Shanghai Travel Guide

Why Visit Shanghai

Shanghai is China at its most forward-looking. The skyline of Pudong — anchored by the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center — is one of the most recognizable in the world. Yet five minutes across the Huangpu River, you find yourself on the Bund, walking past grand European-style buildings from the 1920s and 30s that recall the city's cosmopolitan past.

This is a city of contrasts. Ancient temples sit in the shadows of glass towers. Michelin-starred restaurants share blocks with tiny shops selling the best soup dumplings you will ever taste. Shanghai moves fast, but it generously rewards visitors who slow down to explore its layered neighborhoods.

Top Attractions

The Bund (Waitan)

Shanghai's most famous promenade stretches along the western bank of the Huangpu River. The 52 heritage buildings represent a mix of neoclassical, Art Deco, and Gothic architecture — remnants of the foreign concession era. Walk the Bund at dusk when the Pudong skyscrapers across the river light up in a neon spectacle. For a different perspective, take the Huangpu River cruise or climb to a rooftop bar along the strip.

Yu Garden and Old City

This classical Chinese garden dates to the Ming dynasty (1559) and packs rockeries, koi ponds, dragon walls, and latticed pavilions into its compact grounds. The surrounding bazaar area, with its ornate traditional architecture, is excellent for picking up tea, silk, and souvenirs. Come early morning before tour groups arrive for a more peaceful experience.

French Concession

Tree-lined streets, charming cafes, independent boutiques, and beautifully preserved lane houses make the French Concession Shanghai's most walkable neighborhood. Wander Wukang Road, visit the former residence of Sun Yat-sen, and stop into Fuxing Park to see locals practicing ballroom dancing. This is where expats and young Shanghainese converge over coffee and craft cocktails.

Shanghai Tower

At 632 meters, it is China's tallest building and the third tallest in the world. The observation deck on the 118th floor provides panoramic views of the entire city — an unforgettable experience on a clear day. The tower's twisted design reduces wind loads by 24 percent and is an engineering marvel worth appreciating from both inside and out.

Zhujiajiao Water Town

Just 45 minutes from central Shanghai, this 1,700-year-old canal town offers a tranquil counterpoint to the city's energy. Stone bridges, traditional wooden boats, and waterside teahouses create a scene that feels centuries removed from Pudong. Take a gondola ride along the canals and try the local specialty — zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves).

Food in Shanghai

Shanghainese cuisine leans toward the sweet and delicate. Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are the city's signature dish — try Jia Jia Tang Bao or Din Tai Fung for consistent quality. Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns with crispy bottoms) are equally essential, best from Yang's Fried Dumplings.

For a broader culinary exploration, visit Yunnan South Road for regional Chinese restaurants, explore the food halls at Jing'an Kerry Centre, or book a table at Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet for one of the world's most extraordinary dining experiences. Street-side scallion oil noodles (congyou banmian) remain one of Shanghai's finest — and cheapest — meals.

Getting Around

Shanghai's metro is one of the world's largest, with 20 lines covering the city comprehensively. It is clean, reliable, and runs from around 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM. The Maglev train connects Pudong Airport to the Longyang Road metro station in just 7 minutes at speeds up to 430 km/h — a novelty worth experiencing at least once. DiDi works well here, and many visitors find renting a bicycle through Meituan Bike convenient for exploring the flat, leafy French Concession.

Best Time to Visit

March through May and September through November offer the most pleasant weather. Summers (June through August) are notoriously hot and humid, with temperatures regularly exceeding 37°C. The plum rain season in June brings steady drizzle. Winters are mild compared to Beijing but feel damp and chilly. Shanghai's position on the coast means you can expect overcast skies much of the year, but when the sun breaks through, this is one of the most photogenic cities on earth.

Suggested Itinerary: 3 Days in Shanghai

• Day 1: The Bund morning walk, Yu Garden and Old City, Nanjing Road shopping, evening Bund illumination.
• Day 2: French Concession walking tour, Tianzifang alley exploration, Shanghai Tower observation deck, Pudong riverside dinner.
• Day 3: Zhujiajiao Water Town day trip, return for farewell xiaolongbao dinner and rooftop cocktails.