20 Photos: Amazing things to see in China

Shanghai isn't all skyscrapers and malls. Here are 20 photos from my time living there that show the city's quieter, more beautiful side

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20 Photos: Amazing things to see in China

Updated Jun 2026

A pink luxury car is parked on a curb outside a building with a sign reading "St. Michael Hospital." There are people nearby, and trees with autumn leaves are visible in the background. This scene could easily be part of an article titled, "What is it like to live in China? The Complete Guide.

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20 Photos: Amazing things to see in China

Shanghai isn't all skyscrapers and malls. Here are 20 photos from my time living there that show the city's quieter, more beautiful side

Contains affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.

AS SEEN IN

BBC • NBC • Business Insider • Travel + Leisure • USA Today + 30 more →

There are so many remarkable things to see in China; this is a random selection of my photos shot on my iPhone:

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Written by Chris Oberman · Serial Expat, Moving Jack

Hi! I'm Chris. I lived in China for 3+ years (2019–2021): 2 years in Beijing, 1 year in Shanghai, plus a month in Shenzhen working at a chinese company. I traveled to 38 chinese cities, tested 100+ hotels, and still visit chinese friends regularly.

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Quoted in their feature on Asia's best countries for expats. Shanghai has the biggest international community of any chinese city. Beijing has more cultural depth to me, but the expat scene there is just smaller.

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