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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!

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

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15 Epic Places to Visit in Shanghai & Shanghai Bucket List 2024

Even if you're not mesmerized by the Shanghai's soaring skyscrapers, you'll be blown away by its flourishing fashion and nightlife scenes. Shanghai is modern and untamed . It is also traditional and exotic with Yu Garden and The Bund as its proofs. It's anything you want it to be. You can spend your morning browsing Nanjing Road , your afternoon catching stunning city views from the top of the Observation Deck on the Oriental Pearl Tower , and the night cruising on the dazzling Huangpu River . Or, if you're a museum-goer or an art lover, you can admire the various collections and striking works on display at Shanghai Museum and Tianzifang . So, let's go! Explore these 15 unmissable places and discover what it is that you LOVE about Shanghai .

Shanghai Attractions Map (Click to Enlarge)

3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Water Town

The Bund - Witness the Past and Present of Shanghai

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 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)

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Yu Garden & Bazaar - Classic Chinese Garden in Shanghai

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

Nanjing Road (Nanjing Lu) - The Busiest Pedestrian Street in Shanghai

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 Opening Hours: All Day Tickets: Free Entry 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

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - "Venice of Shanghai"

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 Zhujiajiao 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: 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 Zhujiajiao 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). Opening Hours: All Day Tickets: Free Entry Address: Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai 上海市青浦区朱家角古镇旅游区

Shanghai Museum – No. 4 Museum in China

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

Jade Buddha Temple (Yu Fo Si) - Enshrine Two Jade Buddha Statues

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: (Except for Major Festivals, No entry after 16:00) Tickets: Free Address: No. 170 Anyuan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 上海市普陀区 安远路170号

Shanghai World Financial Center - One of the Tallest Skyscrapers in Shanghai

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.

Type: Observation Decks & Towers, Modern Buildings & Landmarks 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: 88 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区世纪大道88号

Shanghai Disney Resort - The 6th Disneyland in the World

Shanghai Disney Resort is the first Disney resort in China's mainland 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 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

Oriental Pearl Tower – See the Whole Shanghai & Seek Thrill

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

Shanghai Xintiandi - Represtative of Traditional and Fashionable Shanghai

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 Opening Hours: All Day Tickets: Free Entry Address: Xintiandi, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200021, China 上海市黄浦区新天地

Tianzifang – Blend of Shanghai Ordinary Life & International Charm

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 Opening Hours: All Day Tickets: Free Entry Address: No. 210, Taikang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Shanghai Circus World - Enjoy the Best Chinese Acrobatics

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 上海市静安区共和新路2266号

Shanghai Wukang Road - Authentic Old Shanghai in Exotic Flavor

Shanghai 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. Nowadays, while walking along the streets in the Shanghai Wukang Road Area, you can still feel the rich culture combining many antique buildings in many styles in other countries and the authentic Shanghai custom.

Type: Historic & Cultural Site, Walking Streets, Old Exotic Buildings Opening Hours: All Day Tickets: Free Entry Address: 22 Jianguo Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区建国中路22号

Huangpu River Cruise - Gorgeous West-Meets-East View by the Riverside

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

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center – Witness the Development of Shanghai Over Time

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 上海市黄浦区人民大道100号

Best Shanghai Tour Packages for 2024

As the gateway city to visit China, Shanghai is an internatinal metropolis with numerous scenic sites. You can stroll along the Bund to enjoy the city's nightscape, appreciate the exotic buildings facing the towering skyscrapers, and step into the traditional Yu garden to experience the oriental sense of beauty...all of your dreams about Shanghai can be tangible in our Shanghai tours. 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.

Explore the old and new of Shanghai, admire the past cultural heritages among the modern scrapers, meet perfect blend of traditional and urbanization

Explore the 3 most popular destinations of the Yangtze Delta - Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou by the fast bullet trains. Every day is connected well, without any waste of time and money.

In this 2-day classic Shanghai tour, you will discover top iconic landmarks of Shanghai like the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center to appreciate the real charm of Shanghai. Everything is perfectly arranged!

Looking for a unique Shanghai tour which is different from the regular itineraries? Here it is - A harmony between soft and hard landscapes results in one of a kind holiday in Shanghai.

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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…

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Shanghai and beyond.

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.

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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

50 things to do in Shanghai: Activities & Attractions

Ride the Pearl Tower's roller coster, tour the city by sidecar and more

Posted: Wednesday July 23 2014, Updated: Monday August 25 2014

Ride the Pearl Tower's roller coster, visit old Shanghai, off beat museums, cycle routes, day trips and attractions. The best activities, attractions and things to do in Shanghai

Ride the roller coaster inside the Pearl Tower

Though now dwarfed by its neighbours, this bonkers, bulbous landmark (the design was based on a Tang dynasty poem) arguably remains Shanghai ’s most iconic building and is worth a visit for the sheer kitsch value of the entertainment within. Tickets are priced according to floor access, so skip the ‘space capsule’ sightseeing floor in the uppermost ‘pearl’ and the mediocre buffet at the 267m -high revolving restaurant. Instead, take the lift up to the 259m -high skywalk – a 360 degree transparent observatory where the floors, as well as the walls, are made of glass, which makes for some hilarious ‘falling’ photo opportunities for those not prone to attacks of vertigo.

The real draw, though, is the surreal roller coaster located at 98 metres (claimed to be the world’s highest indoor ride). It’s not well signposted: to get there you need to descend to ‘ Game City ’, an eerily deserted, pink-neon lit arcade stinking of rancid popcorn. The ride itself is short but surprisingly thrilling, especially for younger kids, and for 30RMB extra you can take home a photo of yourself mid-squeal. The fun doesn’t stop there, as you descend to ground level via a glass elevator on the building exterior.

Take in the view from the SWFC Observatory

While every Shanghai resident has seen the Shanghai World Financial Center from multiple perspectives and angles, surprisingly few have actually made it inside. The Bottle Opener stages several fun events throughout the year – such as a yoga workshop and a vertical marathon – so it’s worth teeing up your visit to coincide with one of those, but if you’re strapped for time it’s still worth the (admittedly steep) entry fee just to stroll around the Garden Observatory. The world’s second highest viewing platform at 474 metres, topped only by Guangzhou ’s Canton Tower , it’s a dizzying experience.

The outing begins with a basement exhibition hall that contains a brilliant scale model of Lujiazui and the Bund area with a 24-hour time lapse lighting effect. A lift then whisks you up at warp speed (5 metres/second) to the first observatory (94th floor; 423 metres), which is the cheapest option, but it’s worth paying the extra 40RMB to access the Garden Observatory on the 100th floor for truly jaw-dropping floor-to-ceiling views.

Key landmarks, from 1933 Old Millfun to Three on the Bund, are handily marked on photographs displayed alongside. If you visit during daylight hours, you might even spot a window cleaner or two dangling on the other side of the glass. If you’re looking to enjoy a drink with the view, there is a bar-café on the 94th floor, but you’ll get a far superior tipple in nicer surrounds just two floors down at the Park Hyatt’s 100 Century Avenue.

Join the old folks dancing in the park

Perhaps one of the most charming aspects of Shanghai nightlife are the early evening dances that spring up in parks and public spaces across the city. Chances are you already know where one of these goes down in your neighbourhood, but some of our favourites include the packed Sichuan Bei Lu strip (head to the eponymous metro station and you can’t miss the crowds) or the sedate ballroom twirls at Huashan Green Space, between Huashan and Xingfu Lus.

For some daytime dancing, the always enjoyable Fuxing Park provides plenty of entertainment, as should Hongkou’s Lu Xun Park when it reopens fully later this summer.

Get on your bike

Despite the rise of the car, Shanghai is still an incredibly bike-friendly city and there are few better ways to explore it than on two wheels. For some great cycle routes around lesser-travelled parts of town, including Fuxing Island, Suzhou Creek and more see our guided cycle routes around the city .

Find out where to buy the best bike for you, from Shanghai classic frames to slick fixed gear cycles in our guide to the top bike shops in Shanghai

Watch a bird singing contest at Guilin Park

Can’t wait until May? The Shanghai Bird Association holds regular meets at the City of God Temple, while keepers often head to parks such as Yichuan Park just north of Zhongtan Lu metro station and Jiuzi Park beside Chengdu Bei Lu bridge and Suzhou Creek to hang their cages.

...or see crickets do battle

If insects are more your thing, then you’re in luck: cricket fighting season is nearly upon us. Although the ‘sport’ is on the wane in Shanghai , there are a number of associations, sellers and practitioners who keep it alive (purely for entertainment purposes of course, gambling is banned here after all). The Wanshang Flower and Bird Market on Xizang Nan Lu is a regular haunt for owners of fighting crickets with matches usually taking place from August until October.

Take a trip on the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

Shanghai is full of naff tourist attractions, but The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (45RMB one way) is one of those so-bad-it’s-good experiences that everyone should try just once. Bizarre, trippy audio-visual effects play as you travel in an automated car 'into the core of the Earth' under the Huangpu river and though the whole journey is somewhat baffling and devoid of any actual sightseeing, you’ll come away with photos that look like they were taken in the 2001: A Space Odyssey wormhole and a story for your friends.

Check out Chongming Island

While it’s best not to harbour any visions of quaint island life – pastel coloured beach huts or pretty little fishing boats nestled in the harbour – when undertaking a trip to Chongming , that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to do on what’s often referred to as China ’s third biggest island (that count includes Taiwan ). You can visit organic farm Mahota , go birdwatching among the reeds at the eastern Dongtan nature reserve, go barbecuing or grass skiing (basically donning elongated rollerskates to descend a hill) at the Dongping Forest Park , or unwind at the newly opened Hyatt Regency resort if you decide you want to make a weekend of it (the hotel even offers special ‘Puppy Getaway’ packages so you don’t have to leave your dog at home).

Witness ChinaJoy

Shanghai loves an expo, and we’re not just talking about the gathering of global clichés that took over a swathe of the city back in 2010. Practically every weekend there’s an expo of some sort taking place here. Sure, not all of them are particularly exciting (such as Annual China International Roofing and Waterproofing Expo and Pet Expo for example), but every year provides us with dog shows, wedding extravaganzas, sexpos, car and boat fests and all sorts of consumer craziness to gawk at. Sitting pretty at the top of the expo pile however, is ChinaJoy , which takes place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre every August.

The computer game and cosplay spectacular features gaming launches, exotic costumes and hordes of photographers snapping away greedily at it all. Yes, there are some questionable outfits and use of ‘models’, but it’s still an incredible Shinjuku-esque assault on the senses that really has to be seen.

Stand with the ultras at a Shanghai derby

The Chinese Super League now features three of the city’s top flight teams in action. There’s the long-standing Shanghai Shenhua who play at Hongkou Stadium , the largely unloved Shanghai Shenxin and, while they may have dropped off the pace a little after their early season table topping performances, East Asia are still top of the Shanghai pile so far this season.

While attendances for games, and often the quality of football, fall short of major international leagues, the fans are passionate and friendly, especially if you sit (or more likely, stand) with the hardcore supporters. If you only go to one game, make it a Shanghai derby (preferably involving Shanghai Shenhua and East Asia ) or Shenhua versus hated rivals Beijing Guoan for the fieriest atmospheres. Here's a fan's guide to Shanghai's Shenhua . See the full season fixtures .

Give something back

There’s really no excuse for not volunteering or donating to charity in Shanghai – every month there are plenty of events that enable you to do both, while there are dozens of non-profit organisations based in the city doing fantastic work who are in need of a helping hand. For more details of how you can get involved, click here .

Take a cruise on the Huangpu

Taking to the water is still one of the best ways to gaze upon both The Bund and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui. Though there are numerous overcrowded and often over-long tourist cruises (tickets for which can be purchased from sellers along The Bund or at the tourist desk beside Jinling Lu), you can enjoy views of the best bit just as well by taking the ferry between Jinling Lu and Dongchang Lu or vice versa. Tickets cost just 2RMB and the journey is over in only a couple of minutes, giving you more time to tick off the other items on your bucket list. We recommend going early evening as the sun goes down and the lights come on. Check out the ferry routes across the Huangpu .

If you’re after something a bit more upmarket, a trip out on the Huangpu doesn’t come much classier than on The Peninsula hotel ’s yacht. Up to ten people can board the 15 million RMB vessel for private cruises (from 8,000RMB/person) with additional extras such as afternoon tea (580RMB/person including one glass of Champagne ) and even on board yoga sessions (from 1,100RMB/50 minutes) available. Contact The Peninsula’s concierge for more details.

Cycle the streets of Hongkou

Hongkou’s former Jewish quarter is one of our favourite parts of town to explore on two wheels and while modern developments are increasingly encroaching upon its old streets, there are still plenty of fascinating historic sites to see. Highlights include the Jewish Refugee Museum housed in the Ohel Moishe synagogue, the adjacent Zhoushan Lu where you can often see residents playing carrom (an old Shanghainese game that’s a cross between snooker and Chinese chess) and the Tilanqiao Prison, once the biggest in Asia and still in use today. Here's a guide to cycling around Hongkou .

Head to the Propaganda Poster Museum

Founded by Yang Peiming, the museum has been run out of its apartment tower basement setting for over a decade, but was only given official recognition two years ago and still maintains an air of secrecy. The vast collection of over 5,000 propaganda posters, many rescued from recycling centres and rubbish bins and spanning from the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 to the late 1970s, is absolutely fascinating and more than worth the 20RMB entrance fee.

Wander Nanjing Dong Lu at dawn

Nanjing Dong Lu may be a tourist-filled nightmare much of the time, but head there just as the sun comes up and you’ll find it empty of the matching baseball cap wearing hordes and people trying to sell you wheels to stick on your shoes. Instead, nearby residents creep out onto the pavements to do a spot of tai chi (often with fans and swords) or play badminton. Start at People’s Square and head south toward The Bund (where you’ll find another clutch of early risers performing) and you’ll see the street in a completely new light. Here are some photos of the city in its morning glory .

Check out an off-beat museum

Shanghai has some fantastic museums – the Animation Museum, Urban Planning Exhibition Centre and Science and Technology Museum are all worthy of a visit – but some of our favourite institutions are the more unusual ones. The Museum of Public Security features everything from old police cars to gruesome murder weapons; the Municipal History Museum features some brilliant scale models of old Shanghai; and the Tobacco Museum details the history of China’s favourite product. Visit just one and we guarantee you’ll learn something new.

Head to a water town

Whether it’s Zhujiajiao for its convenience or Xikang for its beauty, everyone has their favourite watertown . Ours is Nanxun. It may mean a little more travelling time than suburban spots such as Qibao of Fengjing, but the rewards are relatively fewer tourist hordes and a pleasantly laidback feel throughout the two sections of old streets crisscrossed by waterways. W e like the tranquil Little Lotus Garden, a grand former residential house with a small lake at the back, and the Jiayetang Library, home to a large collection of ancient tomes and tree-covered grounds, where locals sip tea and play cards beside the water. The main Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station (from 6.50am) and the South Station (from 10am) have regular services to Nanxun, costing 46RMB one way. The buses continue to Huzhou, so make sure your driver knows you want off at Nanxun. Here's our guide to the best canal-side towns worth a visit in Shanghai.

Tour Shanghai by sidecar

Discover another side of Shanghai by t ouring the city from the sidecar of a vintage 750cc Changjiang motorbike with Shanghai Insiders.

All Insider guides are extremely capable; completely at ease dodging Shanghai ’s notorious traffic whilst recounting interesting tit bits of local history. It’s a unique way to see the city. See more alternative tours of the city, including bike, food and photo tours .