Shanghai Travel Guide

Discover the best things to do in Shanghai, must-try dishes, where to stay, and other important information to make your trip memorable.


Introduction to Shanghai

Shanghai is a bustling global city, located in East China. It is renowned for being a major financial hub, with towering skyscrapers, but it also has an array of cultural attractions and delectable food. Before you go, it is worth noting that Mandarin is the primary language spoken, and the legal tender is the Chinese Yuan.

List of Places to Visit in Shanghai

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

Shanghai Museum

The Shanghai Museum is a must-visit for history buffs. It has a vast collection of over 120,000 pieces of ancient Chinese art spanning thousands of years, including ceramics, bronzes, and calligraphy.

Jing’an Temple

The Jing’an Temple is a serene Buddhist temple located in the heart of Shanghai. It was originally erected in 247 AD and has gone through many renovations over its long history. Today, it is a popular tourist spot for visitors looking to experience some traditional Chinese culture.

The Bund

The Bund is a waterfront area that boasts some of the best views of Shanghai’s skyline. Located in the center of the city’s commercial district, it features buildings of various architectural styles, such as Gothic and Baroque, all from the city’s colonial past.

Natural Attractions of Shanghai: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Shanghai Botanical Garden

The Shanghai Botanical Garden is a peaceful sanctuary in the midst of the city hubbub. It is vast and features over 4,000 different species of plants, including orchids, peonies, and bamboo bed.

Chongming Island

For the adventurous types, Chongming Island is a great place to go hiking, cycling, or fishing. It is the third-largest island in China and has a picturesque countryside and coastal views perfect for taking photos.

Yuyuan Garden

Yuyuan Garden is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Shanghai. This garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty and features numerous pavilions, ponds, rock gardens, and traditional buildings.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Shanghai

Shanghai is not particularly mountainous, but there are still a few biking and hiking trails that offer pleasant escapes from the city’s busy streets.

Dishui Lake and Coastal Park

Dishui Lake, located in the Pudong area of Shanghai, is a great place for cycling or enjoying a peaceful walk. The surrounding Coastal Park is also an excellent spot to capture some Instagram-worthy photos with a view of the sea.

Shanghai M50 Art District

For art lovers, the Shanghai M50 Art District in the Putuo district features numerous galleries and workshops. Additionally, you can rent bikes and enjoy a leisurely ride around the area.

Best Things to Do in Shanghai: Activities and Tours

Shanghai Acrobatic Show

The Shanghai Acrobatic Show has been impressing audiences for years with its daring acrobatic feats, stunts, and colourful costumes. This is perfect for the entire family and will have you all on the edge of your seats.

Huangpu River Cruise

The Huangpu River Cruise is an excellent way to see some of Shanghai’s most famous landmarks, including the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Centre.

Week-Long Itinerary for Shanghai

Day Activity
1 Shanghai Museum and The Bund
2 Yuyuan Garden and Jing’an Temple
3 Dishui Lake and Coastal Park
4 Shanghai M50 Art District
5 Natural History Museum and French Concession
6 Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Acrobatic Show
7 East Nanjing Road and People’s Square

Food and Drink Scene of Shanghai

Must-Try Dishes

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is China’s favourite dumpling, originally created in Shanghai. These small, steaming dumplings are stuffed with minced pork and soup broth and are traditionally served with vinegar and ginger.

Sheng Jian Bao

Sheng Jian Bao is another type of traditional Shanghai dumpling, but this one is fried and filled with minced pork and soup broth. Popular places to try this include Yang’s Fry-Dumplings and Da Hu Chun.

Local Beverages

Bubble Tea

Bubble tea has become increasingly popular in recent years and can be found in numerous stores throughout the city. A few popular stores include TP Tea and Coco Tea.

Baijiu

Baijiu is a potent Chinese liquor, distilled from sorghum. There are various brands of Baijiu, with the most famous one being Maotai.

Where to Stay in Shanghai: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Shanghai has numerous types of accommodations that cater to every budget. For backpackers, hostels such as the Mingtown Etour Youth Hostel and the Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel are popular options.

Meanwhile, for those who are looking for a bit more luxury, there are plenty of five-star hotels like the Park Hyatt Shanghai and the Peninsula Shanghai.

What to Buy in Shanghai: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

There are several things to bring back as souvenirs from your trip to Shanghai:

  • Silk products, such as scarves and dressing gowns, which can be found in local markets and stores.
  • Traditional Chinese tea, which can be found in stores throughout the city.
  • Hand-painted fans, which are popular with tourists and make for unique gifts.

Local Culture and Customs of Shanghai

Shanghainese people, like many Chinese people, greet each other with a nod or slight bow. Additionally, it is considered impolite to touch someone’s head, point with your finger, or give a gift in multiples of four, as the number four is associated with death.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

The best time to visit Shanghai is from May to October, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is relatively low. However, if you’re looking for the best value, consider travelling between November and January, when prices are at their lowest.

Do’s and Don’ts of Shanghai

Do:

  • Do carry small change, as many local stores do not accept credit cards.
  • Do be punctual, as being late is considered disrespectful in Chinese culture.

Don’t:

  • Don’t eat while walking on the street, as it is considered impolite.
  • Don’t disrespect the national flag or symbols.

Safety and Health

Safety in Shanghai

Shanghai is a relatively safe city, although it is advised that visitors take the usual precautions such as keeping their valuables safe and being aware of pickpockets in crowded areas.

Health in Shanghai

It’s always advised to check with your doctor before travelling to China, but it’s worth noting that tap water in Shanghai should not be consumed directly, and you should also be cautious when eating street food.

Getting to Shanghai: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Shanghai

The main airport in Shanghai is the Pudong International Airport, but there is also a secondary airport, Hongqiao International Airport, which mainly handles domestic flights.

Bus Stations Near Shanghai

Shanghai also has several bus stations that offer services to various cities around the country. The major bus stations include Shanghai General Bus Station, South Station, and Hongqiao Transportation Hub.

Other Options

Another way to get to Shanghai is by taking the train. Shanghai has four major train stations, including Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

How to Get Around in Shanghai

Shanghai has several modes of transport, including the metro, taxis, buses, and ferries. The metro system in Shanghai is convenient, affordable, and easy to navigate.

Where to Go Next from Shanghai: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is approximately 1.5 hours from Shanghai by train and is known for its beautiful lakes and tea plantations.

Suzhou

Suzhou, located just 30 minutes from Shanghai by train, is famous for its beautiful gardens and traditional Chinese architecture.

Conclusion

Shanghai is an exciting and vibrant city with a lot to offer. Whether you’re interested in the cultural activities, outdoor adventures, or just want to try some of the delicious food, there’s something for everyone in Shanghai. Be sure to plan your trip carefully, keep an open mind, and enjoy everything this fantastic city has to offer.

Mouth of Suzhou Creek<br/>Bund to left, Hongkou to right<br/>Zhabei in background Mouth of Suzhou Creek
Bund to left, Hongkou to right
Zhabei in background Lujiazui, seen from the Bund</br>Four of the buildings are over 400m (a quarter mile) tall Lujiazui, seen from the Bund
Four of the buildings are over 400m (a quarter mile) tall Shanghai in 1907.<br/>The former racecourse is now People's Park Shanghai in 1907.
The former racecourse is now People's Park Shanghai/Zhabei burning during Battle of Shanghai, 1937 Shanghai/Zhabei burning during Battle of Shanghai, 1937 Maglev Train at Longyang Station Maglev Train at Longyang Station Map as of January 2022 Map as of January 2022 A Line 10 station, coloured lavender to indicate the line. A Line 10 station, coloured lavender to indicate the line. A Shanghai taxi A Shanghai taxi Cyclist pedalling past cars stopped by impromptu maintenance Cyclist pedalling past cars stopped by impromptu maintenance Teahouse in the old town Teahouse in the old town Jing'an Temple, Jing'an District Jing'an Temple, Jing'an District Shikumen buildings Shikumen buildings Shanghai Museum Shanghai Museum Confucian Temple Confucian Temple Zhujiajao Zhujiajao Nanjing Road on a fairly busy day Nanjing Road on a fairly busy day Porcelain at Dongtai Road Market Porcelain at Dongtai Road Market Qipu Road Qipu Road Shanghai street food Shanghai street food Cookie shop, Huaihai Road Cookie shop, Huaihai Road Shanghai hairy crab Shanghai hairy crab xiǎo​lóng​bāo​ xiǎo​lóng​bāo​


    Changning
    Fengxian
    French Concession
    Huangpu
    Jing'an
    Pudong
    Pudong New Area
    Putuo
    Songjiang
    Yangpu
    Zhabei