Are you planning on visiting Shanghai? Then this travel guide is for you, sharing everything you need to know to make it into a great trip.
Shanghai is a fascinating city that mixes the traditional with the ultra-modern.
It’s also one of the largest cities in the world, and therefore visiting Shanghai requires some planning.
Some popular tourist attractions include the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and the Shanghai Tower. But, let’s get into more detail about things to do, how to get around, where to stay, and various other useful tips for anyone going to Shanghai.
Visiting Shanghai, China
Top Things to Do in Shanghai
1. Visit the Bund
This iconic waterfront promenade offers stunning views of the city’s skyline. And it’s a great place from where to see the Pudong district.
2. Explore Yuyuan Garden
This traditional Chinese garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. It features beautiful landscapes, rock formations, and pavilions.
3. Visit Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China.
The observation deck offers great views of the city, and therefore this is one of the most popular things to do when visiting Shanghai.
And, if you want to do something extra special here you can book tickets to go for a cocktail or light meal at the restaurant located even higher than the observation deck, on the 120th floor, which makes it the highest restaurant in the world.
4. Walk Down Nanjing Road
This famous shopping street is known for its high-end boutiques and department stores.
It’s one of the world’s busiest shopping streets, along with shopping streets such as Fifth Avenue in New York and the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
So even if you’re not that big into shopping, Nanjing Road is worth a visit.
5. Visit the Shanghai Museum
This museum features a wide variety of Chinese art and artifacts, including ancient bronze, ceramics, and jade.
Shanghai Museum is considered one of China’s first world-class modern museums.
It is famous for its large collection of rare cultural pieces.
6. Take a Boat Ride on the Huangpu River
Take a boat ride on the Huangpu River to see the city from a different perspective and enjoy the views of the Bund and Pudong skyline.
I recommend going for the evening river cruise to see the incredible lights of this vibrant city.
7. Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
Although not as tall as the Shanghai Tower, with 101 stories and a height of 1,614 feet (492 meters), the Shanghai World Financial Center is still pretty tall!
The observation deck on the 100th floor provides a spectacular view of downtown Shanghai and the Huangpu River.
And there is a mall on the ground floor.
8. Visit the Shanghai Circus World
Catch a show of acrobatic performances at this large indoor circus in Shanghai.
It’s an experience not to be missed.
Book tickets online to guarantee your seat.
9. Take Your Time to Explore
The highlights mentioned above are just a few examples of the many things to see and do in Shanghai.
It’s a city with a rich history and culture, so be sure to take time to explore and discover the unique and diverse aspects of this vibrant metropolis.
To learn more about the city I can highly recommend going on a city tour.
Food to Try in Shanghai
Shanghai is known for its delicious and diverse food, and there are many great things to try when you’re visiting Shanghai.
Here are a few popular dishes and places to discover the culinary delights of Shanghai:
1. Xiao Long Bao
These steamed dumplings are a Shanghai specialty and are typically filled with meat and broth.
They can be found at many restaurants throughout the city, but some of the most famous places to try them are Din Tai Fung and Jia Jia Tang Bao.
2. Braised Pork Belly
Known as “hong shao rou“, this dish is made by braising pork belly in a sweet soy sauce-based broth.
It’s a staple of Shanghai cuisine and can be found at many local restaurants.
3. Chinese Style Crayfish
Known as “xiaolongxia“, this is a popular street food found at many street vendors or at local seafood restaurants.
4. Fried Rice Cakes
Known as “nian gao” these are another popular street food sold by many street vendors and at local Chinese restaurants.
It’s eaten all year round but it is especially popular around Chinese New Year.
5. Soup Dumplings
Known as “tangbao” these dumplings are filled with meat and broth, and are typically served in a small bowl of soup.
They can be found at many local restaurants and are a popular comfort food in Shanghai.
6. Sheng Jian Bao
These pan-fried dumplings are similar to xiao long bao, but they have a crispy bottom and are typically filled with meat and broth.
They are also a specialty of Shanghai cuisine and can be found at many local restaurants.
7. Suzhou-style Cold Noodles
Known as “liangpi” these cold noodles are made from wheat flour and are typically served with a spicy sauce.
They are a popular summer dish in Shanghai and can be found at many local restaurants.
8. Steamed Hairy Crabs
Known as “da zha xie” these small crabs are popular in Shanghai in fall and winter and can be found at many local seafood restaurants.
These are some of our recommendations for food to try when visiting Shanghai.
But be sure to explore the local neighborhoods and street food markets to discover even more culinary delights.
Or book a food tour. It’s a great way to try a lot of different food and learn more about Shanghai’s food culture.
How to Get Around When Visiting Shanghai
There are several ways to get around Shanghai:
1. The Metro
Shanghai’s metro system is extensive, efficient, and relatively inexpensive.
In fact, it’s the second longest metro network in the world!
It’s a great way to get around the city and is especially useful for getting to popular tourist destinations.
2. Buses
Shanghai has an extensive bus network that covers most areas of the city.
Buses are a convenient and affordable way to get around, but they can be crowded during rush hour.
3. Taxis
Taxis are widely available in Shanghai, and they are a convenient way to get around the city.
They are relatively inexpensive, and most drivers speak some English.
Taxis aren’t always easy to hail on the street, especially during rush hour. So you’re better off using the ride-hailing app Didi (china’s version of Uber).
4. Rickshaws
Rickshaws are a fun and unique way to see the city, but they can be more expensive than other forms of transportation.
5. Bicycle Rental
Some areas of Shanghai, like the French Concession, are perfect to explore by bike.
You can rent a bike through various bike sharing platforms, such as HelloBike and Meituan.
If you already have Alipay installed you can use that to scan the QR code on any of the HelloBikes around the city. And you can use WeChat for the Meituan bikes.
6. The Maglev Train
The Maglev train is a high-speed train that connects Pudong International Airport to the city center in just 8 minutes; it’s a fast and efficient way to get to the city center from the airport.
You can purchase your ticket from ticket machines at both Shanghai Airport Station and Longyang Road Station.
7. Walk
Walking is a great way to explore the city, especially if you’re in a neighborhood with narrow streets that are not easily accessible by car.
Things to Know About Getting Around Shanghai
It’s worth noting that traffic in Shanghai can be heavy, so plan your trip in advance, and allow extra time for travel during rush hour.
Public transportation is generally reliable and is the most efficient way to get around the city.
Consider downloading a transportation app like Maps.me or Citymapper to help you navigate the public transportation system and make your visit to Shanghai easier.
Note that most of Google’s products, which includes Google Maps, do not work in China unless you use a VPN.
The Best Time to Visit Shanghai
The summer, from June until September, is high season. It brings in the crowds but also the hot, muggy summer weather.
The best time to visit Shanghai is either in spring, from March until May, or in the fall, from September until early November.
Visiting Shanghai in the spring and fall gives you more comfortable temperatures and less of a crowd. That is, if you avoid public holidays.
Practical Things to Know About Shanghai
1. Use a VPN
As goes for all of China, when visiting Shanghai you’ll probably notice quite quickly that some of the websites and apps you normally use don’t work.
The government blocks many websites.
To get around that, make sure you have a VPN.
If you don’t have a VPN yet or don’t know how it works, read this article about using a VPN when traveling.
2. English is Limited
Although it’s a lot better in Shanghai than in many other parts of China, expect that often people won’t be able to speak English.
It’s a good idea to write down the names of the places you want to visit, and the name of the place you are staying at so that you can show that to people in case you get lost.
And downloading a translation app is also a good idea.
Note that Google Translate will normally not work without a VPN.
3. You Can’t Drink Tap Water
Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Shanghai.
You can buy bottled water or use a reusable water bottle with a filter such as LifeStraw to make tap water safe to drink.
4. Safety in Shanghai
For such a large and densely populated city, Shanghai is very safe and very organized.
Violent crimes are extremely rare and crime rates are low.
Pickpocketing does happen, especially on public transport.
It’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on your belongings and don’t walk around poorly lit areas alone at night.
Also Read: How to Stay Safe While Traveling
5. Cash is Still King
Although more businesses accept credit card payments these days, cash is often still preferred.
6. Tipping Isn’t Necessary
Although you see it more these days, tipping isn’t something the Chinese generally do.
7. Squat Toilets Are Common
Most hotels in Shanghai have Western-style toilets, and larger public restrooms usually have at least one Western-style toilet.
But, you will encounter plenty of squat toilets as well when visiting Shanghai.
Carry some toilet paper or tissues and hand sanitizer since soap and toilet paper are often not available in public toilets.
Where to Stay in Shanghai
Assuming it’s your first time visiting Shanghai, there are two recommended areas to stay: around The Bund and around People’s Square.
Both areas are very central and very close to each other.
They are perfect locations for sightseeing and from the People’s Square Metro Station you can easily get to all of the most interesting areas of Shanghai.
Also Read: The Most Important Things to Look For When Booking a Hotel Room
Traveling to Shanghai – Conclusions
Shanghai is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich history and culture.
Shanghai has a population of more than 29 million people, making it the largest and traditionally most developed metropolis in Mainland China.
Visiting Shanghai causes a culture shock for even the most seasoned travelers.
Give yourself some time to get used to this city and to find your bearings.
But I hope this travel guide has helped you understand Shanghai a little better and helped you prepare for your trip.
Have a great time traveling to Shanghai!
Also Read:
- What It’s Like to Live in Shanghai as a Foreigner
- How to Plan a Trip – Useful Travel Planning Tips
- What to Look For in Travel Insurance
- How to Find the Cheapest Flights
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