Qiang Huang
I've spent years exploring Shanghai, and the most common question I get is: "What should I actually do there?" Everyone knows the Bund and the skyscrapers, but the real magic is in the layers—the old Shanghai hiding behind the glass, the food stalls down alleys you'd never find on a map. This isn't a generic list. It's a curated guide based on countless walks, meals, and conversations, designed to give you the essence of the city, from its pounding heart to its quiet corners. Let's dive into the top 20 experiences that define Shanghai.
Quick Navigation
Historical Landmarks & Iconic Views
Shanghai's history is a palimpsest. You have to know where to look.
1. The Bund (Waitan) Promenade Walk
Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District. The promenade runs along the west bank of the Huangpu River.
Best Time: Early morning for peace, sunset for golden hour photos, and after dark for the famous skyline illumination.
Getting There: Metro Line 2 or 10 to East Nanjing Road Station, then a 10-minute walk south.
The classic. But here’s the non-consensus tip: don't just stand in the middle. Walk the entire 1.5km length. Start at the Waibaidu Bridge (the old steel bridge) in the north, and finish near the Yan'an Road overpass. The perspective changes dramatically. The colonial buildings—the Peace Hotel, the Customs House—feel closer, more imposing. I like watching the local fishermen cast lines right next to luxury yacht clubs. It's the city's past and present in one frame.
2. Yu Garden & the Old City
Address: 218 Anren Street, Huangpu District.
Hours: Garden: 8:45 AM - 4:45 PM (last entry). Bazaar area is open later.
Ticket: Around 40 RMB for the garden itself. The surrounding bazaar is free to enter.
Getting There: Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan Garden Station.
Yu Garden is a Ming Dynasty masterpiece of pavilions, rockeries, and ponds. It's stunning, but it's also a major tourist vortex. My advice? Get there the moment it opens on a weekday. Have the Zigzag Bridge and Huxinting Teahouse to yourself for 20 minutes. Then, get lost in the Old City streets around it, not just the souvenir-packed bazaar. Look for the quiet lane called Chuijia Lane. You'll see wet laundry hanging above, old men playing chess, the real, crumbling Shanghai that the skyscrapers haven't reached.
3. Jade Buddha Temple
Unlike many rebuilt temples, this one feels serene and active. The two priceless jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in the 1880s are the draw. The seated Buddha is in the main hall, but the larger, more impressive reclining Buddha is in a separate hall at the back—some people miss it. The vegetarian noodles from the temple's restaurant are a local secret for a quick, peaceful lunch.
4. French Concession Stroll (Fuxing Park to Tianzifang)
This isn't a single attraction; it's an experience. Start at Fuxing Park, where you'll see ballroom dancers, mahjong players, and people airing their songbirds in cages. Then, wander down Sinán Road, a leafy street lined with historic villas (many are now galleries or cafes). Your destination is Tianzifang, a maze of narrow alleyways filled with craft shops, studios, and tiny bars. It's more organic and less corporate than Xintiandi. The best way is to have no map—just turn corners.
Insider Tip: Most guides tell you to see the Propaganda Poster Art Centre. It's fascinating, but it's in a residential basement and hard to find. A more accessible alternative is the Shanghai History Museum in the basement of the Oriental Pearl Tower. It's incredibly well-done, with life-sized recreations of old streets and thousands of artifacts, giving you the context for everything else you see.
Modern Marvels & Sky-High Perspectives
Shanghai built upwards. Seeing it from above is non-negotiable.
5. Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
Address: 501 Yincheng Middle Road, Lujiazui, Pudong.
Hours: 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM.
Ticket: Approximately 180 RMB for adult.
The world's second-tallest building. Skip the older Oriental Pearl. The Shanghai Tower's deck is on the 118th floor, and the elevator ride is a sensation itself. The view of the Jinmao Tower and the SWFC right beneath you is surreal. Go on a clear day, obviously. But if you're on a budget, the bar on the 87th floor of the Grand Hyatt in the Jinmao Tower (about 100 RMB for a drink) offers a similar, slightly lower vantage point without the entry fee.
6. The View from the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel: Don't Do It
I'm listing this to tell you to avoid it. It's a cheesy, overpriced light show in a tunnel under the river. It's the one thing every local will tell you is a tourist trap. Take the metro (Line 2) across the river instead. It's faster, cheaper, and you won't feel ripped off.
7. Maglev Train Experience
Terminals: Longyang Road Metro Station (Pudong) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Ticket: 50 RMB one-way with a same-day flight ticket, 40 RMB for a round-trip.
It hits 431 km/h (268 mph) in under two minutes. It's not just transport; it's a 7-minute thrill ride. Even if you're not flying, take it from Longyang Road to the airport and back. The sensation of acceleration as you watch the cars on the parallel highway fall behind is pure sci-fi.
Cultural Immersion & Local Life
This is where you move from seeing Shanghai to feeling it.
8. Morning Tai Chi at the Bund or in a Park
Be an observer, or join in if you're brave. At dawn, the Bund promenade transforms. Groups move in slow, silent unison against the backdrop of Pudong. It's a profound contrast. For a more local scene, any community park like Jing'an Park or the aforementioned Fuxing Park will have practitioners.
9. A Performance: Acrobatics or the Symphony
The ERA Intersection of Time acrobatic show at the Shanghai Circus World is mind-bending. The physical skill is beyond belief. For something more refined, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra plays in a stunning, modern hall. Check their schedule. You can often get last-minute tickets.
10. Longhua Temple & Pagoda
Shanghai's oldest and largest temple complex feels more authentic and less touristed. The seven-story pagoda is iconic. Time your visit for a late afternoon when the light is soft and the incense smoke creates beams of light in the temple halls.
Art, Design & Shopping
11. West Bund Museums: Power Station of Art & Long Museum
This is Shanghai's answer to London's South Bank or New York's Meatpacking District. The Power Station of Art (host of the Shanghai Biennale) is in a former power plant. The Long Museum has incredible contemporary Chinese art. The architecture along the riverfront promenade is worth the trip alone. It's a huge, breathable space.
12. M50 Creative Park (Moganshan Road)
A cluster of converted warehouses on the north bank of Suzhou Creek, now home to over 100 artist studios and galleries. It's gritty, real, and where you can actually talk to artists. You can find everything from traditional ink paintings to avant-garde installations.
13. Nanjing Road East for the Spectacle, Nanjing Road West for Luxury
The eastern pedestrian section is a neon-drenched river of humanity. Go at night to experience the sheer energy. For actual shopping, head west past Chengdu Road. Here you'll find the luxury malls like Plaza 66 and CITIC Square.
14. Tianzifang & Xintiandi Revisited (For Shopping)
I mentioned Tianzifang for the stroll. For shopping, it's where you find unique, handmade jewelry, quirky homewares, and custom-tailored qipaos. Xintiandi, while more polished, has excellent concept stores and international designer boutiques in a beautifully restored *shikumen* setting.
The Essential Shanghai Food Journey
You haven't been to Shanghai until you've eaten. This is a non-negotiable part of the list.
| Activity | What & Where | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 15. Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao) | Jia Jia Tang Bao (90 Huanghe Road) is a legend. No frills, just perfection. Expect a line. | Open ~7 AM-7 PM. Get the classic pork. Poke a small hole, sip the soup first, then eat. Don't burn your mouth. |
| 16. Traditional Shanghainese Breakfast | Any bustling local spot. Look for ci fan tuanshengjian bao | Best experienced in the Old City or near a wet market before 9 AM. It's cheap, fast, and delicious. |
| 17. A Fine Shanghainese Meal | For classic dishes like braised pork belly (hongshao rou), drunken chicken, and sweet-and-sour spare ribs. | Jesse Restaurant (41 Tianping Road) is an institution. Make a reservation. Expect to spend 150-250 RMB per person. |
| 18. Street Food on Yunnan South Road | This short street is famous for its density of food shops. Barbecue, noodles, pancakes, you name it. | Go hungry. The xiaoyang shengjian (pan-fried bun shop) here is particularly famous. It's messy, loud, and perfect. |
Perfect Day Trips & Escapes
19. Zhujiajiao Water Town
Getting There: Tourist bus from Shanghai Stadium or metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Station (about 1 hour).
It's the closest major water town. Yes, it's touristy, but if you go on a weekday morning, you can still find quiet canals behind the main streets. Take a boat ride, cross the ancient Fangsheng Bridge, and try the local sticky rice stuffed with pork (zongzi). It's a glimpse of the Jiangnan region's past.
20. Sheshan National Tourism Resort
For a green escape. Visit the Sheshan Basilica (an unusual Catholic church on a hill), walk through the bamboo forest, and visit the Shanghai Astronomical Museum. The Sheshan Observatory offers a different, more natural view of the city from a distance. It's a full day to relax and breathe.
Your Shanghai Trip: FAQs Answered
Is 3 days enough to see the top things to do in Shanghai?
What's the biggest mistake first-time visitors make when planning their Shanghai itinerary?
How can I experience authentic local food in Shanghai without speaking Chinese?
Is it worth going up more than one skyscraper in Pudong?
Shanghai is a city that rewards curiosity. It's not about ticking boxes; it's about the feeling of sipping tea in a 400-year-old garden while the shadow of a 600-meter tower falls across it. It's the smell of frying scallion pancakes mixing with expensive perfume on a crowded alley. Use this list as a starting point, then wander. That's when you'll find your own top thing to do in Shanghai.
This guide is based on extensive personal experience and local knowledge. Attraction details like opening hours and prices are subject to change; always verify on official sites before your visit.
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