Shanghai, often called the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ is a splendid region that integrates modernity with deep-rooted tradition, offering numerous attractions and opportunities for every type of traveler. This magnificent city has everything: remarkable landmarks bursting with history, cultural pieces off the beaten path, and an ever-growing skyline. Whether visiting age-old temples, shopping in sophisticated markets, or gazing at the cutting-edge skyline, Shanghai guarantees a rich experience and heart-warming memories. This guide outlines the essential places of interest that encapsulate the city, ensuring your trip to Shanghai is exciting and unforgettable. Prepare yourself to explore the extraordinary!
What Are the Must-See Attractions on a Shanghai City Tour?
Admiring the Bund: An Exquisite Piece of History
‘The Bund’, popularly known as ‘Waitan’ in Chinese, is an incredible waterfront area that portrays Shanghai’s combination of historic beauty and modern glamor. It extends across the Huangpu River’s western bank and consists of a 1.5-kilometer walking strip filled with fascinating buildings that tell the story of Shanghai’s colonial history. These buildings are commonly called “Gallery of International Architecture” and represent various types of styles such as Gothic Revival and Beaux-Arts from the 19th century and early 20th century. When the Bund was fully functional, it stood as a trading and financial powerhouse, showcasing Shanghai’s growth as a significant global port city.
A stroll along the Bund is an architectural marvel and offers an unobstructed view of the mesmerizing Pudong skyline. Dominating the view are modern skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower, glimmering with the sun’s rays during the day and sparkling with lights at night. This stunning blend of old and new offers tourists a visual and photographic account of the city’s decades of progress. Like many landmarks, the Bund is popular among locals for tai chi, evening strolls, and photoshoots.
With the architectural beauty of the Bund comes its very own shopping and entertainment district, offering a taste of fine dining. Art and cultural exhibits always occur in the waterfront area, showcasing the city’s rich history, vivid culture, and amazing scenery. Choose to learn about the city’s past through insightful guided walking tours, or simply stroll at your own pace and admire the charm of the Bund; no matter the option, you are bound to experience the essence of Shanghai’s history mingling with its present-day state.
Exploring the Stunning Iconic Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower is a breathtaking architectural wonder, with a height of 632 meters and 2,073 feet tall. This means it would be China’s tallest and second-largest building globally. Additionally, this building symbolizes a city’s advancement and futuristic imagination. The tower’s design aims for sustainable development and features a twisting facade that diminishes wind load, helping its energy efficiency. Furthermore, the tower’s double-skin inner and outer glass walls and curtains offer splendid city views while also significantly boosting insulation.
The world-famous observation deck of the tower is located on the 118th floor, revealing extraordinary 360-degree vistas of the city, making the Shanghai Tower a must-visit for any tourist. It is also home to luxury hotels, restaurants, exhibition spaces, and offices, which allow business and leisure activities to occur in one spot. The Shanghai tower was shut in mere seconds using the super-fast elevators, which are deemed to be amongst the fastest in the world, to the visitor’s top, adding more excitement to the undertaking.
The design of Shanghai Tower incorporates ‘harmony between tradition and modernity’— a notion that resonates with the essence of Shanghai itself. Its astounding structural achievements and unwavering dedication to sustainability as hallmark engineering wonders illustrate China’s dominance in contemporary urbanism. Whether marveling at its altitude, traversing the thoroughly inventive spaces within, or gazing at the city’s skyline, one unforgettable experience after another awaits at Shanghai Tower. This visit cannot be overstated.
Unearthing Yuyuan Garden’s Splendor
Located in Shanghai’s downtown region, Yuyuan Garden is an immaculate representation of traditional Chinese landscaping. Constructed over 400 years ago, during the Ming Dynasty, this expansive garden serves as a tranquil oasis and respite from the city’s chaos. The garden extends around five acres and provides artfully designed pavilions, intricate rockeries, placid ponds, and sinuous pathways, all carefully crafted to harmonize nature and art.
Ziyue Shouyue, a ‘Chinese Garden of Pleasures,’ Great Rockery’s features may be the greatness the stone structure bestows as it is the only thing in the yard that offers a bird’s eye view. Delightful is some porous stone formations which are equally coated with light and water, jade rock is a perfect example. The various halls of the Hall of Heralding Spring are adorned with traditional art. As remarkable as its beauty is, Yu Garden’s existence proves Chinese conventional style and garden construction artistry while capturing the history and culture of the nation. Those who wish to enjoy history, culture, and nature sculpted in one place should also not neglect it.
How to Plan the Perfect Itinerary for Your Shanghai City Tour?
What to Include: This Half-Day Tour Option
Shanghai is where ancient tradition meets contemporary modernization. Plan out the city’s hidden gems worth visiting to maximize your half-day in Shanghai. Shanghai’s captivating skyline can be viewed while strolling through The Bund, featuring the lavish Lujiazui structures and the Tudor buildings’ colonial architecture. Allocate around an hour to appreciate Shanghai’s modern and ancient awe masterpieces.
The Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden) tub gardens are the next must-visit. The garden offers breathtaking pavilions, bridges, rockeries, and irreplaceable views of Ming dynasty architecture. Allocate around an hour and a half to explore these pavilions. Be sure to visit the Yuyuan bazaar, too, known for its local mouthwatering delicacies and exuberant environment.
The final destination for the half-day will be People’s Square, known as the heart of Shanghai. The square features impressive landmarks like the Shangai Museum and all-around park greenery and is surrounded by civil culture. People’s Square demonstrates a rich history balanced with beautiful greenery meant to relax, which constitutes modern city living and makes for the perfect final stop.
Your Full-Day Itinerary: Optimizing Your Time
Shanghai is a city with countless activities that entertain its visitors. For a proactive traveler, The Bund should be considered the first visit on the list. It is a feast for the eyes, full of architectural marvels from both ancient and modern Shanghai. In the early morning, visitors can take a leisurely walk on the promenade and appreciate the colonial buildings juxtaposed with the contemporary skyline at Pudong.
Don’t miss out on The Yu Garden, a masterpiece of Ming-era design where historical beauty merges with modern shopping. The exceptionally designed garden has beautiful pavilions and ponds filled with koi fish, as well as spaces filled with shops that sell local delicacies and unique souvenirs. Another nearby point of interest you can check out is the City God Temple, which enriches your knowledge about Shanghai’s mystique and profound cultural heritage.
To complete the brunch, you can now head to The Former French Concession, famous for its cafes and boutique stores. Walk around and admire the branches of the trees as they leave the streets awash in the sun and the exquisite mix of Western and Eastern architecture. For those who prefer culture over culinary, check out the interactive sculpture garden, Tianzifang.
For the grand climax of your day, head up to the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, or the Oriental Pearl Tower, where the observation decks serve as viewing balconies to the city. A quick check on the best sunset times will allow you to marvel at Shanghai, gleaming as a city full of dreams and lights. Such a mix of historic sites with green spaces filled with flora and modern architectural masterpieces ensures that every tick of the clock during your day embraces the ever-changing nature of the city.
Customized Tours Based on Your Interests
Every traveler is bound to find something of their desire in the asset-rich city of Shanghai. If you have a passion for history, you can take guided walks along The Bund, which will help you comprehend the glorious past of colonial times and how it shaped modern China. A trip to M50 Creative Park, the Museum of Shanghai, or the Tianzifang district may also be recommendable to those who appreciate culture. These places alone portray a blend of modern and traditional works.
Food enthusiasts can take exciting food tours showcasing native cream dumplings, scallion pancakes, and hairy crab, which is renowned in various parts of the world and sold in certain seasons. Shanghai is also a haven for shopaholics who enjoy wandering about Nanjing Road and the boutiques in Xintiandi, searching for unique things to buy.
For families or nature lovers, options such as a tranquil boat trip along Zhujiajiao Water Town or a day at Shanghai Disney Resort allow one to relax amid beautiful scenery. Customized itineraries can easily incorporate these aspects, providing endless opportunities to delight in the elements of Shanghai while each detail is tailored to your preferences and personality.
How Does the Huangpu River Enhance Your Shanghai Experience?
Huangpu River Cruises: Another Way to Look at It
A cruise along the Huangpu River allows one to appreciate Shangai’s historic and modern wonders while sailing. The river is over 70 miles long and splits the city into two parts: Puxi, which has older buildings and cultural sites, and Pudong, which is famous for its modern skyline, with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower dominating the view. If one ventures to the river in the evening, they will get a glimpse of sunset cruises, where the cityscape shines like diamonds on a satin cloth.
For residents and tourists, the river is a scenic getaway that provides Shangai with a great identity and character and serves as a hub for transport and trade. Cruises range from quick sightseeing to dining experiences. These masterfully crafted experiences cater to diverse traveler preferences. The views they provide are not as breathtaking as the essence of modern China, where one is immersed during the cruise.
Night Tours: The City Lights from the Water
River tours in the evening enhance the city skyline’s perspective into a dynamic quilt of lights and echoes. The city’s heart should be a hive of activity after dark, with the financial district’s skyscrapers glowing like lighthouses at sea and the older structures gently lit up to highlight their grandeur and history. While sailing on the water, tourists revel in the rhythmic light shows that adorn the towering buildings and the magnificent bridges that leap over the river like concrete rainbows.
These days, many distance-catering companies offer a significantly enhanced visual experience with the new LED boats. The illuminated city can now be viewed from a different angle while listening to history and architecture lectures by other guides. Some prefer to enjoy excellent gourmet meals on board during the trip and sightseeing. The rich narration and the city’s sights make the evening cruises on the river unforgettable. The tours are recommended for those who want to feel the heartbeat of the sleepless metropolis and the beauty of a city deep in slumber.
Lujiazui: An Exploration of Modern Wonders Next to the Water
In the center of Shanghai’s Pudong district, Lujiazui shines as a beacon of contemporary achievement. The world-famous Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower surge into the sky, giving an indescribable feeling of astonishment. Each soaring building showcases the pulse of urban advancement within the area.
Beyond architecture, Lujiazui is the humming center of trade, housing the Shanghai Stock Exchange and innumerable other multinational businesses. Multinational corporations supplement The Shanghai Stock Exchange. Lujiazui’s dynamic economic atmosphere enhances its cultural attractions, like the beautiful Lujiazui Central Green Park, which serves as a lush green oasis amidst the city’s concrete jungle. Lujiazui river promenades enhance its attractiveness, and the fantastic telephoto and sightseeing views are available all year round.
From business activities and walking to eye-catching sightseeing, an exploration journey in Lujiazui reveals the modern blend of development and nature, making it one of the most important sites to visit for tourists and native people.
What Local Foods Should You Try on Your Shanghai City Tour?
Local Eats: Visiting Shanghai Street Food
Shanghai street food is one of the highlights of any culinary trip to the city. It definitely sums up the cultural diversity and richness of the city’s food heritage.
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) have become synonymous with the city because of their delicate skin and savory broth filling. They taste best when served with some black vinegar. Another famous dish is Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns), which consists of a soft doughy top, crispy golden base, and juicy pork filling.
Tanghulu (Candied Hawthorn Sticks) is excellent for anyone with a sweet tooth. These sticks are sweet, crunchy snacks seen all over the streets. For those seeking something savory, Cong You Bing (Scallion Pancakes) boasts crispy golden outer and tender inner layers packed with scallion.
Stinky Tofu, or Chou Doufu, is an interesting dish that everyone needs to try at least once in their lives. It’s best served with chili sauce. Its pungent smell and mild flavor leave an unforgettable mark on one’s tongue. Finally, during the season, Da Zha Xie (Hairy Crab) is perfect for tourists looking to try unique local snacks.
Sampling Shanghai’s street food is rewarding because it further enhances tourists’ and locals’ understanding of traditional food customs while also offering an authentic delicacy from the city.
Old Shanghai: Cuisine and Dining
Old Shanghai symbolizes the city’s past culinary and cultural achievements and offers a wide range of dining options. If you wish to savor the taste of long-standing traditional meals, visit Jesse Restaurant (Jishi), which is well known for its red-braised pork and perfectly done Shanghai-style crab. Jishi is exceptionally loved for its nostalgic décor and intimate atmosphere, which draws in both tourists and residents.
For those pursuing an experience with a dash of history, Linlongfang is a never-to-be-missed place, famous for its mouthwatering soup dumplings (or xiaolongbao). Every tender bite holds Shanghainese wisdom within and comes with Shanghainese grace in a rustic, warm setting that gives a glimpse of the city’s past. In the same way, Lao Zheng Xing, operating since the early 20th century, decoratively serves seafood and epitomizes Old Shanghai’s magnificence.
If talking about a more relaxed but equally engaging meal, food stalls, for example, at City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao) serve delicious traditional dishes, including flavorful scallion pancakes and sweet rice dumplings, in a busy food court. Strolling around these colorful regions also conveys Old Shanghai’s marketplaces’ lively and cheerful essence, bringing together taste and tale. Irrespective of small family-run shops or big historic restaurants, dining in Old Shanghai is a historical voyage pendant elegantly alongside a gastronomy map tracing the flavors of the eras.
Food Tours: Diving into Shanghai’s Culinary Depths
Shanghai’s remarkable food tours allow visitors to explore a stunning blend of modern, traditional, and fusion cuisines. Wujiang Night Market is an iconic location for sizzling hot skewers and steaming xiaolongbao, while the upscale dining along the Bund welcomes guests to a more contemporary atmosphere. A deep regional connection is also present in popular local dishes such as jianbing, a crisp, savory crepe, and malatang, a spicy hot pot that boils with customizable options.
As a modern addition to Tianzifang’s heritage, food districts like these feature quaint cafes nestled within the historic Shikumen alleyways, boasting their signature craft desserts. The global shift towards more inclusive dining options is also welcomed by the rise of vegetarian—and vegan-friendly establishments. Eco-conscious and sustainable dining is sure to pay off as cooking classes become a prevalent part of food tours, where participants gain the opportunity to learn the secrets behind Shanghai’s iconic dishes directly from local chefs.
Everywhere one turns in Shanghai’s culinary scene, whether it be hidden street food gems or luxurious meals, an authentic yet ever-changing exploration of culture, history, and flavor completely unparalleled awaits.
How to Make the Most of Your Time at Shanghai Landmarks?
Helpful Information for those Visiting Oriental Pearl Tower
The Pearl Orient Tower is a remarkable piece of architecture in Shanghai. It offers several activities for visitors. Purchasing tickets in advance online can help guarantee access, especially for high-demand activities like entry to the glass-floor observation deck, and reduce waiting time. The best time to visit is on weekdays or early in the morning to avoid nasty queues.
The Tower has levels that contain diverse attractions. For example, there is a rotating restaurant and stunning views of the skyline. Make sure you save enough time in your schedule, as you may take several hours to explore all the activities. Booking a table at the revolving restaurant will ensure you turn your experience into a remarkable meal while coupled with breathtaking views.
Consider also strolling along the Bund while observing the glowing skyline and skyscrapers of Shanghai when combining it with an evening visit to the towers to witness the vivid LED lights illuminating the Tower. Wear suitable shoes to comfortably enjoy walking between floors, levels, and nearby attractions.
Obtaining The Most Eyecatching Sceneries From The World Financial Center
Shanghai’s World Financial Center is renowned for its stunning views over the city’s ever-changing skyline. At a striking 492 meters tall, this architectural wonder offers a different angle of Shanghai. Guests should make a beeline for the Skywalk on the 100th floor, which features a glass floor and gives the impression of floating above Shanghai’s streets. This glass-bottomed thrill ride is matched by the walls of windows, which allow the Huangpu River, the Bund, and the neighboring Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower to be viewed without any obstruction.
These views will be the most precise and most striking if accessed late in the afternoon and during the evening. This timing lets one view the city’s transformation with sunset while the skyline is aglow with skyscrapers bursting into life. The best visibility is usually achieved during clear days, typically early autumn or late spring, as those seasons provide the city’s farthest reaches.
Don’t forget a camera or smartphone. The views seen from the World Financial Center are precious, and the World Financial Center is worth mentioning for all photography enthusiasts. Also, for those who wish to have a more private experience, feel free to purchase a ticket to access the Tower’s VIP viewing sections since these are largely quieter, more immersive, and less crowded.
Understanding the History of The People’s Square
Located in the heart of Shanghai, People’s Square is a site of great importance and a witness to many changes over the years. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was part of the Shanghai Race Club, which included a racetrack and a recreational center for the wealthy. After the People’s Republic of China was formed, the area became a symbol of its shift towards its new socialist identity in the 1950s by turning it into a thriving civic area.
The People’s Square is a dynamic place where culture, administration, and recreation coalesce. Next to the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, and the Urban Planning Exhibition Center, it promotes both learning and entertainment. The square is a vast open space, meticulously arranged, complete with gardens and public sculptures, and dynamic for relaxation and meetings for residents and visitors. Its continuous development illustrates Shanghai’s Modernization Combined with a Historical Development Story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do you fully navigate the traffic in Shanghai?
A: Sightseeing tours are recommended where the Pearl TV Tower, Nanjing Road, and the riverside area are priority stops alongside well-versed tour guides who can cut through the traffic jams.
Q: What will you recommend for people on a long layover?
A: One recommendation I can make is a city tour, which will give you a chance to see the city without spending an hour outside such attractions as the Shanghai World Financial Center alongside Yu Garden.
Q: Are any market-specific private tours designed to deal with Shanghai market trends?
A: Absolutely. As far as China’s private guide sector is concerned, Shanghai is ready with tailor-made tours designed around tourist-requested places or even specific themes.
Q: Why is the Jade Buddha Temple of significance in Shanghai?
A: Jade Buddha Temple is a noteworthy temple in Shanghai. It is known for housing two exquisitely made jade Buddha statues, which reveal the extent of religion and architecture in the city.
Q: Is there a hop-on-hop-off tour in Shanghai?
A: Yes, Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tours are available in Shanghai and allow greater flexibility. You can also visit other places of interest, such as the Shanghai Museum and Pearl TV Tower while doing so.
Q: Why should travelers visit the Shanghai World Financial Center?
A: Shanghai World Financial Center boasts a spectacular view of the town from the observation deck. It is an iconic symbol of Shanghai’s astonishingly fast growth and modern skyline, making it one of the key spots to visit on a sightseeing tour.
Q: How should one approach visiting Yuyuan Garden?
A: The Yuyuan Garden’s historical value and detailed design can be best appreciated by going on a guided tour or hiring a professional tour guide. It is also a great place to go sightseeing and enjoy the beautiful traditional architecture of China.