommodation and high-speed train tickets ahead of time to secure the best options and prices.
What are the costs?
Shanghai is relatively affordable compared to other major cities. Entrance fees for major attractions range from $5 to $30. Eating at local restaurants can cost between $3 and $10 per meal, while more upscale dining experiences can range from $20 to $50 per person. Accommodation varies greatly, with budget options available from $15 per night and luxury hotels costing upwards of $150 per night. Public transportation is also affordable, with metro rides costing less than $1.
What are the best things to do?
Some of the must-visit attractions in Shanghai include the Bund, a waterfront promenade with stunning views of the city's skyline; Yuyuan Gardens, a tranquil classical Chinese garden; and the Shanghai Museum, showcasing China's rich history and art. For a unique experience, take a stroll through the narrow lanes of Tianzifang, a revitalized neighborhood filled with art galleries, boutique shops, and trendy cafes.
Where to eat?
For an authentic Shanghainese meal, head to Jia Jia Tang Bao, which serves mouthwatering soup dumplings (xiaolongbao). For a more upscale dining experience, visit Lost Heaven, offering a fusion of Yunnan and Southeast Asian cuisines. For vegetarian options, try Wujie, a stylish restaurant offering innovative plant-based dishes.
Where to stay?
Budget travelers can stay at the Captain Hostel, located near the Bund, offering dormitory-style rooms and a rooftop bar with stunning views. For a mid-range option, consider the Astor House Hotel, a historic hotel with a prime location near the Bund. If you're looking for luxury, The Puli Hotel and Spa provides a serene oasis in the heart of the city with top-notch amenities.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual travel experience in Shanghai, explore the city's unique art scene at the M50 Creative Park, a former factory transformed into a vibrant arts district with galleries, studios, and cafes. Additionally, consider taking a day trip to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town located just outside Shanghai, where you can explore well-preserved historical buildings and picturesque canals.
Learn More about Shanghai
A metropolis and financial center, Shanghai is also a leading cultural city
Shanghai is not unlike New York . It shares the same effervescence and mix of cultures.
it is the most populous and largest city in China, Shanghai pulsates with an energy not found in any other city in the Middle Kingdom.
It is home to the world's second-tallest building, and its futuristic skyline is instantly recognizable. Yet it is not its innovative infrastructure that makes this city a unique destination; Shanghai's undeniably troubled past has left its mark on the metropolis, which boasts both an Eastern and Western culture.
The result is fascinating: you can admire the colonial architecture of the Bund while gazing at the Lujiazui skyline across the river; you'll see Buddhist temples just a stone's throw from contemporary art galleries; you can enjoy traditional Shanghai cuisine at lunch and dinner at a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant. Shanghai is a bustling city with many faces.
There are always crowds of things to do from dawn to sunset and into the next dawn.
Shanghai is one of the cities that has become a financial, industrial, cultural, and tourist giant, able to combine the modernity of impressive skyscrapers with colonial buildings and traditional houses.
Shanghai is a city of contrasts that is divided by the Huangpu River
. On one side, the Bund preserves some buildings of Gothic, Romanesque, Neoclassical, Baroque, and Renaissance origin that constitute a legacy of the city's first commercial district. On the opposite bank, the Pudong district offers a more modern vision of the city thanks to the unavoidable skyline that forms one of the most representative images of the city.
Shanghai has a changing appearance that is renewed every day with the construction of imposing skyscrapers that emerge in the Pudong district. Among them are the curious Television Tower, the World Finance Center, and the Jin Mao Tower.
As an example of the city's technological advancement, Shanghai is the only city in the world to have a magnetic levitation train. This train, known as Maglev, is capable of reaching a speed of 431km/h, which leaves its passengers amazed.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Shanghai
Shanghai is a must for the first trip to China - it is the most dynamic megapolis in the country. It is the most dynamic megalopolis in the country, with construction flourishing at such a pace that the city's appearance changes greatly from one year to the next.
When to go to Shanghai? What are the best months or the best period for a stay?
Unlike Beijing, the climate is subtropical.
Climate - Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
Tip: Remember to check the calendar of events as a stay during the Chinese New Year or around May 1st or October 1st can significantly complicate your accommodation search.
Although increasingly westernized, the city of Shanghai still retains vestiges of its traditional past that make it an exotic, remote, and unfamiliar destination.
Today, Shanghai functions as a crossroads of cultures that make it a cosmopolitan and open enclave that has much to offer its visitors
Where to Stay in Shanghai
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More Travel spots to explore around Shanghai
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Shanghai
🗼 Landmark spots 🏘️ Town spots 🌆 Skyline spots 🌉 Bridge spots 🏰 Temple spots 🛣️ Road trip spots 🚴 Cycling spots 🏰 Place of worship spots 🏞️ Reservoir spots 🏞️ River spots 🏖️ Shore spots 🌉 Suspension bridge spots 🏊 Swimming pool spots Ferris wheel spots Concrete bridge spots 🌲 Nature reserve spots 🏰 Pagoda spotsTravel map of Shanghai
Explore popular touristic places around Shanghai