Shanghai is one of the most populous cities in the world, with a great contrast between the old and the futuristic part, separated by the Huangpu River. The city also has one of the most important ports in the world, which have made it the economic capital of China.
Packed with energy and activity at all hours, you can have a drink in its fabulous bars, climb its incredible skyscrapers, taste Chinese and worldwide cuisine, relax in its parks, visit its temples, of course see its famous skyline, haggle in their markets or pay a visit to some of the old ones water villages They are nearby.
After reading several guides and blogs, together with the recommendations of our readers, we have made a list of the 50 things to see and do in Shanghai, of which we will try to know and make the maximum possible on our next trip to Shanghai and Tibet. We start!
1. Visit the Jing'an Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple that lives up to its name, peace and tranquility.
2. Tour the shops of Yuyuan Market, a great bazaar known as the kingdom of local snacks and full of shops in traditional-style buildings. Without a doubt, one of the best places to see in Shanghai.
3. Book tickets for the ERA aerobatic show at the Shanghai Circus World, one of the best acrobatics shows in the world.
4. Stroll along the most commercial street in Shanghai, Nanjing Road, full of shops, lights, signs and fast food.
5. Take the ferry to cross to the modern area of Pudong. You can do it several times and at different times of the day, for 2 yuan you will enjoy good views of both sides of the river.
6. See one of the most spectacular skylines in the world from the Bund promenade, day and night.
Shanghai Skyline
7. Have a drink while listening to music on the terrace of the Rouge Bar that has spectacular views of the city, and is one of the Top things to do in Shanghai.
8. As in the whole country, always carry the names of the hotels and places you want to visit in Chinese, since most people do not speak English. This advice saved us from many complicated situations on our trip to China. You can ask for the hotel card and also write the places in Chinese, so you will have a lot of money.
9. Enjoy the 360º views from the viewpoints of the Shanghai Television Tower, the most famous building in the city, known as the Pearl of the East.
10. Book a cruise on the Huangpu River at night watching the skyline illuminated from the front line or east during the day.
More things to see and do in Shanghai
11. Go out for dinner in the Xintiandi neighborhood, a tourist area full of shops and restaurants with the charm of its old houses.
12. Visit the Temple of the City God, 600 years old and one of the best things to see in Shanghai.
13. Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current exchange we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
14. Make a guided tour in Spanish for its historic center, a good way to learn about the history and curiosities of the city.
15. Eat the best dumplings in Shanghai in the Yang 's Fry-Dumpling.
16. Go up to the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center, the best viewpoint in Shanghai, with transparent glass floor parts. You can book the ticket in advance here.
Views from the Shanghai World Financial Center
17. Review the history of China and the city in the impressive Shanghai Museum. It is also free.
18. If you are going to see a show, leave well in advance, in the city they are very punctual.
19. Take a hotel with a good location. We stayed at the Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road, next to a subway stop and 3 minutes walk from the Bund, with very good opinions.
20. Visit Hangzhou by bullet train, one of the most beautiful cities in China. In an hour you can enjoy its temples, lakes and pagodas.
21. Find a traditional souvenir, such as a carving or sculpture on Fangbang Road, very close to Yuyuan Garden.
22. Enter the Jade Buddha Temple, the most famous Buddhist temple in the city. There you will see two Jade Buddhas, especially the Sitting Buddha of almost 2 meters.
23. Reach the Shanghai Heroes Monument, while walking through the Bund. This monument was raised in homage to the heroes of the Opium War in which China fought against the British Empire.
25. Visit Yuyuan Garden, one of the most beautiful places to visit in China and one of the best things to do in Shanghai
Yuyuan Garden, one of the best things to see and do in Shanghai
More places to see in Shanghai
26. Cross the Huangpu River through the Bund underground tunnel. An attraction a little geek in which you will go in a small cabin watching projections of lights.
27. Stroll through People's Square, the most famous square in Shanghai where some of the most important museums in the city are located.
28. In souvenir shops, especially in street markets and stalls, always bargain the price.
29. Have a delicious Hot Pot at the Shanghai Haidilao Hot Pot restaurant.
30. Relax in the Fuixing Park located in the French Concession area. It is a very nice park with a lake in the middle, where you will see people playing chess, practicing tai chi and ballroom dancing. One of the Top things to do in Shanghai.
31. Visit the Disneyland Shanghai park, one hour by subway from the city center. It is the last Disney theme park opened, where you can enjoy all its star attractions and its castle.
32. Always carry a reasonable amount of yuan on top, since trusting that they will accept the card is to be very optimistic in Shanghai. To get cash you can do it from an ATM, usually with commissions that are tighter than exchange houses.
We use the N26 card and so far it is the best way to get money abroad that we have found.
33. Search among the old houses in the Xintiandi area, which was held by the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. One of the best neighborhoods to see in Shanghai.
34. Stroll through French Conession, an area that belonged to France for many years and still retains its western architecture.
35. Save a day for an excursion to Suzhou, one of the China Venetian.
Suzhou
36. Go up to Jin Mao Tower, in addition to the views you will see the spectacular atrium of the hall of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. You can book the ticket in advance here.
37. Although the walk along the bank of the river is not as spectacular as that of the Bund, it is also worth doing along the bank of the Pudong.
38. Approach the Fenghui Tang-styled Teahouse tea room and savor various types. Also, if you like any, it is a good place to buy.
39. Most stores and shopping centers open from 10 in the morning until 10 at night, so you'll have time for shopping.
40. See the city in miniature at the Shanghai Urban Planning Center. A museum where you will see the growth of the city with models and videos.
More things to do in Shanghai
41. Find the copy of the New York Wall Street Bull sculpture while touring the Bund.
42. Taste good Asian food in the beautiful Lost Heaven restaurant.
43. Climb the Maglev, a magnetic levitation train that reaches 431 kilometers per hour.
Maglev train
44. Get lost looking for a shop or cafeteria through the narrow streets of Tianzifang, an old residential area.
45. Eat good dumplings at the Din Tai Fung restaurant, in the Pudong area.
46. If you still want to buy, you can look for ideas along the shopping street, Huaihai Road, full of shopping centers.
47. Reserve a day to visit Zhujiajiao, one of the oldest water villages, full of bridges and canals, another of the places to see in Shanghai.
48. Disconnect from the stressful Shanghai in Century Park, the largest park in the city full of green areas to relax or play sports.
49. In the areas of the People's Square and Nanjing Street, as we were warned in Beijing, there is the scam of the tea ceremony. If you are friendly young people who want to practice English and mention the tea ceremony at some point, stay away.
50. Have the last drink at VUE Bar, located on the 33rd floor of the Hyatt hotel with outdoor jacuzzi, and say goodbye to Shanghai with incredible views.
For more recommendations you can follow this list of essential tips for traveling to China.
* Book your transfer Airport ⇆ Downtown or Shanghai Hotel here
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Shanghai in Spanish by travelers:
- Guided tour of the historic Shanghai
- Private excursion to Suzhou
- ERA aerobatic show, Shanghai Circus World
- Night cruise and walk through Xintiandi- More excursions and tours here
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Shanghai in Spanish by travelers:If you feel like helping us expand the list of 50 things to see and do in Shanghai, add yours in the comments.
** All photos have been provided by Shutterstock.
