Shanghai, the biggest city in China, provides visitors with a wealth of stunning sightseeing options. Despite housing more than 24 million people, this constantly crowded metropolis offers many more tranquil old neighbourhoods and places to visit than its many more modern tourist attractions. Due to its proximity to the Yangtze River's mouth, the city has one of the busiest container ports in the entire world. Furthermore, it offers chances for aquatic exploration of the inland and coastal waterways of China.
There are many things to do in this city, such as going to the Shanghai Museum and the China Art Museum, strolling through lovely parks and gardens, and shopping, especially in the "New World" pedestrian area with its upscale boutiques and galleries. It's enjoyable to tour the city's several beautiful antique temples and conventional pagodas.
Check out our list of the best Shanghai attractions and activities to do to help you plan your trip to China's most intriguing metropolis.
1. Take a stroll around The Bund, Shanghai's promenade.
The attractive and spacious promenade known as the Zhongshan Lu runs along the west bank of the Huangpujiang River. Though the Anglo-Indian term Bund (WÃ itan) is more commonly used. Due to the neighborhood's continued European feel from its past as the city's International Settlement, tourists particularly like it. Particularly significant instances of this impact include the numerous ancient English and French buildings that have been converted into cafes, boutique shops, galleries, and offices.
The Bund is a lovely area to walk at any time of day or night thanks to the 52 distinctive structures that make up The Bund and were built employing components of Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Renaissance architecture. One of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings may be seen on The Bund.
The harbour customs office with its bell tower, the famed Peace Hotel, the Bank of China, and the old corporate offices of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation are the most significant structures, going from south to north.
The oldest public park in the nation is Huangpu Park, which is close to The Bund's northern end and originally opened its doors in 1886. It's a lovely location with a fantastic museum devoted to The Bund's past. The Bund is the starting point for boat tours that take you to the harbour and the meeting point of the Huangpujiang and Yangtze rivers.
2. Go to Yu Garden, Shanghai's oldest green space.
The magnificent Yu Garden (Yù Yuán), which is located northeast of the old town, was built in 1559. The "Garden of Happiness," a sizable green area also known by that name, is more than 20,000 square metres large and has both an outside and an inner garden.
The Outer Garden, the park's original feature, received significant renovations when Sansui Tang, the park's main hall, was constructed in the 18th century. This magnificent structure is notable for its exquisite roof ornamentation, figurative bas-reliefs, window openings, and dragon-decorated walls.
The Hall of Spring, residence of the Company of the Little Swords (Xiaodao Hui), which dominated Shanghai between 1853 and 1855, is the most well-known structure. The man-made rocks found in this area of the park are of immense historical value because they are the only works of renowned landscape architect Zhang Nanyang still in existence.
Also noteworthy is the newer, significantly smaller Inner Garden. It was built in 1709 and has characteristics of a traditional Chinese writer's garden, including exquisite little pavilions, lovely stones, and miniature mountain ranges, dividing walls, little ponds, and even a stage that is lavishly furnished.
Location: Huangpu, Shanghai, 279 Yuyuan Old Street
3. Visit the Jade Buddha Temple to see the beautiful statues.
The exquisite Jade Buddha Temple, which is situated in Shanghai's Anyuan Lu district, houses two Shakyamuni sculptures that the monk Huigen brought back from Burma. Three halls and two courtyards make up the current building, which was constructed in 1928 to replace the one that had previously been constructed in 1882.
The splendid Hall of the rulers of Heaven (Tian Wang Dian), known for its statues of the four heavenly rulers and two Shakyamuni sculptures, is the most gorgeous building. The Wentang Main hall houses a collection of Buddhist texts as well as one of these magnificent statues, which is about two metres tall and fashioned of white jade. In the west courtyard stands the smaller statue.
It is also important to highlight the spectacular Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian), which houses 18 statues of Luohan and Buddhas from the Three Ages. The magnificent Jing'an Temple on Nanjing West Road is one more of Shanghai's numerous significant Buddhist sites.
Jing'an neighbourhood in Shanghai, 170 Anyuan Road
4. Visit the Shanghai Museum to learn more about Chinese culture.
The Shanghai Museum, which first opened its doors in 1952, still houses the country's largest collection of ancient Chinese art. The museum is housed in a contemporary structure that in some ways doubles as a piece of art. The building's unusual round top and square base depict ancient Chinese concepts of the Earth, and the superb bronze and ceramic displays on its four levels span prehistoric civilizations all the way up to the 19th century.
Significant collections of works by artists from racial and ethnic minorities are also present in the collection, including seals, calligraphy, and ink drawings. Along with a well stocked gift shop, there are also substantial collections of jade, coins, Ming and Qing dynasty (1368-1912) furniture.
Huangpu, Shanghai, Ren Min Guang Chang, 201 Renmin Avenue
5. Visit the Pagoda and Old Temple in Longhua
Southwest of Shanghai is home to the majestic Longhua Temple, one of the country's oldest temples, which is nestled in a wonderful park. Together with the surrounding 40-meter-tall wood and brick pagoda, this important place of devotion was first built in AD 242. The existing structure, which dates to the 10th century, was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over the years.
The location, which consists of five sizable halls, is still utilised for routine Buddhist rituals. These include the Four Heavenly Kings Hall (Tian Wang Dian), the Maitreya Hall (Mile Dian), which features a sizable Buddha statue, and the Grand Hall of the Great Sage (Daxiong Baodian), which has lovely statues and an old bell.
Other highlights include the spectacular sight of about 500 gold-painted Luohan Buddhas, the Library with its antiquated volumes and ceremonial objects, the Bell Tower with an even older, two-meter-tall, five-ton bell from 1382 that is still used on special occasions, and so on.
Address: 2853 Longhua Road, Xuhui, Shanghai.
6. See the Views from the Oriental Pearl Tower
When visiting Shanghai, don't miss the 468-meter-tall Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower (Dongfang Mngzhuta). In Pudong-Park, on the Huangpu River's eastern bank. Along with its great perspectives over the bustling river and the contemporary metropolis, you'll be rewarded with fantastic views over the historic Bund promenade.
The Space Module, the tallest of the tower's 11 connected spheres, is named after its glass-floored outdoor deck and observation level of 350 metres. In 1991, the tower was erected. There are a total of 15 observation decks available in the tower, including Space City, the Sightseeing Floor, and a rotating café with breathtaking views.
Additional features include the Space Hotel, which provides rooms with amazing vistas, a lower-level shopping centre, and a fun virtual reality rollercoaster. If you can't climb the tower, you can still enjoy seeing it at night when the whole structure is lit up as part of an amazing light show.
Address: Pudong, Lu Jia Zui, Shanghai, 1 Century Ave.
7. Look through the Shelves on Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road (Nánjing Lù) is Shanghai's principal shopping street. It stretches many miles west from the Zhongshan Lu and was constructed in the second part of the 19th century. Along this primarily pedestrian-friendly area, you can find just about any kind of consumer good, from cheap boutiques selling traditional arts and crafts to street vendors peddling items with Chinese themes. There are also a number of major shopping malls and department stores, including the well-known Yibai and Jiubai.
It is also a flourishing entertainment hub with a huge selection of restaurants, movie theatres, and locations for outdoor events. Going there is especially pleasurable during important holidays like Chinese New Year, when the street is the hub of festivities and fireworks.
Another recommended shopping neighbourhood is Xintiandi, an affluent pedestrian area that still has some of the ambience of the ancient city.
Attend the People's Square gathering.
Originally the city's racecourse, People's Square (Rénmn Guangchang) has grown over time to become Shanghai's most significant public space. Because it is home to the brand-new Shanghai City Hall, the Shanghai Museum, and the cutting-edge Grand Theatre, it is the best place to begin exploring the city.
You should also set aside some time to see the outstanding Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre. Excellent exhibits, models, and even a 360-degree movie theatre are available here to show both built-in and unbuilt structures. Observe this gigantic scale-model from the top galleries for an amazing bird's-eye view of this modern metropolis.
Address: Wusheng Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
9. The French Connection and Tianzifang
In what was originally Shanghai's French Concession, Tianzifang has been transformed into an attractive arts and crafts destination. Even though many of the older homes and buildings have been replaced, the architecture and layout of this mediaeval European suburb have been scrupulously preserved, with innumerable tiny laneways and alleys just begging to be explored.
It's a great place to visit at night because there are so many places to eat traditional food, there are so many cafés and music venues, there are so many artist studios and workshops, and there are so many shopping opportunities. Instead of the larger stores found elsewhere in the city, it has many smaller galleries and craft shops.
Fuxing Park is another well-known tourist spot with a decidedly French vibe. The park, which was once the largest in the city when it was constructed in 1909, is still a delightful place to stroll thanks to its many fountains, gardens, and pavilions.
Address: 10 Taikang Road, Da Pu Qiao, Huangpu, Shanghai
10. The Xujiahui Cathedral and the Sheshan Basilica
The 1911 construction of the Neo-Romanesque Xujiahui Cathedral, also known as St. Ignatius Cathedral, is a stunning illustration of Shanghai's rich multicultural heritage. In addition to its attractive park-like setting, the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in Shanghai is located in the southern city suburb of Xujiahui. It is well worth a visit for its twin, 50-meter-tall bell towers and its tastefully renovated interior with superb stained-glass windows.
A major religious site is the Sheshan Basilica, sometimes called the National Shrine and Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan. This beautiful old Roman Catholic church is situated on the western crest of the hill it bears its name. Like so many other religious places, it was severely damaged during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, but it has since undergone extensive renovations and is still a popular destination for pilgrims. One of the joys of a trip is walking the 14 Stations of the Cross as they zigzag up the hill to the church, admiring the numerous stunning views along the route.
158 Puxi Road, Xu Jia Hui, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
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