Widely known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” Shanghai is an urban center built on a rich historical background and modern development. Today’s guide is aimed to lead you through the major sights, cultural sites, and real hot spots worth visiting. There is something for everyone, ranging from the old-world appeal of the bunds water walk to the colossal high-rise buildings of Lujiazui. Some might be mesmerized by old colonial-style buildings, while others are eager to head towards lively local markets and those looking for a fine dining and shopping experience. Whatever your reason, the article will help you structure your plans for the trip. Prepare yourself to explore the vigor of Shanghai through its citified streets, antique past, and unbeatable skyline.
What are the top attractions to visit in Shanghai?
Top attractions in the Shanghai skyline
When I was in Shanghai, I included major attractions such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. The tower provides a wealth of information and even a great view from the top. Additionally, the Shanghai Tower is recognized as the tallest building in China and has the tallest viewing deck of any building. In addition, I would advise you not to leave out the Jin Mao Tower, which has Chinese and international touches in its architectural design. This place was full of cutting-edge innovation and new ways of doing things.
A walk around the Bund
The Bund is the most intriguing aspect of Shanghai since it displays a rich history and traces its colonial roots through various architectural styles near the Huangpu River. I even managed to walk along the Bund and still see the unique structures on the shores, such as the Pudong-sized skyline. The place also had the Customs House and The Peace Hotel, which further enhanced the eclectic mix of political and cultural influences experienced in that area.
Exploring the historic shrines and vegetation of Shanghai
While reviewing the history and culture of China, the ancient temples and gardens of Shanghai came to life in my mind. China is mostly a Buddhist country, and visiting the Jade Buddha Temple, I was impressed by the beautiful statues and peaceful centers of a classic Buddhist architectural style. The Yuyuan Garden had a classical layout, plenty of meandering pathways, and detailed pavilions and it gave me a soothing experience in the center of the city’s violence. Such places are essential to understanding the history of Shanghai and how it managed to evolve and develop without forgetting its historical relevance.
How can I experience the best of Shanghai’s cultural heritage?
Excursion to the Shanghai Museum and the People’s Square
In order to grasp the cultural legacy of the Shanghainese, People Square, in addition to the museum, is a must. The Shanghai Museum is located in People’s Square and has more than 120,000 cultural relics, including ancient bronze antiquities, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy. An underlying circular structure is said to denote heaven, while the rectangular base forms earth, effectively depicting Chinese cosmological beliefs.
The museum contains several galleries dedicated to types of artifacts. The Ancient Ceramics Gallery and the Jade Gallery, to mention a few. Some important features are automated lighting and climate control systems for sensitive materials preservation. The ‘Lifesaver’ award recipient in Shanghai now provides audio guides and kiosks for better understanding.
At the same time, People’s Square is a busy area, with many other buildings, such as the Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, nearby. Its beautiful gardens and great space promote relaxation and watching people. Remember to set aside enough time to visit these interrelated areas to appreciate Shanghai’s history and present-day alteration.
Traveling Through The Former French Concession
The Former French Concession, more than other areas, gives one a wider perspective of Shanghai’s colonial history because of its tree-lined streets, splendid European-style buildings, and fashion shops. Visiting this area is tantamount to a time travel, with Tianzifang, a lively arts and crafts zone, and the Xin Tian Di district with its unique fusion of old Shikumen housing upscale eateries as the time travel highlights. Visiting these areas is a modification of the futuristic view of Shanghai’s skyline and a summary of the years that went by.
Walking Over Tianzifang and Xintiandi
In any case, based on the provided context, I would imagine, taking a walk through Tianzifang and Xintiandi, it is a walk that features the old and the new in a way that depicts Shanghai’s diversity and uniqueness. They have retained the grand old Shikumen buildings but have been hijacked by the modern art world, high fashion, and exquisite dining, making them perfect parts of the city to experience the changing forms of architecture and art in Shanghai.
What are the best day trips from Shanghai?
Discovering Chujiajiao: The so-called Venice of Shanghai
Chujiajiao is a water town located within an hour’s reach of the city center of Shanghai. It has a beautifully water-oriented ancient Chinese town contrast. This historic town is 1700 years old and is famous for its rivers, hydro-arc bridges made of stones, and several houses built up as courtyards. While strolling around its one-meter-wide pathways, I visited several historical sites, including Fangsheng Bridge and Kezhi Garden, and tried out some local snacks such as sticky rice dumplings. The day was ideal to unwind away from the fast-moving pace of Shanghai as it had nice weather and traditional places were pleasant to surround myself with.
Visiting the Chinese Disneyland in Shanghai
The visit to the Shanghai Disney Resort was an astonishing encounter in which advanced attractions blended with the storytelling history of Disney. The intrusion of the theme parks, such as Tomorrowland and Treasure Cove, provided my day constituents with enjoyable diversions like the Shang Yin Zhu Wu and Sai You Shen Xian: Qi Fu di Xia di Zheng. Such highlights as the Enchanted Storybook Castle, the world’s biggest Disney Castle, were awe-inspiring. During the excursion, I enjoyed the coexistence of the well known Disney enchants and elements typical to the local cultures, for example, the Wandering Moon Teahouse. Even with the fair number of guests during our recent trip to Southeast Asia, proper planning, such as installations of the Shanghai Disneyland app, enhanced the preparation work and assisted in planning rescue missions, thus making the trip fascinating and enjoyable.
Close by water towns that would be ideal for day bondage
It was through Shanghai Disneyland that I realized that there are quite several interesting ancient water towns on the outskirts of Shanghai that are ideal for a one-day trip, among other places, which are Zhujiajiao, Xitang, and Wuzhen. It is only Zhujiajiao, which is more of a spoon shape and is an aggregation of several small towns connected by canals, small stone bridges, and alleys built over a hundred years ago. If you yearn for a place where relative peace can be had as Xitang does, then Xitang is the place for you as there are not many stone structures to be seen, only walkways that overlook the water. On the other hand, families are more than welcome to visit Wuzhen, which is extensive and still unlike other towns and has classic-style canals and an array of practices to do, which will feel the essence of Chinese culture. All these towns possess certain charm with each and might be worth adding to your trip.
Where can I find the best views of Shanghai’s skyline?
Climbing the Shanghai Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center
From my perspective and knowledge, the Shanghai skyline can be best viewed from the Shanghai Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center. The observation deck of the Shanghai Tower, located at the very top of the tower on the 118th floor, offers the best viewing experience, with a wide 360-degree angle of all angles of the sprawling metropolis. At the same time, the Shanghai World Financial Center also has, in its possession, the world’s tallest Sky Walk located on the 100th floor, an observation deck, which is literally a platform with the floor made of glass, allowing the viewers to see the ground far below. Each of the two on the total are well known worldwide because of their modern structures their amazing views of the busy city, and the breathtaking view of the mesmerized dark skyline that the city has to offer during the night. Any prospective tourists or people interested in visiting amazing sites must take the time to see these places as they offer a completely different view of Shanghai.
Relishing breathtaking views while standing at the Oriental Pearl Tower
Checking out the Oriental Pearl Tower was a great experience. The Tower is located at 468 meters and offers observation decks with stunning panoramic views of Shanghai. One of the highlights that I particularly liked was the glass floor observatory. The city then looked cheap from the stunning city to this moment, so thrilling. Of course, rotating around was another one, but this time to see rather than dine. This is a remarkable way to look at Shanghai’s exciting skyline and magnificent structures.
Take one of the Huangpu River cruises for some incredible views at night
The Huangpu River is perfect to enjoy everything Shanghai offers during the night, accompanied by temples and skyscrapers. The river is about 113 kilometers long and splits the city into two regions Puxi (where you have a lot of traditional temples) and Pudong (where you will see a lot of skyscrapers). Most cruises run between 30 minutes to around two hours, and Shiliupu Wharf and Qinhuangdao Wharf are common starting points. It was the case in almost all starting points for this cruise to kick off.
From the cruise, the passengers can view famous sites like the Bund, which is mostly a European-style architectural area. on the other hand, Lujiazui is home to many impressive skyscrapers such as Shanghai Tower (632 meters) and Oriental Pearl Tower (468 meters). The common period during which these cruise ships start is between 7 PM and 9 PM, making a lot of sense as lights are all around the city, mesmerizing the view.
- Vessels: The new trend is to go for river cruise boats with protruding decks, allowing for an unhindered view of the panoramas.
- Photography: The foresight of a low-light camera or mobile in night mode is advantageous for getting shots of the white skyline illuminations.
- Tickets: The approximate price of the ticket ranges between 120 yuan and 300 yuan depending on the time spent onboard and the level of service offered (for instance, luxurious sitting arrangements and food on board).
This definitely part of the Shanghai transformation should not be left out as it gets focused on an easier environment towards an enriching, beautiful view of the city.
What are the must-try food experiences in Shanghai?
Sampling street food at Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar
When sampling street food at Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar, it is best to start with some well-known food unique to Shanghai. Get a taste of some soup dumplings called shengjian bao, which is newly pan-fried. You could also try xiaolongbao, which has soup inside. Another delicacy you could sample is scallions in a bun, possibly made in hawker stalls. To satisfy your sweet tooth, candied fruits on sticks have become quite popular. The lively atmosphere and the many authentic foods give the food lover an experience that cannot be obtained anywhere else and is a trademark of Shanghai.
Getting to know the world of dumplings that is native to Shanghai
When learning the world of dumplings native to Shanghai, I got to deal with the region’s xiaolongbao and shengjian bao, specialties. One is possibly familiar with shengjian bao, a bun that is pan-fried to crispy bottom with a juiced saucy filling that is savory. Xiaolongbao is a bun made with thin dough that encloses a saucy mixture of enhancing noodles, making it a bitter steamed bun. The combination of these sweet and spicy dumplings embody the spirit of Shanghai’s culture and every bite does more than fill my hunger, it also connects me to the city’s history.
Traveling through Key food places in Central Shanghai
When it comes to key food centers in Central Shanghai that I love to explore, I do not miss out on Yuyuan Bazaar, which is known for its street food, People’s Square, which has a combination of some older places and newer businesses, and of course, the internationally recognized Wujiang Road which is also famous for the availability of different kinds of local snacks. In Yuyuan Bazaar you can get your hands on classic bestsellers like tanghulu and get some steaming dumplings, whilst People’s square has within it casual dining and upscale restaurants. On the other hand, Wujiang Road will be the one where you can taste fried buns and spicy skewers, amongst other dishes. These are indeed the center of culinary activities in the city of Shanghai and offer a good representation of the kind of food the city’s people are fond of.
What are some unique experiences for shoppers in Shanghai?
Shopping at Nanjing Road, the best Street for Shopping in Shanghai
Nanjing Road is a different world, one where contemporary shopping exists alongside memories from the past. As the most prominent shopping street in Shanghai, it contains everything from designer boutiques to centuries-old shop, this is what I have witnessed. I explore the easternmost portion, occupied by the flagship outlets of international companies, while international department places and individual stores are found on the westernmost part of the road. I am also encouraged to try out some local delicacies and buy souvenirs and historical art pieces, which definitely promotes Nanjing as a place where people can go shopping the new way while always taking into consideration the history.
Boutique shopping in the French Concession
The process and result of boutique shopping in the French Concession is personal and different as it interprets the past and blends the old and the new within Shanghai. The neighborhood comprises wide tree-decorated streets and older-styled buildings, most of which contain small businesses created and owned by single persons with great designs, crafts, and more. I find stores offering custom-made clothing, local designer pieces, and one-of-a-kind home decor items. Numerous boutiques are eco-conscious and local-oriented, thus meeting international market trends. Anfu Road and Ferguson Lane are common places where such products are found and their collection is purposely made to be of high class. This zone expresses the artistic side of Shanghai. Any commercially produced asset in this zone shall have artistic or cultural value.
Exploring New and Old Markets in Pudong
Exploring New and Old Markets in Pudong is a unique experience for every buyer because it combines the heritage and modernization of Shanghai in its shopping orientation. I personally love going to Yan Xin Hua Niao Gong Si, Jin Xiu Flower, and Bird Market, where I can buy some local art, plants, and other different types of souvenirs. Conversely, IFC Mall and Super Brand Mall in Pudong host a nice collection of brands, international retailers, and good restaurants inside spectacular buildings. The combination of old and new illustrates Pudong’s ever-changing yet preserving regions, thus offering customers a full and diverse shopping experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the top things tourists should do in Shanghai?
A: Shanghai offers numerous attractions for visitors. Some must-see attractions include the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai Disneyland Park. You can also explore the French Concession area, visit museums like the Shanghai Municipal History Museum, or ride the Shanghai Maglev train.
Q: How can I best sightsee and explore Shanghai?
A: To explore Shanghai efficiently, consider taking a guided tour or using a travel guide. You can start in downtown Shanghai at the Bund, then visit nearby attractions like Yu Garden. Take a river cruise to see the “Venice of Shanghai,” and don’t miss the view from the Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world.
Q: What is the Yuyuan Garden, and why should I visit?
A: Yuyuan Garden is a classical Chinese garden from the Ming Dynasty. It features beautiful rockeries, pavilions, and ponds. The garden offers a glimpse into old Shanghai and is surrounded by a bustling bazaar where you can shop for souvenirs and try local snacks.
Q: What is the Shanghai Maglev, and how can I experience it?
A: The Shanghai Maglev is the world’s fastest commercial train, reaching 430 km/h (267 mph). You can ride it from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station in just 8 minutes. It’s a convenient way to reach the city and an exciting experience for technology enthusiasts.
Q: Are there any parks worth visiting in Shanghai?
A: Yes, Shanghai has several beautiful parks. Century Park in Pudong is the largest park in Shanghai city, offering a peaceful retreat from urban life. People’s Park in the heart of downtown is another popular spot, featuring gardens, a lake, and the Shanghai Museum nearby. On a clear day, these parks are perfect for relaxation and people-watching.
Q: What are some of the best museums to visit in Shanghai?
A: Shanghai boasts some of the best museums in China. The Shanghai Museum houses an impressive collection of ancient Chinese art, and the Shanghai Municipal History Museum offers insights into the city’s past. For something unique, visit the China Art Museum or the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, both of which showcase different aspects of Chinese culture and innovation.
Q: What area of Shanghai should I stay in as a tourist?
A: It is recommended that tourists stay in Shanghai’s central areas. The Bund offers iconic views and easy access to attractions. The Former French Concession is charming with its tree-lined streets and boutique shops. Alternatively, Pudong’s Lujiazui district is ideal if you want to be close to modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. Each area provides a different perspective on Shanghai’s diverse character.
