Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city — a place where Art Deco mansions face 600-metre glass towers across the Huangpu River, where dumplings cost ¥10 in a lane behind a Michelin-starred restaurant serving the same filling for ¥200, and where the city reinvents itself so fast that guide books are outdated before they are printed.
It is also, for many international arrivals, the easiest Chinese city to navigate. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, signage is bilingual, and the metro is one of the best in the world.
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Open Table of contents
Top Things to See and Do
The Bund (外滩)
A kilometre-long promenade along the Huangpu River’s western bank, lined with the grand colonial-era banking houses, hotels, and trading firms that made Shanghai the commercial capital of Asia in the 1920s and 1930s. Facing them across the water, the futuristic towers of Pudong shimmer.
- Walk the Bund at night when both banks are illuminated — it is genuinely spectacular.
- By day, explore the Bund History Museum (free, inside the signal tower) for context.
- Tip: The elevated walkway is free and always open. The waterfront below can be extremely crowded on weekends.
Pudong: The Future of China
Cross the river by metro (Line 2) to Pudong and look back at the colonial buildings from the waterfront — the contrast is one of Shanghai’s defining images.
- Shanghai Tower (上海中心): At 632 metres, China’s tallest building. The observation deck on the 118th floor has unobstructed 360-degree views (¥180; book online).
- Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠): The iconic pink-bubble TV tower; its glass floor at 263m is not for the faint-hearted.
- IFC Mall: A world-class shopping centre beneath the towers, if retail is your thing.
The French Concession (法租界)
The most liveable neighbourhood in Shanghai. A web of plane-tree-shaded streets lined with 1930s Art Deco villas, independent boutiques, farmers’ markets, jazz bars, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
- Xintiandi (新天地): Restored shikumen (stone-gate houses) converted into restaurants and bars. Touristy, but beautiful; the Shanghai Museum of the First National Congress is here.
- Tianzifang (田子坊): A labyrinth of narrow laneways packed with craft shops, tiny cafés, and street art. Best explored mid-morning before crowds arrive.
- Fuxing Park (复兴公园): A French-designed park where locals practice ballroom dancing every morning.
Yu Garden (豫园)
A classical Ming-dynasty garden in the Old City, with zigzag bridges, koi ponds, rockeries, and carved pavilions. The surrounding bazaar is touristy but a good place to try local snacks (soup dumplings, sticky rice cakes).
- Hours: 8:30am–5:00pm; ticket ¥40
- Tip: combine with a visit to the nearby City God Temple (城隍庙), a Taoist temple that has been operating continuously since the 15th century.
Where to Eat
Shanghai cuisine (本帮菜, Běnbāng cài) is characterised by sweet, rich, glossy sauces and a strong affinity for pork and seafood.
Soup Dumplings (小笼包, Xiǎolóngbāo)
Shanghai’s most iconic food: thin-skinned steamed dumplings filled with pork and a pool of hot broth.
- Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰): The global chain that perfected the form. Consistent, accessible (menus in English), worth the queue.
- Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (南翔馒头店): The heritage name at Yu Garden. The ground floor is cafeteria-style and inexpensive; queue separately for dine-in.
Street Food
- Jian Bing (煎饼): The morning crêpe beloved across China.
- Sheng Jian Bao (生煎包): Pan-fried pork dumplings with a crispy bottom and juicy filling. Find them at Yang’s Fry-Dumpling across the city.
- Da Zha Xie (大闸蟹): Hairy crab, in season October–December; prized for their creamy roe.
Rooftop Bars and Fine Dining
Shanghai’s bar and restaurant scene rivals any world city. The Bund and Xintiandi are the epicentres. Bar Rouge, CHAR, and Ultraviolet (one of the world’s most unusual dining experiences — book months ahead) are a few names to look up.
Getting Around Shanghai
The Shanghai Metro (24 lines, 500+ stations) goes almost everywhere. It is clean, punctual, and fares start at ¥3. Download Amap for directions.
DiDi is excellent for longer trips to areas not well-served by metro, or when you have luggage.
Maglev from Pudong Airport: The world’s only commercial maglev train links Pudong Airport (PVG) with Longyang Road metro station in just 7.5 minutes at 430 km/h. It is an experience in itself (¥50; ¥40 with a same-day outbound plane ticket).
Day Trips from Shanghai
| Destination | Travel Time | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Suzhou | 25 min by G train | Classical gardens (UNESCO) |
| Hangzhou | 45 min by G train | West Lake, Longjing tea |
| Zhujiajiao | 1 hr by bus | Water town with canals |
| Tongli | 1.5 hrs by bus | Quieter water town |
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit | March–May or October–November |
| Airports | Pudong (PVG, international) and Hongqiao (SHA, domestic + some regional) |
| Metro to city | Maglev + Line 2 from Pudong; Line 2 from Hongqiao |
| Language | English widely spoken in French Concession and hotel areas |
Last updated: May 2026