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Overview

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Shanghai The guide was updated: 2024-06-18

Shanghai is the shiniest gem in modern China’s jewel box. It’s a hip, contemporary city charging into the future with all the energy of its famous Maglev train. Yet, if you veer away from the sleek highways and glitzy shopping streets you can still stumble upon a more traditional Shanghai, with all its character and flavour. In the tiny back streets, wet-market vendors peddle their wares — buckets of bright green vegetables, fish flapping in shallow plastic bowls, and heaps of crayfish crawling over each other.

Facts

Population:	Metro area: 29 million (2023)
Currency:	Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 110 Ambulance: 120 Fire: 119
Newspapers:	Shanghai Daily: www.shine.cn China Daily: www.chinadaily.com.cn
Opening hours:	Most offices are open Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm or 6 pm. Some bank branches open on Saturday mornings. Shopping centres and department stores are usually open seven days a week until 8 pm or 10 pm.

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Section in Shanghai

Shanghai really is a delightful city to explore. See skyscrapers alongside surviving colonial buildings and visit the Shanghai Museum to get an insight into the city's past and just how rapidly it has changed within the last decade. Early birds must visit one of Shanghai’s many parks, where thousands gather daily for morning exercise.

The Bund

The Bund

Shanghai’s best-known attraction is impressive any time of the day. Still, it’s at its most glam in the evening when floodlighting illuminates the colonial piles and the neon across the river, where Pudong gaudily glitters. Take a stroll along the waterfront walkway and watch the world go by.

Tian'ai Lu

Tian'ai Lu

This is the most romantic road in Shanghai. Allegedly, if you walk down the 600-metre-long road holding the hand of your beloved one, you will be blessed and all but guaranteed to stay together. Each 20 metres is marked by a framed world-famous love poem (there are 28 in total). There is also a special red mailbox on the street, every letter sent from here will get a seal with the word 'love' written on it.

People's Square

People's Square

People's Square is a Shanghai landmark. In its vicinity lie People's Park, Shanghai Museum, Municipal Building, Shanghai Grand Theatre, and other important buildings. It is not only the political, economic, cultural, and tourism centre and transportation hub of Shanghai but also a large shopping district.

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

The main shopping street of Shanghai embodies the eclectic nature of the city. Being one of the busiest streets in the world, it features outlets of both well-known traditional Chinese and global brands, as well as souvenir shops, street vendors, buskers and plenty of eateries. It is certainly the place to be to feel the pulse of the city or join the crowds on a shopping spree.

Yu Garden

Yu Garden

Yu Garden embodies the quintessence of classical ancient Chinese gardens south of the Yangtze River – a creation of maximum out of minimum. While it takes a familiar person only five minutes to walk from the entrance to the exit, most first-time visitors find themselves lost in this little paradise with fish ponds, rockeries, plants, bridges, and buildings of various types arranged along zigzagging paths. The ingenious use of Chinese gardening art in combination with the garden’s 400-plus years of history makes Yu Garden one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shanghai.

Xintiandi

Xintiandi

Xintiandi, an upscale car-free district in Shanghai, emerged in the late 1990s as a vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. Originally a neighbourhood of traditional Shikumen houses, many were replaced with modern apartments to improve living conditions, sparking concerns about the potential loss of cultural heritage. In response, the government preserved some Shikumen structures, blending history with contemporary flair. Today, Xintiandi stands as a dazzling landmark, boasting fine restaurants, chic clubs, and luxury boutiques, seamlessly integrating Shanghai's past with its cosmopolitan present.

Tianzifang

Tianzifang

Tianzifang is where the new and old Shanghai meet. In the traditional stone-paved alley lies, perhaps, the artsiest neighbourhood in the city. Cafés, crafts shops, art galleries, and boutiques dot the street. Take a walk along Tianzifang, and you will surely discover another side of this international metropolis.

Jin Mao Tower

Jin Mao Tower

It’s the view you’re going for: on a clear day, Jin Mao Tower offers incredible 360-degree panoramas across the city. It’s 88 storeys high and located at number 88 — have you guessed that eight is a lucky number for the Chinese? There are offices up to the 50th floor, then the Grand Hyatt hotel from floors 53 to 87. A public observation deck is located on the top floor. Otherwise, forget the lucky numbers and go for a drink at the Grand Hyatt’s Cloud 9 bar, just one storey below.

Jade Buddha Temple

Jade Buddha Temple

Founded in 1882, this Buddhist temple is known for its large, ornate jade Buddha sculptures: a sitting Buddha, and a smaller reclining Buddha representing the Buddha's death. Today, there is plenty to see on the premises, including multiple beautiful Buddha statues.

Shanghai Disneyland Park

Shanghai Disneyland Park

Opened in 2016, Shanghai Disneyland is the 6th Disneyland in the world. In line with the company's promise, this Disneyland is 'authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese'. The park has seven themed areas: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land. This is also the only Disneyland where you can see all the Disneyland princesses introduced so far, including Mulan.

Shanghai Circus World

Shanghai Circus World

If you are looking for a great evening activity, then this might be something for you; in fact, this is one of the most popular forms of evening entertainment in the city. Here you can experience stunning acrobatic performances accompanied by live music. Go and check it out!

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

As one of the tallest towers in Asia, Oriental Pearl TV Tower is a distinct landmark of Shanghai. Located opposite The Bund, it is one of the hottest city attractions, as well as an entertainment venue containing dining and shopping spots. There is an observation deck at the 263-metre mark, which offers amazing views of Shanghai.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is the largest sea aquarium in Asia, divided into nine thematic zones including China, South America, Australia, Africa, Polar, Deep Ocean, and more. This is where you can discover more than 15,000 marine creatures and almost all sea species found in Asia. Do not miss the underwater tunnels.

Shanghai Science & Technology Museum

Shanghai Science & Technology Museum

This interactive museum turns scientific theories into an exciting, interactive experience for guests of all ages. Learn about the structure of the Earth's surface by travelling hundreds of metres down to its core, explore animal diversity by taking a stroll through rainforests and deserts, and understand the theory of gravity by riding a bicycle on a steel string hanging in the air.

Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center

For sweeping views over Shanghai, visit this 492-metre skyscraper. Also known as SWFC, this second-tallest building in Shanghai features an indoor observatory from the 94th to 100th floors. Walk across the impressive Sky Bridge on the 97th floor and experience the tallest observatory in the world on the 100th floor.

Bund Tourist Tunnel

Bund Tourist Tunnel

Run down there quick, before the lights are extinguished: there’s the talk of turning the Bund Tourist Tunnel into a tediously ordinary commuter line. In the meantime, it’s the most entertaining way to cross between the Bund and Pudong. Pumping music, psychedelic neon and nebulous commentaries accompany your journey - it’s showy, it’s tacky, and it’s truly outrageous fun.

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