Looking for things to do in Shanghai? You’ve come to the right place!
I lived there for over a year, visited the city more than 15 times, and worked at a Chinese company in Shanghai.
In this guide, I’m sharing the places I actually go to, restaurants where I ate, where I stayed, and activities I recommend to friends and family who visit.
Let’s dive into all the best, fun, and cool things to do, and everything in between, in Shanghai!
Top 10 Things to do in Shanghai
Let’s start with the Shanghai classics, the Shanghai bucket-list things that are a must-visit when you’re in the city.
1. Walk The Bund
It’s on every ‘things to do’ list, and not without reason.
It’s my favorite spot in Shanghai because it’s simply always unique in terms of vibe and energy: morning brings people doing exercises and tai chi, in the afternoon it floods with tourists, evening has the light show, and at night it becomes this quiet spot along a calm river.
Start at the Peace Hotel (where I tell visiting friends to start) and walk north. The whole walk takes about 30 minutes if you’re not stopping for photos too much. Bring a light jacket because it gets way windier than in the city center.
You’ll end up in a part of China that you probably never expected to see. It’s also the best location for photos and for a good view of the financial district you can see on the other side (and it is way less crowded!).
I wrote a more in-depth guide on all things to do near the Bund and the best hotels near it.
Tip: Choose a hotel between the French Consession and the Bund so you can easily reach most things to see and you'll save money on taxis. My favorites are The Langham near Xintiandi and a more affordable option, Campanile The Bund with amazing location.
2. Bund Light Show
The light show at the Bund in the evening is incredible.
Just as a reference, there’s a famous light show in Dubai, but the one in Shanghai just blows it out of the water (Huangpu river!).
It starts in the winter at 6 pm, in the summer at 7 pm. The start of the show is especially impressive, with all the European-style buildings lighting up individually, and the light moves fast along the entire Bund. Then the lasers come, and it’s just spectacular.
3. Huangpu River Cruise
Skip the touristy day cruises (just take the cheap ferry to the other side). Book the night cruise that leaves around 7 pm. You’ll see both the historic Bund side and the futuristic Pudong skyline light up. The contrast is wild! Costs about 100 RMB and takes an hour. You can buy tickets online through trip.com or at the booth.
4. Financial District: Lujiazui
Lujiazui is the name of the financial district of Shanghai, known for its high skyscrapers. It’s a totally different world from the Bund side.
Shanghai Tower – 632 Meters Up
This is the tallest building in China, and the views are worth it. Go to the 118th floor observation deck around 4 pm, you’ll catch both day and night views as the sun sets.
The elevator ride alone is an adventure. It goes up 127 floors in around 55 seconds! Tickets are 180 RMB (around 45 dollars), but you can pre-book online on expedia.com. But getting tickets at the booth is just as easy. Go on a weekday to avoid some of the crowds, but I’ve been there a few times, and it was never super crowded.
Shanghai World Financial Center – The Bottle Opener
The observation deck here is better than Shanghai Tower for photos because you’re not behind glass. The Sky Walk on the 100th floor has a glass floor, fun if you’re into that sort of thing…! I’d just choose one of the two if you’re there.
Oriental Pearl Tower
Honestly, the views aren’t as good as the newer buildings, and it’s always packed with tour groups. But if you’re feeling nostalgic for 1990s Shanghai or if you insist on the “classic” Shanghai photo, it’s worth the visit.
Besides the gigantic skyscrapers, this side of the river is great to wander around, eat at a restaurant and watch the beautiful historic side of the Bund.
5. Yu Garden
Yu Garden is beautiful, but it gets really crowded after 10 am. But! You’ll not see many (if any) foreign tourists. 99% of the visitors are domestic tourists from all over China. It’s actually really cool to see all the Chinese tourists from various backgrounds. It’s probably the most ‘Chinese’ experience you can get in Shanghai, since many of the things in Shanghai are quite internationally focused.
The traditional Chinese architecture and rock gardens are pretty cool. The entrance fee is 40 RMB and is worth every penny in my opinion.
The surrounding Yu Bazaar is fun for shopping, and it’s worth walking through for the atmosphere. The crowds are just part of the experience in this case.
I wrote a more in-depth guide about visiting Yu Garden so you can decide if it’s worth visiting or not (it is!).
6. French Concession
The French Concession is a remarkable area of Shanghai. You can easily spend a day or two there and you’ll still haven’t seen everything.
Tip: My favorite hotels in the French Concession are The Langham Xintiandi and Shanghai Blackstone M Hotel. You can just go outside and you're right at the best spots in the French Consession.
We’ll dive further into the French concession later on in this travel guide.
7. Jing’an Temple
The Jing An Temple is one of my favorite places to visit in Shanghai. The entrance fee is 50 RMB (7 dollars), but it’s worth it. Especially when one of the ceremonies takes place, it’s an amazing place to take great photos. You’ll see lots of different Buddha statues, and Buddhists as well, in the temple.
Also, the entire surrounding area is great to check out. There will be some musicians playing live music on the street, malls, and the contrast of the temple and the surrounding buildings is a one-of-a-kind sight.
8. Jade Buddha Temple
When Shanghai gets overwhelming, this is where I go. It’s a Buddhist temple right in the middle of the city. It’s a much quieter and relaxed place than Jing An Temple. Entry is free, at least it was last time I went, and there aren’t many tourists.
9. People’s Square & Shanghai Museum
The heart of Shanghai is the perfect starting point for your trip. Massive public square surrounded by museums, shopping malls, and metro connections to everywhere. Go early in the morning to watch locals doing tai chi and dancing.
The underground shopping complex here connects multiple malls, which is also perfect for rainy days.
People’s Square is enormous, and you could spend all day there. If you want to know more about China’s history, the Shanghai Museum is a great place to visit.
Free admission, but you need to book timed entry tickets online.
Private tours are also available for the Shanghai Museum if you want to learn more about Chinese history.
10. Nanjing Road Shopping
Yes, it’s touristy. But it’s also, kind of like Yu Garden, the perfect place for people-watching and just seeing the chaotic but organized city life in Shanghai.
The entire road is impressive with lots of neon signs, giant commercial banners, old Las Vegas-style signs, but also ancient residential places, street food, and Chinese crowds coming from everywhere in China. Go at night when everything lights up and walk, after some shopping, to the Bund for the light show.
Tip: Walk back to the Bund through Hankou Road, you'll have a constant cool view on the Bund between the buildings.
If you’re looking for something other than Chinese souvenirs and snacks, there are better options in various malls such as IAPM, Reéel, and IFC Mall.
Below is a complete walking video I made of Naning Road to give you the best and most real look into this area.
14 Best Places to Visit
There are so many great areas in Shanghai, and at most places you wouldn’t believe you’re in China. The French Concession is one of the most famous areas in Shanghai, and there are countless great spots to visit.
11. Si Nan Lu (Sinan Road)
The French Concession might be the most famous area in Shanghai, after the Bund. It encompasses a huge area of Shanghai without any clear borders. It is known for its many French and European-style houses. Si Nan Lu is one of those roads where you’ll find classic, beautiful homes, like you’re in some European town.
12. Wukang Mansion
Probably the most famous building of the French Concession. And because of that, it gets crowded!
No matter which day or time of day you go, even when it rains, there will be crowds.
Nevertheless, Wukang Mansion is a great starting point for a walk through the beautiful French Concession.
And it makes for some great photos, including the local crowds!
13. Xingfuli
One of the many cozy streets in the French Concession, where you can get some pastries and even Spanish Tapas. It’s a small but fun area to visit. If you’re in the area, definitely go here.
14. Columbia Circle
This place is one of those hidden gems you can only learn about from locals. It’s a hidden area with some coffee shops, French bakeries, a really nice bookstore, an old pool inside a Roman-looking building (I would have to check the history of this spot!), with restaurants around it, and more artsy and European kind of buildings. Columbia Circle is a great place to visit if you’re in the French Concession!
15. Tianzifang
Tianzifang is like a maze of narrow alleyways filled with art studios, boutiques, tea houses, local handmade souvenir shops, and cafes. It’s perfect for wandering and people-watching. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends if you have flexibility in your schedule.
I once bought some original green tea there, which is obviously more expensive than in any supermarket. Still, it’s fun to taste various teas and see how it is prepared. They wash the tea, clean the cups, pour it in a special way; it’s a fun activity, I have to say. And they are not trying to sell you anything; the Chinese aren’t like that at all. If you’re not interested in buying something, it’s totally fine.
It’s just a nice area to “snuffle around,” I would say in Dutch 😂.
The whole surrounding area is great to visit as well during the day, and in the evening, there are plenty of local cocktail bars to check out. Some might look a bit “too local,” and you might think “we’ll find something more accessible,” but trust me, just go in and have a drink. These are the places where they really appreciate you as a customer.
Try Shadow & Light or Blendi.
16. M50 Art District
This old industrial area is now full of art galleries and studios. Go on weekend afternoons when artists are working. Most galleries are free, and you can watch people creating stuff.
It’s not polished like SoHo, but that’s what makes it interesting. Grab coffee at one of the small cafes and just wander.
17. Xintiandi
Perhaps the most ‘posh’ area is the French Concession. You’ll find expensive ice cream that went viral on TikTok, for instance, trendy fashion shops, and expensive streetwear brands.
During the day, Xintiandi is great for lunch (makes sense!) and shopping. After 8 pm, it transforms into Shanghai’s upscale nightlife district. The restored 1920s buildings look amazing, lit up at night. Really great place to have a drink and talk with some friends.
18. Jing’an Temple Area
The temple itself is excellent, but the area around it is also worth checking out. There are massive shopping malls like Reéel (don’t ask me how to pronounce that), musicians playing music, and constant crowds. It’s a bit overwhelming but exciting.
19. Hongkou District
Not many tourists know that Shanghai had a large Jewish refugee community during WWII. The old synagogue on Changyang Road is now a museum. The whole area still has some pre-war buildings, if you know where to look, like the old Milfun.
20. Lujiazui
Everyone goes to Lujiazui for the tall buildings. But walk around the residential streets behind the towers. You’ll find local restaurants, small parks, and everyday Shanghai life.
The IFC Mall here has better shopping than most touristy areas and fewer crowds.
Tip: If you're looking for the ultimate hotel experience, the J Hotel, Shanghai Tower "Above All Else" is like it says, above all else.
21. Old Town Shanghai
The area around Yu Garden has small streets that haven’t changed much in decades. Duck into the side alleys and you’ll find tiny shops selling everything from traditional medicine to handmade noodles.
22. Xu Hui River Side
This is one of my favorite places when I want to escape from the city. It’s a really cool outdoor place full of activities. People go for a run along the river, they go day-camping, you’ll see groups with dogs, skateboarding, bouldering activities, people singing and making music, and more. It’s on the south side of the Bund along the Huangpu River. It’s one of those places you can only discover after living in Shanghai for a while.
23. Residential Areas
Rent a bike and just ride through any residential area. The small streets, local shops, and everyday life give you a completely different view of Shanghai than the tourist spots.
Mobike and Hello Bike are everywhere. Download the apps, and you can grab a bike anywhere.
24. Fake Market Shopping
Head to AP Plaza or the Science and Technology Museum for fake markets. Go with cash, be ready to negotiate (start way below the asking price), and check quality carefully.
11 Best Restaurants & Cafes
After you’ve figured out what to do in Shanghai, it’s time to get some food! Here are my 11 favorite places to eat:
25. Lotus Restaurant
For the best Chinese food, go to Lotus. I think this is my favorite one that serves Chinese food in Shanghai. Food is excellent, affordable, the staff is friendly, and it’s just a very authentic place.
26. The Fellas
My favorite restaurant in Shanghai serves international food. It’s more affordable than most other restaurants at the Bund, and the food actually is really good. Besides the food, the best thing about The Fellas is the view of the Bund, especially during the light show!
Outside on the terrace, there are seats with the best view. Often these are already booked, but we often book a table a bit later in the evening. After dinner, most of those popular spots will have become available, and you can change tables to the outside terrace.
27. Alimentari
Famous for its cheese platters and cold cuts. The food at this place, or actually places since there are several in the city, is so delicious. I can’t remember how many times I’ve been here for a late afternoon snack and drink.
28. Yang’s Dumplings
Just delicious Xiaolongbao! (dumplings!) It’s even become a franchise, so you’ll find many Yang’s Dumplings restaurants around the city.
They also do pan-fried soup dumplings that are crispy on the bottom, so good. But be careful with the first bite, it might be hot, and it will splash out.
29. Polux by Paul Pairet
My favorite restaurant in Xintiandi, especially for a big and unique lunch, this place is amazing. I highly recommend checking out Polux if you’re in Xintiandi.
30. Wujiang Road
Forget the clean touristy spots. Go to Wujiang Road for breakfast jianbing (Chinese crepes) in the morning. Don’t be put off by the lack of English; just point and smile.
31. Night Noodles
Shouning Road Night Market is where locals go after 9 pm. It’s not as pretty as other markets, but the food is incredible and cheap. Try the grilled squid, stinky tofu (if you’re brave), and anything from the noodle stalls. Bring cash because some vendors don’t take mobile payments.
32. Breakfast Jianbing Hunt
This is Shanghai’s real breakfast. Think of it as a Chinese breakfast burrito, a thin crepe with egg, vegetables, sauce, and crispy bits. The best ones are near subway stations around 7–8 am. Watch them make it, the technique is like performance art.
Cost: 8-12 RMB. Perfect hangover food.
33. Rooftop Bars with Good Views
Vue Bar on the Hyatt on the Bund, expensive, but the views are insane. Go around sunset and nurse one cocktail for an hour. One drink costs what you’d spend on dinner, but the photos are priceless.
Tip: The rooftop at Captain is great.
You could also cross the river with the ferry and visit one of the hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton. You can order a drink in one of the restaurants and experience the view from there.
34. Hot Pot
Hotpot is basically a soup where you put in your ingredients, like meat and vegetables. You scoop them out and eat them. Haidilao is famous and a bit more expensive, but it’s such a cool experience. Some say it’s touristy, but I really like this place. Some of the restaurants have panoramic visuals all around on the walls, in some, the food is only served by robots, and others have huge robotic arms preparing the food. Chongqing Gaolaojiu is a more local brand.
For the real local stuff, find a family-run hot pot place in any residential area. Just a quick note, a popular ingredient for hotpot is organs, so be sure to see if that’s what you want or not. Also, spicy can be super spicy, so I always ordered the non-spicy soup.
35. Starbucks Reserve Roastery
One of the biggest Starbucks in the world! It’s a pretty cool experience, but the prices are much higher than in many other Starbucks stores. The area is great to explore as well. Nowadays, there is a huge Louis Vuitton ship right next to the Starbucks! It’s one of those crazy Shanghai things. I’m not shopping there… but it’s fascinating to see!
You can walk from there to Wujiang Street for lots of street food.
15 Fun & Unusual Things to do
There are a lot of fun things to do in Shanghai
36. Order an Expensive Taxi
Seriously, do it! You might think, “Why should I do that?” Well, these more expensive taxis are still very affordable, and I always found it quite an experience. It’s only a few dollars more, but you get a really luxurious car, most of the time the ‘Chinese Rolls Royce’ it’s called, classical music, a driver with white gloves opening the door for you, and free water bottles inside.
It’s just a fun thing to do once. Whenever friends came over, I ordered one for them, and they were blown away, thinking it must have been really expensive, when in reality it was just, let’s say, 8 dollars instead of 5. This might be an unusual thing to do in Shanghai, but give it a try!
37. Foot Massage
There are tons of massage places in Shanghai. They are very affordable, compared to many other countries, and really good! You’ll probably see many signs for massages. Unlike in some countries, these aren’t ‘scam’ places; these are genuine massage places that are really good. Just go in and ask for a price list. Dragonfly is always a great choice for a foot massage; there’s one in the IFC Mall.
38. Go to Any Park in Shanghai, Such as Zhongshan Park
This counts for all of China: city parks are a lot of fun. The main thing you’ll see is the groups of older people dancing to Chinese music. What I love so much about this is that it is perfectly fine to join in! I’ve done it many times, and they really appreciate you showing interest. Zhongshan Park is one of the best and biggest parks to visit in Shanghai. Huaihai Park is great too, smaller but more centrally located.
39. Shanghai Nightlife
I haven’t even mentioned anything about the Shanghai nightlife!
China is known for its gigantic club culture. You might think Ibiza has the craziest clubs, but think again. During all my shows all over the world, I’ve never seen any clubs that were as impressive as those in China. Club Master in Shanghai is one of those clubs that is mind-blowing.
Go to Shanghai Fuxing INS. It’s a building with 7 clubs inside with all kinds of music. You can get tickets here online for entrance to all 7 clubs, much easier than getting them at the door.
Found is where most foreigners and expats go, but there are also Chinese clubs in the area. It’s a well-known clubbing and party area.
To read all you need to know about Shanghai’s nightlife, I wrote a more in-depth post about Shanghai at Night.
40. LEGO Land
This brand new theme park just opened. I haven’t been there, but we’re planning to do so. I still wanted to mention it because I assume it will be a fun day for kids to experience.
41. Disneyland Shanghai
Disneyland! Of course, it has to be on the list. While it is not a typical Chinese thing to see or visit, it is still a fun thing to do in Shanghai. It speaks for itself. Disneyland can be fun, but it can also be very crowded. Don’t go during any weekends or holidays.
It’s expensive, but if you have kids, it’s happening! Download the app, buy FastPass tickets, and go on weekdays if possible.
I’ve been there twice, and while it is a lot of fun, Disneyland Shanghai isn’t as big as the one in Paris or compared to Universal Studios in Tokyo. I also found the attractions a bit more focused on younger kids than older ones. Nevertheless, it is still Disney Land and it will be a fun day out.
There are many cool boutique hotels close to Disney Land. They have slides and themed rooms that are really unique. Really worth it to stay there one night so you can go to Disneyland early in the morning or stay until late in the evening and watch the fireworks.
If you’re planning to visit Disneyland Shanghai, pre-book tickets online it saves you all the hassle from getting tickets there at the gate.
42. Shanghai Aquarium
The aquarium is pretty cool and great for kids to visit. If you’re doing a trip around the financial district and you’re caught in a long rain shower, it’s a good choice to go inside the aquarium.
43. Shanghai Natural History Museum
The Shanghai Natural History Museum is totally worth the visit if you’re even a bit interested in nature, fossils, or dinosaurs. The museum is great for kids but also adults. I’ve visited it once and had a great time.
44. Rooftop pools
Some hotels have amazing pools in Shanghai. You can visit them by just paying a one-time entry fee. You don’t need to have booked a room there, so this might be an option if you want to cool down on a hot summer day in Shanghai. It;s not easy to find a hotel with an outdoor pool in Shanghai. Some hotels with amazing rooftop pools in Shanghai are W Hotel and JW Marriot
45. Food Delivery Culture
Shanghai’s food delivery scene is insane; it’s just part of the local experience. Meituan and EleMe are the most well-known apps. If you’re staying in a hotel, it is perfectly fine to order anything and have it delivered to your room door. The staff at the lobby can set up the app for you!
Tip: If you can't get the app working, you could have the hotel order food for you, and just add the bill to the room. Not every hotel does this, but you can ask at the lobby.
At some point, when I lived in Shanghai, ordering food or anything became so incredibly common. Ordering just one coffee was totally normal… kind of crazy!
46. Longhua Temple
Longhua Temple is another impressive temple, and a larger area to wander around. To give you my honest advice:
If you have to choose between Jing An, Jade Buddha, and Longhua, choose as follows: Jing An is the most convenient to visit and definitely worth it. Jade Buddha is quieter and more peaceful, and also really worth it, but it takes a bit longer to reach. Longhua is different because of its pagoda, but other than that, it is similar to Jade Buddha, and Longhua is the most distant. For me, Jade Buddha hits the sweet spot and is really worth a taxi trip.
47. Huaihai Road Shopping
Less touristy than Nanjing Road, but there’s still plenty of shopping. The street is a mix of beautiful Europeans, international brands, and local stores. The side streets have better deals and more interesting finds.
One of my favorite clothing stores is Niko And. It’s a Japanese brand with high-quality streetwear.
If you’re deciding between Nanjing Road and Huai Hai Lu for shopping, I think you’ll have a better chance of succeeding at Huai Hai Lu.
Besides shopping, there are various creative and cultural events. Huai Hai Lu is the street I visited the most because the club I worked at was there.
48. Union Church
Not far from the north side of the Bund is the Union Church. It’s an old district with many very well-preserved buildings. It’s another one of those places that you really wouldn’t expect in China. It’s really worth checking out. It’s a free thing to do, or you can go with a guide for some more insights, and it’s an excellent spot for photos.
49. 1933 Old Millfun
Hongkou is a relatively lesser-known area than the others, but if you have some extra time, it is worth checking out. One of the cool places is the 1933 Old Millfun. It is a former butcher transformed into a complex of shops and restaurants.
50. Lane 1088 of Yuyuan Road
The place is one of those unusual and hidden spots in Shanghai that you can only discover after spending a long time there. It’s a street with coffee shops and restaurants that are frequented only by locals. It’s also quite the ‘Instagram worthy’ spot. So check out Lane 1088 of Yuyuan Road, especially if you’re in the French Concession.
Just one of those unusual things in Shanghai, on Yuyuan Road, a cat with a dress!
4 Things to do when it Rains
There are a lot of malls and places to go inside in Shanghai when it rains:
51. Rainy Day Shopping Mall Marathon
When it’s raining (and it could be in the summer), head underground. The shopping malls in People’s Square are all connected underground. You can walk for hours without getting wet.
Malls that are great to visit: IAPMall, Réel Mall, Crystal Galleria, Raffles City, and Hong Kong Plaza. Each has different shops and food courts.
What I like so much about malls in China is that almost all malls have huge playing grounds in the center of the mall. For our son, this is fantastic.
52. Museum Hopping Route
Shanghai Museum → Shanghai Urban Planning Museum → Museum of Contemporary Art → Power Station of Art. All indoor, all interesting, and you can take the metro between them.
53. Indoor Entertainment Complexes
KTV (karaoke) is huge in Shanghai. Party World has locations everywhere and English songs. Bowling, arcade games, and karaoke all in one building. Shanghai Music Town is a great KTV bar on Huai Hai Lu.
54. Shanghai Grand Theatre Shows
The building itself is architecturally interesting, and the shows range from Chinese opera to Broadway musicals. Check what’s playing during your visit.
Book tickets online in advance; good shows sell out.
3 Shanghai Daytrips
55. Fengjing Water Town
Most tourists haven’t heard of Fengjing, which makes it a perfect hidden gem. Real water town feel without crowds. Take a bus from Shanghai South Railway Station, or a taxi, takes about 90 minutes.
56. Zhujiajiao Water Town
This ancient water town is closest to Shanghai, and if you have more than a few days to spend, then it’s a great place to visit to see some genuine, authentic Chinese life. You can book a tour, or take a taxi and explore on your own.
57. Shanghai to Suzhou or Hangzhou
The two best cities to visit near Shanghai are Suzhou and Hangzhou. You can go by train, or even take a taxi. Taxis are affordable if you can split the cost with some friends, and if you can avoid rush hours, it might be worth considering taking a taxi.
I always get my train tickets on Trip.com.
I’m pretty sure both cities will surprise you!
Where To Stay: Best Hotels in Shanghai
So, where to stay in Shanghai?
If you want classic Shanghai luxury:
The W Hotel on the Bund
The Langham Xintiandi (has better location)
If you want boutique/unique charm in a great location:
The Puli Hotel & Spa
Blackstone M Hotel
If you’re backpacking or on a budget:
Meego is always a great choice for a hostel, or if you want a bit more luxury for a good price,
Campanille the Bund is great (I really like this one, nothing fancy, just great value and location)
How Many Days in Shanghai?
Shanghai is perfect for a three to five-day stay. This gives you time to hit the major attractions, eat local and international dinners in different neighborhoods, and take at least one day trip outside of Shanghai.
Here’s a quick itinerary if you have only one weekend in Shanghai:
Saturday: Bund walk (check out my complete Bund guide), Yu Garden early morning (Yu Garden Travel Guide), Nanjing Road, People’s Square, and museums in the area.
Sunday: French Concession (that could already be a full day), Xintiandi, Rooftop bar/restaurant at the Bund.
Budget for Shanghai
Shanghai sits in the middle range for Asian destinations. It’s more expensive than Southeast Asia but cheaper than Hong Kong, Tokyo, and even Seoul in my experience. You can budget by eating local food, using public transport, and mixing free activities with paid attractions.
Also, choosing a hotel between the French Concession and the Bund, such as the Langham, will save you money on public transport and taxis.
If you have to budget a bit, skip the Shanghai tower (45 dollars, which is just expensive), skip the river cruise (just take the cheap ferry to the other side), and choose a hotel with a good location to avoid extra taxi costs.
Things that are cheap and you should definitely include in your trip: Temples, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, French Concession, Bund.
Budget tip: Download Alipay before you arrive and link it to your international card. You'll save money on exchange rates from the ATM.
Getting Around
Shanghai is one of the most convenient cities I’ve ever been to. Here are some practical tips for a smooth Shanghai vacation:
Money and Payments
Everything runs on mobile payments. Seriously, everything. Taxis, restaurants, and even street food vendors. Get Alipay or WeChat Pay working before you arrive.
Bank of China ATMs are everywhere and accept international cards; English is available. Select the language before continuing. I made that mistake several times.
Luckily, cash is still accepted in most places.
Budget tip: Download Alipay before you arrive and link it to your international card. You'll save money on exchange rates from the ATM.
Transportation
The metro goes everywhere you want to go as a tourist. Buy a transportation card at any station; it works on metros, buses, and some taxis. English is available at the ticket machines, and it’s pretty straightforward.
Rush hours (7–9 am, 5–7 pm) are crowded, but nothing too crazy in my experience. Plan around them if you want a quieter ride when taking the subway.
Taxis are cheap, but most drivers don’t speak English. Have your destination or hotel written in Chinese characters on your phone so you can show it to the driver. This is also great if you take a taxi from the airport to your hotel.
Airport Taxis: There will be a queue of taxis where you can stand in line until a taxi is assigned to you. Most taxi drivers can’t speak English that well, so if you can show your hotel name in Chinese to the taxi driver, that’s the best option.
Best apps to use in Shanghai
- WeChat: Texting, paying, and much more, such as movie tickets.
- Didi: Taxis
- Baidu: Maps
- Alipay: Renting public bikes
- Dianping: Great to find local restaurants and check out reviews.
- VPN! (Astrill works best, Express VPN has also been working pretty good for me many times)
Tip: You can add certain apps like Dianping inside your Alipay app, they're so-called mini apps, and you can have them translated automatically then.
Phone, Internet & VPN
Get an eSIM by Airalo or buy a local SIM card. Don’t rely too much on hotel WiFi. In many hotels, you have to register your phone number to get WiFi. These systems often don’t work with foreign numbers. And privacy-wise, I wouldn’t do it.
With an eSIM from Airalo, generally, you don’t need a VPN in China. You do need a VPN when you get a local SIM card. If you want to be sure to stay connected, get a VPN. It’s only a few dollars for a month.
Download any VPN apps before you arrive (Astrill works best, not NordVPN like most other blogs say, because of their affiliate program…); you can’t download them from the Chinese app store. Get the VPN before you go to China. You will not be able to download any VPN when you’re there, so do it before you go.
Shanghai Etiquettes
Tipping isn’t expected anywhere. Just pay the bill and leave (nice!).
Outside of Shanghai, some people might stare a bit if you look foreign. It’s not rude, just curious.
Lines don’t really exist in Shanghai or in China. Pushing a bit and cutting when it is super crowded is normal. Don’t take it personally. Privacy isn’t a thing as it is in most Western Countries.
Health and Safety
Shanghai is incredibly safe. I walked alone many times at 2 or even 5 am and never felt unsafe.
Air quality varies, but it’s not Beijing-level bad. Overall, it is pretty good, even better than Seoul. Check the AQI app and maybe bring a mask for bad days.
Tap water isn’t drinkable. Buy bottled water or use filters. It’s fine for cooking pasta, rice, or similar foods.
Traffic is really manageable and not that crazy. You’ll see lots of different vehicles using the road, but it somehow all runs smoothly. You will see cars, bicycles, delivery scooters, tricycles, and more. Just make sure to really look left and right before crossing any street because most vehicles run on electricity, so they barely make any sound. This can be something you really have to get used to for first-time visitors in Shanghai.
Read my complete Shanghai Safety Guide to read everything about what is safe and what you should avoid doing.
Language
Download Google Translate with offline Chinese. The camera translate function is so handy for menus and signs, or use WeChat. WeChat works without a VPN, and you can make an account even with a foreign number.
What I like so much about WeChat (and about China) is that it is very common to ask for someone’s WeChat (or Weixin, as it is called in China). So, for instance, you’ve had a great talk with someone, you can just ask after the conversation, WeXin? And you can exchange contacts. I had about 80 WeChat contacts in my phone after one year in Shanghai!
Learn basic numbers in Mandarin for shopping and taxis.
Most young people speak some English; older people don’t.
Activities by Budget & Style
To sum things up (I think this is my largest blog post ever!), here are my favorite activities in various categories:
Free Things to Do in Shanghai
Luckily, there are plenty of free things to do in Shanghai. Here are my favorite activities to do that won’t cost you anything:
- Walk the Bund at any time of day. Check out the light show at night.
- People’s Square and Park tai chi watching
- Yu Garden Bazaar area exploring (just don’t enter the paid garden, although it is worth it)
- French Concession walking
- Old Town Shanghai wandering
- Jade Buddha Temple: peaceful moments
Luxury Things to Do in Shanghai
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, there are a lot of options in Shanghai:
- Stay at the W Hotel on the Bund or visit the pool: the Wet Deck.
- Vue Bar cocktails with skyline views
- Dinner at Mr and Mrs Bund
- Park Hyatt Shanghai sky-high rooms
- Langham Xintiandi location and service
- Private Huangpu River cruise
- Order the luxurious taxis, worth it!
Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai
Experience authentic Shanghai without the tourist attractions through local neighborhoods, parks, and residential areas frequented by residents.
- Columbia Circle is a hidden gem
- Zhong Shan Park
- Lane 1088 of Yuyuan Road
- Xu Hui River Side
- Rent an Alipay bike and cycle through the city
- Xinfuli local shopping districts
- Hongkou District
- Step inside one of the many cafes and bars close to Tianzifang
Best Time to Visit
My favorite months: May and October.
Summer (June-August): Hot, humid, and rainy. Luckily, ACs are everywhere, but bring an umbrella.
Winter (December-February): Cold and gray, but not much snow. Buildings aren’t well-heated, but many do have floor heating.
Spring and fall are perfect, November is still a great month in my opinion to go to Shanghai.
While many people visit Shanghai during the mild spring and fall months, I loved visiting in late fall (November). The weather is perfect for walking around all day, and the crowds are lighter than in the summer months.
If you don’t really have a choice and can only go in the summer, it’s not that bad a time. It’s hotter and more humid, but it is totally manageable. Yes, there are rain showers, but those usually last only a few minutes, and there are buildings and malls everywhere, where you can dive into.
When to void Shanghai
Golden week! I don’t mind the crowds generally in Shanghai; I actually think it’s part of the China experience, but Golden Week is different. Everyone in China is traveling, and it is impossible to get train tickets; hotels are much more expensive, and it is insanely crowded everywhere.
Also, try to avoid the Spring Festival, which is the New Year celebration time in China. Usually around February, but please check the exact dates before going. Most shops and restaurants are closed, and there is not much to do. I always thought there would be lots of fireworks before I went to China for the first time, because fireworks originate from China, but there were none of that.
Is Shanghai Worth it?
Yes, totally! Like I said, I lived there for over a year (plus two years in Beijing), and Shanghai might be my favorite city ever, of any place in the world. This is because (as you can see from this list!) there are so many things to do in Shanghai! And the variety is just incredible.
There are local, hidden, and really Chinese spots, but also unbelievable modern clubs, malls, and buildings. And even though more than 24 million people live there, it never feels really crowded. I drove around in the city a lot on my electric scooter (I miss that!)
I have never been stuck in traffic or experienced any unpleasant situations. The city is very convenient, and people are relaxed and kind. They’re not really bothered by anything, and if you know a few Chinese words, they will become very open as well.
The prices, locations, and situations change fast in China. Please double-check current information before your trip, but these recommendations should give you a solid foundation for an amazing Shanghai adventure. If you have any questions, just send me an email and I will respond ASAP!
Thinking of where to go next!
