shanghai official tourism website

Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai, a vibrant city situated on the Yangtze River Delta, has a fascinating past as a gateway to China. It is not only the largest economic and trade hub in the country but also a fantastic cultural center.

You can still catch glimpses of Shanghai's colonial history in the charming Bund area, which adds to its cosmopolitan charm.

Get ready to be amazed!

• Top Attractions & Places to Visit
• How to Plan a Shanghai Trip
• Top Shanghai Tours
• Travel Guide by Month

Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Shanghai

How to plan a trip to shanghai, top private shanghai tours.

• See old and new Shanghai
• Rowing in a water town.
• Explore the Bund in-depth
• Get close to the world's leading drone.
• Be a local and pick tea leaves for one day.
• Enjoy a cultural experience in Nanxun Water Town.
• Explore a Suzhou garden at night
• Experience a tea farmer's life in Hangzhou
• Specially designed for a cruise excursion
• Relaxe in the Zhujiajiao Watertown

Travel from China's capital to its prosperous largest city. Feel the contrast of old and new.

Explore China's ancient glory and its modernity with our top itinerary.

• The best choice for first-timers
• Discover the picturesque rural China
• The best choice for panda fans
• Be a panda keeper
• The best choice for nature lovers
• Witness the Hallelujah Mountains
• Top family itinerary
• Experience China's countryside life together
• The best choice for ones who have a Tibet dream
• Pay your respects at the pilgrim's holy palace.

Shanghai Travel Guide by Month

Get inspired with some popular itineraries, more travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty & Referral Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Destinations A-Z

Shanghai Travel Guide

When you think of China, there are many things that come to mind: an ancient culture full of beauty and history, very large cities with towering skyscrapers, and incredible food from the street vendors up to high-end restaurants. Shanghai blends all of that into one thriving city.

Shanghai, which sits on the Yangtze River, is one of the most populated cities in the world and the most populated city in China. In a country known for its mega cities, Shanghai easily takes the crown.

Often called the Paris of the East, Shanghai is a mix of modern towers that define its skyline, like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower with its iconic circular design, and quaint neighborhoods that make visitors feel like they've been transported to the romantic streets of Europe.

From classic xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) to Michelin star meals, top-floor observation towers to an after-dinner stroll along the Bund waterfront, Shanghai offers something for everyone.

China Standard Time

Best Time to Go

One of the coolest times to visit Shanghai is around Chinese New Year, which tends to fall around late January or February. The city comes alive with vibrant decorations, special food, and an amazing lantern display.

Cherry blossom fans should head to the city in March to watch the blooms. There are thousands of cherry blossoms and dozens of varieties to see.

In September or early October, tourists can feast on traditional mooncakes (typically filled with red bean paste or lotus seed paste) for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Things to Know

Shanghai is known for hordes of bicycles and scooters zooming by on the streets. It's an amazing sight to see, but pedestrians should remember to be extra careful.

It's great to post photos and Google everything you see while on vacation, but remember some websites are blocked in China, including Facebook. But a digital detox isn't necessarily a bad thing and less social media just means more time for being in the moment.

Shanghai is a very safe city , especially compared to other cities of comparable size.

U.S. citizens need to apply for a visa to enter China. More information on visas is available through the Department of State's website .

Currency: Chinese yuan (Check the current exchange rate )

Language: Mandarin, Shanghai dialect Useful phrases: Hello: Nǐ hǎo Goodbye: Zàijiàn Thank you: Xièxiè nǐ

Calling Code: +86

Capital City: The capital of China is Beijing

How to Get Around

Trains: Shanghai's metro has more than a dozen subway lines. Station announcements are made in both English and Chinese and fares are calculated by distance. The city also has a high-speed Maglev train , which can travel at 431 kilometers per hour (or about 267 miles per hour) between the city and the Shanghai Pudong Airport.

Buses: There are buses in Shanghai, but they tend to be more difficult to navigate for tourists and non-Chinese speakers than the metro.

Taxis: Official, licensed taxis in Shanghai use a meter to calculate the fare and tourists should rely on these.Car service: Those looking to order a car through an app on their smartphone can do so through China's Didi Chuxing .

Best Hotels

Amanyangyun.

Address: 6161 Yuanjiang Rd., Minhang Qu, 201111, Shanghai Phone: +86 21 8011 9999 Website

This hotel just outside Shanghai offers all the luxury travelers would expect from the Aman brand as well as an escape from the city, immersing travelers in the tranquility of a 10-hectare forest park with giant camphor trees where guests can learn Tai Chi or go for a picnic. The hotel features both contemporary suites and antique Ming and Qing Dynasty villas and offers guests the ultimate in relaxation, including traditional Chinese medicine therapy.

J Hotel Shanghai Tower

Address: Shanghai Tower, No. 126 Dong Tai Rd., Lujiazui Pudong New District, Shanghai Phone: +86 21 3886 8888 Website

This brand-new hotel sits in the tallest skyscraper in China (and the second tallest in the world behind Dubai's Burj Khalifa), offering unparalleled views of the city and making guests truly feel as if they're on top of the world. Each room is situated on the 86th to 98th floors and includes a personal butler service and unparalleled views of the city.

Fairmont Peace Hotel

Address: 20 Nanjing Rd. East, Shanghai, 200002 Phone: +1-800-257-7544 (U.S. and Canada) Website

This art deco-designed hotel sits right in the middle of the action with the Bund and Shanghai's famous shopping street, Nanjing Road, just steps away. The hotel, which features 270 rooms and suites with modern amenities, was once known as the playground of Shanghai's elite. Capture some of that old world glamour with a visit to the hotel's Jazz Bar, featuring cocktails inspired by the 1920's and 1930's.

The Shanghai EDITION

Address: 199 Nanjing Rd. East Huangpu, 200002, Shanghai Phone: +86 (0) 21 5368 9999 Website

This modern hotel, which sits right in the heart of the famous Nanjing Road shopping street, offers views of the city or the Bund in every room. Shop til you drop and then relax with a drink on the Roof where guests can take in the views from underneath a gorgeous ivy-covered trellis.

Hyatt on the Bund

Address: 199 Huang Pu Rd., Shanghai Phone: + 86 21 6393 1234 Website

Relax in bed and enjoy the views of Shanghai's incredible skyline and the Bund from the floor-to-ceiling windows, or head up to watch the sunset and have a glass of Champagne from the VUE Bar on the top two levels of the hotel. Simply step outside the hotel's front doors to go for a stroll along the Huangpu River.

URBN Boutique Shanghai

Address: 183 Jiaozhou Rd., Jing'an District, Shanghai Phone: +86 21 5153 4600 Website

This carbon-neutral boutique hotel contains only 26 rooms and offers a green escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, featuring recycled and reclaimed local materials, including reclaimed bricks from the French Concession. Explore the neighborhood around the hotel, popping into the many independent bars and cafes, before ending the night at the hotel's garden restaurant.

Best Restaurants

Ultraviolet.

Address: 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Rd., Shanghai Website

This three-Michelin Star, 10-seat restaurant delights diner's tastebuds with a whopping 20-course "Avant-Garde" menu (think: Pop Rock oyster with green tea and citric or "A Chicken in a Jar" with vineyard smoke and foie gras). Everyone sits together at one large table where lights, sounds, scents, and even projections accompany each course. Advance reservations are necessary (bookings are open four months in advance) and guests must pay a deposit to confirm their booking.

M on the Bund

Address: 7F, No 5 The Bund, Shanghai Phone: +86 21 6350 9988 Website

Take in views of the Shanghai skyline and the Huangpu River from this classic restaurant, serving everything from crispy suckling pig and salt-encased slow baked leg of lamb for dinner to "M's Very Famous Pavlova" for dessert. In the mood for a healthier meal? Head to the restaurant on Sunday's for an all-vegan menu with dishes like maple-glazed heirloom carrots with pickled chili potato and kumara and cassava gnocchi with olive crumbs.

Din Tai Fung

Address: Multiple locations Website

This famous restaurant was originally founded in Taiwan in 1958 and now has multiple locations throughout China, including several in Shanghai. Feast on the classic soup dumplings, or xiao long bao (theirs contains fillings like pork, crab roe and pork, chicken, or green squash and shrimp), or try the vegetarian mushroom buns. In the mood for a sweet treat? Try a steamed red bean rice cake with walnuts or even a chocolate xiao long bao .

Riviera Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental

Address: 111 Pudong Rd. (S) Pudong, Shanghai, 200120 Phone: +86 (21) 2082 9928 Website

Tea is very important to Chinese tradition and nothing says a luxurious tea experience quite like an over-the-top afternoon tea. At the Mandarin Oriental, tradition is combined with modern cuisine to create dishes like mint crab and cucumber sandwiches, grilled pork neck with BBQ sauce in a cone, and yuzu raspberry Swiss rolls.

Jia Jia Tang Bao

Address: 90 Huanghe Rd., Huangpu, Shanghai Phone: +86 21 6327 6878 Website

Eat your weight in xiao long bao at this famous spot in a city known for its steep soup dumpling competition. Go early (seriously) to get the popular crab and pork dumplings and be prepared to wait.

Things to Do

Untour food tours.

Address: Varies Phone: +86 137 0172 9642 Website

Learn how to cook (and eat) dumplings while exploring the former French Concession or visit a traditional wet market and sample traditional Chinese breakfasts, like jianbing. Each tour is available in English and children are welcome.

Disneyland Shanghai

Phone: +86 21 3158 0000 Website

This park offers everything someone would expect from the Happiest Place on Earth from favorite rides like Peter Pan's Flight and Dumbo the Flying Elephant to character selfie spots, but it also has some distinctly Chinese flair. The park's Garden of the Twelve Friends, for example, includes Disney characters to represent Chinese astrology.

Shanghai Museum

Address: No.201 Ren Min Da Dao, Shanghai, 20003 Phone: +86 (0) 21 63723500 Website

This free museum, first established in 1952, is focused on pre-modern Chinese art, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, and more. The museum has ten permanent galleries along with temporary exhibitions and other showrooms, and sits in People's Square, a central square in Shanghai.

Go to the Shanghai Tower's observation deck

Address: 479 Lujiazui Ring Rd., Pudong New Area, Shanghai Phone: +86 (21) 2065 6999 Website

Visit the second highest tower in the world with a view from the "Top of Shanghai Observatory" on the 118th floor where guests can take in a 360-degree view of the city and its iconic skyline. While there, visit the Summit Art and Cultural space on the 126th floor where people can hear a 4D music experience.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Address: 100 People's Ave., near Xizang Zhong Lu, Huangpu district Phone: 86 21 63722077 Website

The highlight of this experience is the very detailed scale model of the city, complete with Shanghai's impressive skyscrapers down to its individual homes. In addition to the scale model, the exhibition center contains a 150-meter-long underground street called the "1930 Shanghai-Style Street."

Go on a river boat cruise

Address: Varies by company

The Huangpu River serves as an important landmark in Shanghai and one of the best ways to take it all in—along with the city's diverse architecture as a whole—is on a cruise. While there are cruises available during the day, going in the evening and seeing the city lit up is a special experience.

Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai

Address: Gate 7, People's square, No. 231, West Nanjing Rd., Shanghai

This modern art museum, known as MoCA, was founded in 2005 and features avant-garde art and design as well as hosted fashion-focused exhibitions. The museum also features the Pavilion, an art space dedicated to supporting young artists.

Best Shopping

Nanjing road.

This is one of the main shopping streets in Shanghai, complete with a pedestrian-only stretch that weaves between local and international stores. While there, head to the Shanghai First Foodhall where visitors can sample local eats.

Madame Mao's Dowry

Address: 207 Fumin Lu, Shanghai Phone: +(86) 21 54033551 Website

This concept store sells beautiful crafts from local designers and artists. The shop values design from the Mao Period (from 1949 to 1976) and has a large collection of propaganda posters and news photographs.

Tianshan Tea Market

Address: 520 Zhongshan Xi Lu, near Wuyi Lu, Changning District

Tea plays a big role in Chinese culture and that holds very true in Shanghai. This massive tea-focused market is home to more than 100 vendors selling all kinds of tea along with other beautiful tea accessories.

Huaihai Road

This upscale shopping street has something for everyone from high-end stores like Prada and Tiffany & Co to popular brands like Levi's. While some stores are directly on the street, many are located inside large shopping malls.

South Bund Fabric Market

Address: 399 Lujiabang Rd., Huangpu, Shanghai

This bustling market will make any fashion-obsessed traveler's dreams come true with hundreds of tailors and endless possibilities for custom-made outfits from suits to dresses and more. If travelers have a style in mind, be sure to bring a photo (or photos) of the clothing item, and don't forget to go with cash.

Garden Books

Address: 325 Chang Le Rd., 200031, Shanghai Phone: +(86) 021 5404 8728 Website

This English-language bookstore is perfect for picking up a great novel or catching up on foreign newspapers and magazines. Stop by for one of the shop's lecture events or grab a coffee and settle in with your latest riveting read.

Neighborhoods to Know

Shanghai French Concession is a leafy neighborhood full of trendy bars and restaurants that evoke a romantic vibe and offer a change from the high-rises in other parts of the city. The area got its name since it used to be administered by the French.

Pudong is a large area east of the Huangpu River where many of Shanghai's most iconic buildings are located, including the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower as well as one of Shanghai's main airports. Beyond the skyscrapers, Pudong is also home to the massive Century Park.

Xintiandi is a car-free, pedestrian-only area full of cafes and cobblestone streets. The quaint feeling of the neighborhood is only enhanced by the preserved traditional shikumen buildings.

Xujiahui is a central commercial center in Shanghai, known for its bustling shopping centers. While the busy pace can be fun, the neighborhood's green Xujiahui Park offers a bit of a respite.

People's Square is home to some of Shanghai's best museums and government buildings, and serves as a central landmark in the city. The bustling square sits at the entrance to Nanjing Road, a popular shopping street.

Shanghai has four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Spring tends to be mild in Shanghai with temperatures hovering in the 60's and 70's.

Summer tends to be the rainiest season in Shanghai with temperatures hitting the 80's and frequent downpours.

Fall temperatures tend to drop into the 60's and 70's and much less rain falls on the city, making it one of the best times to visit.

Winter in Shanghai gets somewhat cold with temperatures falling into the 40's and 50's, and even dipping down into the 30's at night.

Apps to Download

WeChat : Popular messaging app and a great way to follow restaurants and shops iOs | Android

Alipay : Popular way to pay for things in China iOs | Android

MetroMan Shanghai : App to help travelers navigate the Shanghai subway with a route planner iOs | Android

Dianping : App to read restaurant reviews iOs | Android

Google Translate : App to translate languages through text or by using the camera iOs | Android

• 1.1 Downtown
• 1.3 Inner suburbs
• 1.4 Outer suburbs
• 1.5 The islands
• 2.1 Economy
• 2.2 History
• 2.3 Climate
• 3.1 Chinese speakers
• 3.2 Non-Chinese speakers
• 4.1.1 Pudong Airport
• 4.1.2 Hongqiao Airport
• 4.2 By train
• 4.5 By boat
• 5.1.1 Shanghai Jiaotong Card
• 5.1.2 China T-union
• 5.2.1 Metro lines
• 5.2.2 Metro stations
• 5.2.3 How to use
• 5.4 By taxi
• 5.5 On foot
• 5.6 By ferry
• 5.7 By bicycle
• 5.9 By motorcycle and scooter
• 6.1 Museums
• 6.2 Art galleries
• 6.3 Temples
• 6.4 Water towns
• 7.1 Shopping
• 8.1 Universities
• 8.2 Other classes
• 10.1 Books, CDs and DVDs
• 10.2 Antiques
• 10.3 Electronics
• 10.4 Photo equipment
• 10.5 Clothing
• 10.6 Groceries
• 11.1 Shanghai cuisine
• 11.2 Western food
• 14 Stay safe
• 15 Stay healthy
• 17.2 Operator assistance
• 17.3 Etiquette
• 17.4 Work permits and visa extensions
• 17.5 Consulates

Shanghai (上海; Zånhae in Shanghainese, Shànghǎi in Mandarin) is the most developed city in China , the country's main center for finance and fashion, and one of the world's most populous and important cities. There are several ways to rate the size of cities; by the one Wikipedia uses, based on UN numbers, Shanghai is the third largest city in the world after Tokyo and Delhi . By any measure, it is in the top ten for the world and either the largest in China or second to Chongqing .

Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River (黄浦江 Huángpǔ Jiāng ), which divides the city into Puxi (浦西 Pǔxī ), west of the river, and Pudong (浦东 Pǔdōng ), east of the river. Both terms can be used in a general sense for everything on their side of the river, including various suburbs. However, they are more often used in a much narrower sense where Puxi is the older (since the 19th century) city center ( #Downtown below) and Pudong the mass of new (since 1990) high-rise development right across the river from there ( #Pudong below).

Shanghai is one of four cities in China that are administered as municipalities (市) at the same level in the hierarchy as provinces ( discussion ). It is not part of any province and there is no government structure at province, prefecture or city level, just a government for Shanghai Municipality and one for each of the 16 districts within it. This is an overview article for the entire municipality. For the central districts which have most of the tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and nightspots , see #Downtown and #Pudong below.

The municipality covers quite a large area — 6341 km 2 or 2,448 square miles — and has a population over 25 million, about the same as Australia and more than all but two US states and all but six EU member countries. Its GDP is larger than that of many countries, and it has the world's busiest container port. Shanghai is the main hub of the East China region, all of which is densely populated, heavily industrialized, prosperous, well supplied with migrant workers from poorer parts of China, and still growing.

Districts [ edit ]

Shanghai Municipality has 16 administrative districts, all with at least a few hundred thousand people, and Wikivoyage has separate articles for most of them. Here we try to split them up in a way that will make sense for travellers.

Downtown [ edit ]

The historic core of Shanghai , it includes both the old Chinese city and the area of the International Settlement which began in the 1840s and lasted until the 1930s. It can be called Puxi (浦,西), downtown Shanghai (上海市区) or the city center (市中心). Today this area is still the core of the city. Most of the tourist attractions and many hotels are here, and many metro lines run through it.

The four downtown districts are:

Of course "downtown" is not precisely defined; the four districts we have above are clearly the most central, but some definitions would include others which we list under inner suburbs below, and some would include parts of the Pudong New Area , perhaps everything within the outer ring road.

Pudong [ edit ]

Directly across the river from (east of) downtown, Pudong has been a major center of development since about 1990, becoming a skyscraper-filled financial center. Pudong is listed here separately from the older downtown area on the Puxi side, but it might be described as an extension of the downtown core or even as the new center of the city.

Inner suburbs [ edit ]

The inner suburbs all (except Yangpu) have direct borders with the downtown core, all are quite built up, and all have good metro service. All are primarily residential areas, but most have considerable industry and many offices as well and all have some large shopping malls.

These districts have some tourist attractions and several have hotels that are cheaper than those downtown but still convenient for sightseeing or shopping. Several have universities, and nearby areas tend to have many low-priced restaurants and bars catering to the student market; see #Learn below and the district articles for details.

Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station are in this area, on the border between Changning and the northern tip of Minhang.

Outer suburbs [ edit ]

The outer suburbs wrap around the southern, western and northwestern sides of the city. The sea is on the east and south, while the Yangtze River is on the northeast.

All of these areas still include some farmland but large parts of them are already covered with residential and industrial suburban development and the trend shows no sign of stopping. What were once rural villages serving nearby farms have become towns, often fairly interesting ones preserving traditional buildings while hosting new high-rises and malls.

As of 2021, all of these outer suburbs have metro connections and bus services; see the district articles for details.

The beaches along the seacoast at the southern edge of the municipality — Fengxian, Jinshan and Nanhui — are popular as a weekend getaway for Shanghai residents.

The islands [ edit ]

Understand [ edit ].

Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It has historic shikumen (石库门) houses that blend the styles of Chinese houses with European design flair, and it has one of the richest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. There were concessions (designated districts) controlled by Western powers in the late 19th and early 20th century, so many neighbourhoods have buildings in various Western styles.

History has shaped Shanghai's cityscape significantly. British-style buildings can still be seen on the Bund , while French-style buildings are still to be found in the former French Concession . What was once a horse racing track on the edge the British area is now People's Park , with a major metro interchange underneath. Other metro stops include the railway station at the edge of what was once the American area, and Lao Xi Men and Xiao Nan Men, Old West Gate and Small South Gate respectively, named for two of the gates of the old Chinese walled city .

Shanghai is definitely a cosmopolitan city by Chinese standards, although it is less diverse than many western cities. The population was 23 million as of the 2010 census; 9 million (almost 40%) of those were migrants, people from elsewhere in China who have come to find work or to attend one of Shanghai's many educational institutions. There is also a substantial international contingent: 208,300 foreigners lived in Shanghai as of 2010, slightly over a third of the national total of 594,000. There are services catering to these migrants — restaurants with food from anywhere in China for the migrants (in particular, much good cheap Sichuan food and West-of-China noodles) and a variety of grocery stores, restaurants and bars that cater to the foreigners.

Groups of refugees from other parts of the world have sometimes arrived in Shanghai. One group were White Russians fleeing the 1917 revolution; in the 1920s the French Concession had more Russians than French (and of course more Chinese than both of those together). Another group were Jews leaving Germany in the 1930s; they mainly settled in Hongkou , a district that already had many Jews. After Japan took over Korea in 1910 and Manchuria in 1931, Shanghai received refugees from both regions.

There is an Encyclopedia of Shanghai , in English, that is available both as a book in local bookstores and online at the municipal government site. Much of it is rather boring — statistics, photos of the officials in charge of each development project, and project descriptions that give much financial and engineering detail — but there is also some quite useful material. For example, it has detailed descriptions of every museum and park in the city.

Economy [ edit ]

Shanghai is strategically positioned: near the geographic center of China, at the mouth of the great Yangtze River and surrounded by fertile delta land. It has been a trading city for a thousand years and one of China's main centers of trade since the 1840s; today it is a major transport hub. It has the world's busiest container port and additional port facilities are under development. Shanghai's Pudong Airport is a global air hub and ranks third on a list of China's busiest airports, behind Beijing and Guangzhou . Shanghai's other airport, Hongqiao, ranks fourth. The city is also very well connected by both road and rail.

Shanghai is also one of the main industrial centers of China, and the municipal government has set up a number of industrial zones to encourage additional development. 2011 GDP was $300 billion, which is just ahead of the entire country of Malaysia.

According to a saying, "Shanghai is heaven for the rich, hell for the poor." People from all over China flock to Shanghai — everyone from farmers seeking jobs in manual labour to university graduates seeking to start a career or wanting to live in a cool up-tempo city. About 40% of the population, 9 million out of 23, are migrants from other parts of China. Real estate prices, especially in central areas, have skyrocketed in the past few years; rents are among the highest in the world and even well-off people complain that buying a home is becoming impossible.

The surrounding East China region is populous, prosperous, highly developed, and still growing. Shanghai plays an important role as the center of that region.

History [ edit ]

While the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and there has been a town at least since the Song Dynasty, a thousand years or so ago, Shanghai only rose to prominence after China lost the First Opium War in 1842. Shanghai was one of the five cities which China was forced to open to Western trade as treaty ports . Shanghai grew amazingly after that; until then nearby cities like Hangzhou , Suzhou and Nanjing had been far more important, but since the late 19th century Shanghai has been the center of the region.

By the early 20th century, Shanghai was the largest and most prosperous city in the Far East, and one of the wildest. With the opening up of China since the late 1970s, Shanghai has regained much of its former glory and has surpassed it in many ways; the pace of development being absolutely furious. Today, Shanghai is again one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Asia, though not nearly as wild as it once was. It is now a very attractive city for travellers from all over the world, and a major destination for both tourism and business. A Forbes article ranks Shanghai as the world's 14th most visited city, with 6.5 million visitors in 2012.

From the early 1840s to the late 1930s parts of Shanghai were concessions , areas administered by foreign powers. Eight nations—Britain, France, the US, Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Japan—had concessions in Shanghai, areas that they controlled and where Chinese law did not apply. Most of these were jointly administered as the "International Settlement", but the French ran theirs separately. In all of them, the population was mainly Chinese but there were also many foreigners, and the government and legal system were foreign. The police included many Sikhs and some French gendarmes.

Many important Chinese lived in the concession areas. Chairman Mao's Shanghai house is now a museum in Jing'an District, while both the houses of several other leaders and the site of the first national meeting of the Communist Party are now museums in the French Concession .

Today most of the former concession areas are parts of downtown Shanghai, listed at #Downtown above.

• "Central District" on the old map was British and the center of colonial Shanghai. It corresponds roughly to the modern district Huangpu .
• The horse-racing track on the edge of that area is now People's Square , considered the center of modern Shanghai.
• "Western District" was mostly British but also included the Italian Concession. It corresponds roughly to Jing'an .
• "French Settlement" on the old map corresponds roughly to Luwan District; the Concession later expanded westward to include Xuhui District, and our French Concession article covers both.
• "The Bund" was mostly British, though parts of it were in the American concession.
• Hongkou was the site of the former Japanese concession.

The "Chinese City" was the walled city of Shanghai for hundreds of years before the modern city developed around it. It has its own Wikivoyage article, Old City .

"Northern District" and "Eastern District" were once the American Concession; today they are parts of Zhabei and Hongkou , respectively. They receive fewer visitors than the districts mentioned above, but they do have some attractions and the Shanghai Railway Station is in Zhabei. These are listed under #Inner suburbs .

Shanghai reached its zenith in 1920s and 30s and was at that time the most prosperous city in East Asia. On the other hand, the streets were largely ruled by the triads (Chinese gangs) during that period, with the triads sometimes battling for control of parts of Shanghai. That period has been greatly romanticised in many modern films and television serials, one of the most famous being The Bund , which was produced by Hong Kong's TVB in 1980. Shanghai also became the main center of Chinese entertainment during that period, with many films and songs produced in Shanghai.

Shanghai was occupied by the Japanese in 1937 after a bitter battle lasting several months; see Pacific War#China for the context. Japan and its puppet regime remained in control until 1945 and, as with elsewhere in China, life in Shanghai at that time was very difficult.

The foreign concessions were removed after the war, and trade resumed. After the Communist victory in the civil war in 1949, many of the people involved in the entertainment industry, as well as much of the upper class and intellectuals, fled to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Shanghai's days of glory were — temporarily as it turned out — over.

Since China's "reform and opening up", starting under Deng Xiaoping around 1978, Shanghai is once again a great industrial city and trading port, and in many ways has surpassed the old glory days. In the 1990s, the Shanghai government launched a series of new strategies to attract foreign investment. The biggest move was to create a Special Economic Zone called Pudong New Area with a range of government measures to encourage investment. This includes nearly all of Shanghai east of the river.

The strategies for growth have been extremely successful; in twenty years downtown Pudong changed from a predominantly rural area to having more skyscrapers than New York, including several of the tallest in the world. Pudong is now home to many financial institutions which used to have their main offices across the Huangpu river on the Bund.

Today, Shanghai's goal is to develop into a world-class financial and economic center, and it is already well on its way. In achieving this goal, Shanghai faces competition from Hong Kong , which has the advantages of a stronger legal system and greater banking and service expertise. However, Shanghai has stronger links to the Chinese interior and to the central government, in addition to a stronger manufacturing and technology base. Shanghai has increased its role in finance and banking, with many international corporations having built their Chinese or even Asia/Pacific headquarters in the city, fueling demand for a highly educated and cosmopolitan workforce.

Climate [ edit ]

Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate. Cities at roughly comparable latitude (just over 30°) include New Orleans , Cairo and Perth .

Spring can feature lengthy periods of cloudy and rainy weather.

Summer temperatures often surpass 35 °C (95 °F) with very high humidity, which means that you will perspire a lot and should take lots of changes of clothing or plan on shopping for clothing during the visit. Thunderstorms also occur relatively often during the summer. There is some risk of typhoons in their July–September season, however they are not common.

Autumn is generally mild with warm and sunny weather.

During winter, temperatures rarely rise above 10 °C (50 °F) during the day and often fall below 0 °C (32 °F) at night. Snowfall is rare, typically occurring only once every few years, but transportation networks can sometimes be disrupted in the event of a sudden snowstorm. Despite the fact that winter temperatures in Shanghai are not particularly low, the wind chill factor combined with the high humidity can actually make it feel less comfortable than some much colder places that experience frequent snowfalls. Also, back in Mao's era the official rule was that north of the Yangtze buildings were heated in winter but south of it they were not; Shanghai is on the south bank so many older buildings do not have heating.

Talk [ edit ]

Chinese speakers [ edit ].

The native language of most locals, Shanghainese or Wu dialect , is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin, Cantonese, Minnan (Taiwanese/Hokkien) or any other forms of Chinese. The use of Shanghainese as the de facto 'first' language of the city has been decreasing both due to the use of Mandarin in mass media and education, and because Shanghai has many migrant workers from other parts of China who do not speak Shanghainese. As with elsewhere in China, Mandarin is the lingua franca . As Shanghai has been China's main commercial centre since the 1920s, all locals who can speak Shanghainese can also speak Mandarin, so you will have no problems speaking Mandarin to locals. Nevertheless, attempts to speak Shanghainese are appreciated, and can help endear you to local people.

Wu speakers have a particular accent when speaking Mandarin. Mandarin is heavily tone-based and speakers from Beijing can easily be understood (most textbooks are based on their accent or an approximation). Shanghainese speakers have appropriated some of the features of Wu onto their Mandarin. While in other languages this would not be a problem, given the phonemic and tonal nature inherent to Mandarin, the slightest shift in pronunciation can make it much more difficult to understand. The best thing to do is say "说慢一点" ( shuō màn yī diǎn ) which means "speak a little slower".

Non-Chinese speakers [ edit ]

As English is compulsory in Chinese schools, an increasing number of people know at least basic English. You will probably find that most people in the tourist industry have a rather good command of it, and so do many in service positions, i.e. in shops, gastronomy and even sales clerks at metro stations. English is probably better understood than spoken by many, and the Chinese are notoriously afraid of shaming themselves in public, so make sure your questions are clear and can be easily answered.

Two traits of Shanghai residents are of assistance - one is the traditional Chinese hospitality, with most people genuinely wanting to help when asked, and the Shanghainese robustness. When necessary, do not be afraid to approach even the unlikely elderly person with an arsenal of well-thought-through and clear hand gestures, notes in Chinese, maps or photos. In the worst case, look for a younger person and/or somebody in a senior position, as both are more probable to have better English knowledge and will feel more confident when dealing with a foreigner.

Everyday spoken Chinese is a rather simple language, so most people will not be offended if you dispose of pleasantries in your English as well and focus on the most important parts of your message, e.g. "Where is subway station?" will probably work better than "Would you be so kind and direct me to the nearest subway station if you will?".

For bargaining in stores, calculators are often used to "discuss" prices. Savvy shop owners in tourist-frequented areas equip their personnel with them, but do not be afraid to pull up one (or a calculator app on your phone) for the purpose if the other party doesn't. Remember that "4" is an unlucky number and prices containing it should be avoided, which you can use to your advantage (e.g. proposing "39" instead of 40-whatever).

Do note that taxi and Uber drivers are often either elderly or recruited from the working class or migrant populations, and thus, as a group, have lower-than-average knowledge of English. Therefore it is recommended to have your destinations and hotel address written in Chinese for them. Some hotels even provide small brochures with both the hotel name and address and those of the key landmarks written in both English and Simplified Chinese for the purpose.

Get in [ edit ]

Shanghai is one of China's main travel hubs and arriving from pretty much anywhere is easy.

By plane [ edit ]

Shanghai has two main airports , with Pudong being the main international gateway, and Hongqiao being the main domestic airport, but also serving some international destinations in East Asia. Transfer between the airports takes about 1 hour by taxi. There are also direct shuttle buses.

You can travel between the two airports in about two hours by metro. The airports are opposite ends of line   2   , the main East-West line through downtown Shanghai. You can reduce the time by taking the Maglev train (described in the next section) part of the way. A traveller making that transfer with a few hours to spare and a desire to get a quick look at Shanghai (and not too much luggage) might get off at Nanjing Road East and walk a few blocks to the Bund .

Free tourist maps of central Shanghai, with major sights labeled in English, are available in little racks as you enter either airport. These are worth grabbing as you walk by since, except at some hotels, free maps are unavailable elsewhere.

Both airports also have direct bus service to major nearby cities such as Hangzhou , Suzhou and Nanjing , though the new fast trains may be preferable, especially from Hongqiao Airport which has Hongqiao Railway Station quite nearby (one metro stop or about a km on foot, indoors and level).

Domestic airplane tickets are best booked in advance at one of the many travel agencies or online, but can also be bought at the airport on the day of departure. Fares are generally cheap, but vary depending on the season; figure on ¥400-1200 for Beijing-Shanghai. The low-cost airline Spring Airlines is based out of Shanghai with routes to most major Chinese tourist destinations, and frequently offers large discounts for tickets booked through its website. For budget travellers, it is often cheaper to book a flight on a heavy-traffic route (Shanghai-Beijing, Shanghai-Guangzhou, Shanghai-Shenzhen, etc.) and travel the rest by bus or train.

The city of Hangzhou , about a 45-min high-speed train ride from Shanghai, should also be considered if having a difficult time finding tickets to Pudong or Hongqiao. Also if coming in from South East Asia, since Air Asia has a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Hangzhou. See Discount airlines in Asia .

Pudong Airport [ edit ]

The airport is on metro line   2   , many of the better hotels provide free airport shuttles for their guests, and there are six airport bus lines connecting to downtown. There are also buses to other cities nearby such as Suzhou and Hangzhou .

If you have heavy luggage then almost certainly a taxi will be more convenient; expect cost in the ¥200-500 range.

The most interesting way to arrive in Shanghai is on the former world's fastest train , the magnetic levitation train or Maglev. It was running 430 km/h till 2021; as of December, 2023, the maximum speed is capped at 300 km/h. Single tickets are ¥50, discounted to ¥40 if you have an airline ticket that day, and return tickets (return within a week) are ¥80.

The Maglev terminates at Longyang station in Pudong which is still some distance from the city centre and may not therefore be close to your ultimate destination. Here you can connect to metro lines   2   ,   7   and the new line   16   ,   18   . Longyang station also has a Maglev train museum for those interested in how magnetic levitation trains work.

Hongqiao Airport [ edit ]

T2 is served directly by metro line   2   , which connects the airport to People's Square and, further east, to Pudong Airport . Trains operate from 05:35 to 22:50 (service to and from Pudong Airport has limited hours). Line   10   , which also goes to central Shanghai but on a different route, serves both T1 and T2.

Line   17   opened on 30 December 2017, and connects Hongqiao Railway Station (near the Airport) with Zhujiajiao .

Eventually Line   5   , the main line through the southern suburb Minhang , will be extended to the airport at the north end and into Fengxian to the south. Line   20   will extend north from the airport. As of early 2018 this is not in service.

A taxi can manage the 12 km trip to the city in 20 minutes on a good day, but allow an extra 30 minutes for the taxi queue, especially when arriving after 19:00. Be sure to determine from which terminal your flight departs before you go to the airport as the English signage is confusing, taxi drivers will not be able to help you, and the shuttle between the terminals leaves on a half-hourly schedule with another twenty minute drive.

Due to the metro line extension, the Hongqiao Airport Special Line bus (机场专线) has now been replaced with a night bus (虹桥机场T2夜宵巴士) that goes to Jing'an Temple , People's Square , and Lujiazui every 10-30 min from 22:30 (when the metro closes) to 45 minutes after the last inbound arrival of the day for ¥10 (to Jing'an Temple or People's Square) or ¥16 (to Lujiazui). It leaves from Door 1 of the Arrivals level of Terminal 2. Tickets are purchased inside the bus shortly before it departs.

Although Hongqiao airport has fewer airport bus lines than Pudong, more public bus lines are linked to Hongqiao. Buses below run to T1, take the free shuttle to connect to T2 if needed or use Metro Line 10 if in a hurry.

• No. 806: These buses run from Hongqiao airport to the Lupu Bridge between 06:00-21:30 at intervals of 5-15 min. The line also has a stop at Xujiahui, and the whole trip costs ¥5.
• No. 807: These buses operate between 06:00-22:30 from Hongqiao airport to the Zhenguang New Village in Putuo District, stopping at the Shanghai Zoo and some other places of interest. ¥2.
• No. 1207: This bus only runs between the airport and Shanghai Zoo. ¥2.

With the opening of Metro service to the airport, only the above two routes serve the airport.

One public bus line has now been moved to T2. The reverse applies- take the free shuttle or the Metro to T1 if needed. Bus service to T2 splits boarding and exiting- all passengers arriving at T2 get off at the Departures level of the airport, but those wishing to board must board the bus at the bus hub on 1/F of the airport/metro station complex.

• No. 941: Linking Hongqiao airport and Shanghai Railway Station, the line runs from 06:30–22:30 to the airport/23:00 from the airport. ¥4. Interval between services is 10-12 min. Look for Waiting Room 1.

Additionally, the following night bus runs from T2 between the hours of 23:00 and 05:00 for anyone arriving late at night and needing to stop at destinations not covered by the T1 night bus:

• No. 316: Links the airport to the Bund, following Metro Line 2 until Zhongshan Park, then makes stops near Changshou Road (Line 7), Xinzha Road (Line 1), and East Nanjing Road (Line 2/10) before terminating at the Bund.

An additional night bus from the train station side is also available.

• No. 320: Links the train station to the Bund via a different route. This bus stops near the tourist part of Hongmei Road, then follows Metro Line 10 until Jiaotong University, stops in Xujiahui, continues along Line 10, then starts following line 1 around the Changshu Road stop until it reaches the Xintiandi area, then makes one final stop in Yu Gardens before terminating at the Bund.

By train [ edit ]

Shanghai has a few major train stations including:

• Shanghai East Railway Station . Plans to build the station, which will be based in Pudong's Chuansha district, were announced in 2012.

Self-serve automated ticket booths are prevalent and can be used for checking train times in the English mode, but you can only buy tickets from them if you have a Chinese ID card. Tickets are also conveniently booked in advance at one of the many travel service agencies, or the ticket office of any railway station. See the train tickets section of the China article. Note that Hong Kong tickets go on sale 60 days in advance, and the Hong Kong–Shanghai segment sells out quickly.

• Beijing (北京) — Beginning in June 2011, an all-new express line service from Beijing started, with the quickest travel time option ringing in at 4 hours and 18 minutes (G17/G22). Additionally, there are a number of fast night sleeper trains running daily. These trains have D-prefix codes, take just over 10 hours from Shanghai to Beijing. Fare is around ¥730 for a soft sleeper lower berth or ¥655 for upper berth; the trains are clean and the four-person cabins are comfortable. Two-person rooms are also available on some of these trains, the price is about ¥1470 for a lower berth or ¥1300 for an upper. Two-person rooms on D trains do not have private baths. In the same new train, normal second-class seats are available for around ¥327. For a regular normal sleeper in a standard train, which takes 13 hours from Shanghai to Beijing, expect to pay ¥306 to ¥327 for a hard sleeper or around ¥478 to ¥499 for a soft one. Two-person sleepers are available on T-series trains, with private bath and a sofa, price is ¥881 for upper berth or ¥921 for a lower. But tickets for these cheaper normal sleepers are usually very tight.
• Hong Kong (香港) — The high-speed G99/G100 trains run daily between West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong and Shanghai Hongqiao station, taking about 8 hours to complete the journey. Tickets cost about ¥1008 one way in economy class. Both mainland Chinese and Hong Kong immigration procedures are conducted at the station in Hong Kong. Alternatively, the slower Z99/Z100 train from Shanghai Railway Station (Z99 leaves here at 18:20, Z100 arrives here at 10:00), arriving at Hung Hom station in Kowloon (Z99 arrives here around 13:00, Z100 leaves here at 15:15). If traveling alone, expect to pay ¥800 each way for the soft sleeper, but discounts are given for group purchases (¥364 each way per person in a soft sleeper if purchased in a group of 4, for instance). Unless you are on a very tight budget, try to get the 'Deluxe Soft Sleeper' which has compartments of 2 beds and a private mainland-style mains socket (but with the introduction of new train cars, the regular soft sleeper also has a private mains socket for each room as well as one in the corridor of each car). Spaces are limited, so book well in advance. Keep in mind that you will still have to go through customs and thus need a new visa for re-entry into mainland China (unless you have a multiple-entry visa). However, going through customs at the train station is much quicker than customs at the airport.
• Lhasa (拉萨) — The train to and from Lhasa , Tibet runs every day from Shanghai Railway Station. It takes just under 50 hours to arrive at Lhasa. A hard seat costs ¥406 and a hard sleeper priced around ¥900, soft sleeper costs around ¥1300. Oxygen is available for each passenger in the Golmud–Lhasa section. A Tibet travel permit is required for non-Chinese citizens.

The new fast (200+ km/h) CRH trains from Shanghai go southwest to Nanchang and Changsha , or north to Beijing, Zhengzhou and Qingdao . These are very comfortable and convenient. Train route codes begin with D in this instance. High-speed trains (300+ km/h) to Nanjing and Hangzhou have a G prefix.

By car [ edit ]

Good modern highways link Shanghai to nearby cities in East China , including Nanjing , Suzhou , Hangzhou and Ningbo . Other highways, many of them as good, go to more distant cities anywhere in the country. It only takes about an hour to reach Shanghai from Suzhou, 2 hours from Hangzhou or 2½ hours from Ningbo, the latter via the 36 km long Hangzhou Bay Bridge, the world's longest sea-crossing bridge.

By bus [ edit ]

There are several long-distance bus stations in Shanghai. You should try to get the tickets as early as possible.

• Beiqu Long-distance Passenger Station , 80 Gongxing Lu .  
• Hengfeng Road Express Passenger Station ( 恒丰路客运站 ), 270 Hengfeng Lu . This is one of the largest and is just north of the main railway station. It serves most destinations in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and some more distant cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou. It's well organized but can be a little hard to find — particularly with the major rebuilding of the North Station Square. From Shanghai Railway Station (North) metro station (Lines 3 & 4) take exit No. 1. You'll come out in the middle of a construction site. Head left and keep walking straight and eventually (after an unpleasant 10-minute walk) you'll find it. Motorcycle-taxis will loiter around the station exit and will take you there for around ¥5 if you bargain hard — however they can be pushy and aggressive.  
• Zhongshan Beilu Long-distance Passenger Transport Station , 1015 Zhongshan Bei Lu .  
• Xujiahui Passenger Station , 211 Hongqiao Lu .  
• Pudong Tangqiao Long-distance Passenger Station , 3842 Pudong Nan Lu .  

By boat [ edit ]

There are ferry services from Kobe and Osaka ( Japan ) weekly.

Get around [ edit ]

Shanghai has an excellent public transport network with the world's most extensive metro (subway and elevated train) system as its backbone and buses that go more-or-less everywhere else. Taxis are plentiful, and cheap by international standards, and getting around on foot is often practical. Metro, taxi and walking will be the main means of transport for most travellers. The city is huge (24 million), though, and all transport methods sometimes have problems with congestion.

Metro cards [ edit ]

Shanghai jiaotong card [ edit ].

If you intend to stay in Shanghai for more than a few days, a metro card — also called a Shanghai Jiaotong Card (上海公共交通卡) or Shanghai Public Transportation Card — is a must. You can get these cards at any metro station, as well as some convenience stores like Alldays and KeDi Marts.

You can load the card with money and use it in buses, the metro and even taxis , saving the hassle of buying tickets (sometimes with long queues) and keeping change for buses and taxis. Also, the card allows you to change lines at some stations where without the card you would need to get another ticket, and gives a ¥1 discount for each bus↔bus or metro↔bus transfer.

These cards do not require contact with the card reader to work. It is quite common to see someone just pass a purse, wallet or shoulder bag over the reader without taking the card out, and this almost always works. The card can be used once after it runs out of money; up to a ¥8 "overdraft" is allowed.

Cards come in several sizes — regular (credit card size), mini, and "strap" (for hanging on mobile phones) — and special editions with interesting pictures are available for each. New machines that can load money to any size of card are replacing older machines, but they do not take cash, generally only accepting Alipay or UnionPay/Discover cards. Service counters in most metro stations will recharge any type of card in multiples of ¥10, but a few stations are no longer staffing their service counters, while others are experimenting with requiring recharges to be done at the self-service machines, so it is advised to make sure sufficient funds are available for your return trip if you are going to a less-populated part of town.

There is a ¥20 deposit for the card; regular-sized cards can be returned for a deposit refund, but mini or strap sizes cannot. For any card type, the balance on the card can be immediately returned if it is less than ¥10. If the balance is between ¥10 and ¥2,000, an invoice should be taken to ask for the return of money; however, a 5% handling fee will be charged. Some metro stations have special offices for returning the cards. These stations include:

• Line 1 - Hanzhong Rd, Hengshan Rd, Jinjiang Park;
• Line 2 - Jiangsu Rd, E Nanjing Rd, Century Park, Songhong Rd;
• Line 3 - Dongbaoxing Rd, Zhenping Rd, Caoxi Rd, North Jiangyang Rd;
• Line 4 - Yangshupu Rd.

You can also use the Shanghai Public Transportation Card Service Center, No 609, Jiujiang Rd, M-F 09:30–18:30, Sa Su 09:30–16:30.

China T-union [ edit ]

As of 2024, you can now use your China T-union card. China T-union covers all bus, metro and ferry lines in Shanghai, as well as taxis. Like the Jiaotong Card, you save the hassle of buying tickets (sometimes with long queues) and keeping change for buses and taxis. Also, the card allows you to change lines at some stations where without the card you would need to get another ticket, and gives a discount for each bus↔bus or metro↔bus transfer.

China T-union tickets are not valid on high-speed rail lines, the Shanghai Maglev, regional trains, Hong Kong , Macau and Taiwan .

By metro [ edit ]

The Shanghai Metro network (see map [dead link] at its official website [dead link] ) is great — clean, fast, cheap (¥3-10 depending on distance), air-conditioned, and fairly user-friendly with signs and station arrival announcements in both Mandarin and English, while announcements on Lines 16 and 17 are trilingual in Shanghainese, Mandarin and English. The drawbacks are that trains are packed during rush hour, trains do not run late at night (the last train is usually around 22:30, with some lines going until around midnight on Friday and Saturday nights), and the network does not go everywhere yet, though it is continually being expanded.

In central areas most lines (but not line 3 and 4) run underground. Out in the suburbs, most are above ground and many on elevated tracks. Shanghai Metro is the busiest metro system in the world. There are over 500 km (250 miles) of line and over 250 stations. Usage averages about 6 million rides a day.

Metro lines [ edit ]

Each metro line has a particular colour on all maps and signs, and often in station decor. As of early-2022 lines   1   ,   2   ,   3   ,   4   ,   5   ,   6   ,   7   ,   8   ,   9   ,   10   ,   11   ,   12   ,   13   ,   14   ,   15   ,   16   ,   17   ,   18   ,   Pujiang   and   Jinshan   are in service.

Three of the most important lines are line   1   north-south, line   2   east-west, and line   4   which encircles all of the city centre.

Many metro lines (   1   ,   2   ,   3   ,   4   ,   7   ,   8   ,   9   ,   10   ,   11   ,   12   ,   13   ) run through downtown.

Lines that do not come downtown are line   5   which serves the southern suburb Minhang , line   17   which runs from Hongqiao Railway Station to the western suburb Qingpu , and lines   6   ,   16   and   Pujiang   whose routes are across the river in Pudong New Area .

Metro stations [ edit ]

Important metro stations include:

How to use [ edit ]

The most convenient way to pay is with a metro card; see previous section. There are also one-day cards available which can be purchased for ¥18, good for 24 hours after their first use. Automatic ticket-vending machines take notes and ¥1 or ¥0.5 coins, have instructions in English, and can give change. Most stations on lines   1   ,   2   ,   3   will also have staff selling single-use ticket cards, but on the newly-completed lines   6   ,   8   , and   9   ticket-purchasing is all done by machine, with staff there only to assist in adding credit to cards or if something goes wrong. With the single-use cards, you select your destination and pay by distance, then swipe before boarding and insert the ticket into a machine when you exit.

If there are seats available, then be prepared for a literal mad dash as passengers shove and wrestle for the available seats. You can try and do the same, but bear in mind that everyone else will have a lot more experience than you! Also, be mindful of pickpockets who may use this rush to their advantage.

Transfers between lines can involve a very long walk in some stations. In most places you can transfer between lines freely with a single ticket. But there are exceptions, where two or more lines have stations with the same name, but the stations are separate so you need a second ticket for the second train (unless you have a metro card).

The separate stations with the same name are:

• Shanghai Railway Station - lines   3   /   4   and line   1   are separate stations
• West Nanjing Road Station - lines   2   ,   12   and   13   are in separate stations a few minutes apart from each other.
• Pudian Road (Pudian Lu) - lines   4   and   6   ; these stops are on the same street but are not close to each other. Use the free transfer one stop in either direction (Century Ave or Lancun Road) instead.

Most stations include some retail facilities; in many, these are limited to a few snack vendors, but some (e.g. Xujiahui and People's Park) have substantial food courts and shopping areas right in the station. From many stations — including Xujiahui, South Shaanxi Road, Nanjing Road East and Zhongshan Park — you can walk directly into large department stores or malls without going outdoors. For stations with souvenirs and cheap clothing, see #Clothing below.

The bus system is cheaper and much more extensive than the metro, and some routes operate after the closing time of the metro (route numbers beginning with 3 are the night buses that run past 23:00). It is however slower in general, and all route information at bus stops is in Chinese, but here is a handy list of bus routes and stops in English. Once inside the bus, there are English announcements.

Some rural bus services in Shanghai are not numbered, and are instead referred as XX line (XX线), in which XX are the initial of the origin and destination. Rural bus services referred as XX special line (XX专线) are usually faster services. Other special bus services are numbered with a descriptive Chinese word, or a description of the origin and destination and a Chinese number, such as "Bridge line 1" (大桥一路), "Tunnel line 2" (隧道二路), or "Shanghai-Chongming line 3" (申崇三路).

Some buses have a conductor; get on, sit down and he or (more often) she will come around; pay him or her and you'll get a paper ticket and change, if any. Fares depend on distance and conductors rarely speak any English, so you must either know your destination and be able to pronounce it in Chinese, or have it written down in Chinese characters.

Other buses do not have a conductor, only the driver; there is a fixed price for the route, usually ¥2 if the buses are air-conditioned and ¥1.5 on increasingly rare routes running on old buses without. Check the bus itself as on some routes the fare varies from bus to bus; typically there is a sign showing the fare on the outside next to the door and/or on the fare box. Exact fare is required unless you have a metro pass; prepare exact change beforehand and drop it into the box next to the driver.

If you change buses with a metro card, you get a ¥1 discount on your second bus fare and all subsequent transfers. There is a 90-minute window to do this. So if you're not spending too much time at the destination, the discount will apply to the start of your return journey, too.

Several companies offer sightseeing buses with various routes and packages covering the main sights such as the Shanghai Zoo, Oriental Pearl Tower, and Baoyang Road Harbor. Many of these leave from the Shanghai Stadium's east bus station. You can also pick one up downtown on Nanjing Road near the park between People's Park and Nanjing Road West metro stops or at the Shanghai History Museum. The buses usually have an audio guide in the world's major languages. The company that has the lowest tariff offers a one-day ticket for ¥60, covering the main attractions in downtown Shanghai and Lujiazui (AKA Central Pudong).

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxi drivers typically do not speak any English, so unless you speak Mandarin, be sure to have your destination written in Chinese characters to show the driver. Get a business card for your hotel or any restaurant or shop you like; that makes it easy to return there. As Shanghai is a huge city, try to get the nearest intersection to your destination as well, since even addresses in Chinese are often useless. If you have a mobile phone, you can also use the phone number displayed in the back of the taxi. Dial the number and tell the agent in English where you want to go. Hand the phone to the driver and the agent will tell him in Chinese where you wish to go. The agent will even find out the addresses of bars and other spots for you if required.

Try to avoid using ¥100 notes to pay for short journeys; either use a metro card or have change available; taxi drivers are not keen on giving away their change. Also, the ¥50 note is a favourite of counterfeiters and a foreigner unfamiliar with the money is an obvious person to foist a bad one on, so you should try to avoid getting a fifty in your change. Additionally, one trick used by unscrupulous drivers is to claim you passed them a bad ¥100, when you in fact gave them a good ¥100 and they swapped it for a bad one.

Taxis are very hard to come by during peak hours and when it's raining, so be prepared to wait for a while or walk to a busy pick-up location. Foreign visitors might be surprised at the almost compete lack of courtesy or lines while waiting for a taxi, so don't be afraid to "jump in" and get one — it's first come, first served. There are some taxi stops where attendants maintain a well-ordered line; this may be the fastest way to get a taxi in a busy part of town, but there are few of them, so expect a long walk to find one.

Drivers, while generally honest, are sometimes genuinely clueless and occasionally out to take you for a ride. The drivers are very good about using the meter but in case they forget, remind them. It's also the law to provide a receipt for the rider, so if your fare seems out of line, be sure to obtain one as it's necessary to receive any compensation. If you feel you have been cheated or mistreated by the driver, you (or a Chinese-speaking friend) can use the information on the printed receipt to raise a complaint to the taxi company about that particular driver. The driver will be required to pay 3x the fare if ordered by the taxi company, so normally they're very good about taking the appropriate route. The printed receipt is also useful to contact the driver in case you have forgotten something in the taxi and need to get it back.

If you come across a row of parked taxis and have a choice of which one to get in to, you may wish to check the driver's taxi ID card, posted near the meter on the dashboard. The higher the number, the newer the driver, so there may be more chance that the driver will not know where he or she is going. Those with numbers between 10XXXX and 12XXXX are the most experienced drivers; a number above 27XXXX indicates a new driver who may get you lost somewhere. Another way is to check the number of stars the driver has; these are displayed below the driver's photograph on the dashboard. The number of stars indicates the length of time the driver has been in the taxi business and the level of positive feedback received from customers, and range from zero stars to five. Drivers with one star or more should know all major locations in Shanghai, and those with three stars should be able to recognize even lesser-known addresses. Remember that it takes time to build up these stars, and so don't panic if you find yourself with a driver who doesn't have any — just have them assure you that they know where they are going and you should be fine.

If you need to cross from one side of the Huangpu River to the other by taxi, especially from Pudong to Puxi, you may want to make sure your driver will make the trip, and knows where he or she is going; some drivers only know their side of the town and may become lost once they cross the river. Taxis are notoriously difficult to get on rainy days and during peak traffic hours, so plan your journeys accordingly. As the crossings between Pudong and Puxi are often jammed with traffic, taking a taxi may be more expensive and slower than the metro. It may be better to take the metro across the river and then catch a taxi.

Taxi colors in Shanghai are strictly controlled and indicate the company the taxi belongs to. Turquoise taxis operated by Dazhong (大众), the largest group, are often judged the best of the bunch. Other good companies include Qiangsheng (强生), uses gold-colored taxis and Jinjiang (锦江), which uses white taxis. Watch out for dark red/maroon taxis, since this is the 'default' color of small taxi companies and includes more than its fair share of bad apples. There are also privately owned taxis (easily recognized as they have an 'X' in their number plate and may not be the standard Volkswagen Santana used by most taxi companies). The dark red/maroon taxis will also go "off the meter" at times and charge rates 4x-5x the normal rate — especially around the tourist areas of the Yuyuan Gardens. Bright red taxis and blue taxis, on the other hand, are unionized and quite OK, furthermore there are more 3-star and above taxi drivers working for these companies. The bright orange taxis cover suburban areas only and are not allowed within the "city" area, but their meters start at ¥11 and count at ¥2.4/km no matter how long the journey, so they're somewhat cheaper if you're not trying to get downtown (rule of thumb — if you're trying to go somewhere within the Outer Ring highway, don't get one, but if your journey ends just within it you may be able to find a driver willing to bend the rules).

Using the Smart Shanghai app (about £2.00 from App Store) or the Smart Shanghai website will help you take taxis. Find the sight, restaurant, hotel or bar you are looking for on the app or website and click on the 'Taxi Directions' button for the address written in Chinese. Just show this to the driver and you'll be on your way!

On foot [ edit ]

Shanghai is a good city for walking, especially in the older parts of the city such as the Bund, but be aware this city is incredibly dynamic and pavements can be obstructed or unpleasant to walk through when near construction areas. If there is a metro entry at a busy street, the station can usually be used as a pedestrian underpass to another metro exit across the way.

Some distances in Shanghai are huge, so you will need to use other means of transportation at some point. However, quite a few people navigate well with just a metro pass plus their feet and perhaps the occasional taxi.

See #Do below for some suggested walks that combine shopping and sightseeing.

The Bund "sightseeing tunnel" is very strange, and doesn't actually show you any sites of the city at all. It is an unusual ( albeit pricey ) way to get across the river however. See Shanghai/Huangpu#Do for details.

As with all of China, right-of-way is effectively proportional to weight: vehicles trump motorbikes, which trump pedestrians. Motorbikes and bicycles rarely use headlights and can come from any direction. They are the main users of curb-cuts for sidewalks, so don't stand at these. Avoid unpredictable movements while walking and crossing streets: the drivers see you and predict your future location from your speed. See Driving in China for further discussion.

By ferry [ edit ]

A useful ferry runs between the Bund (from a ferry pier a few blocks south of Nanjing Road next to the KFC restaurant) and Lujiazui financial district in Pudong (the terminal is about 10 minutes south of the Pearl TV Tower and Lujiazui metro station) and is the cheapest way of crossing the river at ¥2 per person. The ferry is air-conditioned and allows foot-passengers only (bikes are not allowed except for folding models). Buy a token from the ticket kiosk and then insert it into the turnstile to enter the waiting room — the boats run every 10 minutes and take just over 5 minutes to cross the river. This is a great (and much cheaper) alternative to using the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. However, the ferry stations are not directly connected to public transport so you need to walk a bit.

By bicycle [ edit ]

For locals, bicycles are slowly being eclipsed by electric scooters. But they still remain an easy means of transportation for visitors who may be hesitant to communicate with drivers or board crowded mass transit — or simply want to soak up some sunshine. Beware of the driving habits of locals : the biggest vehicles have the priority and a red light does not mean you are safe to cross the street. Bicycles and mopeds are not allowed on many major roads (signs designate this), or in the tunnels and on the bridges between Pudong and Puxi (the only way to cross is by ferry).

Some hostels have bikes for rent and many department stores sell them, starting around ¥200. Alternatively, go to Baoshan Metro station and get a vintage bicycle for about ¥300. Bikes for sale are also easily found on the street around Suzhou Creek or in the residential part of the old town.

There is a city-operated system of free bicycles, but the stands are card-operated and as of 2012 the cards were available only to registered Shanghai residents; even migrant workers from other parts of China were excluded. There are many stands around town, each with a few dozen bikes; with a card, you can take one. If you return it to any stand within four hours, there is no charge.

However, since around 2017, commercially-run dockless rideshare bikes have surged in popularity and are now basically ubiquitous. Many locals, especially the younger generation, no longer own bikes and instead prefer these shared bikes due to their "start anywhere, park anywhere, leave and forget" nature. As of 2020, two major operators have a quintessential duopoly on the market: the yellow bikes backed by Meituan, and the blue bikes backed by Alipay. Both require a phone app to use. The initial setup could be a little tedious - you have to download the app, register, and most likely pay a deposit around ¥200, but afterwards it's a simple scan of a QR code and the bike will unlock. Dockless rideshare bikes combine particularly well with Shanghai's extensive metro system. You can often find many bikes at the metro station, and just take one to cover the last kilometre to your final destination. Therefore it is highly recommended for anyone who intends to stay longer than a few weeks. Each ride will cost you ¥1-2 which is certainly not a lot, and you can even purchase a weekly or monthly pass for very cheap and enjoy unlimited rides.

Driving is definitely not recommended in Shanghai for a variety of reasons, even for those with driving experience in the country. Drivers have to cope not only with a very complex road system and seemingly perpetual traffic jams, but also with Chinese driving habits and ongoing construction. In addition, parking spaces are rare and almost impossible to find. Bicycles, scooters and pedestrians are also all over the place — it is not unheard of for cyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians to suddenly dash in front of a car without any warning. In short, do not drive if you can help it and make use of Shanghai's excellent public transportation network instead.

By motorcycle and scooter [ edit ]

While motorcycle rental is practically non-existent, for long-term visitors e-bikes and scooters are a cheap, fast, practical way of getting around. E-bikes don't require a driving license and are cheaper, but only have a short battery range (about 50 km) and a low top speed, and are a frequent target of thieves. A cheap e-bike can be picked up from any major supermarket — expect to pay around ¥1500-2500 for a new model. Small shops also sell converted e-bikes (motor scooters converted to run on electricity) which are more expensive but are faster, more comfortable and have longer battery ranges. 50cc motorcycles require registration but don't require a drivers license, whilst anything bigger will require a driving license. Motorcycles can be bought from used-bike dealers mostly located in residential working-class neighbourhoods — a used 50cc moped will be about ¥2000 whilst a 125cc will cost much more depending on condition and mileage. If you plan to ride a motorcycle, stick to automatic transmission scooters as they are much easier to ride in dense traffic than a manually-geared bike.

For motorcycles above 50cc, a special yellow license plate and drivers license is required, both of which is independent from a car's licenses. These motorcycles are subject to the same laws that apply to cars and ride in car lanes, but with additional restrictions. All elevated roads, tunnels, and bridges crossing Huangpu River ban motorcycles with the exception of Nanpu Bridge, Xupu bridge, and Fuxing Road Tunnel. Motorcycles can also use ferries.

Motorcycles below 50cc are expected to use the bicycle lane and cross intersections via pedestrian traffic lights, which is often quicker when car traffic reaches a standstill. Be careful, particularly at night, of people riding with their headlights off or riding on the wrong side of the road — remember that e-bikes don't require any driving license and therefore drivers often flout traffic laws and take creative but dangerous paths through traffic. Parking is easy — most sidewalks serve as bike-parking, although in quiet streets your bike may be stolen, so use a couple of good locks. At busy places, attended bike parks charge around ¥0.5-1 per day.

Vintage motorbikes with sidecars are used by mainly by expats and tourists. Most expatriates and Shanghainese are too embarrassed to use what many consider a particularly "uncool" form of transport. Changjiang sidecars were used by the Chinese army until 1997. There are a few sidecar owners clubs in Shanghai (Black Bats, People's Riders Club), shops (Yiqi, Cao, Fan, Jack, Jonson, Leo) and a tour operator ( Shanghai Sideways [dead link] ) which are worth checking out. See also Driving in China — Sidecar rigs .

See [ edit ]

Where to go in Shanghai depends largely on available time and your interests. For the areas with most of the main tourist attractions, see the Downtown and Pudong sections above and the district articles they link to. You can also download some apps like Meituan, or use the local search engine Baidu to find more information; if prices and locations have changed recently, the apps are more likely to be up-to-date than many online listings.

Many of Shanghai's main tourist sights are in Huangpu District :

• The Old City (老城厢; Lao Chengxiang, also known as 南市, Nanshi) is the original Chinese city going back about 1000 years, now a major tourist area. The center of that area is Yuyuan Gardens .
• The International Settlement was built North and West of the Old City, starting in the 1840s. In colonial-period Western books, "Shanghai" means that settlement.
• The Bund ( 外滩 Wàitān ). The riverside avenue that was the center of 19th century Shanghai and is now a major tourist attraction.  
• People's Square ( Renmin Gongyuan ). What was once the horse-racing track on the edge of the British district is now a large and busy downtown park. The old track's clubhouse now houses a museum and a fine restaurant. Under the square at the edge of the park is a metro station that is one of the hubs of the Shanghai system and one of the busiest subway stations on Earth; lines   1   ,   2   and   8   meet there. Nearby are several large high-end malls and department stores.  

Nanjing Road was the main street of the old British Concession; today it is a major upmarket shopping street. Line   2   runs under it for some distance and has four stations along it; listed east-west they are Nanjing Road East, People's Square , Nanjing Road West and jing'an Temple . The road extends across two districts.

• Nanjing Road East in Huangpu District extends from the Bund to People's Park, and most of it is a very busy pedestrians-only strip.
• Nanjing Road West is the continuation into Jing'an District . Part of it runs along the north side of People's Park. A landmark beyond the park is Jing'an Temple , a beautiful ancient building with a metro station named after it.

For a taste of 1920s Shanghai, with much classic Western-style architecture, head for the stately old buildings of the Bund and nearby parts of Huangpu ; this is still a major shopping area as well. If your taste runs more to very modern architecture, remarkably tall buildings and enormous shopping malls, the prime districts for skyscrapers are Pudong and Jing'an . See the linked articles for details.

Other major sights are in the former French Concession . This has always been a fashionable area—even in the colonial period, many famous Chinese lived there—and it remains so today with much of Shanghai's best entertainment and shopping. We treat it as a single district and give it its own article. Within it are:

• Xujiahui , the center of Xuhui District, with a metro interchange (lines   1   ,   9   and   11   ), major roads, huge malls including many electronics stores, and high-end residential and office buildings.
• Huaihai Road , an upmarket shopping street which many Shanghai people prefer over Nanjing Road.
• Hengshan Road , which runs from Huaihai Road to Xujiahui, has Shanghai's largest cluster of restaurants and bars.
• Xintiandi , an area of old shikumen ("stone gate", a unique Shanghai style) houses, redeveloped with shopping malls, trendy bars and restaurants, and a lot of tourism.
• Tianzifang , another area of shikumen housing that has been redeveloped. It is newer than Xintiandi and emphasizes arts, crafts and boutique shopping where Xintiandi stresses brand-name goods and entertainment.

Overall, the French Concession is Shanghai's best area for boutique shopping, small galleries and craft shops, and interesting restaurants.

Museums [ edit ]

• Huangpu has the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum , on opposite sides of People's Square , and the Bund Historical Museum , in a park at the north end of the Bund .
• The Shanghai Railway Museum is near Shanghai Railway Station in Zhabei .
• The Chinese Martial Arts Museum is on the campus of Shanghai Institute of Physical Education; see the Yangpu District article for details.
• There is a Yuan-Dynasty Water Sluice Museum in Putuo District , an interesting example of medieval engineering.
• The Shanghai Municipal History Museum is across the river, below the Pearl Tower in Pudong .
• The Shanghai Natural History Museum is in Jing'an District next to the metro station named after it on Line   1   .

Art galleries [ edit ]

The gallery areas are rather scattered, many of them away from the center and in former industrial buildings that have been renovated and re-purposed.

• M50 art district is Shanghai's main center for contemporary Chinese art, with dozens of studios and galleries. It is in a former factory in Putuo District.
• 1933 Shanghai is in a former abattoir; it has a theatre, shops, cafés and studios. See Hongkou for details.
• The Power Station of Art is on the Huangpu River, in an old power plant converted first to a pavilion for Expo 2010, and then the first state-run contemporary art museum in China. It is in Huangpu .
• The Shanghai Propaganda Poster and Art Centre is on the west side of the French Concession . A fine collection of Mao-era posters and other memorabilia, a bit hard to find but worth the effort.
• The Shanghai Gallery of Art is a commercial gallery in a shopping center called 3 on the Bund .
• The Tianzifang area in the French Concession has many galleries and studios.
• The West Bund in the French Concession is one of the city's newest art districts. In 2019, French art museum Centre Pompidou established its first Chinese outpost here at the West Bund Museum .

Temples [ edit ]

Shanghai many temples, churches, mosques and synagogues.

• Jing'an Temple is a large Buddhist temple in Jing'an District , next to the metro stop (Lines   2   and   7   ) named after it.
• Longhua Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple down on the southern edge of the French Concession .
• The old town has both the Taoist Temple of the Town God ( Chenghung Miao ) and the Shanghai Confucian Temple ( Wen Miao ).
• St. Ignatius Cathedral is a major Catholic church built by the French near Xujiahui .
• Holy Trinity Church is an Anglican cathedral on the east side of People's Square in the old British district.
• Jade Buddha Temple is in Putuo , a small Buddhist temple with some fine statues.
• Xiaotaoyuan Mosque is Shanghai's largest mosque, with a separate women's mosque next door. It is in Huangpu .

Of course there are many smaller religious buildings—Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, Muslim and Christian—scattered around the city.

Water towns [ edit ]

There are water towns in the Western suburbs, popular with both Shanghai residents and visitors. They are quite scenic with canals as the main method of transport and many traditional-style bridges and buildings.

• Zhujiajiao is right out at the Western edge of the municipality in Qingpu district, and can be reached on Line   17   from Hongqiao Railway Station, or by bus. It is quite popular with Shanghai residents, both Chinese and expatriates. There are some bars run by expats.
• Qibao is closer to downtown in Minhang district, and can be reached by metro line   9   , Qibao station, then walk a block south). It is smaller than Zhujiajiao and gets a higher proportion of tourists.
• Fengjing in Jinshan district has many artists, even its own fairly well-known "Jinshan peasant" style of painting. Metro line   22   will get you to Jinshan, but you will need a local bus or a taxi to reach Fengjing.

This type of town is found all over the Yangtze Delta area. In particular, there are several in the Suzhou and Hangzhou regions as well as in Shanghai.

Do [ edit ]

The municipal government runs the Shanghai Cultural Information website which has good listings of current events (special exhibits at museums and galleries; shows such as acrobatics at the circus, touring musicians, and plays; sporting events).

Shopping [ edit ]

If you like shopping or window shopping , a walk along either of Shanghai's major commercial streets takes an hour or two (or up to several days if you visit many stores and explore side streets) and can be quite interesting:

• Nanjing Road , starting from the Bund (Nanjing Road East metro station, line   2   or   10   ) and heading west toward People's Park, Jing'an Temple and perhaps beyond
• Huaihai Road in the French Concession, starting at South Huangpi Road metro station on Line   1   and heading west. At the cross street just past the Changshu Road station, turn left (past the Starbucks) to reach a whole district of bars and restaurants along Hengshan Road to end your journey in comfort.

See #Buy below for more on these streets and nearby areas.

Parks [ edit ]

Almost every district in Shanghai has some parks. Some of the major ones are:

• People's Park , very central and with a major metro interchange below it (lines   1   ,   2   and   8   )
• Jing'an Park , across the street from the temple and metro station (lines   2   and   7   )
• Fuxing Park in the French Concession
• Lu Xun Park in Hongkou is named for a famous writer. It has kids' rides and a lake with boats for rent.
• Gongqing Forest Park in Yangpu also has rides and boats. (Hongkou Stadium station, line   8   and   9   )
• Zhongshan Park in Changning. (Zhongshan Park metro station, lines   2     3   &   4   )
• Daning Tulip Park , north of the railway station in Zhabei
• Shanghai Expo Park is in two parts, the larger in Pudong and the smaller in Puxi, toward the south of Huangpu. The Power Station of Art (listed under #Art galleries ) is in the Puxi part of the park.
• Jinjiang Action Park , an amusement park in the southern part of the French Concession. Has a large ferris wheel with a good view over much of the city. Metro line   1   to Jinjiang Park Station.

If you play the game called wei qi in Chinese, or " Go " in English, you are likely to find locals playing it in Fuxing Park or Jing'an Park.

Other [ edit ]

• Drink at a tea house . Visit one of Shanghai's many tea houses. Be careful not to order amazingly expensive teas or too much food. Beware of friendly-seeming strangers wanting to take you to a tea house or bar; this may be a scam .
• Take a boat on the river . Many companies operate river tours. Look for one of the cheaper ones. This is a great way to see the striking Shanghai skyline and river banks and shoot some good photos. Some of the boat companies offer sightseeing tours lasting several hours and covering quite a bit of the river and/or Suzhou Creek. A cheaper, but less scenic, alternative is to take one of the many ferries that cross the river for a couple yuan.
• Double-decker buses run through much of downtown and can be boarded anywhere on their route.
• China Odyssey Tours , ☏ +86-773-5854000 . Tours of the city, for couples and families.  
• Formula One . Grand Prix motor-racing is in April at the International Circuit in Jiading district.
• Shanghai International Film Festival . The event takes place during a period of ten days in June with a showing of 400 Chinese and international films in cinemas across many districts of Shanghai.

Learn [ edit ]

Universities [ edit ].

Shanghai has at least a dozen universities, many with several campuses. Most employ foreign English teachers and many have foreign students .

Two are part of the C9 League , a group prestigious universities, roughly the Chinese equivalent of the "Ivy League" in the US. These two are generally considered to be behind only Peking University and Tsinghua University in Beijing as the most prestigious universities in China.

• Fudan University (复旦大学 Fùdàn Dàxué ) is among China's top general universities. The main campus is in Yangpu .
• Shanghai Jiatong University (上海交通大学 Shànghǎi Jiāotōng Dàxué ) is among the best for technical subjects. It has five campuses in different districts, and has over 40,000 students including about 24,000 graduate students. The new main campus is in Minhang . The original campus in the French Concession is now used mostly for continuing education; it has an MBA program and Chinese-language courses. Metro line   10   has a Jiaotong University Station, at the original campus.

There are also many non-C9 universities:

• East China Normal University (ECNU) also has its main campus in Minhang , next to Jiaoda.
• New York University in Shanghai is a joint venture between the American school and ECNU, with its campus in Pudong .
• Zhabei has the main campus of Shanghai University.
• Baoshan has another Shanghai University campus.
• Yangpu has four universities: Fudan, Tongji, Finance & Economics, and Physical Education; the last has a martial arts museum.
• Fengxian has Shanghai Business School.
• Sonjiang has an entire University town with many universities
• Nanhui has eight campuses with around 100,000 students.
• Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Pudong has a Fudan campus and the Shanghai Tech University (opened in 2016).

Most of these have substantial contingents of foreign students , and some employ foreigners as English teachers or in other faculty roles. All of them have nearby areas with cheap food, bars and shops that cater to a student market; these can be among the best places in Shanghai to look for low costs and lively nightlife with a young crowd.

Some universities have metro stops named for them, Jiao Tong University and Tonji University stations on line   10   , Shanghai University on line   7   , and Sonjiang University Town on line   9   .

Other classes [ edit ]

There are also schools for various Chinese arts or crafts including cooking, martial arts and painting. Many are in the French Concession , though other districts have some.

There are also schools offering training in the Chinese language. Several of the universities provide such courses and there are other possibilities:

• Mandarin House ( 美和汉语 ). Established 2004; the Shanghai campus is in People's Square.  
• LTL Mandarin School Shanghai , [email protected] . In the French Concession. For those who are interested, they also conduct Shanghainese lessons for foreigners. ( updated Mar 2017 )
• 31.19995 121.43129 5 Meizhi Mandarin ( two locations: Xujiahui next to Jiaotong University, and Hongqiao-Gubei ), ☏ +862152300140 , [email protected] . 09:00-21:00 . Courses in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese, including business and conversational courses, and test preparation. There are short-term intensive classes (group or individual) and longer-term programs, and customized courses can be provided. The school is an official test centre for the HSK Chinese proficiency test and for TCSL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language).  
• Hutong School Shanghai [dead link] offers a range of Chinese courses including intensive, HSK preparation courses, business Chinese and Chinese classes for children. Group and private classes are available with experienced native teachers. Email: [email protected] Tel: [Tel: (+86) 21 3428 0099]
• That's Mandarin School offers a variety 1-on-1 and group Chinese language courses including intensive, part-time, HSK preparation. Various summer and winter immersion programs for kids and teens as well as online Chinese classes are also available.

Work [ edit ]

Shanghai has over 200,000 foreign residents, most of whom are working, and the range of jobs and professions is huge. The largest groups are English teachers and expatriate employees sent by foreign companies to work in Chinese branches or factories, or to deal with suppliers or partners. There are also significant numbers of other teachers at every level from kindergarten to university, foreign employees of Chinese companies, contractors doing design work on anything from clothing to automobiles, diplomatic staff at the various consulates, artists and musicians, independent professionals such as lawyers and architects, and people running their own export businesses or even factories.

As a general rule, the English teachers are paid less than the other groups, though still quite well by local standards. To some extent the range of Western bars and restaurants reflects this; some of the high-end places cater mainly to expatriates with high salaries or generous expense accounts. These places also get some tourists and wealthy Chinese, but the typical foreign teacher (let alone most Chinese or low-budget backpackers) cannot afford them.

See below for information on visa extensions if required.

See Working in China for additional information.

Buy [ edit ]

Much of the shopping in Shanghai is either downtown or (mostly for big malls) across the river in Pudong. Many clothing shops are downtown, but others are scattered citywide; see #Clothing for details. There are also many shopping opportunities in the big malls of Pudong , and all the suburban areas have malls as well. Two of the largest malls on the Puxi side of the river are:

• 31.2207 121.4122 1 Cloud Nine shopping center ( Zhongshan Park Station, lines   2   and   3   , Exit 1 ). In Changning. Nine flours above ground (hence the name) and two below. Metro line 2 has an exit on one of the underground floors. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Wanda Plaza ( Wujiaochang ) ( line   10   , Wujiaochang ). In Yangpu. Wanda Group is a huge company with many properties in China and some elsewhere. This is the largest of their 14 malls in Shanghai.  

With those exceptions, most of the shopping is downtown

The park divides Nanjing Road into two parts:

Nanjing Road East ( Nanjing dong lu ) in Huangpu District , mostly pedestrians-only and a major shopping area since the mid-19th century. It is a 1-km long pedestrian boulevard running inland from the Bund, lined with busy shops. The wide boulevard is often packed with people on weekends and holidays. The shops are often targeted to domestic tourists, so the prices are surprisingly reasonable. The Nanjing Road East station (lines   2   and   10   ) is near the center of that pedestrian area. The People's Park station (lines   1   ,   2   and   8   ) is at the inland end, furthest from the Bund. Beyond that station the road is no longer pedestrian-only; it runs along the north side of People's Park (人民广场), which is often considered the center of Shanghai.

For high-end international brands, go to Nanjing Road West (南京西路 Nanjing xi lu ) near Jing'an Temple station (line   2   or   7   ). Several large shopping malls (Plaza 66 aka Henglong Plaza, Citic Plaza, Meilongzhen Plaza, and others being built) house boutiques bearing the most famous names in fashion.

The French Concession is another major shopping area. Huaihai Road is a busy boulevard with upscale stores; well-off locals tend to shop there in preference to the more touristy Nanjing Road. For boutique shopping, head to the smaller streets just off it — Xinle Lu (新乐路), Changle Lu (长乐路) and Anfu Lu (安福路) — starting from east of Shaanxi Lu (陕西路); the nearest Metro station is South Shanxi Rd on Line   1   . This area of low-rise buildings and tree-lined streets bustles with small boutiques of clothing and accessories, where young Shanghainese seek the latest fashion shops. A renovated but still picturesque older area called Tian Zi Fang also has boutique clothing, plus much arts and crafts.

The Bund is mainly office buildings but does have some hotels, restaurants, and a few multi-storey high-end shopping centers. No. 3 on the Bund has, among other things, Giorgio Armani's flagship store in China. No. 18 has many stores including an art gallery.

Yuyuan Bazaar in the old town is well provided with Chinese crafts and jewellery. See Shanghai#Clothing for other tourist shopping areas.

Books, CDs and DVDs [ edit ]

Fuzhou Road runs from the Bund on the east to People's Square on the west, and is the first major street south of Nanjing Road. In colonial times it was Shanghai's main red-light district; today it is the best place to look for books and is also a good street to wander around and find stationery and art supplies, especially for Chinese calligraphy and painting. Some of the art is sold there as well.

Shanghai Foreign Languages Bookstore (Shanghai Book Traders) at 390 Fuzhou Rd offers many books in English and other major languages, especially for learning Chinese. Just around the corner at 36 South Shanxi Rd is a small but well-stocked second-hand foreign-language bookshop. If you're searching for computer or business related books, head to the biggest store in Fuzhou Rd: Shanghai Book Town (上海书城). You'll find special editions targeted at the Chinese market. The only difference to the original version is the Chinese cover and the heavily reduced price.

Those interested in music CDs or DVDs of movies and television shows have a wide variety of options. The bookstores all carry some, people sell DVDs out of boxes on street corners, and there are local DVD shops in most neighborhoods. Costs go from about ¥6 per disk to about ¥40; you pay a bit more for DVD-9 format disks. See also discussion in the China article .

There are also some shops popular with the expatriate community; these tend to have English-speaking staff and a better selection of merchandise appealing to Westerners, though sometimes at slightly higher prices. One is the Ka De Club with two shops: one at 483 Zhenning Rd and the other one at 505 Da Gu Rd (a small street between Weihai and Yan'an roads). Another popular DVD shop is on Hengshan Road about halfway between two expat bars, Oscar's and the Shanghai Brewery. There are several more along Jiaozhou Road, which runs north from Jing'An Station.

Perhaps the best way to score a deal with a shop is to be a regular. If you provide them repeat business they are usually quite happy to give you discounts for your loyal patronage. It is also worth asking for a cheaper-by-the-dozen discount if you are making a large purchase.

Antiques [ edit ]

There are a number of markets in the city selling antiques, jade and Mao-era China memorabilia:

• 31.2233 121.476 3 Dongtai Road Antique Market ( Metro line   8   or   10   to Laoximen station, then walk a long block north looking for the market on side streets to your left. ). The largest antique market in the city, and the cheapest provided you bargain hard .  
• Yuyuan Gardens is another good option for antiques and all manner of cheaply made and priced souvenirs (teapots, paintings, "silk" bags, etc.) Walk a few hundred meters East from Dongtai Road.
• There are more upmarket antique markets between Fuzhou Road and the pedestrian part of Nanjing Road.

As with any market in China, don't be afraid to haggle ; it is usually the only way to get a fair price.

Exporting anything made before 1911 is now illegal. See the China article for discussion.

Electronics [ edit ]

Shanghai offers the opportunity to buy electronic products, and you may be able to find exotic gadgets and phones that are only available in China. Foreign electronics are expensive with a high sales tax. It can be helpful to buy online with clear cheaper prices and with delivery often possible the same day with payment in cash on delivery. Games consoles are expensive and import restrictions extensive. Xujiahui is the place to go if you're after computer accessories and other electronics, but the mobile phone selection is a bit lacking. Try to go during the week; it is hectic on weekends.

• Bu Ye Cheng Communications Market ( 不夜城 ) ( Shanghai Railway Station, exit 4 from line   1   side, turn left and it's the large gold building ). 10:00-18:00 . This is the one of the best-known open-style markets for mobile phones in Shanghai. 1F/2F for new phones (two-way radios, too), 3F for second-hand including various collectibles. Any reputable vendor that sets up shop here will allow you to try before you buy—if they don't then leave. Best way to get a good or unusual phone at low cost. The selection is a mixed bag; you'll find Chinese off-brands mixed with reliable big-name brands as well as cutting-edge Japanese phones. If you live in North or South America be careful about buying the off-brand phones as most do not support the necessary frequencies for use there. Also, in the secondhand section of the market some of the phones are of dubious origin; CDMA phones may have their ESNs blacklisted in their home countries, but for GSM/3G phones the only issue is an ethical one.  

There is a giant electronics mart at the Baoshan Road line   3   /   4   station, which offers a huge range of miscellaneous electronics and mobile phones, however some are fake. Be sure to bargain hard. If you want to buy a mobile phone here, make sure you have a SIM card before you purchase, and test the SIM card in the phone by making a call, perhaps to the vendor, since some of the phones are non-functional but still turn on. It's best to negotiate as low as possible first, and then try out your SIM card.

Photo equipment [ edit ]

Shanghai is rather an odd market for photo equipment. As in any major city, more-or-less everything is available somewhere, including high-end items of interest mainly to professionals and unusual things that only a collector might want. China was relatively isolated for decades, from the Japanese invasion in 1937 until the "reform and opening up" of 1978, so imported items from that period are not common. However Shanghai was a very prosperous and cosmopolitan city in the 1920s and early 30s so some collectors' items are in good supply.

As a general rule, prices on photo equipment in Shanghai are roughly comparable to US prices and a bit higher than Hong Kong, but there are various exceptions including some real bargains and some seriously overpriced items. Check prices abroad before making any major purchases.

For consumer products such as point-and-shoot cameras or low-end interchangeable lens devices, Xujiahui is a shopper's paradise. Any of the large consumer electronics stores scattered around the city, and many of the general department stores, will have these as well, but selection and price are usually better at Xujiahui.

For more specialised needs, there are two large buildings full of camera stores in Shanghai. Both have plenty of consumer products, usually at good prices. However they also have lots of products for the enthusiast and professional markets, services such as printing or camera repair, and a large selection of used equipment from cheap-and-usable to collectors' items.

• One is Huanlong Photographic Equipment City (环龙照相器材) on the 2nd through 5th floors of a building near the Shanghai train station in Zhabei District . Exit the station into the South Square, and the building is diagonally left. Fast food on ground floor. Second floor and above is mostly camera shops. The higher you go, the more used equipment you see.
• An even larger clump of shops is Xing Guang Photographic Equipment City (星光摄影器材城) 300 Luban Lu, corner of Xietu Lu. Metro Line   4   to Luban Road South, go out exit 1, turn left onto Luban Lu, and you are walking North. Xietu Lu is the first cross street. The camera center is on the NW corner. It has 7 floors. The top one is offices, the bottom two mostly new cameras. One floor is mostly studio equipment—lights, reflectors and so on—and includes some unusual cameras such as 4x5-inch view cameras and 6x17 cm Chinese-made panoramic cameras. Another is mostly wedding studios, wedding clothes rental, etc. Used equipment is from 2nd to 6th floors and dominates a couple of floors. One camera repair shop, a few accessories shops—memory, bags, tripods, etc.

These two groups of shops are on Line   4   so it is easy to visit both in a day. However, Line 4 is roughly circular and they are on opposite edges (Railway Station on North, Luban Lu on South) so it is a fairly long ride between them.

Clothing [ edit ]

Shanghai has a number of markets which combine cheap clothing (including lots of knock-offs of famous brands) with tourist stuff like souvenir T-shirts and higher-grade Chinese stuff like silk (?) scarves and robes. Nearly all of these also have a few stores selling luggage, and many have some consumer electronics as well. In any of them there are quite a few touts; just entering the buildings can bring a horde of people upon you trying to sell you bags, watches, DVDs and all sorts of goods. You also need to haggle to get good prices in any of them. Dodging touts and haggling can be fun, but those sensitive to the pressure might want to steer clear.

Rather than pursuing knock-offs of Western brands, one of the more interesting things to do in Shanghai is to check out the small boutiques in the French Concession area. Some of these are run by individual designers of clothing, jewellery, etc., so the items on sale can truly be said to be unique, and the area is generally free of touts. Both prices and quality are generally higher than in the markets described below.

Many visitors from overseas encounter problems finding larger sizes in China. Also the sizes may be different; one Canadian reports that he takes XL at home but needs XXXL in China. This will be less of a problem in tourist areas, and the many fine tailors can make garments to fit anyone, often at attractive prices.

The horrendously crowded Qipu Lu clothing market (Tiantong Road metro station on line   10   one stop North of Nanjing Road East, and line   12   ) is the main place where Shanghai people look for cheap clothing. It is a mass of shops — including a huge number of small ones, many about 18 m 2 (200 ft 2 ) — jammed into several multi-storey warehouse-sized buildings; exploring even one would take the casual stroller most of a day. You can walk into the basement of one building from inside the subway stop. You'll find the cheapest clothes in the city here, but even the trendiest styles are clearly Chinese. Bargain hard , in Chinese if you can, and make friends with the shop owners. Many of them have secret stashes of knock-offs in hidden rooms behind the stall "walls." Avoid this place on weekends at all costs .

While Qipu Lu is best known for cheap clothing, and that is indeed the market most shops target, it also has some rather fine upmarket shops. For example, the top floor of the building by the subway has a women's clothing place specialising in silk dresses and tops, including many with good embroidery. Prices start around ¥300, high but not outrageous by Chinese standards. Compared to prices in Western countries they are a real bargain.

Another large market is next to the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum (上海科技馆) metro station on line   2   in Pudong ; there are actually two markets, one on each side of the station. The place has more foreign customers than Qipu Lu, and the asking prices for clothes are higher. However, there is a wider selection here of other products: software, games, electronics, etc. This market also has a number of tailor shops for made-to-order clothing.

A smaller but more accessible market with similar merchandise (but no tailors) is attached to the largest and most central metro station in town, People's Park . This is less hectic than either Qipu Lu or the Science & Tech Museum, and probably has enough variety for most travellers.

It is fairly common for travellers to stop at either the Science & Tech or the People's Park market to pick up gifts just before flying out of Shanghai, since both are on line   2   which goes to both airports, and both are all on a single level so it is moderately convenient to wander about with luggage in tow. Prices may not be the best in town but they are generally much better than airport shops and selection is good.

The area around Yuyuan Gardens in the old town has similar merchandise, with more emphasis on souvenirs and handicrafts rather than clothing, and often with somewhat higher asking prices.

Another option is the Pearl Plaza located on Yan'an Xi Lu and Hongmei Lu (line   10   , get off at Longxi Rd stop, go south on Hongmei Lu out of the station past Yan'an elevated road). See Minhang for more on that area. Another, more for day-to-day clothing than anything fancy or touristy, is near Shanghai Ikea; take line   3   to Cao Xi Road, walk toward Ikea and it will be on your left.

The largest group of tailor shops is at Shanghai South Bund Material Market: 399 Lujiabang Rd (陆家浜路), open 10:00-18:00. Three floors of tailors and their materials including silk, cashmere, and merino wool. Have items measured, fitted and finished within two days or bring examples, samples or pictures. Prices here or in the smaller cluster of such shops at Science & Tech are often better than at standalone shops in town because the competition for customers is fairly intense, but you should bargain for the best price.

You can take bus #802 or #64 from the Shanghai Railroad Station and stop at the final stop: Nanpu Bridge Terminal or you can take metro line   4   to the Nanpu Bridge (南浦大桥) Station (exit from gate #1, make a left from the exit and then left again on the light. You will see it to your right after walking about 200 to 250 m.

For high-end clothing that is (mostly) not Chinese knock-offs, generally at somewhat higher prices than outside China, the main areas to look are Nanjing Road right downtown and Huaihai Road in the French Concession. Both have many stores with trendy styles and major international brands. See the Shopping in China article for discussion of difficulties buying brand-name goods in the country, but note that the high-end Shanghai shops are probably less risky than anywhere else.

Groceries [ edit ]

Major supermarket chains such as Carrefour, Metro, Auchan, Tesco and Walmart are scattered around the city and have cheap groceries and household products, and are generally crowded at weekends. The most centrally located 'big chain' supermarket is Carrefour located in floors B1 and B2 of Cloud 9 shopping mall (metro: Zhongshan Park, lines   2   ,   3   and   4   ). Tesco has a store in Zhabei district close to the main railway station and there is a huge Lotus supermarket in Top Brands mall in Liujiazui (Liujiazui, line   2   ). There is also a large supermarket with much imported food at Xujiahui (lines   1   and   9   ); leave the station via at exit 12, which puts you in the basement of a major mall, then walk all the way across the open space at that level.

Whilst many stores around the city sell imported products at fairly high prices, Metro Cash'n'Carry is by far the cheapest place to buy imported goods. There are two stores:

• The Pudong store is at Longyang Lu, Lines   2   ,   7   ,   16   and Maglev.
• The Puxi store is at the intersection of Zhenbei Rd and Meichuan Rd, reachable by bus #827 from Line   2   Beixinjing station, Line   10   Shuicheng Rd station or Jiaotong University station, or bus #947 from Line   2   Zhongshan Park station and lines   3   and   4   Jinshajiang Rd station. Alternately, it is a five-minute walk from Jinjiang Park station on line   1   .

As Metro caters primarily to businesses, you will either need a Metro membership card or take a temporary guest pass from reception when entering the store (Puxi store offers no guest passes but most members are willing to lend their membership card at the check-out line). Some items are available only in large packages or are much cheaper bought that way; for example, 1-kg (2.2-lb) packs of New Zealand cream cheese or 5-kg (11-lb) blocks of Irish cheddar are about half the cost per gram of small quantities.

City Shop has a number of locations around Shanghai, plus an online store . Prices are mostly noticeably higher than Metro, but their selection is good and locations are often convenient.

Ubiquitous FamilyMart 24-hour convenience stores can be found around the main central districts and inside major metro stations — these stores sell magazines, snacks, drinks and Japanese-style hot bento-boxes although prices are high by Chinese standards. Chinese chains such as KeDi and C-Store can be found in residential districts and are marginally cheaper and also stock cigarettes. 7-Eleven and Lawson convenience stores are less common but can be found around the Nanjing Road area.

Eat [ edit ]

Many food options in Shanghai are much as anywhere else in China. A lot of the street food is cheap and interesting; roasted sweet potatoes are a common and low-risk item. Hole-in-the-wall restaurants, especially West-of-China Muslim noodle places or spicy Sichuan places, often have good cheap food as well. The local bakeries are generally reasonably priced and the coffee houses have Western-style baked goods for not much more.

For excellent Sichuan food in classier surroundings, Spicy Joint on Huaihai Road is extremely popular; do not go at a peak time unless you are willing to wait for a table.

While there are some good Indian and Thai places, there are also many Japanese curry places in Shanghai. A popular chain is Coco Ichibanya with about a dozen locations from Pudong to Suzhou , mostly downtown. One is in the mall attached to Jing'an Temple metro station, another in Metro City mall at Xujiahui , and another on Huaihai Road.

The Wagas chain has restaurants offering coffee and a mostly western menu—mainly light choices like sandwiches, soups and salads—at mid-range prices and "Baker & Spice" places which combine a café and bakery. They offer free WiFi and are a popular spot for locals and digital nomads working on laptops as they sip coffee. Downtown Shanghai has at least one Wagas location in each of the eight #Districts covered in this article, including at least two in Jing'an . The ground-level strip of restaurants behind Grand Gateway Mall at Xjiahui has a Wagas with a Baker & Spice shop next door.

There are plenty of places with various sorts of international cuisine, mostly at higher prices than those mentioned above. The largest group are in the French Concession, mostly along Hengshan Road or streets running off it, but there are also many in Jing'an , Huangpu and Pudong , and some elsewhere.

As anywhere in China, Brazilian all-you-can-eat barbeque restaurants are common; one is on Hengshan Road. There is also an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet above the Dutch department store on Huaihai Road.

Huanghe Rd (黄河路), off Nanjing Road has upmarket Chinese-style seafood.

Much western fast food is available: McDonald's, Starbucks and KFC are ubiquitous, while Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts and Burger King are fairly common. Shanghai has a few you might not find (yet?) in smaller cities, such as a Papa John's Pizza on Hengshan Road and a Carl's Jr. burger place at Xujiahui .

Shanghai cuisine [ edit ]

Shanghai's cuisine, like its people and culture, is primarily a fusion of the forms of the surrounding Jiangnan region, with influences sprinkled in from the farther reaches of China and elsewhere. Characterized by some as sweet and oily , the method of preparation used in Shanghai emphasizes freshness and balance , with particular attention to the richness that sweet and sour characteristics can often bring to dishes that are otherwise generally savoury.

The name "Shanghai" means "above the sea", but paradoxically, the local preference for fish often tends toward the freshwater variety due to the city's location at the mouth of China's longest river. Seafood , nonetheless, retains great popularity and is often braised (fish), steamed (fish and shellfish), or stir-fried (shellfish). Watch out for any seafood that is fried, as these dishes rely far less on freshness and are often the remains of weeks-old purchases.

Shanghai's preference for meat is unquestionably pork . Pork is ubiquitous in the style of Chinese cooking, and in general if a mention refers to something as "meat" (肉) without any modifiers, the safe assumption is that it is pork. Minced pork is used for dumpling and bun fillings, whereas strips and slices of pork are promulgated in a variety of soups and stir-fries. The old standby of Shanghainese cooking is "red-cooked (braised/stewed) pork" (红烧肉 hóng shāo ròu ), a traditional dish throughout Southern China with the added flair of anise and sweetness provided by the chefs of Shanghai. Another signature Shanghainese dish is sweet and sour ribs (糖醋排骨 táng cù pái gǔ , literally sugar and vinegar pork ribs).

Chicken takes the honorable mention in the meat category, and the only way to savour chicken in the Chinese way is to eat it whole (as opposed to smaller pieces in a stir-fry). Shanghai's chickens were once organic and grass-fed, yielding smaller but tender and flavourful birds. Today most chickens are little different from what can be found elsewhere. Still, the unforgettable preparations (drunken, salt-water, plain-boiled with dipping sauce, etc.) of whole chickens chopped up and brought to the table will serve as a reminder that while the industrialization of agriculture has arrived from the West, the preservation of flavour is still an essential element of the local cooking.

Those looking for lower-cholesterol options need not fret. Shanghai lies at the heart of a region of China that produces and consumes a disproportionately large amount of soy. Thinking tofu ? There's the stinky version that when deep-fried, permeates entire blocks with its earthy, often offensive aroma. Of course there are also tofu skins, soy milk (both sweet and savory), firm tofu, soft tofu, tofu custard (generally sweet and served from a road-side cart), dried tofu, oiled tofu and every kind of tofu imaginable. There's also vegetarian duck, vegetarian chicken and vegetarian goose, each of which looks and tastes nothing like the fowl after which it is named but is rather just a soy-dish where the bean curd is expected to approximate the meat's texture. Look out also for gluten-based foods at vegetarian restaurants. If you are vegetarian , do be conscious that tofu in China is often regarded not as a substitute for meat (except by the vegetarian Buddhist monks) but rather as an accompaniment to it. As such, take extra care to ensure that your dish isn't served with peas and shrimp or stuffed with minced pork before you order it.

Shanghainese people have 4 special preferences for breakfast dishes (or rather to say dishes, just those simple and quick-to-eat) which are given the name sì dà jīn gāng (四大金刚, lit. four heavenly kings, a term in Buddhism). They are the followings:

• dà bĭng (大饼, lit. large pastry). A kind of large flat bread. Fried dough in oil-greased frying pan with water (which eventually evaporates). A variation of this is cōng yóu bĭng (葱油饼, lit. green onion oil pastry), which has green onion and salt and pepper on the surface of the dough before frying.
• yóu tiáo (油条, lit. oily strips). Stretchy while crispy fried hollow strips. Often served with some sugar to dip on.
• cí fàn (粢饭). Glutinous rice and Japonica rice mixed and steamed, then used to wrap up a yóu tiáo .
• dòu jiāng (豆浆, soybean milk). Simply soybean milk, often sweetened with sugar. Best when served with yóu tiáo .

Some other Shanghainese dishes to look out for:

• xiǎo​lóng​bāo​ (小笼包, lit. buns from the little steaming cage; fig. steamed dumpling). Probably the most famous Shanghai dish: small steamed buns — often confused for dumplings — come full of tasty (and boiling hot!) broth inside with a dab of meat to boot. The connoisseur bites a little hole into them first, sips the broth, then dips them in dark vinegar (醋 cù​) to season the meat inside.
• shēng​ jiān​ mántóu (生煎馒头, lit. raw, fried buns). Unlike steamed buns, these larger buns come with dough from raised flour, are pan-fried until the bottoms reach a deliciously crispy brown, and have not made their way to Chinese menus around the world (or even around China). Still popular with Shanghainese for breakfast and best accompanied by vinegar, eat these with particular care, as the broth inside will squirt out just as easily as their steamed cousins.
• Dàzhá xiè​ (大闸蟹), or Shàng​hǎi​ máo​ xiè​ (上海毛蟹; Shanghai hairy crab), a type of small freshwater crab famed for its taste. Best eaten in the winter months (Oct-Dec) and paired with Shaoxing wine to balance your yin and yang. Roe and meat from this type of crab goes into the famous xiaolongbao (above) and meatballs (below)
• xiè​fěn​ shī​zi​tóu​ (蟹粉狮子头; lit. crab meat pork meatballs), found in various Yangzhou- and Zhenjiang-style restaurants, such as the Yangzhou Fandian located near Nanjing Road.

Western food [ edit ]

Having been home to concessions of various European countries and the United States for much of the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, Shanghai has developed its own unique style of Western food known as Haipai cuisine (海派西餐 hǎipài xīcān ). It is broadly divided into five different styles, namely German, French, Italian, Russian and British. Among the more popular Haipai dishes include Shanghai-style borscht (罗宋汤 luósòng tāng ), fried pork chops (炸猪排 zhá zhūpái ), potato salad (土豆色拉 tǔdòu sèlā ) and baked clams (烙蛤蜊 lào gélí ).

Drink [ edit ]

Most of the places mentioned under #Eat above also serve booze, and the rest have coffee and tea.

The traditional alcoholic drink of choice for the Shanghainese is Shaoxing rice wine , and this can still be found in most restaurants.

Prices of drinks in cafés and bars vary like they would in any major metropolis. They can be cheap or budget-busters, with a basic coffee or beer costing ¥10-40. In a high-end hotel bar, one basic beer may cost as much as ¥80. Western-style cafés and bars have also become commonplace. There are internationally-known chains, like Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, as well as popular domestic and local java joints to satisfy those looking to relax. Hong Kong-style tea cafés are also common, as are Asian "pearl milk tea" or "bubble tea" bars. Some traditional tea houses can still be found, especially in the Old City.

Tsingtao, Snow and Pearl River beer are widely available. Major foreign brands are produced domestically and smaller brands are typically imported. There is also a local brew known as REEB (beer spelled backwards). A large bottle (640 ml) of any of these costs anywhere from ¥2-6.

Shanghai is filled with amazing nightlife , complete with both affordable bars and nightclubs that pulsate with urban energy. There are plenty of bars in all areas, with the biggest concentration in the French Concession . Xintiandi in particular has many upmarket bars and nightclubs, many with live music.

There are many magazines for expats available at hotels and expat eateries, listing and reviewing events, bars, clubs and restaurants in Shanghai. The most popular are That's Shanghai , City Weekend , and Time Out [dead link] . Shanghai also has an English newspaper, Shanghai Daily , and an English-medium TV channel, International Channel Shanghai or ICS; most expats find these better than the corresponding national media outlets, People's Daily and CCTV channel 9.

• [dead link] Pub Crawl Shanghai , Various locations , ☏ +86 187-2100-4614 . 17:00-03:00 . In addition to a plethora of watering holes ranging from bars, lounges, dives and world-class clubs, there is a pub crawl that arranges transportation to various popular venues. For non-Mandarin speakers or those in town for just a few days, this service takes the guesswork out of finding the hippest, most interesting spots that bustle with expatriates and locals. ¥150 .  

Sleep [ edit ]

Accommodation in Shanghai can be rivaled by few cities in China, in terms of both variety and services. There are establishments for all types of travelers, from backpacker options for the weary to top-of-the-line hotels and serviced apartments for those wishing to be spoiled. Puxi has both new and old hotels with classy architectural styles and charm, some of them described in stories when Shanghai may have been the only place in China known to much of the rest of the world, while modern amenities commonly found in Pudong rival many hotels in Asia and beyond.

For clean, safe, budget accommodations, three reliable options are the Jin Jiang Star (website in Chinese) , Motel 168 (website in Chinese) [dead link] and Motel 268 chains, all of which have locations in most districts of Shanghai.

For long-term accommodation, be prepared to splurge as Shanghai's real estate prices are among the highest in the world, rivaling even those of major Western cities.

If your budget allows it, all the downtown districts except the Old City have high-end hotels, and Pudong across the river has many others. Prices are near international levels, anywhere from around ¥700 a night to several times that. Most of the big international chains have at least one location in Shanghai, and many have hotels in both Pudong and central Puxi; Hilton has those plus a third one at Hongqiao Airport . Many of these hotels are in very convenient locations; Les Suites and Hyatt are on the Bund , Le Meridien is just off Nanjing Road , and Radisson is on People's Square ; see Huangpu for listings. In Jing'an , the Shangrila is right next to the temple and metro station, and in the French Concession , the Langham Xintiandi is close to Xintiandi and the old town .

Shanghai also has some grand old hotels built in the art deco style during the city's glory days (1840s-1930s). The Peace Hotel and Astor House are on the Bund and the Park Hotel is across from People's Park on Nanjing Road; all are listed in the Huangpu article. These are often somewhat cheaper than the newer luxury hotels.

Quite a few low-priced and mid-range places are in the area north of Jing'an Temple, in Jing'an , Zhabei and Putuo districts. For a more central location the Captain's Hostel is a backpacker place just off the Bund. Backpacker dorms are under ¥100 in most places, while many hostels and most of the plainer hotels can provide private rooms with private shower in the ¥250-600 range.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Shanghai is a very safe city for its size, and violent crime is rare; it is generally not a problem for women to roam the streets alone at night. Petty crimes like pickpocketing and bike theft can sometimes occur, though they are not as common as they used to be with the ubiquity of CCTVs these days. Sexual harassment occasionally occurs on crowded public transport. Pay extra caution before the Chinese New Year (in Jan or Feb depending on lunar calendar), as thieves may be more active in looking for new-year money.

Although pickpocketing is not as rampant as in major European cities, it pays to be prudent, especially in crowded public transport and the main shopping streets. Pickpockets often work in groups, sometimes including women carrying babies.

Beware of this taxi scam : first you agree on price (e.g., ¥300 for a taxi shared with someone else from Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou) then after a short taxi ride they ask to get out and a group of people say that you need to pay agreed money right now. Then you are transferred to a shared bus where other people cheated like yourself wait until the bus departs, then the bus finally gets to its destination. Most taxis belong to a taxi company, with the company telephone number printed in the taxi that you can call in English. There is also a common Shanghai help-line number that can help you, call 962288, with English service.

The notorious tea house scam , long practised in Beijing, is unfortunately spreading to Shanghai as well. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers, probably well-dressed, speaking good English, and look innocent like a student. They will invite you to an art gallery, tea shop or karaoke bar, and after accepting they will leave you to foot a large bill. In this case, you should call 110 (emergency hotline). The con artists may tell you that calling the police does not work and claim to have connections with police, but the police in China tend to be helpful in these cases, especially when innocent foreigners are involved. These scams can be found around People's Square near the entrances/exits of the museums and art galleries. Actual physical harm to yourself is unlikely. Just walk away.

A temple scam in various big cities and also Tibet is when your guides may ask you to make a wish and burn a stick of incense which ends up costing a hundred to more than a thousand. Another trick is to ask you how much you want to "donate". After you said ¥10, they will tell you that ¥10 is for a one-day blessing but the monk has already turned an incense to bless you for 1 year, so you have to pay 365 x ¥10. This scam has caused significant backlash because of blasphemy since no legitimate temples in China ever charge followers in this way.

Male travellers may attract attention from female sex workers at nightspots. Around the Old Town and the Science Museum in Pudong, hawkers are sometimes also eager to sell. Saying wǒ búyào ("I don't want it") may help. Also be cautious of people who approach and offer to polish your shoes . Make sure both of you agree on the price before anything is put on your shoes. The same rule also applies to the commercial photographers at the Bund area. They will offer to take your picture with the scenic background (and sometimes with costumes) for ¥50, but once you have contracted their services, several cohorts will arrive to "assist" the photographer. They may force you to buy all the snapshots and try to gather crowds to increase pressure.

Don't rush into or out of Shanghai metro trains at the last moment. Despite the safety barriers on the platform, the train doors sometimes close before all passengers have boarded; people squeezed between closing doors is a common sight. Apparently, the failsafe that is supposed to block trains from running with open doors isn't foolproof: In 2010 a woman died after being smashed against the safety barriers as she was hanging half out of the closed doors of a train leaving Zhongshan Park Station.

By Chinese law, foreigners are required to show their passports when requested, although this is rarely enforced. Most hotels will help you keep the passport in the safe, and then you can carry a photocopy along with your hotel's name card.

See the Chinese Money Counterfeiting article for details about fake notes that you may encounter.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Do not drink Shanghai's tap water unless it is boiled or goes through a reverse-osmosis filter. Drinking the water is relatively safe when it has been boiled; however, tap water is also said to contain high amounts of heavy metals which are not removed by boiling. When buying bottled water you will come across a whole range of foreign and domestic mineral water brands, with the cheaper domestic brands costing ¥1–2.50 available in all convenience stores and from street vendors. Most hotels provide domestic mineral water for free in your room.

Individuals with asthma or respiratory issues should be prepared when visiting due to the air pollution.

Public hospitals in Shanghai are generally not up to the standard that foreigners from Western countries would be used to, and most of the doctors and nurses working there are unable to communicate in English. Ambulance services are unreliable, and in the event of an emergency, the quickest way to get to a hospital would usually be to take a taxi. Many private hospitals and medical clinics around the city mainly cater to foreigners and expatriates. The doctors and nurses working at these places will be able to speak English, and the standard of care is usually on par with what you may be used to at home, though their services are usually very expensive. Many of these medical services will take travel insurance if your insurance company is partnered with the hospital. Generally speaking you will likely have to pay ahead of time, however these facilities tend to be far superior in equipment and cleanliness to the ones that Chinese locals are forced to deal with.

A popular chain of western medical clinics is Parkway Health [dead link] . There is a 24-hr hotline in English (6445 5999) to arrange an appointment in the clinic nearest you. This service is expensive: basic medical consultations start at ¥1,200. Check with your insurance beforehand to see if you are fully or partly covered.

Note that because these services are pay services, they are paid more when they conduct more tests. Furthermore, Chinese doctors, even Western-trained ones, tend to be overly thorough compared to Western doctors. However since you are a customer, they are not usually too insistent on unnecessary tests. Use your common sense to determine if you need the ordered tests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays etc.).

• International Medical Care Center of Shanghai First People's Hospital , 585 Jiu Long Road, near Haining Lu, Hangkou (九龙路585号，近海宁路) ( in Building 1 ), ☏ +86 6324 3852 . M-F 08:00-17:00 . Provides "VIP Service" for ¥300, then you pay for any services beyond the basic examination .  

Connect [ edit ]

Shanghai's area code for landlines is 21 , adding a "0" at the beginning if calling from outside of the city. For international calls add 86, the country code for China.

Shanghai seems to have far fewer Internet cafés than other Chinese cities, but there are some; see the district articles for details. Most of the bars that cater to the expatriate community and many of the foreign-based fast food chains — Starbucks, KFC, Dunkin Donuts and likely others — offer free WiFi. Many hotels also provide WiFi service at prices from free to exorbitant; it is moderately common to find free service in one part of a hotel, such as a coffee shop, but substantial charges elsewhere, such as from the rooms.

Cope [ edit ]

Media [ edit ].

• Shanghai Daily . English-language newspaper and website.  
• Shanghai International Channel . English-language TV channel  

Expatriates generally find these Shanghai-based media outlets preferable to the China-wide People's Daily and CCTV-9.

There are also several English-language papers consisting mainly of listings, reviews and advertisements for restaurants and nightlife. These are given away free in most of the Western-style bars and some restaurants and hotels.

Operator assistance [ edit ]

An amazingly helpful resource for visitors and expats alike is the Shanghai Call Center. Established prior to the Expo and maintained as a public service, the call center is a free-of-charge phone number that provides information regarding bus, metro, and taxi directions, business hours, attractions, and can even be utilized as a free translation service. If you are having trouble communicating with your taxi driver or a vendor, don't hesitate to call the number and pass the phone back and forth, having the operator translate.

The so-called "Magic Number" can be reached at 962288 from Shanghai cell phones. Chinese cell phones from other cities should dial 021 962288, and international phones should dial +86 021 962288. A short message in Mandarin will greet you, followed by a set of English instructions. Service is available in several European languages such as English and Spanish.

The service itself is free of charge, but you pay the cost of the phone call.

According to Smart Shanghai, the city has another English-language help hotline that offers almost the same services as the Shanghai Call Centre. For anyone seeking English-language assistance, call 12345, then for English press 7; you will be asked to press the 'number sign', which means the pound key (#). Services are only offered in Chinese and English, however, they claim to be able to connect to volunteers speaking French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Arabic. The hotline is run by the city government as a service for residents to help with anything related to either public or civil services, while also answering general questions about the city such as how to deal with registrations and licenses, as well as the opening hours of venues.

Etiquette [ edit ]

See the China article for discussion of some Chinese behaviours that may irritate visitors, but note that most of these are less problematic in Shanghai than elsewhere.

Crowding in, rather than queuing, is a problem you are likely to encounter; indeed this can be worse in busy Shanghai than elsewhere. Whether at a ticket booth, at a busy fast food counter, or even at the grocery store, everyone jockeys for position by crowding around a staff member, and will do whatever possible to get in first, and get out. If at all possible, avoid the situation in the first place; for example, recharge your metro card a bit early if you see a quiet ticket counter.

Pushing in the metro is normal, especially at the chaotic People's Square Station. Just dig in and push; don't feel sorry. However, compared to public transport in other Chinese cities, the Shanghainese are better at letting people alight first and the mad rush for empty seats is not quite so bad — your behaviour should follow the situation: if the station is crowded then pushing is acceptable, but if not then you are more likely to be looked upon as an 'uncivilised foreigner'. Also, outside of busy times you should stand to the right on escalators, to allow people to pass.

Note that Shanghai Metro drivers will close the train doors and depart when the schedule says so, even if people are still boarding. When you hear the 'door closing' alarm (usually a series of beeps), stand back from the doors (particularly on the old Line 1 and 2 trains as the doors close very quickly and may not re-open if blocked).

Work permits and visa extensions [ edit ]

Please refer to Working in China for general information about Chinese work visas. For specific information on the process in Shanghai, see the article for Pudong where the Entry and Exit Bureau is located.

Consulates [ edit ]

Most consulates can be found in the Jing'an area of Shanghai.

Go next [ edit ]

Several other major cities are near Shanghai and conveniently reachable on the new CRH high-speed (over 300 km/h) trains. These are comfortable and reasonably priced and, except at holidays, are not too crowded since other trains are cheaper. Look for the separate ticket windows with "CRH" on the signs.

• Hangzhou — 45 minutes away by high-speed train, is one of China's top domestic tourist destinations, featuring the famous West Lake, a fine silk market, and Buddhist caves. The popular times of year to go are spring and fall. An information booth at the train platform exit provides a useful booklet with maps.
• Suzhou — a historic town half an hour away from Shanghai by high-speed train, is also a major destination for Chinese tourists. Traditionally a city of scholars and poets with many fine classical Chinese gardens and enough canals that it has been called the "Venice of the East". It has also become a major center of hi-tech manufacturing.

There is a Chinese saying along the lines The sky has heaven; the Earth has Suzhou and Hangzhou.

• Nanjing — about 1.5 hours away by high-speed train, is a great place to get a Chinese history lesson. Nanjing was the capital of China under several dynasties, and of the Nationalist government in the early 20th century. From the city walls to the Presidential Palace, it's a walkable, friendly place with a variety of hotels for all budgets. Well worth the effort. It is also home to the tombs of three prominent figures in Chinese history.
• Wuxi — roughly halfway between Suzhou and Nanjing, known for the Grand Canal , Lake Tai , the giant Buddha at Lingshan, and delicious local cuisine.
• Ningbo — is two and a half to three hours away from Shanghai, across the 36 km-long Hangzhou Bay Bridge. The train, via Hangzhou, is faster.

There are places that serve as the somewhat rural escapes for Shanghai residents. These are near cities mentioned above, and probably neither would seem at all rural to someone from a less densely populated country.

• Mount Putuo , a very scenic island with an important Buddhist temple, near Ningbo. One of China's "Four Great Mountains of Buddhism".

See East China for other cities and attractions in the area around Shanghai.

• UNESCO Creative Cities
• Has custom banner
• Huge city articles
• Huge cities with more than 10 districts
• Has map markers
• Listing with Wikipedia link but not Wikidata link
• Airport listing
• Articles with dead external links
• Go listing with no coordinates
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Buy listing with no coordinates
• Drink listing with no coordinates
• Has routebox
• All destination articles
• Usable cities
• Usable articles
• City articles
• Cities with categories
• Has Geo parameter
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

• Destinations

Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai is the largest commercial and financial center in China, with a fascinating fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. It’s a vibrant megacity where you’ll find an endless range of delicious food, modern architecture, cultural sites, and shopping at every corner. From the glitzy skyscrapers of Lujiazui to hipster microbreweries in the Former French Concession, its many central neighborhoods are wonderfully diverse and offer a new Shanghai experience for every day. — Jenna Ohrnberg

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

©I'm love photography and art/Getty Images

Shanghai: few cities in the world evoke so much history, excess, glamour, mystique and exotic promise in name alone.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Yuyuan Gardens & Bazaar

Shanghai Old City

With its shaded alcoves, glittering pools churning with fish, plus pavilions, pines sprouting wistfully from rockeries, and roving packs of Japanese…

The Bund & People's Square

Symbolic of concession-era Shanghai, the Bund was the city’s Wall Street, a place of feverish trading and fortunes made and lost. Originally a towpath for…

Jade Buddha Temple

One of Shanghai’s few active Buddhist monasteries, this temple was built between 1918 and 1928. The highlight is a transcendent Buddha crafted from pure…

Shanghai Tower

China’s tallest building dramatically twists skywards from its footing in Lujiazui. The 121-storey, 632m-tall, Gensler-designed Shanghai Tower topped out…

French Concession

Tianzifang and Xintiandi are based on a similar idea – an entertainment complex housed within a warren of lòngtáng (弄堂, alleyways). Unlike Xintiandi,…

With its own namesake metro station, Xintiandi has been a Shanghai icon for over a decade. An upmarket entertainment and shopping complex modelled on…

Shanghai Museum

This must-see museum escorts you through the craft of millennia and the pages of Chinese history. It's home to one of the most impressive collections in…

Shanghai may be known for its glitz and glamour, but it's got an edgy subculture too. The industrial M50 art complex is one prime example, where galleries…

Latest stories from Shanghai

Jan 15, 2021 • 2 min read

Last year, Josh Reid ordered a new bike from Shanghai. Instead of having it delivered to the UK, he traveled there and cycled all the way home.

Jan 11, 2021 • 2 min read

May 6, 2020 • 2 min read

Apr 21, 2020 • 2 min read

Jan 17, 2020 • 2 min read

Nov 18, 2019 • 8 min read

Oct 21, 2019 • 4 min read

Feb 13, 2019 • 6 min read

Nov 19, 2018 • 1 min read

Oct 30, 2018 • 3 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Shanghai

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Shanghai with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Shanghai and beyond

Shanghai travel guide

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan metropolis that blends modernity with traditional Chinese heritage. The Bund's old Western-style buildings and Pudong's modern skyscrapers shine brightly together. Hymns echo from Xujiahui Cathedral while incense smoke drifts from Jade Buddha Temple. Mahjong-playing seniors on the streets and soccer-loving youth in the alleys. Local Huju and comedic Xi quadrille in small theaters, symphony and ballet at grand theaters. Classic Shanghainese fare at old restaurants, Cantonese-style dim sum at Xinghualou, French cuisine at Maison Rouge. Teahouses in old alleys, bars on Hengshan Road - East meets West in spectacular fusion.

Beyond a city, "Shanghai" symbolizes fashion, progress, sophistication and speed. Old shikumen structures are now trendy elements and brands. Across the river, farmland has been replaced by maglev trains and an ultramodern airport. Former racetracks like People's Square have become parks. Despite changes, Shanghai remains China's commercial hub and gateway to the world.

From early trading port to glamorous "Ten Li of the Foreign Quarter", Shanghai embraced diverse cultures. The Bund and Pudong Skyline, Nanjing Road and the Bund, People's Square, Huaihai Road and Xujiahui - each area has its own character and charm. Shanghai constantly reinvents itself yet retains its essence as China's most cosmopolitan city.

Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival

Experience the Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival

Locals in Shanghai have a custom of appreciating peach blossoms in spring. Pudong New Area is one of the most important spots for flower viewing, and in recent years, the Peach Blossom Festival held there has become a popular spring outing destination for Shanghai residents. At the festival, visitors can not only view flowers, but also enjoy various celebratory events at attractions around Taohua Village and nearby Xinchang Ancient Town, including Taoyuan, Binhai Seaworld Peach Blossom Village, Shanghai Fresh Flower Port, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Binhai Golf Club, and Pudong Shooting Club. It allows people to have a fulfilling experience all in one go.

Location: Taoyuan Folk Village, Pudong New Area Time: Every March-April

Stroll under canopies of delicate pink blossoms in Shanghai. Meander peaceful trails lined with peach trees in full bloom. Stop and sniff fragrant flowers fluttering in the breeze. Capture stunning photos of petals framing traditional water towns. After flower viewing, unwind at tea houses serving refreshing peach juice. As spring's first blooms emerge, celebrate rebirth with Shanghai's joyous festival of flowers.

Shanghai Tourism Festival

F1 shanghai station race, chenghuang temple yuanxiao (filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for lantern festival) temple fair, shanghai spring international music festival, shanghai international film festival, shanghai art expo, shanghai international art festival, shanghai international tea culture festival, shanghai international fashion culture festival, best travel time, dressing guidelines.

Shanghai's hot, humid summer months of July and August can be oppressive for outdoor activities. Conversely, January and February bring Shanghai's coldest winter temperatures, requiring layers for warmth if braving the chill. Around June and July, Shanghai enters its rainy season marked by the plum rains. Pack rain protection like foldable ponchos and umbrellas to stay dry when Shanghai's skies open up. Planning outfits around Shanghai's seasonal shifts prevents weather woes. Breathable fabrics that wick moisture keep summer sightseeing comfortable. Adding or removing items like sweaters, jackets, and scarves allows adapting to winter's cold while avoiding overheating indoors. And water-resistant shoes and outer layers provide insurance during the rainy months. Checking forecasts and packing versatile layers makes easy work of Shanghai's variable conditions.

Although Shanghai was established as a town in 1267 and walled in 1553 during the Song and Ming dynasties, it left an indelible mark on Chinese history after 1843. That year, Shanghai was forcibly opened as a treaty port after the First Opium War.

Foreign imperialist powers rushed in to establish concessions in Shanghai, building extravagant architecture along the Bund and in People's Park. For over a century, Shanghai was an "adventurer's paradise" for foreign aggressors.

In 1921, the CCP secretly formed in the French Concession, holding its first congress in the present day site. The May 30th Movement erupted in 1925, sparking armed struggle against imperialism. The bloody Battle of Shanghai engulfed the city in 1937.

On May 27, 1949, Shanghai was liberated. Since the 1990s, Shanghai has reemerged as China's foremost economic, financial and trade hub. The Pudong New Area accelerated development after opening in 1993. Now a global financial center, Shanghai hosted the 2010 World Expo.

Shanghai currently has two main international passenger ferry and cruise terminals - Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal and Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.

The Shanghai Port terminal is located where the Huangpu River meets the Yangtze River in northern Shanghai's Baoshan district. This large terminal serves domestic routes along the Yangtze River and international routes to Japan and South Korea.

Wusongkou terminal is located further south where the Huangpu meets the East China Sea. This more centrally located terminal primarily serves international cruise ships traveling from Shanghai to destinations in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore and beyond.

For travelers, Shanghai's terminals provide direct access to popular Yangtze River cruises, as well as international cruise holidays departing from the cosmopolitan city. Tickets can be booked via cruise company websites. With state-of-the-art facilities, Shanghai is now one of Asia's major cruise hubs, offering convenient cruise getaways across the region.

Medical treatment

Emergency call, shanghai surrounding cities.

Popular tourist cities in China

Explore Shanghai

Plan your trip to shanghai: best of shanghai tourism.

Essential Shanghai

Shop the Private Sale at The Bicester Collection

Shanghai is great for, maxing out credit cards.

Peaceful parks and ancient Chinese architecture

Tower-gazing and grand squares

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Shanghai

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Mar 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Shanghai, China's largest city, offers many exciting sightseeing opportunities for travelers. Despite having a population of more than 24 million, this always busy city offers a number of quieter historic districts and places to visit alongside its many newer tourist sites. One of the world's busiest container ports thanks to its position at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the city also provides opportunities for exploration by water along the Chinese coast and its inland waterways.

Things to do here include visiting the city's world-class museums and art galleries, such as the Shanghai Museum and the China Art Museum; wandering through lovely gardens and parks; or getting in some shopping, especially in the "New World" pedestrian area with its luxury boutiques and galleries. Also fun is exploring the city's many fine old temples and traditional pagodas.

To help you plan your visit to China's most exciting city, be sure to read through our list of the top attractions and things to do in Shanghai.

See also: Where to Stay in Shanghai

1. Take a Stroll along Shanghai's Promenade: The Bund

2. visit shanghai's oldest green space: yu garden, 3. see the priceless statues of the jade buddha temple, 4. learn about chinese culture at the shanghai museum, 5. visit historic longhua temple and pagoda, 6. see the views from the oriental pearl tower, 7. shop 'til you drop on nanjing road, 8. gather at the people's square, 9. the french connection: tianzifang, 10. xujiahui cathedral and the sheshan basilica, 11. visit the shanghai science and technology museum, 12. the china art museum, 13. visit shanghai disney resort, 14. jin mao tower and skywalk, 15. shanghai natural history museum, where to stay in shanghai for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in shanghai, shanghai, china - climate chart.

Best known by its Anglo-Indian name of Bund (Wàitan), the Zhongshan Lu is a lovely broad promenade running along the west bank of the Huangpujiang River. It's particularly popular among tourists - the area has retained a European feel, as it was once the location of the city's International Settlement. This influence is particularly noticeable in the many old English and French buildings now serving as restaurants, boutique stores, galleries, and offices.

Always bustling, it's a splendid place for a stroll day or night as you take in the Bund's 52 unique buildings, constructed in a variety of styles including Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Renaissance influences. The Bund is also home to what amounts to one of the world's most impressive collections of Art Deco architecture.

Moving from south to north, the dominant buildings are the former headquarters of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation with its splendid cupola, the harbor customs office with its bell tower, the old Peace Hotel, and the Bank of China.

Huangpu Park , located at the north end of The Bund, opened in 1886 and is famous as the country's oldest public park. It's a pleasant place to visit, and has an interesting museum dedicated to The Bund's history. The Bund is also a great place from which to embark upon a sightseeing tour aboard a boat around the port and the confluence of the Huangpujiang and Yangtze rivers.

Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

To the northeast of the old town and laid out in 1559 is the splendid Yu Garden (Yù Yuán). Also known as the Garden of Happiness, this vast green space covers an area of more than 20,000 square meters and consists of an outer and an inner garden.

The oldest section is the Outer Garden , with further changes being made in the 18th century when Sansui Tang, the park's main hall, was added. This impressive building is notable for its lovely roof ornaments, figurative representations in bas-reliefs, and window openings, as well as its dragon-adorned walls.

The best-known building is the Hall of Spring , where the Company of the Little Swords (Xiaodao Hui) had its headquarters between 1853 and 1855 when it ruled Shanghai. Of great historical importance are the artificial rocks in this part of the garden, the only work of the master garden designer Zhang Nanyang that has been preserved.

The newer and much smaller Inner Garden is also worth seeing. Dating from 1709, it includes features typical of a classical Chinese writer's garden: attractive little pavilions, decorative stones, and miniature mountain ranges, dividing walls and small ponds, and even a richly decorated theatrical stage.

Address: 279 Yuyuan Old Street, Huangpu, Shanghai

Located in the Anyuan Lu district of Shanghai, the beautiful Jade Buddha Temple houses two Shakyamuni statues, which the monk Huigen brought with him from Burma. The present building, erected in 1928 to replace the original temple built in 1882, is divided into three halls and two courtyards.

The most impressive structure is the splendid Hall of the Kings of Heaven (Tian Wang Dian), notable for its statues of the four heavenly kings and two Shakyamuni sculptures. Carved from white jade, one of these impressive statues stands nearly two meters high in the Wentang Main hall, where a collection of Buddhist manuscripts is also kept (the smaller statue is in the west courtyard).

Also of interest is the charming Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian) with its Buddhas of the Three Ages, along with 18 Luohan figures. Another of Shanghai's many important Buddhist sites is the stunning Jing'an Temple on Nanjing West Road.

Address: 170 Anyuan Road, Jing'an, Shanghai

Official site: www.yufotemple.com/en/

Founded in 1952, the Shanghai Museum remains China's most important museum of classical Chinese art. Set in a modern building that's something of a work of art itself - its unique round top and square base encompasses traditional Chinese concepts of the Earth - the museum's four floors include impressive displays of bronzes and ceramics from prehistoric cultures to the 19th century.

Other highlights of the collection include ink drawings, calligraphy and seals, as well as large collections of art from ethnic minorities. It's also home to large collections of jade, coins, furnishings from the Ming and Qing periods (1368-1912), and a well-stocked gift shop.

Address: 201 Renmin Avenue, Ren Min Guang Chang, Huangpu, Shanghai

Official site: www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/en/index

Located in a pleasant park in the southwest area of Shanghai, the splendid Longhua Temple remains one of the oldest religious sites in China. Built along with the nearby 40-meter-tall wood and brick pagoda around AD 242, this important place of worship was destroyed and rebuilt many times through the years, with the present structure dating back to the 10th century.

The site is still used for regular Buddhist ceremonies and consists of five large halls, including the Maitreya Hall (Mile Dian), with its large Buddha statue; the Heavenly King Hall (Tian Wang Dian), dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings; and the Grand Hall of the Great Sage (Daxiong Baodian), with its fine statues and a 16th-century bell.

Other highlights include the Bell Tower with an even older, two-meter-tall, five-ton bell from 1382, which is still used on special occasions; the Library with its old manuscripts and ceremonial instruments; and the impressive sight of some 500 gold-painted Luohan Buddhas.

Address: 2853 Longhua Rd, Xuhui, Shanghai

A must-visit while in Shanghai is the 468-meter-tall Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower (Dongfang Míngzhuta). It's located in Pudong-Park on the east bank of the Huangpu River. In addition to its excellent views over the busy river and the new city, you'll be rewarded with superb views over the historic Bund promenade.

Built in 1991, the tower takes its name from its 11 linked spheres of various sizes, the highest of which - the Space Module - contains an observation level at the 350 meter mark with a glass-floored outside deck. All told, the tower boasts 15 viewing areas, including the Sightseeing Floor and Space City, as well as a revolving restaurant with great views.

Other highlights include a lower level shopping mall, the Space Hotel offering rooms with spectacular views, and a fun virtual reality rollercoaster ride. Even if you can't make it up the tower, you'll enjoy viewing it at night when the whole structure is lit up as part of a fascinating light show.

Address: 1 Century Ave, Lu Jia Zui, Pudong, Shanghai

Nanjing Road (Nánjing Lù) is Shanghai's principal shopping street. Constructed in the second half of the 19th century, it runs from the Zhongshan Lu for several miles towards the west. Along this largely pedestrian-friendly street, you'll find every conceivable type of consumer goods, from street vendors selling Chinese-themed souvenirs to expensive boutiques selling traditional arts and crafts. There are also a number of large shopping malls and department stores such as the iconic Yibai and Jiubai.

It's also a busy entertainment district, home to many restaurants and cinemas, as well as a hub for street performances. It's especially fun to visit during major holidays such as Chinese New Year when the street becomes a focal point for festivities and fireworks.

Another dedicated shopping area to explore is Xintiandi , an affluent pedestrian zone that retains some of the ambience of the old city.

Built on what was once the city's racecourse, the People's Square (Rénmín Guangchang) has been transformed over the years into Shanghai's premier public space. Home to the new Shanghai City Hall , the Shanghai Museum, and the state-of-the-art Grand Theatre , it's a perfect spot from which to begin touring the city.

You'll also want to spend time visiting the excellent Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center . Here, you'll find superb displays and models - even a 360-degree movie theater - showing both existing and planned-for buildings. Be sure to view this massive scale-model from the upper galleries for a fascinating bird's-eye perspective of this modern metropolis.

Address: Wusheng Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

In what was once Shanghai's French Concession, Tianzifang has been transformed into a fascinating arts and crafts destination. While much of the older homes and buildings have been replaced, the character of this old European district has been carefully preserved in its architecture and layout, with numerous small laneways and alleys just begging to be explored.

In addition to its many shopping opportunities - it consists of numerous small galleries and craft shops, rather than the bigger stores found elsewhere in the city - it's also a fun place to visit at night due to its many restaurants serving traditional fare, its numerous cafés and music joints, as well as artists' studios and workshops.

Fuxing Park is another notable tourist attraction with a distinct French flavor. The city's largest park when constructed in 1909, it remains a delightful place to wander due to its many fountains, gardens, and pavilions.

Address: 10 Taikang Road, Da Pu Qiao, Huangpu, Shanghai

Built in 1911 in Neo-Romanesque style, Xujiahui Cathedral - also known as St. Ignatius Cathedral - is another splendid reminder of Shanghai's rich multi-national heritage. In the southern city district of Xujiahui, it's the largest place of Roman Catholic worship in Shanghai, and in addition to its splendid park-like setting is worth visiting for its twin 50-meter-high bell-towers and restored interior with fine stained-glass windows.

Another important religious site is the Sheshan Basilica (the National Shrine and Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan). This fine old Roman Catholic church stands on the western peak of the hill after which it's named. Like so many other religious sites, it was heavily damaged during the Chinese Cultural Revolution but in recent years has undergone extensive renovations and remains an important pilgrimage site. A highlight of a visit is following the 14 Stations of the Cross, which zigzag up the hill to the church, along with the many splendid views along the way.

Address: 158 Puxi Road, Xu Jia Hui, Xuhui District, Shanghai

In keeping with its status as a world-class city, Shanghai is not without its fair share of top-notch museums. In addition to the splendid Shanghai Museum, the city is home to the huge Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the largest of its kind in China and one of the city's top draws with more than two million visitors each year.

Opened in 2001, the museum offers numerous things to see and do, including interactive multimedia exhibits, permanent displays, and state-of-the-art science theaters. Highlights include a large collection of animals native to the region, scientific achievements, a fascinating exhibit on robotics, as well as exhibits focusing on space travel.

Other fun attractions for families include the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium . This worthwhile attraction is popular for its 120-meter underwater tunnel, which provides a close-up view of the region's diverse marine life. Also worth a visit is the Shanghai Zoo , famous for its large collection of native species, including giant pandas and South China tigers.

Address: 2000 Century Ave, Pudong, Shanghai

Official site: http://en.sstm.org.cn

Also often referred to as the China Art Palace, the China Art Museum (Zhonghuá Yìshù Gong) is the largest art gallery in Asia. It's also home to the country's most important collections of modern art, housed in the city's spectacular China Pavilion, the sole survivor of the city's Expo 2010 event (and looking a little like an upside-down pyramid).

Highlights of a visit include its fascinating collections of Chinese modern art, exhibits of prominent Chinese artists, as well as numerous works related to Shanghai's cultural development over the decades. Culture lovers should also invest a little time visiting the Oriental Art Center , one of the city's most important venues for performances of classical music, opera, and theatrical productions.

Also of note is the splendid Shanghai Grand Theatre , well regarded for its regular roster of concerts, operas, ballet performances, and traditional theater.

Address: 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong, Shanghai

Shanghai Disney Resort, China's second Disney venture after Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, opened to great fanfare and huge crowds in 2016 and shows every sign of being a massive success.

In addition to its two themed hotels and the Disneytown entertainment and shopping district, this nearly 1,000-acre site in the city's Pudong district is home to the Shanghai Disneyland Park, the hub of all the action and the real reason some 10 million people visit the resort each year.

And it's every inch the kind of Disney experience fans and families alike can't seem to get enough of. The fun starts on Mickey Avenue, with its character meet and greets and merchandise-cum-souvenir shops, before guests head off to their favorite part of the park.

Highlights include Gardens of Imagination, with its pleasant Chinese gardens and Dumbo carousel, and Fantasyland, in many ways the parks "heart and soul." It's here you'll find the Enchanted Storybook Castle and hordes of mini wannabe princesses waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite Disney royalty. Also popular is Treasure Cove, home to a thrilling Pirates of the Caribbean -inspired ride.

Address: 310 Huangzhao Road, Pudong, Shanghai

Official site: www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/

In a country that seems to build super-tall skyscrapers at a rate of knots, the Jin Mao Tower (Jinmoh Dusa) certainly manages to stand out. Reaching 93-stories skyward (420.5 meters), this impressive tower stands as testament to the new found prosperity that is so evident in Shanghai - hence the building's name, which in Chinese translates to "Golden Prosperity Building."

One of the world's tallest freestanding structures, it has become a popular tourist attraction for its thrilling Skywalk, a massive enclosed observation deck located on the 88th floor that's capable of holding upwards of 1,000 people at a time. While the views over the city and the Bund are of course impressive, it's the building's unique and spectacular interior view down to the atrium of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai Hotel far below that draws the biggest "oohhs" and "aahhs."

While here, be sure to visit the large shopping center at the base of the tower. Also worth visiting are the other neighboring skyscrapers, including the 121-story Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center, which together with the Jin Mao Tower make for the world's tallest trio of super-tall skyscrapers.

Address: 88 Century Ave, Lu Jia Zui, Pudong, Shanghai

Museum goers won't want to miss the chance to visit the Shanghai Natural History Museum. This stunning world-class facility was established in 1956 and only recently opened up in its new state-of-the-art location in Jing'an Sculpture Park in 2015. This is one of the country's largest museums - it covers an impressive 40,000 square meters.

You'll be rewarded with a chance to peruse a vast collection of more than 240,000 artifacts, many of them unique to China and including everything from rare animal and plant specimens, some dating back as far as 140 million years (there is a rare dinosaur skeleton, which stands over four stories high). Also fun to see are the many large animatronic dinosaurs, which provide a pretty good idea of the sheer size, power, and appearance of these extinct beasts.

Location: Jing'an District, Shanghai

If you're visiting Shanghai for the first time and want to see the top tourist attractions, the best place to stay is in the city center, near the Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront promenade, which intersects with Nanjing Road, the bustling shopping street. Another popular base is near the People's Square, with the Shanghai Museum, Grand Theatre, and the exhibition center. Here are some highly rated hotels in these convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels:

• In a fantastic location right on the Bund, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund exudes grand elegance, with its chandeliers, lavish marble, and soaring columns.
• Also on the Bund, overlooking Nanjing Road and decked out in beautifully preserved Art Deco style, is the Fairmont Peace Hotel , with a pool and spa, plush rooms, and attentive staff.
• Near the Shanghai Museum, the art museum, and the Bund, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square delivers the same impeccable service found at other luxury Shanghai hotels for more affordable rates.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Fresh and modern with textural Chinese accents, Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund , near Yu Garden, is a popular boutique option with large city-view rooms and a glass-encased pool overlooking the river.
• Also on the Bund and near Yu Garden, Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai sits on the banks of the Yangtze River, a few blocks from Nanjing Road, while the Marriott Hotel City Centre is a 12-minute walk from the People's Square, near great shopping.

Budget Hotels:

• Within walking distance of Nanjing Road and the Bund, Shanghai Fish Inn Bund offers clean, contemporary rooms and apartments, which are great value for groups, while the Jinjiang MetroPolo Hotel Classiq Shanghai Peoples' Square is a little pricier but offers excellent value for money in a fantastic location right next to its namesake attraction.
• Across the Yangtze River from the Bund, about 12 minutes away by car, Jinjiang Inn (Shanghai Lujiazui) offers clean, basic rooms for budget prices.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Historic Hangzhou : Just a two-hour train ride away from Shanghai is the historic city of Hangzhou . Famous for its many beautiful temples, including the 13th-century Yue Fei Temple, and the six-square-kilometer West Lake with its lovely waterside parks and pagodas, Hangzhou is also a great place to explore on foot, especially around the historic Qinghefang Ancient Street area, popular for its old cobbled streets, quaint squares, traditional restaurants, and shopping.

Taking Flight : Thanks to its being a major transportation hub - both nationally and internationally - Shanghai serves as a great jumping-off point to explore other parts of the country. An easy two-hour flight away, Beijing , the country's capital, is a must for visitors to China. Highlights include the magnificent Imperial Palace, the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and more modern wonders, including the Beijing National Stadium, famous for its role in the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the Beijing Capital Museum.

Beijing also offers a variety of interesting day trip options , the most popular being a trip to Badaling Pass and the Great Wall of China.

A little further afield but still under three hours flying time, Chengdu is where you'll have the unique opportunity to spend time getting up close to the country's most iconic animals at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (be sure to opt for one of the special, immersive caretaking packages, which include feeding and cleaning up after these cuddly creatures).

China Vacation Ideas : Thanks to its immense size, China offers a wide variety of interesting landscapes to explore. One of the most popular is a Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo . Starting in Guilin, you'll spend the best part of a day drifting along the Li River, enjoying the beautiful karst mountain scenery along the way, before disembarking in Yangshuo. Here, you can enjoy activities like exploring the riverside pathways by bike, or taking a ride on one of the traditional bamboo rafts available for hire.

Another great option for adventurous types is to take the (silk) road less traveled to Dunhuang and Jiayuguan . Located in the northwestern corner of the country, here you can enjoy such experiences as a spectacular sunset camel ride across the Gobi Desert, or exploring parts of the Great Wall of China not normally visited by tourists around the spectacular Jiayuguan Pass.

More on China

Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• Escorted & Package Tours
• Visitor Information
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Getting Around
• Calendar of Events
• Tips for Multicultural Travelers
• Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism
• Getting There
• Neighborhoods in Brief
• Health & Safety
• City Layout
• Tips for Families
• Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers
• Tips for Senior Travelers
• Tips for Single Travelers
• Tips for Student Travelers
• Tips for Travelers with Disabilities
• Tips for Women Travelers
• Staying Connected
• Organized Tours
• Walking Tours
• Active Pursuits
• Spectator Sports
• Suggested Itineraries

Visitor Information in Shanghai

China's travel industry, though ostensibly controlled by a central authority, is generally quite mired in misinformation and obfuscation, so that it is often difficult for visitors to get truly reliable and accurate information either inside or outside the country. The all-controlling China National Tourism Administration has branches in foreign countries known as China National Tourist Offices (CNTO); their purpose is supposedly to provide tourist information and services. Traditionally, however, CNTO has usually funneled visitors to the agency handling all travel within China, China International Travel Service ( CITS or guoji luxingshe ). There are more tour operators inside China now, but don't expect the information CNTO provides to always be accurate or up-to-date. For a list of CNTO office addresses, see below.

Shanghai online: The best way to receive fairly up-to-date information on Shanghai before departure is to use the Internet, though it's best to surf a variety of websites so you can compare information. Treat with some skepticism "official sources" of information, including the official city website (www.shanghai.gov.cn), which is not always up-to-date either. Also beware of unofficial Chinese-run sites, especially those that also sell travel services -- they are a dime a dozen on the Web and there is no guarantee of reliability.

Shanghai's English-language newspaper, Shanghai Daily (www.shanghaidaily.com), offers both Shanghai and China news, albeit of the highly filtered and uncontroversial variety.

Of the online editions of the English-language magazines, the best of the lot are the long-running bi-weekly City Weekend (www.cityweekend.com.cn) which offers news and features, along with its restaurant, bar, and arts reviews and listings; the 2010-launched Time Out Shanghai (www.timeoutcn.com/tosh); and the monthly that's Shanghai (www.shanghai.urbananatomy.com), with longer feature articles and listings for just about everything the visitor or even expat can want to look up. "Smart Shanghai" (www.smartshanghai.com) is an urban webzine on local nightlife, dining, and culture, while "Shanghaiist" (www.shanghaiist.com) is one of the best blogs on the latest happenings in Shanghai. Other Shanghai blogs include www.sinosplice.com and www.wangjianshuo.com.

The Oriental-List offers an ad- and spam-free discussion of issues relating to travel in China, and is a good place to ask questions that may not be addressed in this guide. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: [email protected].

In Shanghai: The best source of visitor information is the 24-hour Shanghai Call Center (tel. 021/962-288 ). Staffed by very helpful English- and Chinese-speaking university graduates, it's the first of its kind to offer such a service in the country, providing information on culture, entertainment, medical services, the economy, tourism, dining, transportation, entry-exit issues, and other related topics on Shanghai.

Otherwise, Shanghai has an official Tourism Hot Line (tel. 021/6439-8947 or 021/962020) with the occasional English speaker who can be helpful. You can also try the 24-hour Tourist Information Line maintained by Spring Travel Service (tel. 021/6252-0000 ). Hotel staff and concierges can be a font of information as well, though even the most friendly and knowledgeable guest-relations officers at the top hotels can sometimes still be in the dark about any options off the beaten path. Also, beware of those who would try to sell you expensive tours.

There are about a dozen Tourist Information Service Centers (Lu[gum]you Zixun Fuwu Zhongxin) around Shanghai. They appear to exist mainly to sell various city tours and to book hotels but, depending on who is sitting behind the desk, they may be able to offer some guidance. You can also pick up city maps, postcards, brochures, and information on local sights, shopping, and restaurants here. The main office is at Zhongshan Xi Lu 2525, Room 410, Changning District (tel. 021/6439-9806 ), with smaller branch offices at Nanjing Xi Lu 1699, Jing An District (tel. 021/6248-3259 ); Nanjing Dong Lu 561, Huangpu District (tel. 021/5353-1117 ); Chengdu Nan Lu 127, Luwan District (tel. 021/6372-8330 ); and Lujiazui Xi Lu 168, Zhengda Guangchang first floor, Pudong (tel. 021/6887-7888 ).

The best sources for current information about Shanghai events, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife are the free English-language newspapers and magazines distributed to hotels, shops, and cafes around town.

Contact these China National Tourist Offices (www.cnto.org):

• In the United States: 350 Fifth Ave., Ste. 6413, New York, NY 10118 (tel. 212/760-8218; fax 212/760-8809; [email protected]); 600 W. Broadway, Ste. 320, Glendale, CA 91204 (tel. 818/545-7505; fax 818/545-7506; [email protected]).
• In the U.K.: 71 Warwick Rd., London SW5 9HB (tel. 020/7373-0888; fax 020/7370-9989; [email protected]).
• In Australia: 44 Market St., Level 19, Sydney NSW 2000 (tel. 02/9299-4057; fax 02/9290-1958; [email protected]).
• In Canada: 480 University Ave., Ste. 806, Toronto, ON M5G 1V2 (tel. 416/599-6636; fax 416/599-6382; www.tourismchina-ca.com).

Online Traveler's Toolbox

• ATM Locators: Visa ATM Locator (www.visa.com) provides locations of PLUS ATMs worldwide; MasterCard ATM Locator (www.mastercard.com), gives locations of Cirrus ATMs worldwide.
• China Digital Time (www.chinadigitaltimes.net) is a U.C. Berkeley-based website that delivers the best collection of China-related news stories from media sources around the world.
• C-trip (www.english.ctrip.com) is a Chinese consolidator hotel and airplane booking site that is very popular with many Chinese. English-speaking agents are available to help with bookings.
• eLong (www.elong.net) offers excellent prices on both domestic and international flights, which can be booked online or via telephone. Credit cards are accepted (with a 3%-5% surcharge), or pay in cash when the tickets are delivered. English-speaking agents can help with the booking process.
• Foreign Languages for Travelers (www.travlang.com) provides a lexicon, with pronunciation guide, of basic useful traveling terms in English, Chinese characters, and pinyin.
• Online Chinese Tools (www.mandarintools.com) has Chinese dictionaries for Mac and Windows users, and also provides conversions between the solar and lunar calendar.
• The Oriental-List is a spam- and ad-free moderated mailing list focusing only on travel in China, and is an excellent location to post questions not already covered in this guide. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to [email protected].
• Travelchinaguide.com (www.travelchinaguide.com) is an online tour operator in China. While it offers both package and private tours, the information (especially on train travel and getting around locally) and community sections are the most helpful.
• Travel Advisories are available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html, www.fco.gov.uk/travel, www.voyage.gc.ca, and www.dfat.gov.au.
• Universal Currency Converter (www.xe.net/currency) provides the latest exchange rates for any currency against the yuan.
• Weatherbase (www.weatherbase.com) provides month-by-month temperatures and rainfalls for individual cities in China.
• The Weather Channel (www.weather.com) provides current temperatures in Shanghai.
• World Health Organization (www.who.org) and the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) both provide information on health concerns that may affect travelers around the world, including in China.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

Your Best Guide to China

Visiting China soon? Start here

• Best China VPN
• Chinese culture
• Banned apps
• Apps in China
• Love in China
• Teach in China
• Provinces and regions
• Special offers
• 6 steps to get started
• Best places to visit in China
• What to bring to China
• What not to bring to China
• China packing list
• Tips for your first trip
• Tips for solo travel

Top 16 do’s and don’ts of texting Chinese girls

Best time to visit the Great Wall of China (2024)

What are the main differences between China and Taiwan?

• Travel agencies
• Learn Chinese in China
• Learn Chinese online
• Study programs
• Internships
• Recruitment agencies
• Teacher recruitment agencies
• TEFL courses
• Volunteer programs
• Dating sites
• Travel insurance

Select Page

25 quick and helpful Shanghai travel tips (2024)

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated October 1, 2023 | China blog , Travel

Shanghai is hands down one of the most buzzing cities in the world and it’s one of my personal favorites.

You probably hear this a lot, but Shanghai really does have everything.

It’s got amazing food, shopping, culture, architecture, history… the list goes on.

But despite all of these amazing features, it’s still different to western countries and can be confusing for first timers and experienced travelers alike.

So, to make your trip smoother, here are the top Shanghai travel tips that I’ve put together after numerous trips to this incredible city.

1. Eat your way around the world

Eat Chinese food or international cuisine in Shanghai – take your pick. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

The food in Shanghai is so damn good, and has always satisfied my hungry stomach. (I’m not ashamed to say that I travel for the food as much as the sights.)

I ate Mongolian food for the first time while I was in Shanghai. Previously, I hadn’t even known that Mongolian food was a thing.

I still think about the cheesy, meaty goodness at that restaurant!

But if you want to sink your teeth into something local, my favorite kinds of Shanghai dumplings are:

• Xiao long bao (小笼包), delicate little things that have a soup broth inside
• Sheng jian (生煎) which are fried pork dumplings with a crispy base.

They’re both so delicious that I wrote an entire article about how good the dumplings in China are  (you can check it out later).

My advice while you’re in Shanghai is to get out of your comfort zone and try everything. Watch where the locals go and what they eat.

2. See if visa-free travel applies to you

You’ll need an L tourist visa if you’re ineligible for Visa Free Transit. Image by i viewfinder on Shutterstock.

To be able to sink your teeth into a Shanghai dumpling, you’ll need to make sure you get here in the first place!

Like most travelers to Shanghai, you’ll probably have to get a visa before you visit.

And depending on where you live, the visa process can be difficult or time-consuming, so I recommend getting started early. Not the week before you leave!

However, if you’re on a short trip (on the way to another country), then it’s worth knowing that Shanghai has a 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy.

Passport holders from a bunch of countries can enjoy 144 hours in Shanghai without having to get a visa.

So, if you’re on your way to somewhere else, you could spend up to 6 days in Shanghai without going through any extra paperwork trouble.

Some of the countries included under this rule are:

• Germany and many European countries
• New Zealand

Interestingly, some large countries like India and Malaysia do not enjoy this privilege, and you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa regardless of the length of your stay.

You can check your eligibility for Visa Free Transit by tapping here.

Note that this opens up in a new window (it’s an official Chinese government site).

3. Get a VPN

Access banned websites and apps in Shanghai with a VPN. Image by Privecstasy on Unsplash.

If you’re like most people, then you enjoy sharing images and updates about your trip as you explore. But you’ll have a lot more trouble doing that while you’re in Shanghai.

China’s firewall is real, and it will leave you unable to access sites like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Google.

Basically, the sites that you’re most likely to use to stay connected, share your holiday snaps, and find out the answers to questions (like ‘best dumpling restaurants in Shanghai’), will be completely off limits.

That’s why you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) during your stay. And you’ll need to download it before arriving in China, otherwise you won’t be able to download it at all.

You can read a review of which VPN is best for Shanghai here or tap on the button below to get the one which The Helpful Panda recommends.

If you’re already in China and your VPN is playing up (that’s normal in China), there’s a troubleshooting guide here .

4. Don’t tip

People generally don’t tip in Shanghai. Image by AndreyCherkasov on Shutterstock.

If you’re from the United States, you’ll be used to tipping. But please don’t tip in China.

Not only do the locals not tip, service staff may feel awkward if you try and slip them a note.

There are a few little exceptions to the ‘no tipping’ rule, so I suggest you read this article that Mike wrote .

5. Beware the traffic

Shanghai traffic on a good day! Image by Robert Biesewig on Pixabay.

OK, this applies all over China, but I need to put it in this list of Shanghai travel tips.

Don’t expect everyone to obey traffic laws. Red lights, cross walks, they’re more suggestions than hard and fast laws in Shanghai.

So, don’t just step out when the walk sign flashes and expect to be safe.

This applies to walking on the sidewalk too. Back home, I always think of the sidewalk as car-free and much safer to walk on.

But in Shanghai, you’ll find e-scooters and e-bikes driving like maniacs on the sidewalk, and it isn’t unusual for cars to park on the sidewalk. Keep your eyes and ears open!

6. Use a navigation app

Using a map app will definitely help you. Image by Brett Jordan on Pexels.

Now, I’ll be the first one to tell you that Shanghai is easy to navigate.

The tourist areas are generally well-signposted and, if you get lost, the locals can speak some English.

But why rely on the locals, or even your intuition, when you can use a navigation app?

The best China map app , in my opinion, is MAPS.ME but others swear by Google using a VPN.

It’s ultimately up to you, but if you plan on using MAPS.ME just remember to download your Shanghai map before you arrive in China so you can use it offline (and not use expensive roaming data) while you’re there. Awesome.

If you use one of the Chinese map apps, like Gaode, you’ll need to be able to read Mandarin!

7. Prepare for squat toilets

Yep, this is me photographing a squat toilet. Image supplied by Gayle Aggiss.

Shanghai gets a lot of foreign visitors, so it has facilities to match.

But if you go need to use public toilets, like at a local mall, you’ll probably be confronted with the dreaded Chinese squat toilet (boy, was it fun writing that article).

These toilets can be a bigger challenge than you might expect, especially for women. Here’s a few tips to help you survive them:

• Carry toilet paper with you, as the toilets usually don’t have them
• Don’t put the toilet paper down the toilet, it goes in the bin
• Try not to look at the bin as it’s usually quite foul and overflowing
• Bring sanitizer with you as there’s usually no soap.

If you struggle to squat, then plan your daily trips around places you know have western toilets. Or, if you can, do your business in your hotel!

8. Explore the side streets

Get off the main streets for better, cheaper food. Image by Paralaxis on Shutterstock.

In any big Chinese city, and especially Shanghai, the food is often better (and always cheaper) if you venture off the main street.

I can’t tell you how many amazing meals I’ve had in China down side streets.

9. Pack your adapter

This is something you shouldn’t forget to pack in your bag. Image by Edward Eyer on Pexels.

Shanghai’s power points aren’t uniform, and you’ll find A, C, and I plug sockets apparently at random.

So, make sure that you pack an adapter to match. It’s one of the best things to buy for your trip.

Side note: Check out Mike’s incredible packing list for China , which covers a lot more than power adapters!

Depending on where you’re from, you might also need a voltage converter just to make sure your electronics don’t get blown out.

10. Bring your passport on day trips

It may sound obvious, but if you forget your passport then you can’t get into the tourist sites. Image by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.

Got a day trip planned for Suzhou or one of the lovely water towns?

If you’re taking the high-speed train, you’ll need to bring your passport to be able to board the train.

The locals use their national ID card to go through the electronic gates, while foreigners like you and me annoyingly have to go to the manual gate and present our passport.

Also, most tourist attractions in China require ID to get in, so even if you stay in central Shanghai, you will need your passport to get into places.

11. Use the Metro or Didi

This is the symbol to look out for to take the subway. Image by TK Kurikawa on Shutterstock.

While we’re on the topic of trains, let’s talk about how good the Shanghai subway is.

It’s prompt, clean, and will take you all over the city (of course). And there’s a whopping 16 lines.

The Metro also connects up with Maglev train, which is the ‘magnetic levitation’ train that you can get to and from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

If you’d rather travel in a car while you’re in the city, then download Didi, which is China’s version of Uber.

You can literally get a ride within a few minutes from anywhere in the city.

I suggest you take a look at the other great travel apps to use in China .

12. Explore the shopping malls

There are shopping centers in and around Nanjing Road. Image by ThewayIsee on Shutterstock.

If you’re cashed up and love shopping, then you’ll love Shanghai.

Check out this website where you can filter for shopping centers and malls based on the Metro stations you’re near.

I’m not a big shopper myself, so wandering down East Nanjing Road is enough for me.

13. Stay near attractions

I recommend staying near The Bund as that’s where many of the main attractions are. Image by Adli Wahid on Unsplash.

Although Shanghai is China’s largest city, it’s remarkably walkable.

But this doesn’t mean that you’ll want to walk for miles every day while you’re there, especially if you’re only in Shanghai for a few days.

To avoid this, consider staying near the attractions you most want to see. This will cut down on your transport times and costs as well as shoe leather.

You can check out some great hotels in Shanghai by tapping on the button below.

Obviously if you’re on a packaged tour you don’t need to worry about this. But Shanghai is the easiest place in China to travel solo .

Oh, and fun fact: the population of Shanghai is about the same as the whole of Australia, where I’m from.

14. Use a translation app

A translation app is an indispensable tool for Shanghai. Image by Lars Poyansky on Shutterstock.

There’s more English in Shanghai than in any other city in China, but this doesn’t mean that everyone speaks English or that everyone will understand you.

Taxi drivers in particular often don’t speak English and this can make getting around difficult.

To overcome this issue, use a translation app on your phone. Pleco is a good one, but there are plenty of others.

I like using trusty Google Translate, but just remember you’ll need a VPN in Shanghai to use any of Google’s services.

If you’re a bit old school, or a bit old (sorry mum!), then at least make sure you have the hotel’s address on a business card or written down somewhere in Chinese characters.

That way, you can just hand it to a taxi driver and be on your merry way.

15. Get out of the city

Getting wet in Zhouzhuang Water Town! Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

One of the best Shanghai travel tips that I can give you is to get out of the city if you can.

This will give you a break from the noise and the lights and there are also some absolutely amazing places really close to Shanghai that are well worth seeing.

If you’re not part of a tour group, take advantage of the bullet trains and go!

Here’s where I recommend that you visit:

• Hangzhou, for lake cruises and tea (1 hour from Shanghai Hongqiao by train)
• Suzhou, for beautiful gardens (30 minutes by train)
• Nanjing , where you can experience China’s ancient capital (75 minutes by train).

There are also some picture-perfect ancient water towns within easy reach of the city:

• Zhujiajiao Water Town (40 minutes by Metro, then walk)
• Tongli Water Town (75 minutes by car, or take train to Suzhou)
• Zhouzhuang Water Town (90 minutes by car).

Just remember to bring your passport to board the bullet trains, as I mentioned in tip number 7.

16. Don’t drink the water

Only drink bottled water in China. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

This may seem like an obvious one, but the consequences of forgetting are pretty dire, so I’m including it.

Do not drink the tap water while you’re in Shanghai. Drink bottled water at all times and use it to brush your teeth as well.

You don’t want to spend all of your short time in Shanghai being sick, so don’t risk it.

17. Avoid Shanghai in summer

Everyone covers up in Shanghai in the summer. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Autumn and spring are the best times to visit the city as the weather is mostly very pleasant.

But even winter is fairly mild and comfortable for most (there’s no snow in Shanghai).

In contrast, summers can be intense. Between June and August, you can expect temperatures around 86-95°F (30-35°C) or even as high as 104°F (40°C).

Combine these temperatures with all of the city’s glass and metal plus high humidity, and it can lead to a lot of hot, sticky days.

If you have choice over travel dates, I recommend booking your trip for the other seasons.

Check out the page on the best time to visit Shanghai and Beijing .

18. Reconsider that trip to Disneyland

Think twice if you want to use your time in Shanghai by visiting Disney Resort. Image by Woshinidayess on Pixabay.

Look, I need to be honest and tell you I haven’t been to Shanghai Disney Resort. I’m not really an amusement parks kind of girl.

But hearing from friends who have been there, all I’ll say is have a big hard think if you want to spend an entire day at Shanghai Disney.

It’s expensive, there are long queues, and in my opinion, plenty of other better places to visit!

Only go there if you’re a massive fan.

19. See the best tourist sights

The French Concession is a lovely area to explore. Image by Robert Mullan on Shutterstock.

Only in Shanghai for a few days?

Then here are the best places where everyone typically goes:

• The Bund, which is the huge, lovely waterfront and a true Shanghai landmark
• Pudong skyline, which you can see from the Bund or you can go up one of the towers (see below)
• Nanjing Road for large stores and malls
• Yuyuan Garden for traditional Chinese gardens (see below)
• Jing’an temple for a more peaceful experience in the city
• Former French Concession , where there are cafes and leafy trees
• Xintiandi and Huaihai Road for upmarket shopping and dining
• Puxi District if you’re into nightlife.

Note: Try to avoid public holidays and weekends if you can.

Also, the Chinese are night owls, so if you get somewhere when it opens, you’ll beat the hordes (well, at least for the first hour).

20. Go up a tower

There’s so much fog that you can only see the top of the Bottle Opener. Image by Jeremy Zhu on Pixabay.

I say ‘a’ tower as there are so many options!

But if you like observation decks like I do, then you could try a few:

• Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest building, and one of the world’s tallest buildings
• Shanghai World Financial Center, the second tallest building in the city which looks like a big bottle opener
• Jin Mao Tower, which is nestled between the two above
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower Observation Deck, one of the futuristic buildings on the banks of the Huangpu River.

They’re all in Pudong, so you could literally tower-hop your way through this district.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is the original tall structure in Pudong, but now looks a little dwarfed next to the other monstrosities.

Note: You’ll only get spectacular views on days where there’s no smog or clouds.

Otherwise, you’ll see absolutely nothing (well, except smog and clouds).

21. Beware of strangers at Yuyuan Garden

There’s a known scam that happens near the Yu Garden. Image by Laurette Chapuis on Pixabay.

Shanghai, like the rest of China, is very safe and especially for foreign tourists.

However, there’s a common scam near the busiest tourist attractions in China, that being the Yu Garden in Shanghai and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Basically, someone (usually a woman) with excellent English will start talking to you, and once she’s built your trust, she’ll invite you to a teahouse.

The only thing is – the tea will cost an astronomical price per cup, and you’ll only find this out once you’ve downed half a dozen of them.

And, you’ll be locked inside the teahouse until you pay! So, never ever accompany a stranger to a teahouse in China.

22. Use mobile payments but carry cash

Everyone in Shanghai uses their phone to pay. Image by Humphery on Shutterstock.

Shanghai is mostly a cashless city, with most hotels, shops, and attractions relying on mobile payments.

Lots of shops may even refuse to take large bills because they can’t give you change. This means you should prepare other ways to pay other than cash.

Download WeChat Pay or Alipay and set it up with your card before you go.

Seriously, no one uses cash anymore in China!

23. Get your coffee fix (hopefully)

Some coffee shops don’t accept cash or even have customer service. Image by Sarunyu L on Shutterstock.

While I’m on the topic of payment apps, you’ll find that some of the coffee shops in Shanghai (I’m looking at you, Luckin Coffee) only take app orders.

The apps are only in Mandarin, and you’ll need a Master’s degree on how to order. And that’s assuming you’ve already set up your foreign card on WeChat Pay or Alipay.

You might need to ‘shop around’ for a coffee shop that will take your cash order, otherwise head to a Starbucks.

At least you won’t go thirsty in the country’s biggest city. Shanghai has the most coffee shops in the world (you can see more crazy facts about China here .)

24. Take a boat ride on the Huangpu

Find your feet in the city by doing a river cruise. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

I like being around water. I’m Australian.

So, if you’re anything like me and you need some respite from all the concreteness that is Shanghai, take a boat ride on the Huangpu River.

There are a few options leaving from The Bund area, and it’s nice to see the city from a different angle.

25. Go further

Take the high-speed to explore other parts of China. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

I’ll finish with this tip.

If you want to visit other Chinese cities, I recommend taking the high-speed train.

For relatively short distances, the train is always cheaper than flying, but even on longer distances it can be just as good.

For example, you can get from Shanghai to Beijing in under five hours on the bullet train. You cut out all the stress and extra time needed at the airport for security and whatnot.

And, domestic flights in China can be relatively expensive.

Psst! Last travel tip

I mentioned at the start how all the major foreign sites and apps are blocked in China.

So, I’m reminding you before you go off and have a cup of tea!

If you want to use the internet in China using hotel Wi-Fi, then you’ll need to get a VPN on your devices.

Check out this review or tap on the button below for the recommended one.

Just remember to download it before you arrive, as VPN sales are blocked in China.

You’ll have a great time in Shanghai

This huge, exciting city is perfect for giving you a quick taste of all that China has to offer. It’s remarkably safe as well, making it a great option for first timers to China.

Unfortunately, even with the best Shanghai travel tips in the world, you may still find yourself shocked and uncertain when you first visit the city (e.g. the public toilets may get you).

So, keep these travel tips in mind, but be open to the new and unfamiliar. Because they’ll definitely make the best stories when you get back home.

And finally, don’t forget to try the delicious soup dumplings. I’m so envious already!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments area below. And be sure to get your VPN before you leave . Bon voyage and safe travels.

Where to from here?

You’ll like these little nuggets of Shanghai knowledge:

• Shanghai travel guide
• Best time to visit Shanghai
• What to wear in Shanghai
• What is Shanghai known for?

Or, if you want more travel tips, then check out these pages:

• Best China travel tips
• Best Beijing travel tips

Main image credit: Sean Sheng on Pixabay.

Want more helpful information about China?

Then hop on the monthly newsletter!

One more step: You must click the link in the email we just sent you to confirm your email address.

Tips and faq about shanghai travel, what do i need to know before going to shanghai.

The most important things are to see if you’re eligible for Visa Free Transit and to get a VPN before you jet off. You should also set up WeChat Pay or Alipay because the city is almost cashless.

What is the best way to explore Shanghai?

Use the Metro which has a whopping 16 lines and numerous interchanges.

How many days is enough for Shanghai?

You could rush through it within a few days, but if you want to explore the water towns and nearby cities (like Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc), then a week would be ideal.

Is Shanghai an expensive city to visit?

Yes, compared to other Chinese cities. But a trip to Shanghai won’t totally break the bank, provided you eat local Chinese food, stay at three-star hotels, and don’t splurge too much at the shopping malls!

Commercial relationship disclosure: The Helpful Panda has commercial arrangements with organizations that may appear on this page, such as affiliate links. See our terms for more info.

Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

Got a question or comment?

We welcome relevant and respectful dialogue. See our terms for our comment policy.

More Great Content

Best things to do in Xiamen (expert tips and photos)

Updated August 24, 2023

Cheapest time to fly to China (7 ways you can save)

Updated January 13, 2024

Is Instagram banned in China in 2024? (Spoiler: yes)

Updated October 31, 2023

What are the most famous places in China?

Updated December 29, 2022

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

• Kim Ooi March 18, 2024 on Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly
• lgeng March 18, 2024 on Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly
• Mike Cairnduff March 10, 2024 on 40 China travel tips for 2024 (I swear by every one)

Ads space (New)

Explore China

Do you want to build your career in China?

Our writers have all experienced China in person. Support them by subscribing to the free monthly newsletter about visiting China.

• 86-19138970032 (GMT+8 18:00~09:00)

• Beijing Xian Tours
• Shanghai Beijing Tours
• Hong Kong Guilin Tours
• Hangzhou Suzhou Tours
• Kunming Lijiang Tours
• Shanghai Yangtze Cruise Tours
• Chengdu Tibet Tours
• More Short Stay Tours
• China Tours in January
• China Tours in February
• China Tours in March
• China Tours in April
• China Tours in May
• China Tours in June
• China Tours in July
• China Tours in August
• China Tours in September
• China Tours in October
• China Tours in November
• China Tours in December

• High Speed Trains
• China Yangtze Cruise Tour
• Photography
• Desert Adventure
• Ethnic Villages
• Biking Tours
• Kung Fu Tours
• Heritage Sites Exploration
• China Spring Tours
• China Summer Tours
• China Autumn Tours
• China Winter Tours

Notice! 2024 available cruise routes include 4~5 days Chongqing-Yichang(most classic) and 11~12 days Chongqing-Yichang-Shanghai(limited).

• Best-value Yangtze Cruises
• Top Family-friendly Cruise Ships
• Top 3 Luxury Yangtze River Cruises
• Yangtze River Highlights
• Yangtze River Cruise Routes
• Upstream or Downstream?
• Dining & Drinking
• Accommodations
• On-board Activities
• Yangtze Cruise Booking Steps

• Inner Mongolia

• Fanjingshan
• How to Plan Your First China Tour
• How to Plan Beijing Tour
• How to Plan Xian Tour
• How to Plan Shanghai Tour
• How to Plan Guilin Tour
• How to Plan Sichuan Tour
• How to Plan Family Tour
• 2024 China Travel Ideas
• Best Time to Visit China
• What to Pack for Your China Journey
• Make Payment in China
• Updated China Travel News
• Ultimate Chinese Visa Guide
• Chinese Visa Types
• Chinese Visa Requirements
• Do I Need a Visa for China
• Chinese Visa Application
• Chinese Visa Exemptions
• 144-hour Visa Free
• Shenzhen Visa on Arrival
• Hainan 30-day Visa Free
• Embassies & Consulates
• Invitation Letter
• Useful Visa FAQs & Tips
• Entry Regulations
• Baggage Allowance
• Customs Declaration
• Exit Regulation
• How to Book Train Tickets
• How to Collect Train Tickets
• How to Cancel & Alter Train Tickets
• How to Read Train Tickets
• China High Speed Train Types
• Seats Class & How to Choose
• Friendly Facilities on the Train
• The Train Station Departure Process
• Available Food and Drinks on the Train
• Western Toilets on the Train
• Luggage Racks & Baggage Allowance
• Beijing Train Stations
• Shanghai Train Stations
• Guilin Train Stations
• Xian Train Stations
• Chengdu Train Stations
• Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station
• Beijing - Xian
• Beijing - Shanghai
• Guangzhou - Shanghai
• Shenzhen - Shanghai
• Chengdu - Xian
• Shanghai - Hangzhou
• Shanghai - Xian
• Chengdu - Chongqing
• Kunming - Lijiang
• Beijing Capital International
• Beijing Daxing International
• Shanghai Pudong International
• Shanghai Hongqiao International
• Guangzhou Baiyun International
• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International
• Chengdu Tianfu International
• Chengdu Shuangliu International
• Xian Xianyang International
• Shanghai - Beijing
• Hong Kong - Shanghai
• Guangzhou - Beijing
• Chengdu - Lhasa
• Shanghai - Guilin
• Shanghai - Sanya
• Travel in Spring Season
• Travel in Summer Season
• Travel in Autumn Season
• Travel in Winter Season
• Weather in January
• Weather in February
• Weather in March
• Weather in April
• Weather in May
• Weather in June
• Weather in July
• Weather in August
• Weather in September
• Weather in October
• Weather in November
• Weather in December
• Top 10 China Destinations
• Top 15 Things to Do
• China World Heritage Sites
• Top 10 Best Natural Beauties
• Top 10 Museums in China
• Top 10 Old Towns & Villages
• Five Great Mountains in China
• Top 10 Monasteries & Temples
• Top 10 Ski Resorts
• Top 10 Beautiful Lakes in China
• 7 Best Beaches in Sanya
• Top 6 Beautiful Waterfalls
• Panda Volunteering
• Having fun on Ice and Snow Festival
• About Us Who We Are Our Team Why Travel with Us Feedback & Reviews Travel Stories Travelers' Gallery Payment Guide Customer Support Contact Us
• Tour Experiences

Destinations

• Travel Guide

Shanghai, known as the Paris of the East, is a gateway city to visit China. Sightseeing in Shanghai can be a daunting task. In a megacity Shanghai where there's something different to see around every corner, it can be hard to know where to start. If you are planning your visit, use our definitive guide to the top Shanghai attractions whenever you're entertaining out-of-town guests or simply want to play tourist and revisit iconic places. We've compiled the most popular sights and spots in Shanghai on tripadvisor with detailed info about their location, opening hours, tickets, and recommended visiting time, and the attractions include towering skyscrapers, great parks, museums, exotic streets, historical venues, etc. Landmarks like the Bund , Nanjing Road , Oriental Pearl TV Tower , Yu Garden & Bazaar are perennial favorites, but we’ve also highlighted a few of our favorite gems, such as Zhujiajiao Water Town , Shanghai Disneyland . Thirsty for more? Discover the 35 very best attractions in Shanghai to learn about its past and present, Start your Shanghai tour now!

3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour (at Leisure Pace)

Shanghai Attractions Map (Click to Enlarge)

Shanghai Attractions by Category - Table of Page Contents

Skyscrapers & observation decks & towers.

• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Shanghai World Financial Center
• Shanghai Tower
• Jinmao Tower

Exotic Buildings

• Wukang Road
• Heping Fandian
• Xujiahui Catholic Church

Shopping Areas

• Nanjing Road
• Shanghai Xintiandi

Traditional Chinese Gardens & Temples

• Yu Garden & Bazaar
• Jade Buddha Temple
• City God Temple
• Jing'an Temple
• Longhua Temple

Museums in Shanghai

• Shanghai Museum
• Urban Planning Exhibition Center
• Shanghai History Museum
• Shanghai Natural History Museum
• China Arts Museum
• Shanghai Maglev Museum
• Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Entertainment Sites in Shanghai

• Shanghai Disney Resort
• Huangpu River Cruise
• Shanghai Circus World
• Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel
• Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
• Shanghai Zoo

Ancient Water Towns in Shanghai

• Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
• Fengjing Water Town
• Qibao Ancient Town

Artistic Zones

• Shanghai Tianzifang
• M50 Creative Park

Public Parks in Shanghai

• People's Square
• Century Park

No. 1: The Bund

The Bund, “a gallery of international architectures”, is the landmark of Shanghai. It is always the best place to view Shanghai. Take a stroll along the embankment of the Huangpu River, and you’ll get various architectural styles from Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque to Classicism and the Renaissance in your camera. The modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui across Huangpu River in Pudong New Area provide another backdrop. The night view here is more breathtaking, how about taking an evening cruise or a stroll by it?

Type: Historic Walking Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sights & Landmarks

Opening Hours: All Day

Tickets: Free Entry

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 - 2 hours

Address: On the bank of Huangpu River, Shanghai, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区中山东一路(临黄浦江)

No. 2: Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Standing at the end of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower soars 468 meters, setting the character of the new urban area as well as its cityscape. An all-around panorama view of Shanghai from the tallest TV tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world can be amazing, walking on the glass bottom and feeling your adrenaline pumps is also cool. It is worthy to visit in the late afternoon that you could see the sunset and the city come alive with lights.

Type: Observation Decks & Towers, Modern Buildings & Landmarks

Opening Hours: 8:00-21:30

Tickets: CNY 35- CNY 458

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours

Address: No. 1, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China 上海市浦东新区世纪大道1号

No. 3: Yu Garden & Bazaar

Dating back to the 16th Century, Yuyuan Garden is the most revered green space in Shanghai. Known as the “Mountains and Forest within the City”, it is crowded to bursting point every day. And yet, it managed to maintain something of its air of serenity. Here, you’ll find ornate structures as well as intimate enclaves that are divided by “dragon walls”. Highlights include the Heralding Spring Hall, the Jade Magnificent Hall, and the Lotus Pool. Out of the Yuyuan Garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you could explore how elaborating and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, and also savor some local flavor snacks here…

Type: Gardens, Nature & Parks, Bazaar

Opening Hours: 09:00-16:30, No entry after 16:00, closed on Monday

Tickets: CNY 40 - Peak Season (Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov); CNY 30 - (Jul to Aug, Dec to Mar)

Address: No. 168 Fuyou Street, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区福佑路168号

No. 4: Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disney Resort is the first Disney resort in mainland China and the sixth one in the world. In Disneyland Park, you can lignite your dream by exploring Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, and Tomorrowland with different themes, characters, and activities. It is about 18 kilometers from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, about 27 kilometers from the Huangpu River area. Disney is a dreamland for both children and adults. With Disney Resort, your Shanghai tour will be more enjoyable.

Type: Theme Parks, Water & Amusement Parks

Opening Hours: 09:00~21:00

Tickets: CNY 261 - CNY 1250

Recommended Visiting Time: half day to one day

Address: No. 310 Huangzhao Road, Chuansha Town, Pudong New District, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区川沙镇黄赵路310号

No. 5: Nanjing Road

Running west from the Bund, Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s foremost shopping street and is one of the world’s busiest shopping streets. The Shanghai equivalent of New York’s Fifth Avenue, Nanjing Road boasts retailers from all over the world. In the daylight, you’ll admire the graceful architecture of the surrounding buildings. At night, you’ll marvel at the illuminated logos and brand names that line the avenue.

Type: Shopping, Street, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Address: Nanjing East Road & Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District & Jing’an district, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区&静安区,南京东路&南京西路

No. 6: Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center in the key CBD is a new and vital landmark in Shanghai. Being the fifth tallest building in the world with a total height of 492 meters, SWFC provides visitors the world's highest observatory at 474 meters high that is the best deck to appreciate the panorama of the whole old and new Shanghai, including the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Huangpu River, and so on.

Sky Walk Opening Hours: 11:00~21:00 (No entry after 20:00, except for major festivals)

Tickets: Free Entry (Sky Walk: CNY 135 per person, CNY 200 for two)

Address: 上海市浦东新区世纪大道88号

No. 7: Shanghai Tower

Just Completed in 2016, Shanghai Tower of 632 m high is at present the tallest skyscraper in China and proudly the second tallest one in the entire world, with the 828 m high Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai being the No. 1. Designed by Gensler from America with the fabulous stream-lined spiral facade, the world's highest observation, great functions to save more energy, top-class environment for offices and other functions, Shanghai Tower is so much attractive to visitors from the globe. Catch the chance to stimulate your body at the over 500 m high place. Let's Go!

Opening Hours: 8:30-22:00

Tickets: CNY 180

Address: No. 501, Middle Yincheng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai China

No. 8: Jinmao Tower

The Jinmao Tower is situated in the heart of Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in Pudong New Area. This 88-story skyscraper, Jinmao Tower rises 420 meters, making it one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Observation Deck of Jinmao Tower is on Level 88, 340 meters above the ground. In bright and comfortable light, you could enjoy a bird’s eye view of Shanghai City. In addition, it offers a topside view of the hotel atrium lobby.

Opening Hours: Jan - 08:30-21:00 (no entry after 20:30); Feb to Dec - 09:00-20:30 (no entry after 20:00)

Sightseeing Tickets: CNY 85

Address: 88 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区陆家嘴世纪大道88号

No. 9: Huangpu River

The Huangpu River, known as the Mother River of Shanghai as well as the largest river in Shanghai, is a 113-kilometer long river flowing through Shanghai which is the last tributary of Yangtze River ends in the East China Sea. Puxi (West Bank) and Pudong (East Bank) are bounded by it, forming the world-famous Bund, Lujiazui financial zone, and other important landmarks. The western side of Puxi is home to “An Exhibition of International Buildings”. The eastern side of Pudong is a recent development of the last few decades and is the new business and financial district boasting many awesome glass and steel towers.

Type: River Cruise; Bodies of Water

Opening Hours: 11:00~21:30

Tickets: CNY 120 per person (without dining and snacks onboard)

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 - 3 hours

Address: Huangpu River, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区黄浦江

No. 10: Shanghai Museum

Shanghai Museum is not only the cultural landmark of Shanghai but the biggest museum in China with numerous fine Chinese artifacts. It contains over 120,000 items rated precious cultural relics. Unlike many museums in China, it arranges its exhibits by theme rather than by dynasty. The collection consists of 21 categories, having its highlights bronze wares from Shang and Zhou Dynasties, pottery and porcelain spanning 8,000 years, and a large variety of calligraphy works and paintings.

Type: Comprehensive Museum, historical & Cultural site

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00, no entering after 16:00, closed on Monday (except national holidays)

Tickets: Free Ticket

Address: No. 201, Peoples Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China (上海市黄浦区人民大道201号)

No. 11: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Known as the “Venice in Shanghai”, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town has a history of 1,700 years and is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. In Zhjiajiao Water Town, You could take the traditional boat to cruise along the canals and see the old residences, shops and bridges that are filled with classic architectural tone in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911).

Type: Water Town, Architectural Buildings, Historic Site

Address: Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai 上海市青浦区朱家角古镇旅游区

No. 12: Jade Buddha Temple

Quite different from many other temples hidden in mountains and forests, Jade Buddha Temple shows itself in the center of Shanghai city. It enjoys a high reputation both home and abroad for the extraordinary jade Buddha enshrined within it, hence the temple’s name. Among the clouds of incense smoke, it’s kind of unexpected to see so many pilgrims in such a modern city, no fewer than in Tibet.

Type: Buddhist Temples, Sacred & Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings

Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30 (Except for Major Festivals, No entry after 16:00)

Tickets: CNY 20

Address: No. 170 Anyuan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 上海市普陀区 安远路170号

No. 13: Old Wukang Road

Shanghai Old Wukang Road area is located in Huangpu district (黄浦区) and Xuhui District (徐汇区). Since its opening up in 1849, groups of foreigners from many countries came to Shanghai and settled down. Travelers can appreciate the diverse types of old buildings in exotic styles and feel the rich culture mixed with local Shanghai features and Western styles, with leafy trees side by.

Type: Historic & Cultural Site, Walking Streets, Old Exotic Buildings

Address: 22 Jianguo Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区建国中路22号

No. 14: Tianzifang

Tianzifang at Taikang Road is one of the coolest places to wander in Shanghai. A lot of artistic and cultural studios of celebrities and young creatives set here in the typical Shikumen houses of both Shanghai and western styles make the mazy lanes full of artistic culture. Strolling along the old paths to see the daily life of the residents here to feel the old Shanghai flavor, watching people chatting and laughing in the restaurants and bars from many other countries, and finding various kinds of interesting items and Chinese crafts are especially funny!

Type: Historical & Cultural Lanes, Artistic Shops, International Restaurants

Address: No. 210, Taikang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

No. 15: Shanghai Xintiandi

Located in the downtown area of Shanghai City, Shanghai Xintiandi is a historical site as well as a fashionable center full of entertainment, restaurants, and shopping malls. You could enjoy the antique and rebuilt Shikumen structure which is a witness of the communication between the building cultures of western countries and China. Despite in old appearance, the inside life is tailor-made for people in modern society, you can feast on the international art galleries, fashion shops, coffee houses, themed restaurants, and so forth.

Type: Neighborhoods, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Shopping & Entertainment

Address: Xintiandi, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200021, China 上海市黄浦区新天地

No. 16: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Are you curious about what turned Shanghai into today’s super city? Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is a must-see to witness how Shanghai became a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village. With the theme of “ City, man, environment, and development” it serves for exhibition, research, communication, consultation, education, and sightseeing. The 3rd Floor is perhaps the most impressive, which displays a scale model of Shanghai. A cup of coffee on the top will be a good ending to this time travel.

Type: Museum, Exhibition Hall, Points of Interest

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00; Tuesday to Sunday

Tickets: CNY 30

Address: No. 100, Peoples Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China.

No. 17: City God Temple

City God Temple of Shanghai, an important Taoist temple, also known as Chenghuang Temple or Cheng Huang Miao is located in the most prosperous and prestigious Yu Garden scenic area. It was built in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403 - 1424). It has a history of nearly six hundred years and witnessed the rise and fall, the peace and war of Shanghai. The main building includes the front square, the main hall, the Yuan Chen hall, the God of wealth hall, the Ci Hang Hall, the city god hall, and the goddess hall. It was destroyed during the war and closed in 1966, and rebuilt and reopened in 1994.

Type: Temple, Park, Bazaar

Opening Hours: 08:30-16:30, No entry after 16:00, except for major holidays

Tickets: CNY 10

Address: 249 Fangbang Zhong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区方浜中路249号

No. 18: Shanghai Circus World

Referred as the No. 1 Circus World in China, Shanghai Circus World is a world-renowned comprehensive recreational venue with a uniquely designed building and acrobatic performance. It enjoys excellent hardware like complete facilities, advanced devices, and full-equipped functions as well as preeminent acrobats. Two great programs are performed in the Shanghai Circus World. One is ERA - Intersection of Time, from which the audiences could watch the most magical scenes and breathtaking acrobatics. The other is the Happy Circus, which is most loved by the kids and recommended as a family tour.

Type: Architectural Buildings, Theatre, Shows & Performance

Opening Hours: 09:00 ~ 19:30

Tickets: 130 RMB ~ 880 RMB

Address: No. 2266, Gonghexin Road, Zhabei District, Shanghai 200073, China

No. 19: Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel

The Bund sightseeing tunnel is located in the Pudong New Area between Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Nanjing East Road. It is a pioneering work in the history of tunnel construction. It is the first cross-river pedestrian tunnel in China, with a total length of 646.70 meters, with a total construction area of nearly 17500 square meters. With the ocean-themed lighting and shadow, it is like a dreamland. The entrance to the Bund sightseeing tunnel is located on the west side of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, on the south side of the International Conference Center, and the other entrance is located on the north side of Chen Yi square of Puxi.

Type: Sightseeing, Points of Interest & Entertainment

Opening Hours: 09:00-21:30

Tickets: CNY 50 - CNY 70

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour

Address: 2789 Binjiang Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区滨江大道2789号

No. 20: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai ocean aquarium is next to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can get to see all kinds of marine life from all over the world, as well as interesting animal shows. The four underwater tunnels are very popular, where allow you to step into them to watch sharks and turtles swimming overhead. Here, you can see the Australian archerfish, African multi finfish, Southeast Asian White ax shark, South American eel, Antarctic penguin, lovely seahorse, etc. It is the only aquarium in the world that has an independent Chinese exhibition area to display aquatic lives, such as Chinese sturgeon, rouge fish, Chinese alligator, giant salamander, etc.

Type: Features Animals, Aquariums

Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00 (no entry after 17:30)

Tickets: CNY 155

Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区陆家嘴环路1388号

No. 21: Fengjing Water Town

With a history of more than 1,500 years, Fengjing is the only township in Shanghai on the list of Historic Towns of China. This town is renowned for its cultural background, elegant waters, well-preserved ancient houses, and traditional lifestyle with a strong local flavor. It is also known as the birthplace of the famed Jinshan Peasant Painting, which has won popularity for its creative designs and bright colors that vividly depict town’s culture and customs.

Opening Hours: Aug to Apr: 08:00-16:30 (No entry after 16:00); May to Sep: 08:00-17:00 (No entry after 16:30)

Address: Lane 8588, Tingfeng highway, Fengjing town, Jinshan District, Shanghai 上海市金山区枫泾镇亭枫公路8588弄

No. 22: Jing'an Temple

Jing'an Temple is located in the prosperous Jing'an district, with convenient transportation. The architectural style of the temple is integrated with the Tibetan temple. The silver Buddha in the main hall weighs 15 tons. Guanyin hall is set in the East Chamber on the right side of the first floor. The Guanying Buddha inside is 6.2 meters high. On the left side of the west chamber is the hall of Sakyamuni, which houses the 3.87-meter-high Sakyamuni Jade Buddha. This jade Buddha is much larger than the Jade Buddha in Jade Buddha Temple. The roof of Jing'an Temple is covered with copper tiles, and the top of the pagoda behind the temple is painted in gold. Looking afar, the whole temple is shining under the sun.

Type: Historic Sites, Sacred & Religious Sites

Opening Hours: 07:30-17:00

Tickets: CNY 50

Address: 1686 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 上海市静安区南京西路1686号

No. 23: Longhua Temple

Longhua Temple is the oldest and largest ancient temple in Shanghai with a history of more than 1700 years. From south to north, along the central axis of Longhua temple is Maitreya hall, Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Hall, Sansheng hall, and Sutra library. The Daxiong hall is very solemn. In front of it, there are three golden statues of Buddhas, Tathagata, Manjusri, and Puxian. On the back, there are exquisite statues of Guanyin. On both sides of the hall, there are carved sixteen Arhats. There are bell and drum towers on the East and west sides of the temple.

Type: Sacred & Religious Sites

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30

Address: 2853 Longhua Road, Longhua Town, Xuhui District, Shanghai 上海市徐汇区龙华镇龙华路2853号

No. 24: Shanghai History Museum

Shanghai History Museum was founded in 1983, formerly known as the Shanghai Museum of historical relics. In 1991, Shanghai History Museum was changed to its current name. It reflects the historical development of Shanghai. It has collected a large number of cultural relics and documents representing the historical process of Shanghai. If you are interested in the history of Shanghai, there are more than 4 hundred relics to see. Shanghai History Museum was founded in 1983, formerly known as the Shanghai Museum of historical relics. In 1991, Shanghai History Museum was changed to its current name.

Type: History Museums

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 (No entry after 16:00), Tuesday to Sunday

Address: 325 Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区南京西路325号

No. 25: China Arts Museum

China Arts Museum used to be the National Pavilion of China in the Shanghai World Expo. The multimedia version of Qingming Riverside is the treasure of the China Arts Museum, there are many works of modern artists on display here. The exhibition hall of the art palace is mainly located on the 0-m, 5-m, 33-m, 41-m, and 49-m floors. You can take the elevator to go up and down the stairs. It is recommended to take the direct elevator to the 49-m floor to enjoy the multimedia "Qingming Riverside map". Then you can visit it from top to bottom. The other floors mainly display various works of modern Chinese artists, as well as temporary exhibitions of works of art at home and abroad.

Type: Specialty Museums

Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 (No entry after 17:00), Tuesday to Sunday

Recommended Visiting Time: 3 - 5 hours

Address: 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区上南路205号

No. 26: Shanghai Natural History Museum

Shanghai Natural History Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in China, located in Jing'an District. In the museum, the skeleton of a 26-meter long Zhongjiamamen River dinosaur is the most eye-catching. It is the largest dinosaur in Asia with the longest neck in the world. The new museum has five floors, two on the ground and three underground. It usually starts from the second floor above the ground and goes down in turn. The whole journey takes about half a day to a day. The last two underground floors are the most abundant exhibition areas. There are 10 permanent exhibitions in the museum, which are divided into three systems: natural evolution, living environment, and human civilization.

Type: Features Animals, Specialty Museums

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday

Address: 510 Beijing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 上海市静安区北京西路510号

No. 27: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is the largest science education site in Shanghai. Through various modern equipment and rich interactive ways, you can have an all-around understanding of natural science with shocking audio-visual effects. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is rich in exhibits. There are hundreds of exquisite Wildlife Specimens and geological specimens, various robot performances with different functions, various models of electronic equipment and aerospace equipment, and a variety of scientific and technological inventions. The science and technology museum also has an IMAX three-dimensional giant screen, ball screen, four-dimensional and high-tech special cinema, etc.

Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday

Tickets: CNY 45

Address: 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区世纪大道2000号

No. 28: People's Square

The People's Park is located in the center of Shanghai, on the east side of Nanjing Road pedestrian street, and it is very easy to reach by metro. It has always been known as the "lung" of the city. If you are a museum-goers, there are many museums nearby. In the park, you can see the very special matchmaking corner in China. The park can be roughly divided into three scenic spots: East, Center, and West. The central area is an open space with scenery building, teahouse, open-air theater; the scenic spots in the west area, including pavilions, corridors, gardens, rockeries, pools, etc. It is the main scenic spot of the park.

Type: Architectural Buildings, Parks

Address: 185 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区人民大道185号

No. 29: Shanghai Zoo

Shanghai Zoo is near Hongqiao Airport. There are more than 600 kinds of animals in the zoo, including a panda, elk, golden monkey, Siberian tiger, and other rare animals. There are amphibians and reptiles, herbivores, beasts of prey, birds of prey, and other animal exhibition areas, as well as a science and Education Museum, goldfish Gallery, butterfly museum, and other exhibition halls. There is also a reed-covered Swan Lake, inhabiting pelicans, swans, mandarin ducks, and other birds. It is also a good choice to stay in the zoo to rest on the lawn, bask in the sun, row boats and ride Ferris wheel.

Type: Features Animals, Zoos

Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00

Tickets: CNY 40

Address: 2381 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai 上海市长宁区虹桥路2381号

No. 30: Century Park

Century Park is located at the southeast end of Century Avenue in Pudong. It is a large natural ecological park in Shanghai. The park is divided into a rural area, lakeside area, forest and lawn area, bird protection area, exotic area, etc. It is a good place for relaxation and entertainment in the city. Jingtian Lake in the garden is a large artificial lake, which is approximately around and about 300 meters in diameter. Another Zhangjiabang river passes through the park, creating an ecological environment with vertical and horizontal waterways in the garden.

Type: Parks, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Opening Hours: 06:00-18:00

Address: 1001 Jinxiu Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区锦绣路1001号

No. 31: Heping Fandian

Peace Hotel Museum or Heping Fandian Museum is the first museum in China built in the form of a hotel. The museum displays a number of "antique" items engraved with the words "华懋饭店", such as copper ice pot, copper key plate, copper thermos, copper ashtray, and the silver spoon, as well as calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Due to its profound historical background, it has become the recording site of 33 films and TV plays. The South Building of Peace Hotel imitates the balanced apartment building of Renaissance, while the north building is the Gothic building of Chicago school.

Type: Points of Interest & Landmarks, Architectural Buildings

Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00

Address: 20 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区南京东路20号

No. 32: Shanghai Maglev Museum

The predecessor of the Shanghai Maglev Museum is the Shanghai Maglev Science and Technology Exhibition Hall, which is a professional exhibition hall to show the maglev technology and the development history of the Shanghai maglev train. It officially opened on August 16, 2007, with an area of 1250 square meters. It is divided into five parts: the birth of maglev, Shanghai maglev line, maglev exploration, maglev advantages, and maglev prospects. There are many interactive projects for tourists to participate in. Tourists can visit the maglev train for free with maglev train tickets of the day.

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

Tickets: Free Entry with valid Maglev Train Ticket

Address: 2100 Longyang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区龙阳路2100号

No. 33: M50 Creative Park

M50 is the abbreviation of No. 50 Moganshan Road. It is located in the peninsula area on the South Bank of Suzhou River. It is a creative park reconstructed from the original textile factory. Compared with other creative parks, the biggest feature here is the graffiti and free gallery exhibition along the street. You can see the artworks of abstract, realistic, watercolor, oil painting, and so on. Over the past few years, M50 has attracted more than 130 artists from 17 countries and regions including UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Canada, Norway, and Hong Kong, etc. The presence of these artists and creative design institutions creates a strong cultural atmosphere along the Suzhou River.

Type: Civic Centers, Art Museums

Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00

Address: 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 上海市普陀区莫干山路50号

No. 34: Qibao Ancient Town

Qibao ancient town was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is only 5 kilometers away from the downtown area of Shanghai. It can be reached directly by metro line 9. Qibao ancient town is the nearest ancient town to Shanghai, which retains the characteristics of a water town in the metropolis and shows a new and simple cultural atmosphere. Qibao means seven treasures. It is said that there are seven treasures in the ancient town, namely, the Golden Sutra, the sacred tree, the flying Buddha, the golden rooster, the jade chopsticks, and the Jade axe. The area of the ancient town is small, with only a few streets in total. The main scenic spots are Qibao old street, Qibao pawnshop, Zhou's Micro carving hall, cricket cottage, etc. It is also a food street with all kinds of local snacks.

Type: Ancient Town, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 - 3 hours

Address: Intersection of Qingnian Road and Hengli Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 上海市闵行区青年路与横沥路路口

No. 35: Xujiahui Catholic Church

Xujiahui Catholic Church is adjacent to the prosperous Xujiahuidistrict. It is the largest Catholic Church in Shanghai. The red brick walls and two towering bell towers make this medieval Gothic building with hundreds of years of history particularly eye-catching. The simple exterior modeling and gorgeous interior decoration carry a strong religious atmosphere. You can also feel the rare tranquility in the city. Every night, the church is particularly charming under external lighting.

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00 Monday to Saturday; 14:00-16:00 on Sunday

Address: 158 Puxi Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 上海市徐汇区蒲西路158号

How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

How to Get to Shanghai: You can fly to Shanghai directly from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles & many overseas countries (regions) and almost all major Chinese cities, like Beijing, Xian; or take high speed bullet train to Shanghai from domestic cities.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: March to May (in spring) & September to November (in autumn), because these periods offer beautiful nature scenery and comfortable weather for outdoor sightseeing and activities.

Top Attractions to Visit in Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui Skyscrapers, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road, Shanghai Disney Resort…

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund , Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Wukang Road, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

Travel Shanghai with Hangzhou Suzhou, More Nearby Destinations

Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou , Suzhou , and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain , Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.

✔ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour ✔ 6 Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train ✔ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train

Travel Shanghai with Beijing, Xian & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >> )

✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train ✔ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing/Xian/Shanghai) ✔ 7 Days Shanghai Suzhou Beijing Contrast Tour by High Speed Train

Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.

Recommended Shanghai Tour Packages

No matter how many days you plan to stay in Shanghai, there is always a tour suitable for you. Following are some best Shanghai tour packages covering most highlights in Shanghai. If you still have no idea where to start, you can design a tailor-made Shanghai trip with us.

2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai French Concession, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center

3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum,Shanghai World Financial Center, Jade Buddha Temple

5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai Museum, West Lake, Tea Village, Lingyin Temple, Lingering Garden, Silk Factory, Tongli Water Town

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests

• Your Question:
• Your Email:
• Affordable and valuable price
• 100% tailor-made packages
• Highly rated customers reviews
• Efficient customer support

China Tours

• Top 10 China Tours
• Classic China Tours
• China Tours from Beijing
• China Tours from Shanghai
• China Tours from Hong Kong
• China Tours from Chengdu
• Short China Trips
• Customize China Tour
• China Panda Tours
• Family Tour with Kids
• High-Speed Train Tour
• Silk Road Travel
• Yangtze River Cruise
• Hiking & Trekking Tours
• Photography Tours
• China Minority Travel
• Beijing Shanghai Tours
• Shanghai Yangtze Tours
• Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tours
• Chengdu Lhasa Tours
• Suzhou Hangzhou Tours
• Guilin & Yangshuo
• Zhangjiajie

“Very good experience”

“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”

“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”

Any questions, please email us at: [email protected] or call us at: 86-19138970032 (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. GMT+8)

• Terms & Condition
• Privacy Policy
• Customer Support

Copyright © 2011-2024. All rights reserved.

Cookie policy

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue using our website means you agree with our cookie policy. For more info, please read here .

A Shoppers' Paradise Shanghai Shopping Festival

Language Learning Unlocking the beauty of Chinese

All the Fun in Town 2024 Shanghai Events Guide

Practical Guide Pay like a local in Shanghai

What's On Warm-up events for Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai

Furry Friends Raising a pet in Shanghai

Do Business

Work in Shanghai

Travel in Shanghai

Study in Shanghai

Shop in Shanghai

Exploring May Day holiday events in Shanghai

Warm-up events for Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai

Art walk along banks of Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek

Shanghai Museum introduces reservation service in English

A literary journey: Discover Shanghai's new and classic bookstores

Hotline offers multilingual tax consulting services

Shanghai Shopping Festival begins at Grand Halls

'Go and See Shanghai' English edition premieres

Shanghai International Resort unveils global investment initiative

Shanghai expects 513,000 two-way passengers during May Day holiday

Shanghai handled over 60 cases of foreign-related patent infringement disputes

Shanghai plans to host 175 major sports events in 2024

Living in Shanghai Anxiety-free guide for living in the city

• Useful Apps
• Hotel Booking
• Transportation
• Mobile Services
• Emergency Numbers
• Work Permit
• Waste Disposal
• Housekeeping
• Become a Volunteer
• Marriage & Divorce
• Rent in Shanghai
• Utility Bills
• Public Holidays
• Shopping Centers
• Must-Visit Attractions
• Bars & Pubs
• Specialty Food

Fast-track Paperwork

Accommodation Registration

Visa Application

Physical Examination Reservation

Exit-Entry Application

Stay Permit

Residence Permit

Expat Stories Gain insights into expats' unique experiences, challenges, and unforgettable moments in Shanghai.

Explore life at Fudan University with French student Audrey

To think ink

Anting: A must-see for automotive enthusiasts

Yemeni actor chases China dream in Shanghai

A letter home

Explore springtime in Shanghai's Anting town

Frequently asked questions prompt assistance and comprehensive support for a diverse range of common queries and questions you may come across..

FAQs: Kindergarten enrollment in Shanghai for 2024

How to get vaccinations for your kids

Where can I find reliable travel agencies in Shanghai?

FAQs about export tax rebates (II)

What documents do I need to open a bank account?

What is a port visa?

What are the public service numbers in Shanghai?

FAQs about export tax rebates

How can I find job opportunities in Shanghai?

Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship for Foreign Students application guide

Can I buy foreign exchange using the proceeds from selling my house?

How much individual income tax should I pay?

Q&As on annual reports for foreign investment

What is the cost of living in Shanghai?

How do I update my residence permit if I change address?

What to do in a traffic accident？

Can I transfer money to my home country? Is there a cap?

How to take pets out of China

Is Shanghai a safe place?

How to withdraw pension when leaving China?

FAQs: China's visa exemption policy for six countries

What is the legal drinking age?

Where do I get the health check done?

Can employers pass the handling of the foreigner's work permit to an agent?

What is China's retirement age and can I get a work visa if I am past it?

Do expats with a permanent residence permit in China need to apply for the foreigner's work permit?

How to work legally in Shanghai?

How is the scope of application of the confirmation letter for foreign high-end talents expanded?

What is the Points-based System for the Foreigner's Work Permit?

What should I prepare for studying in Shanghai?

FAQs: Preparing to study in Shanghai

FAQs: Applying for Foreigner's Work Permit Notice and Work Permit for Foreign Graduates from Overseas Universities (Category C)

What are the categories of foreign graduates covered in this guide

What is the validity period of the Foreigner's Work Permit

A guide to linking international bank cards to Alipay

Q&A: China's Visa-free Entry Policy

FAQs: Deferred taxation for reinvestment

Q&A on Shanghai's market access policies

FAQs about duty-free shopping in Shanghai airports

How to find a public restroom in Shanghai？

What if I lose my passport?

I want to learn about Shanghai's investment policy. Where do I start?

Is tipping necessary when dining in Shanghai?

Shanghai 12345

A guide to Shanghai for Expats

Shanghai Weekly Bulletin

• Shanghai Disneyland
• The Disney Parks Story
• Park Tickets
• Shanghai Disneyland Annual Passes
• Dining & Services
• Order History
• My Annual Passes
• Shanghai Disneyland 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM
• Why Stay at a Disney Hotel? Make Your Vacation Truly Magical
• Shanghai Disneyland Hotel Luxury, Elegance & Magic
• Toy Story Hotel Family Fun for All Sizes
• Disney Meetings & Events
• Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
• My Reservations
• Attractions
• Disney Characters
• Entertainment
• Premium Services
• Events & Occasions
• Wishing Star Park
• Near Shanghai Disney Resort

• View Events
• Annual Pass Online Redemption and Facial Recognition
• Annual Pass Types
• Annual Pass Prices
• Annual Pass Calendar
• Annual Pass Benefits
• Annual Pass Renewal Benefits
• My Annual Pass
• Terms and Conditions
• Pre-Arrival Information
• Weather & Packing Information
• By Car or Coach
• By Public Bus
• Help Center
• Guest Services
• Guests with Disabilities
• Park Rules & Regulations
• Hotel Rules & Regulations
• Disneytown Rules & Regulations
• Wishing Star Park Rules & Regulations
• What makes Disney theme parks special?
• How much does a theme park ticket cost?
• What type of merchandise is available at Shanghai Disney Resort?
• When and where can I purchase theme park tickets?

• Error: Too many tickets selected: You have exceeded the maximum number of tickets allowed in one purchase. A total of 5 tickets may be selected.
• Error: Empty date: We cannot process the visit date provided.
• Error: Invalid date format: We cannot process the visit date provided.
• Error: The date you entered is before the resort opening date. Please enter a visit date on or after June 16, 2016
• Error: Date selected is past the max date: Ticket information is not available for the selected dates.
• Error: No tickets selected: Please select the number of ticket(s).
• Error: Date Selected is before the first available date. Please choose another date.

Purchase Now Theme Park Tickets

Download Now Official Mobile App

Park & Schedule

Tickets & passes, places to stay, event planning, things to do, travel information, annual pass.

• Disney Parks
• Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
• Tokyo Disney Resort
• Disneyland Paris
• Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
• Disneyland Resort, California
• Disney Cruise Line
• Job Opportunities

Shanghai looks to boost inbound tourism with new campaign

Directed by Ma Xuefeng. Shot by Ma Xuefeng, Sun Chao. Edited by Sun Chao. Reported by Gao Ceng, Zhou Anna. Subtitles by Sun Chao.

In line with the ancient Chinese saying, "It is always a pleasure to greet a friend from afar," Shanghai is warmly welcoming travelers from across the globe.

On Monday, the city launched the "Visit Shanghai" campaign to boost inbound tourism, and seven foreign friends from the Netherlands, Germany (two), Malaysia, Spain, Italy, and France were appointed as "Shanghai International Tourism Ambassador" by the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism.

A poster of "Shanghai International Tourism Ambassador"

During the launch ceremony in downtown Jing'an District, "Meet in Shanghai," the brand new 2024 culture and tourism promotion video of Shanghai, was screened, and calendars of culture, tourism, and sports activities for the coming year were released, delivering an invitation to global travelers to visit the city and experience its unique charm and splendor.

At the same time, the administration signed cooperation agreements with the Shanghai Global News Network (SGNN), a newly established initiative of Shanghai United Media Group (SUMG); SMG International; and the China Tourism Academy towards the goal of making Shanghai a world-famous tourist destination and the first stop in China for inbound travelers.

Under the agreements, the partners will jointly conduct promotion of Shanghai's international tourism image and relevant strategy research, targeting major source markets of the city's inbound tourists and local expatriates.

"Shanghai is not only an important window showcasing Chinese culture to the world, but also a strategic link of domestic and international dual circulation," noted Fang Shizhong, director general of the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism. "Making Shanghai the first stop in China for inbound travelers is the top priority of the city's culture and tourism industry."

"The campaign to boost inbound tourism is a new starting point and we look forward to amplifying the global narrative, promoting Shanghai's international tourism image to the world, making the city an alluring destination for global travelers and attracting them to take in-depth tours in Shanghai to experience its modern, magic and miracle side."

The launch of the "Visit Shanghai" campaign with the presence of "Shanghai International Tourism Ambassador"

An alluring destination and top option for inbound travelers

Shanghai has proved to be an alluring destination for inbound tourists. The city's inbound tourism market has shown a good momentum, recording 2.299 million visits in the first three quarters of this year, with the recovery level leading the nation. It is estimated that the city will record more than 3 million visits by inbound travelers by the end of this year.

From traditional delicacies such as xiaolongbao (small steamed buns) to the gorgeous scenery along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek, Shanghai has been drawing an increasing number of global travelers, with its unique charm and spirit of inclusiveness, excellence, enlightenment, and modesty.

Tourists walk into Shanghai's longtang (lanes) and traditional shikumen (stone-gated) buildings that bear silent witness to the city's history, sip a cup of aromatic coffee at local cafes to taste its unique and charming coffee culture, and get overwhelmed by multiple spiritual purification and layered artistic context at various art venues across the metropolis. On city walks, they explore hidden local gems and are fascinated by Shanghai's culture and tourism splendor.

During Monday's event, the seven newly appointed "tourism ambassadors" received their certificates and shared their stories about Shanghai. They also learnt some Shanghai dialect.

Clarisse Le Guernic from France has been living in Shanghai since 2015. She first arrived in the city as an exchange student at the Chinese Studies Department of Fudan University and now serves as a tour guide and has even founded her own company.

"For me Shanghai is a diverse city with many different faces," she said. "It can be a megalopolis with skyscrapers, and at the same time it has a small but beautiful side such as longtang and small houses. It's the mix of all this that makes it a special and comfortable city to me!

"I love to explore all the hidden corners of Shanghai to find new spots, new stories and new secrets. I have many favorite places around the city. I love the area around Xintiandi, with beautiful old houses and plane trees. I love Hongkou, especially Luxun Park, it's full of life with people dancing and singing. I love the bridges on Suzhou Creek with beautiful views of modern Shanghai. In short: I love Shanghai!"

Shanghai's signature xiaolongbao is her favorite food.

"Shanghai has so much to offer and it's an accessible city for people who don't speak Mandarin. You can still find your way around with road signs and metro stations using English indicators. It is also a very nice city to have walks or cycle. The roads are nice and we can find a lot of green spaces. I will be more than happy to welcome my friends and show them the real image of Shanghai."

"I'm really honored to be a 'tourism ambassador' and I will continue to promote the city by doing tours and videos to tell the world the history of Shanghai and my love for the city!" she added.

Calendar of major culture, tourism and sports events in Shanghai in 2024

Mario Alonso, a Spanish concert pianist, has been living in the city for six years.

"Shanghai is a very convenient city, and you have everything you need here," he observed. "The city has lots of western restaurants, many art galleries, museums, concert halls, and everything related to music."

He has quite a number of favorite places like Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, Shanghai Disney Resort and Lujiazui.

In his spare time, Alonso likes walking around in the city.

"Sometimes, I have got lost, and encountered places I had never seen before. It's interesting for discovering new things you don't know. Shanghai is a very modern city and it also has a traditional side."

He also plans on promoting the city to his friends and relatives.

"I think Shanghai is one of the most friendly cities for tourists, from payment, shopping, and English signs, and everything is very welcoming for foreigners," Alonso pointed out.

"If someone comes to Shanghai for the first time, I will recommend Lujiauzui and Yuyuan Garden, and for those who visit the city more than once, they should go to more small places and I will invite them to go to concerts in Shanghai. I think they will love the food here, discovering Shanghai taste.

"I am very happy as there are many good policies now, like visa-free for Spanish travelers and there are daily direct flights from Madrid to Shanghai."

Marco Barbieri, the owner and chef of Da Marco Restaurant, calls Shanghai "his first home."

"I arrived here in 1995, and have spent more than half of my life here," he noted.

"Shanghai keeps changing and it's different from what it was when I first arrived, and I liked it then, and I like it now...I am very proud of the (ambassador) title and I will try my best to promote Shanghai, as I always do, to my friends, my relatives, and other Italians."

Fang Shizhong (center), director general of the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, Li Yun (right), director of Shanghai United Media Group, and Song Jiongming (left), president of Shanghai Media Group, witness the cooperation agreements signed among the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai Global News Network and SMG International.

Activities galore and beefed-up efforts to raise inbound tourism service experience

Whether you are a gourmet, a travel enthusiast or an art buff, you will find something of interest in Shanghai in the coming year.

In 2024, the city will stage a slew of culture and tourism activities and sports events.

The "Star Shines China: Sanxingdui Ruins – Jinsha Ancient Shu Civilization Exhibition" at the Shanghai Museum's east branch and the "Prado Museum Collection Exhibition" at the Museum of Art Pudong are some heavyweight exhibitions to be staged in the city.

Festivals such as the Shanghai International Film Festival, the Shanghai Tourism Festival, and Music in the Summer Air will provide diversified options to travelers and enrich their travel experience, and giant sports events like ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships scheduled in January, Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix in April, and Rolex Shanghai Masters (tennis) in October, are also on the agenda.

In 2024, Shanghai will continuously optimize its inbound tourism environment and attract more international tourists via grand festive events such as the Shanghai Tourism Festival, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival and the Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week, the administration said.

To prolong the overnight stays of inbound tourists and boost their consumption, the city will launch multi-layered and differentiated tourist itineraries, and develop a number of open metropolitan tourist attractions.

It will also raise inbound tourism service experience, giving full play to the city's departure tax refund scheme for overseas tourists, and further raise the convenience level of payment and customs clearance for inbound tourists, according to the administration.

A group photo at the ceremony

Shine Bright with Arina

Double Five Shopping Festival

Shanghai Select

Building an Innovation Hub

Shanghai Expression

• Art & Culture
• Entertainment
• iDEALShanghai

沪公网安备 31010602001940号

Copyright 2019 © Shanghai Daily All Rights Reserved.

Scan to follow SHINE's official Wechat account.

Thank you for subscription (5s)

• Shanghai Daily PDF / Subscribe
• Shanghai Daily Archive
• APP Download

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

In China, Blinken urges fair treatment of American companies

• Medium Text

SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA

Sign up here.

Reporting by Simon Lewis and Beijing newsroom; Writing by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Miral Fahmy

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Philippine students suffer in wilting heat, thwarting education efforts

Sweltering heat in the Philippines can curb farm production, disrupt water and power and weigh on businesses, but it also takes a toll on students, hampering the Southeast Asian nation's efforts to catch up to its neighbours in education.