Things to Do in Shanghai
Shanghai is China’s most outward-facing city, a skyline of glass towers along the Huangpu River set against the older lanes of the former concessions. It rewards both halves, the futuristic and the historical, and the two sit close enough to visit in a single day. I have been several times, and the city keeps offering layers. Here is what I would do on a first visit, and a few things to know before you go.
Walk the Bund at two different times
The Bund, the riverside promenade facing the old financial district, is the classic Shanghai view. The colonial-era facades across the river face the skyscrapers of Pudong, and the contrast is the city in one glance. I would walk it once in broad daylight, then again after dark, when the buildings light up and the crowds thin out near the far end. The best photos come from the north end of the promenade, where you can frame the whole curve of the waterfront.
Look down from the observation decks of Pudong
Across the river, the skyscrapers of the Pudong financial district offer the view looking back along the Bund. The Shanghai Tower, with its glass observation deck near the top, and the older World Financial Center both have high decks with telescopes and interactive displays. The ticket queues build through the day, so go early or late. On a clear morning the Huangpu snakes toward the sea, while a hazy afternoon softens the view into the characteristic veil of the city.
Explore the Yu Garden and the old city lanes
The Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden from the 1500s, sits in the heart of the old city. Its rockeries, pavilions, and calm ponds feel a world away from the towers a few kilometers off, though the garden gets busy quickly and the space is small. Around it, the narrow lanes of the old town sell souvenirs and snacks, and the district is more polished now than the working quarter it once was. I would come at opening time, before the tour groups, and give the garden a proper slow hour.
Wander the former French Concession
The streets of the former French Concession, around and south of Huaihai Road, hold the leafy, low-rise character that many people say is the real Shanghai. Plane trees shade the streets, art deco apartment blocks line the avenues, and the lanes curl into cafe-lined pockets. I spent a full afternoon here without a fixed plan, turning into courtyards and following the shop signs, and it remains my favorite part of the city. The small museums and galleries tucked into the old buildings are worth a look.
Ride the Huangpu River after dark
A river cruise after sunset gives you the city from the water, with the illuminated towers of Pudong on one bank and the old buildings of the Bund on the other. The standard hour-long cruise loops past the main stretch, and the early evening departures catch the lights switching on. Book a window seat or head to the open deck, and bring a warm layer even in summer, because the wind over the water drops the temperature quickly.
Eat street food in the neighborhoods and markets
Shanghai’s food goes far beyond the fancy restaurants. The breakfast lanes serve youtiao and soy milk, the evening streets turn into food stalls, and the local specialty of xiaolongbao, steamed buns with soup inside, is best eaten hot and carefully. The pedestrian malls and the older neighborhood lanes both hold good stalls. I found the local favorites by following the lines of office workers, and the cheapest seats often had the best food.
Step into the city’s temples and sacred spaces
Amid the modern towers, Shanghai keeps several working religious sites. The Jade Buddha Temple houses two jade Buddhas brought from Burma, and the courtyard smells of incense and sees steady local worship. The City God Temple, in the old town, is busier and more tourist-facing. Both reward a slow look at the carving and the ritual. Be respectful, dress modestly, and step out of the way of people who have come to pray.
See the Bund by day from the riverfront buildings
Beyond the promenade itself, a few buildings along the Bund open public floors with cafes and terraces that give you a relaxed place to sit with the view. Several of the old bank buildings have been converted into galleries, restaurants, and exhibit spaces, and the top-floor bars offer evening skyline views without the ticket queues of the towers. I liked the balance of starting here with a coffee, then crossing the river later for the deck view.
Visit the Shanghai Museum and the modern collections
The Shanghai Museum holds one of the best collections of Chinese art anywhere, strong on ancient bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy. The modern architecture and design collections in the newer venues around the city complement it, and the free-entry days are generous. I found the museum a calm and climate-controlled escape in the hustle of the center, well worth a half-day and admission that is excellent value.
Plan for transport, payments, and pace
Practical notes. The metro is fast, cheap, and covers the tourist sites, and the maglev and trains connect you to the airport. Many phone-based payment apps are widely used, so set up an international-friendly payment method or carry cash and small bills, because some small vendors do not take cards. The city is big, so group your sights by neighborhood rather than crisscrossing, and give yourself at least four days to cover the Bund, the concessions, the old town, and a museum. Pack for a humid summer or a cool, damp winter, because both extremes visit Shanghai.
Shanghai works best when you let it be both cities at once, the glittering riverfront and the shaded lanes, the skyline and the breakfast stalls. Blend those and the city’s energy stays with you long after you leave.
