Things to do in Shanghai
Top things to do in Shanghai include The Bund, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Huangpu, Bund & People's Square. Plan each day around one neighborhood to avoid backtracking, then add your dates to check opening hours and booking needs.
First visit? Start with these — and plan each day around one neighborhood:
- The Bund★ 4.7 · 7.7k reviewsThe Bund runs along the west bank of the Huangpu River with colonial-era banking and trading buildings from Shanghai's concession years.
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street★ 4.6 · 2.3k reviewsNanjing Road East runs from the Bund toward People's Square and is fully pedestrianized for the core commercial stretch.
- Huangpu, Bund & People's SquareHuangpu is the ceremonial centre: the Bund, Nanjing Road East, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, Old City, and Yu Garden cluster around the river and…
- Getting aroundShanghai Metro is the visitor backbone, especially Line 2 for Pudong Airport, Longyang Road, Lujiazui, East Nanjing Road, People's Square, Jing'an Temple, Hongqiao…
By TripSapien · Updated November 3, 2026
About Shanghai
City overview
Shanghai is a Huangpu River city split between older Puxi and Pudong, whose Lujiazui skyline rose after 1990 across from the Bund's concession-era banks. First-timers need five mental districts: Huangpu for the Bund, Nanjing Road, People's Square, and the Old City; Jing'an for high-end westward shopping; the French Concession for lanes and cafes; Pudong for towers; and Hongqiao for transport.
Food & drink
Shanghai food leans sweet, rich, and river-delta specific: xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, hongshao rou, scallion oil noodles, drunken chicken, crab roe noodles, and hairy crab in autumn are the key dishes. Yuyuan Bazaar, Huanghe Road near Nanjing Road, the French Concession, and old-school local restaurants around People's Square make the map; the city is pricier than most mainland Chinese cities but still cheaper than Hong Kong or Tokyo for neighborhood meals.
What Shanghai is best for
Shanghai is best for food, nightlife, architecture, art, and history.
- How long to stay
- A few days to a week
- Typical budget
- Mid-range
Top sights
Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1People's Square & Shanghai Museum
- 2Yu Garden & Old City
- 3Shanghai Tower & Lujiazui
- 4Oriental Pearl Tower
- 5French Concession lanes
- 6Jing'an Temple
- 7Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
- 8Huangpu River ferry
1People's Square & Shanghai Museum
4.3★ · 1,319People's Square sits on the former colonial racecourse and now holds one of Shanghai's busiest metro interchanges under the park. The Shanghai Museum at 201 Renmin Avenue anchors the south side of the square.
2Yu Garden & Old City
4.6★ · 977The Old City is the nearly 1,000-year walled core, and Yu Garden is the classical garden set-piece beside bazaar lanes. Use Yuyuan Garden station rather than trying to approach through Bund traffic.
3Shanghai Tower & Lujiazui
4.6★ · 3,290Lujiazui in Pudong stacks the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower across the river from the Bund. The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China.
Observation decks are weather-sensitive; haze or low cloud can make the Bund promenade a better value than tower tickets.
Show 5 more sights
4Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is the older Pudong skyline icon beside Lujiazui station and the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel exit. It works best as a landmark for the ferry-and-Lujiazui route.
Wikipedia5French Concession lanes
The former French Concession keeps shikumen houses, plane-tree streets, small boutiques, cafes, and nightlife around areas such as Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Wukang Road, and Huaihai Road. It is the best district for slow walking after the Bund.
6Jing'an Temple
Jing'an Temple is a Buddhist landmark more than 1,500 years old, now surrounded by Nanjing Road West malls and towers. Metro lines 2, 7, and 14 make it a useful west-side anchor.
Wikipedia7Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
The museum on People's Square explains Shanghai through city models and development exhibits, making the Puxi-Pudong split easier to understand before a tower visit. It pairs naturally with Shanghai Museum.
Wikipedia8Huangpu River ferry
The local ferry from the Bund area to Pudong takes about 15 minutes and costs far less than the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. It is the practical way to turn the skyline view into a river crossing.
Neighborhoods
1Pudong & Lujiazui
Pudong is the post-1990 skyline, with Lujiazui towers, malls, river promenades, Century Avenue, and the Maglev-side airport route. It is impressive but less intimate than Puxi.
2French Concession
The French Concession is Shanghai at walking speed: shikumen lanes, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, boutiques, cafes, Huaihai Road, and leafy residential streets.
3Jing'an & Nanjing Road West
Jing'an is high-end Puxi, with Jing'an Temple, West Nanjing Road malls, hotels, offices, and easy Line 2 airport-side movement.
Show 26 more neighborhoods
- 4Xuhui & Xujiahui
Xuhui stretches the French Concession feeling southwest into Xujiahui shopping, churches, universities, and residential lanes. It is strong for cafes and longer stays.
- 5Hongqiao
Hongqiao is the transport-and-convention side, with the airport, railway station, exhibition traffic, and suburban hotels. It is practical for trains and business, not the first sightseeing base.
- 61933 Old Millfun
A complex of restaurants and shops housed in former slaughterhouse buildings, showcasing a mix of dining and retail options. The area reflects its historical roots while offering a unique atmosphere for visitors.
- 7Beizhan
- 8Bund
The Bund features old colonial-era buildings and is a popular starting point for many visitors. It is located next to Shanghai's Old Town, which adds to the area's historical significance.
- 9Changning
Attractions like the Shanghai Zoo and several large shopping malls. It's primarily a residential area, so it may not have the same energy as more tourist-heavy districts.
- 10Chen Yi Square
- 11Chuansha
- 12Dabazi
- 13Duolun Road
- 14Hongkou
Historically a hub for Cantonese and Japanese residents and the first major film screening center in Shanghai.
- 15Huaihai Road
One of Shanghai's major shopping streets, favored by locals for its upscale vibe compared to the tourist-heavy Nanjing Road. The central section, Middle Huaihai Road, runs through the former French Concession and includes several boutiques and cafes along Avenue Joffre.
- 16Huangpu
Home to the famous Bund. Don't forget to explore Nanjing Road for shopping and street food, especially the local dumplings.
- 17Jiading District
嘉定区 in Shanghai features the Shanghai Auto Museum, a specialty museum with vintage vehicles and classic cars across multiple floors.
- 18Jiangwan Zhen
- 19Jing'an
The Jing'an Temple, a historic Buddhist temple surrounded by modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. The area is also known for its trendy cafes and nightlife along Nanjing West Road.
- 20Jing'an District
- 21Jinqiao
A high proportion of foreign nationals and many international schools, creating a comfortable environment. However, be cautious as some massage centers still operate under cover of the area's past issues.
- 22Jinshan District
Several beaches along its 23.3-kilometer shoreline, attracting tourists for sunbathing and water activities. The area is also known for its proximity to Dajinshan Island, which is the highest point in Shanghai municipality.
- 23Lan Ni Du
Lan Ni Du has local stops such as the Bund, a historic waterside promenade, and luxury shopping at IFC Mall and Super Brand Mall. For dining, Hakkasan serves high-end Cantonese cuisine, known for its dim sum and Peking duck with caviar.
- 24Minhang District
A suburban residential area with factories and production facilities. It contains the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, the Neolithic Ruins of Maqiao, and the tourist attraction Qibao.
- 25Nanxiang
- 26Oriental Land
- 27People's Square
A large public square located south of Nanjing Road (West) and north of Huaihai Road (East). It serves as a central hub with access to various attractions and activities in the area.
- 28Pudong
An ultra-modern business hub with high-rise buildings, including some of the world's tallest. It's located on the eastern side of the Huang Pu River.
- 29Putuo
Day trips
100km / about 30m by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao
Suzhou
Suzhou is the classical-garden and canal day trip, with scholar gardens, old lanes, and enough rail frequency for an easy full day. It is the first choice for a non-skyscraper contrast.
175km / about 45m by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao
Hangzhou
Hangzhou centers on West Lake, silk shopping, tea hills, and Buddhist cave sites. Spring and fall are the strongest seasons, but weekends bring heavy domestic crowds.
50km / about 1h by Metro Line 17 from Hongqiao Railway Station
Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao is the easiest water-town half-day from Shanghai, with canals, stone bridges, and snack streets. It is touristy but much simpler than a private-car water-town itinerary.
Getting around
Shanghai Metro is the visitor backbone, especially Line 2 for Pudong Airport, Longyang Road, Lujiazui, East Nanjing Road, People's Square, Jing'an Temple, Hongqiao Airport, and Hongqiao Railway Station. The Maglev runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road, while the cheap Huangpu ferry beats the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for crossing between the Bund and Pudong.
Planning a Shanghai trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs before you go.
Things to do in Shanghai by month
Pick a month for weather, any sourced events, holidays or observances, and seasonal timing. October, May and September have the most comfortable weather (tagged below).
Common questions about Shanghai
- Which neighborhoods should I explore in Shanghai?
- Huangpu, Bund & People's Square, Pudong & Lujiazui, French Concession are useful starting points. Plan each day around one or two neighboring areas to avoid unnecessary backtracking.
- When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
- October, May, September balance comfortable temperatures with fewer rainy days in Shanghai.
- How many days do you need in Shanghai?
- a few days to a week gives you time for food, nightlife, and architecture in Shanghai. Choose your month to see date-specific details.
- What is Shanghai known for?
- Shanghai is best for food, nightlife, architecture, art, and history. For matched places, TripSapien checks available hours, closure signals, and booking links.
Ready to plan Shanghai?
Turn everything above into a day-by-day Shanghai plan, with every place checked for closures and booking needs on your dates.