You won’t need to search for things to do in Shanghai — the challenge will be narrowing down your options. We’ve spent a lot of time here, and it’s actually one of our favorite cities in the world. My number one tip for Shanghai travel is to plan how you will spend your time during your visit.
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12 Best Things to Do in Shanghai
Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of architecture, or just here for the soup dumplings, you’ll find enough in Shanghai to fill multiple itineraries.
If visiting Shanghai with kids you might assume that Shanghai Disneyland® should be a main destination, but the fact is that there’s plenty in the city to keep kids entertained if you’re not a huge theme park fan.
1. Visit the Bund
This waterfront hotspot on the west bank of Huangpu River is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. The architecture alone makes the Bund worth a visit. Along the mile-long promenade, you’ll see Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical style buildings.
It’s also a great place to people watch, the skyline view is absolutely gorgeous, and kids like the amusement park-type games (bring coins). Early in the morning, you’ll usually see locals practicing Tai Chi.
Take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, between the Bund and Pudong. It’s a (touristy) yet fun ride on a people mover that passes through a series of cool psychedelic multimedia displays.
2. Stroll Along Nanjing Road
This century-old destination is the place to go if you want to shop in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is divided into two sections at People’s Square.
East Nanjing Road is the popular pedestrianized portion leading from People’s Square to the Bund. We love it for buying everything from fresh fruit to calligraphy paper. One fun way to see East Nanjing Road is to take the old style Dangdang sightseeing tram, a 10-minute ride that gives you a street-eye view of the entire stretch. And, this is also where the new Hello Kitty Shanghai Times theme park is located.
West Nanjing Nanjing Road has its share of big modern malls like New World City and luxury stores from Tiffany & Co. to Isetan, a popular Japanese department store (that we love).
There’s also plenty to eat, from smoked fish to moon cakes to wine cured crabs and specialty desserts. There’s also a Da Dong Roast duck restaurant on West Nanjing Road.
3. Visit Longhua Temple
Built in 242 AD, Longhua Temple is the oldest temple in Shanghai and also the largest. The seven-story red pagoda is absolutely beautiful but closed to the public. You can, however, explore the five main sculpture-filled halls of the temple itself. These are filled with gorgeous sculptures, including many Buddhas and 500 golden statues that shine in the light.
Inside the Bell and Drum Tower, you’ll find a 14,000-pound bell traditionally rung 108 times to mark the start of a new year. For a small charge, you can strike it three times.
Hungry? Grab simple snacks and drinks in the gift shop.
4. Take a Day Trip to a Water Town (Zhujiajiao)
Water towns are small towns in China known for their canals, rivers, and bridges. Zhujiajiao, which is often referred to as the Venice of the East, is one of the best-preserved water towns in China, with beautiful historic buildings lining the waterfront and 36 ancient stone bridges still in use to this day.
You should absolutely take a boat ride along the canals, though you can also book private tours of Zhujiajiao. Be sure to come hungry and sample the street food (try the salt-baked quail eggs or braised pork wrapped in palm tree leaves).
Other water towns near Shanghai include Suzhou, Tongli, Qibao (closest one to downtown), Zhouzhuang (one of the most famous in China), and a handful of others.
5. Go Market Shopping
In Shanghai, there’s a market for almost everything. Markets here are indoor or open-air shopping hubs where multiple vendors of a single type gather together to sell their wares.
You could, for instance, go to the pearl market or the jewelry market or the tea market. If you appreciate made to order fashion, head over to the South Bund Fabric Market where there are scores of fabric vendors and tailors who can make just about everything, from couture gowns to cashmere coats.
Bargaining is the norm here, so feel free to haggle a little but don’t expect steep pricing cuts on already less-than-you’d-pay-abroad prices. You’ll find that most vendors are willing to send custom goods to your hotel (an extra small fee may apply). And do bring any pieces in your existing wardrobe to see if they can be replicated.
I have several custom cashmere sweaters from Jessica, stall 212. My friend had several pairs of really nice jeans made inexpensively at Jimmy’s Jeans, stall 218, and a gorgeous velvet coat at Velvet King, stall 283.
6. Go to the Observation Deck at Oriental Pearl Tower
This space-age showpiece of the Shanghai skyline is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world, with 15 observation spaces in addition to the famous glass-bottom observation deck.
You can also enjoy the view from the tower’s revolving restaurant, try the virtual reality roller coaster (a big hit with tweens and teens), or visit the Shanghai History Museum, located at the tower’s base.
Be warned, however, that the lines for the upper observation deck can be long during peak tourism season, even if you get tickets in advance with Go Shanghai or right here.
If you want great views from other nearby observation decks, try Jin Mao Tower (the third tallest building in Shanghai), which has a glass skywalk without rails; the Shanghai World Financial Center, which has multiple observation decks; or Shanghai Tower (the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the entire world).
Discount observation deck tickets:
7. Stroll Around YU Garden
This large classic Chinese garden (also known as Yuyuan Garden) was built during the Ming Dynasty by the Pan family.
The garden was the biggest in all of Shanghai at the time, and the expense of its upkeep would ultimately bankrupt them. Yu Garden was opened to the public in 1961 and is a busy spot that you’ll find on many lists of things to do in Shanghai.
There are lovely koi ponds, impressive rockeries, stately halls and pavilions, bridges, and the Exquisite Jade Rock — a naturally carved piece of sandstone originally commissioned by the Huizong Emperor who ruled from 1100-1126. You’ll need tickets to enter the gardens portion but not to enter the complex of shops.
We try to visit every time we’re in Shanghai and like to shop the vendors surrounding Yu Garden for teapots, trinkets, and more.
8. Take a Huangpu River Cruise
Huangpu River, also known as Huangxiepu or Chunshen River, separates Shanghai into two parts (Pudong and Puxi) and runs through more than ten city districts. Over the years, the river, sometimes called the Mother River of Shanghai, has been an important source of drinking water, fish, and shipping.
Today, it’s also a tourist draw thanks to the Bund, the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, the skyscrapers on the east bank, and the West bank’s classical architecture. You can walk or take an evening cruise along the Huangpu River.
9. Shop and Play in Xintiandi (New Heaven and Earth)
Xintiandi’s central location, car-free alleys, modern malls, and antique Shikumen (stone gate) houses have made it one of Shanghai’s most popular parts. It’s a shopping destination with upscale stores and fine restaurants with cuisine from all over the globe during the day. As loyal fans of the brand, we always eat at the Shanghai Tang Cafe.
After dark, you’ll find a vibrant nightlife scene. Visit the museum housed in the former First Congress Hall of the Communist Party for some history on how people lived in Shanghai in the past and how Xintiandi, in particular, has changed over time.
10. Hang out in People’s Park and People’s Square
This vast city green space surrounded by museums is one of the best places to observe the heartbeat of the city during your Shanghai travel adventures.
In between visits to the Shanghai Museum (free to enter), the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai, and the Grand Theater, you can sit on a bench and watch locals practicing Tai Chi, flying kites, roller skating, or even dancing (usually in the mornings). There is even a very small amusement park inside People’s Park.
The best time to visit People’s Square will be during the week, as it can get pretty crowded on the weekends.
11. Meander Around Tianzifang
This area of Shanghai, in the French Concession, is known for its hip and artsy galleries, cafes, shops, studios, and other trendy hangouts that are popular with young people, expats, and tourists.
These stylish stops are often in traditional Shikumen or cool converted factories. It’s a place for wandering, and while you can get a map at the tourism center, getting lost here is actually one of the most fun things to do in Shanghai.
We highly recommend placing this stop on your Shanghai travel itinerary. Plan time to get lost in random tea, candy, and specialty shops.
12. Enjoy the Dumplings
Shanghai has an amazing food culture, and it’s especially well-known for its cuisine that uses freshwater fish, eels, river crabs, and water plants in novel ways.
One thing we love to eat in Shanghai is Xiao Long Bao, the absolutely delicious and delicate soup dumplings filled with pork, veggie, shrimp, or crab in a hot broth.
I promise that the XLB here is so much more flavorful than any you’ll have outside of China or Taiwan, even at overseas Din Tai Fung branches.
We also are huge fans of Sheng Jian Bao, pan-fried Shanghainese dumplings. You can find them on the cheap at Yang’s Fry Dumpling (during our last visit RMB 8 for six large dumplings), which has delicious outlets all over town.
Cong You Bing is another local treat — filling scallion pancakes that are perfect for a midday snack. Tea eggs are also popular and available everywhere, even at newspaper stands.
Fantastic Shanghai Sightseeing Tours
- Flexible Private Layover Shanghai Tour
- Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Tour
- Savoring Shanghai Food Tour
- Custom Tour of Shanghai
Shanghai Travel Tips
The one constant in Shanghai is change. There’s always something new to see or explore, the futuristic skyline is always evolving, and the vibe of the city is dynamic.
This is also why it’s important to double-check every address of any attraction or store you’ve read about prior to going.
Some people find it a bit overwhelming because the traffic is crazy, there are so many people, and the streets can feel like a maze. It’s also diverse, welcoming, and full of amazing energy.
Here are some Shanghai travel tips I share when friends and family express an interest in visiting the city.
Visit in the Fall or Spring
Summers in Shanghai are hot, but the short fall season is pleasantly temperate, dry, and usually less crowded.
Spring is another good time to visit the city, but you should try to plan your visit around public holidays because it will be much more crowded. While it doesn’t often snow in Shanghai, winters are still quite cold and damp.
Due to school schedules, we typically visit for three weeks in the summer. It’s hot, but we’re able to power through it. The rain can sometimes impact sightseeing, so it’s wise to book a hotel with an indoor pool and plan for relaxed sightseeing, just in case.
Book a Well-Located Hotel
Keep in mind that you’ll probably be doing a lot of walking around Shanghai. It’s a good idea to stay in a hotel near a metro stop or close to the sights and attractions that interest you most.
It’s most convenient to stay on/near the Bund or in Pudong near the Huangpu River. Readers have access to my VIP amenities at many Shanghai luxury hotels when booking through my Shanghai Virtuoso page*. Hotels I prefer include:
- Mandarin Oriental, Shanghai (we stay here most for its quiet location and massive indoor pool)
- The Peninsula Shanghai
- Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
- Fairmont Peace Hotel
*You may need to be on the desktop version of Virtuoso.com to search rates and book online. To enable the desktop version of a hotel page from a mobile device, scroll down to the navy blue section at the bottom of the web page and click “Full Site.” When searching rates, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them when I contact you about your reservation.
Try the Street Food
One of the best things to do in Shanghai is to eat. While there are world-class luxury restaurants around the city, there is a local street food culture featuring noodles, dumplings, and other traditional treats that are worth trying. (Of course, be careful where you eat especially if you don’t have a strong stomach.)
The best way to try the best things to eat in Shanghai is through a food tour. I personally use Context Travel for private and small group tours in Asia and Europe.
Getting Around
Shanghai is flush with cabs and fares are inexpensive compared to those in the U.S. Note that many taxi drivers do not speak English. If your Mandarin skills aren’t the best, always have your hotel and destination written on a card in Chinese. There is also traffic to consider.
Our preferred mode of transportation is Didi, which functions similarly to Uber. Download the app. It will allow you to input a foreign credit card and request rides in English. The driver may still not speak English but the app can translate for you.
The metro in Shanghai is actually the world’s longest rapid transit system, rides are cheap, and chances are you’ll get where you want to go more quickly on a train than in a car. The metro is easy to use.
Use the Go Shanghai Card
If your Shanghai travel itinerary includes visiting the city’s major attractions, use the Go Shanghai Card and save up to 30% on the price of admission. As a prepaid attractions pass, it also means you can carry less cash (helpful because the ATM fees in the city are usually high). There are two pass options.
Choose between the All-Inclusive Pass (all you can do for 1, 2, or 3 days) and the popular Explorer Pass (choose 3, 4, or 5 attractions).
What are your favorite things to do in Shanghai?
Katie Dillon
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