If you’re looking to visit China and wondering what to do in Shanghai, you’ve come across the right person! My mother actually grew up in Shanghai and I used to go there every summer as a child, though the city has changed drastically since I was little. I’m a city girl at heart and there’s something special about walking along the riverside, admiring the sparkle of the skyscrapers and the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower at night, hearing the lilting Shanghainese accent of passersby around you.
Shanghai today is China’s cultural capital and laser-focused on the future. It’s a city of ultra-efficiency, high-speed trains, luxury high-rises, designer cafes, and artsy concept stores. The young people who live in Shanghai are fashion-forward and creative, with polish and ambitious aspirations. I love cities like this—New York, Paris, Seoul—and Shanghai is one of the best of them all.
Shanghai is Perfect For First-Time Visitors…
I often recommend Shanghai as the place to start for foreign visitors who have never been to China before. It’s the most international city in China and has a super Western-friendly design, so the culture shock will be easier to adjust to if you start your journey here.
While there are still a lot of things you’ll need to learn in order to travel in China smoothly, Shanghai is the perfect place to begin. The people are friendly, public transit is affordable and well-connected, and some people even speak English! (I cannot stress strongly enough how uncommon English is in China. Come prepared with a translation app!)
🀄 A translation app isn’t the only thing you need. Trust me, you’ll want to know all of these things in order to survive in China as a foreigner! For example, leave your credit card at home….
How to Get to Shanghai, China
✈️ International Flights: If you’re flying to Shanghai from outside China, you’ll likely fly into Shanghai through Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Pudong Airport is located east of the city and is actually quite far away from Shanghai proper, but you can easily hop on a maglev train directly from the airport and go straight to the city center.
✈️ Domestic Flights: If you’re transiting domestically or regionally into Shanghai, it depends on whether you’re flying or taking the HSR (high-speed rail). The main domestic airport in Shanghai is Hongqiao Airport (SHA), which is west of Shanghai city center. You can also easily transit from Hongqiao Airport as there are plenty of metro lines available.
🚄 Train or High-Speed Rail: If you’re taking the train into Shanghai, you might end up at Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station. From both of these rail stations, you can take direct lines into the city with ease.
🚄 How to Buy Train Tickets in China?
Although it can be daunting for foreigners, traveling by high-speed rail is super convenient in China once you know how. You can easily buy a train ticket between any major cities through Alipay’s Trip.com mini-app or WeChat’s Hopegoo mini-app. If you don’t speak Chinese, I recommend Alipay’s Trip.com mini-app—the English support and interface are just easier for non-native speakers.
The benefit of buying through native programs is that you can buy a ticket on the spot, for a train even just 30 minutes later. However, if you don’t want to mess with Chinese apps, you can buy a train ticket through Klook as long as it’s a few days in advance.
Make sure to take your passport with you because the officers will check at the train station!
How Long to Stay in Shanghai
While Shanghai is a massive city and one of the most important hubs in China, I actually find that you don’t need that long to see the highlights of the city. Since it’s fairly westernized compared to most of the other places in China, I actually suggest you spend limited time in Shanghai and more time exploring deeper into Chinese culture in other cities and destinations. For a compact trip that fits three gorgeous cities into one week, check out my travel itinerary that hits Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou.
In my opinion, the perfect stay in Shanghai is 3-5 days. With 3 days you can fit in all the unique and Shanghai-only things to do in the city, though you’ll have to skimp on some of the more laid-back exploration. With 4 or 5 days, you can fit in a day trip or meander through less touristy parts of the city at a more leisurely, relaxed pace.
☕ I also can’t emphasize enough that if you’re a cafe enthusiast, you should increase the number of days you stay in Shanghai. Shanghai recently became the city with the greatest number of coffee shops in the world, and people here take their coffee culture very seriously!
Where to Stay in Shanghai
Even though Shanghai is a large city, I believe without a doubt that the best area to stay in Shanghai is near Hongkou. This neighborhood is located close to the Bund, right above the Huangpu River, where the skyscrapers sparkle and the city is lively 24 hours a day. This is especially true if you’re visiting Shanghai for the first time!
If you haven’t traveled much in China, hotel prices here are much lower than you would expect from a metropolitan city in the west. Hotel prices in China tend to be decently lower than stays in equivalent East Asian cities like Tokyo or Seoul. So in Shanghai, even hotels in the luxury range are quite affordable by western standards!
Luxury Hotels in Shanghai, China
- Regent Shanghai On The Bund: Elegant luxury hotel on the Bund with excellent service and stylish rooms.
- Hyatt on the Bund Hotel: Stylish international hotel with river views.
Mid-Range Hotels in Shanghai, China
- Bellagio Shanghai: Well-reviewed hotel with quality rooms in the perfect central location.
- Sunrise On The Bund: A pleasant hotel with easy access to public transit and attractions.
Budget Hotels in Shanghai, China
- Broadway Mansions Hotel: Classic building with simple, clean rooms. Location is king here!
- SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Hongkou: Lower-cost boutique-style budget option in the area.
How to Get Around Shanghai, China
With the exception of one or two places, all the best things to do in Shanghai are centered in a similar area. Taking the metro is super easy in Shanghai and the city is well-connected by convenient, clean, and frequent service. Plus, taking the metro is extremely affordable at around 1-3 RMB per trip (well under $0.50 USD). You can easily pay for the metro through WeChat or Alipay.
If you have a friend with you or don’t mind spending marginally more money, you can also call Didi Taxi (on-demand rideshare like Uber). Didi is very fast, efficient, and still quite affordable as long as you stay inside Shanghai’s city borders. Like everything else in China, you can call Didi through WeChat or Alipay. You’ll learn quickly that nothing in China is impossible if you have these two apps, but if you don’t have them, you’re in for a world of struggle!
🛟 Feeling a little intimidated? You should read my article on everything you need to survive in China as a foreigner! I’ll walk you through all the apps you need and how to use them.
What to Do in Shanghai, China
Instead of wondering what to do in Shanghai, it might be easier to ask, what can you not do in Shanghai? This city is the definition of metropolitan, absolutely oozing with taste. Trendy cafes, the most interesting shopping in the world, contemporary art galleries, and unique concept stores—Shanghai really has it all.
But here are some of the things I absolutely think you must do in Shanghai that you can’t try anywhere else!
🗺️ But First…How to Navigate in China
You might notice that Google Maps doesn’t work in China! While some people have reported reasonable success using Apple Maps, I recommend going full native and using Amap or Baidu Maps, both of which are Chinese apps. In recent years, some of the functionality of these apps has been limited if you can’t create an account (which requires a Chinese phone number), but you can still navigate from place to place very easily.
Public transit is extremely convenient and insanely affordable in Chinese cities, though you can always call a Didi taxi (on-demand rideshare like Uber) through Alipay or WeChat if you want door-to-door service. For more information on navigating around China, check out my article on everything you need to survive in China as a foreigner.
Explore the Bund and North Bund Greenland
The Bund is the iconic place to start when it comes to what to do in Shanghai, China. Because Shanghai used to be an international treaty port, much of the architecture here feels like stepping into old-world Europe. Walking along the bank of the grand Huangpu River, you’ll see Shanghai’s famous waterfront and the city’s postcard-like skyline view—towering skyscrapers like the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower that give Shanghai its famous “past meets future” effect. If you’re searching for what to do in Shanghai, visiting the Bund is a must!
In North Bund Greenland, you’ll also come across more spacious and peaceful views, with gardens and promenades. I really recommend stopping by the iconic metal “egg” in North Bund Greenland for a unique photo with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower rising in the background! It does get busy starting late morning, but people are quite good about queueing and being respectful so everyone can get their picture.
Trendy Shopping in Shanghai
I’m not much of a shopper, but if there’s one place where shopping is more of an experience than anything, it’s Shanghai! People love to hype up thrifting in Japan or trendy clothes in Korea, but in my opinion, China has them all beat. Shopping in Shanghai is super-contemporary, where apparel stores feel like modern art galleries or interactive museums.
There are two main shopping streets in Shanghai that I would recommend if you’re looking to get that “cool” vibe: Huaihai Middle Road (淮海中路) and Anfu Road (安福路). Both of these are popular with the young and trendy in Shanghai and you’ll find plenty of fascinating stores.
On Huaihai Road you can find ultra-luxury hype stores like the Gentle Monster Nudake Cafe, Haus Nowhere, TX Youth Energy Center, and Tamburin. On Anfu Road, you’ll find more approachable but equally popular and aesthetic stores like the trendy floral hand cream brand Qing Zhi (青稚), the Xiaohongshu-famous teddy bear cafe 12de San Marzo, and the luxurious fragrance company To Summer (观夏).
You’ll see in other Shanghai travel guides recommendations to visit Nanjing Road or Xintiandi, but I personally don’t think these are as interesting as Huaihai and Anfu Road. Nanjing Road in particular is exceptionally touristy and Xintiandi is mostly comprised of cafes.
Dine at the Imperial Banquet and Dance Show
One of the most interesting and popular activities to do in Shanghai recently is a step back into China’s Tang dynasty past. You can attend an imperial banquet and even dress up in traditional Chinese hanfu, have your hair and makeup done, and sit in a beautiful performance hall watching a traditional dance performance with a dramatic storyline. It’s not only a super-immersive cultural event, but great fun (and the food is fantastic)!
There are two major companies that run these court dining dinner shows, Gongyan (宫宴) and Xuyan (叙宴). As far as I can tell, they are about the same, but I thought that Xuyan looked a little bit prettier with a better seating setup, so we went with Xuyan on my trip. After picking out our gorgeous hanfu of choice and having our hair pinned up in elaborate styles, we enjoyed a delectable 8-course meal while enjoying our front-row seats to the performance. (The show is entirely narrated in Chinese, but you don’t really need to know what they’re saying in order to understand what’s going on.)
The show starts at 6:50 PM and I would recommend that women show up at 4:45 for hair, dressing, and makeup. It takes a while for the staff to process all the guests and if you show up on the early side, they’re more patient with helping you choose your outfit and doing your hair. Plus, you’ll have more time to take pictures at the dedicated photo areas before the show starts! Make sure to book your experience in advance as they regularly sell out, and you also need to email them if you want a front-row seat. You can book Gongyan here and Xuyan here!
Admire the Oriental Pearl Tower
If you’re curious about what to do in Shanghai, the most iconic thing to do is to check off the Oriental Pearl Tower, which we call dongfang mingzhu (东方明珠). The Oriental Pearl Tower is the most famous landmark in all of Shanghai, and possibly one of the most famous in the entire country of China! With its unique design and color, you can’t miss it dominating the already-impressive Shanghai skyline.
Because the Oriental Pearl Tower is so iconic, you’ll definitely want to see it from a few photogenic angles. To be honest, you can see it from almost anywhere in the Hongkou or Lujiazui area (north and south of the river respectively) as long as you’re near the Huangpu River, but these are some of my favorite spots to see the Oriental Pearl Tower! For more information, check out my guide to the 8 best spots to view the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
- Hoxa Xinjiang Bistro: Xinjiang-cuisine atmospheric restaurant set in a Concession-era brick building. It has the most adorable outdoor terrace with the Oriental Pearl Tower framed in the background.
- The Bund/North Bund: The most iconic waterfront in the city and a must regarding what to do in Shanghai. Offers the most direct view of the Oriental Pearl Tower across the Huangpu River.
- The Flair Rooftop at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong: Arguably the best rooftop situated almost right next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. Come for sunset and enjoy the nightscape!
🔮 Read more: 8 Perfect Spots to View the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai
It is also possible to visit and ascend the Oriental Pearl TV Tower itself. You’ll get access to the inside of the fascinating spheres, and you can even dine at the revolving restaurant. However, it’s worth noting that you can’t see the tower from inside the tower!
But no matter where in Shanghai you choose to admire the Oriental Pearl Tower, it’s a stunning part of the city that you won’t regret seeing.
See the Future at 1000 Trees
The 1000 Trees is Shanghai’s newest and coolest mall, a mixed-use vertical forest that forms the city’s own Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The architecture here is like stepping straight into the designs of a green future!
With over 1000 self-watering live trees and over 70 plant types, the self-sufficient mall is one of China’s coolest futuristic designs. Especially because it’s set on the banks of a river, it looks amazing and imposing from the other side.
The 1000 Trees is located a little further away from the other things to do in Shanghai, and it’s more of a scenic stop than an activity. But if you love unique architectural design and green buildings, you have to come see it!
Drink Lots of Milk Tea!
China has perfected the art of milk tea. While Taiwan introduced and popularized the concept of boba, in recent years China has moved away from the chewy tapioca pearls and more towards emphasizing high-quality, luxuriously fragrant milk teas.
Competition in China’s milk tea industry is fierce, with new shops popping up all the time and competing intensely for market share. Because of the supply, milk tea shops are plentiful, high-quality, and incredibly affordable. Most orders will only set you back 10-15 RMB ($1.50-$2 USD).
As a milk tea enthusiast (and a bit of an addict…), I would consider it a shame to have less than one milk tea every day in Shanghai. Here are some of my top recommendations:
- Chagee: Widely considered one of the best milk tea chains in China. Extremely fragrant tea with amazing value for the quality and beautiful, Dior-like branding.
- Auntea Jenny: Specializes in herbal and unique teas based on Chinese traditional medicine. It’s actually so delicious, and I’ve never had anything like it!
- Heytea: One of the most popular chains in all of China that excels in both fruit teas and milk teas. I like them so much, I have a tote bag from them…
- Molly Tea: One of the first chains to popularize “luxury” fragrant milk tea. Their jasmine milk tea is famous for its delicate aroma with strong yet floral tea notes.
Walk Through Yuyuan / Yu Garden (豫园)
Yu Garden, or Yuyuan in Chinese, used to be a massive old temple complex with a classical garden. These days, it’s been converted into a modern nighttime marvel with glowing light shows, street food, stores, and gorgeously restored architecture. While Yu Garden is pretty at all times of day, it really stands out at night for its glowing red lights that illuminate the whole complex like an ancient city transported into a fantastical future.
The best things to do at Yu Garden are simply walking around, enjoying the vibes, casually shopping, and having a bite to eat. Hanfu photoshoots are also extremely popular here because of the classical architecture, though I didn’t do one because I’m not a fan of nighttime photography. However, if you want to try a traditional hanfu photoshoot while in Shanghai, I think Yu Garden is the best place to do it in the city! (Though my favorite place in Shanghai to wear hanfu overall is at Zhujiajiao, which is later on this list.)
Yu Garden can be a bit touristy and the prices here are slightly higher than more local spots in Shanghai. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the gardens and the temple architecture! It gets crowded on the weekends after the sun goes down, but I still firmly believe Yuyuan is worth visiting in Shanghai.
Must-Visit Restaurants in Shanghai
If you don’t know what to do in Shanghai at any given time, a good answer is to go eat! Shanghai is a foodie’s paradise. Being the most contemporary city in China, the city is full to bursting with cosmopolitan, unique, and delicious restaurants all competing for culinary success.
However, being so spoiled for choice can cause its own problems. Especially if you don’t read Chinese, it can be very difficult to decide where to eat in Shanghai. Though I can’t say I’ve even come close to trying all the best restaurants in Shanghai, here are some of my personal top places that I consider must-visit.
- No3 Warehouse Restaurant (3号仓库): One of the most famous restaurants in Shanghai for its futuristic cyber-city aesthetic. Unlike Western restaurants where IG-popularity usually means poor food quality, everything here is mind-blowingly delicious. There are a few locations and while they’re all very popular, I recommend avoiding the New World Mall location as that one often has a multi-hour line. They don’t take reservations, so show up early—especially for dinner!
- Hoxa Xinjiang Bistro: This atmospheric restaurant set on one of the upper floors of a Concession-era brick building is everything you could want out of a trendy Shanghainese restaurant. The food here is contemporary Xinjiang-style—aka from the far western side of China—so you won’t be getting any classic Shanghainese food here. Expect heavily seasoned lamb dishes and hand-ripped noodles with spicy, tingly chili oil.
- Lailai XLB: One of the most famous places in Shanghai to try xiaolongbao, or Shanghai’s iconic soup dumplings. Despite its popularity and Michelin-guide status, it’s very affordable! Both locals and foreigners can enjoy this place, though I will say if you’re a soup dumpling snob like me, it won’t be mind-blowing.
- Opera (洋食所): One of my favorite hidden gems in Shanghai. Even though it’s listed as an Italian restaurant on Amap, the star here is the dry-aged sea bream sashimi and drool-worthy amaebi and uni bowls. If you want both upscale aesthetic and delicious raw fish, this is the place to be.
- Lefangting (乐芳庭): A delectable western-cuisine restaurant with beautiful rooftop views right next door to Jingan Temple. For lunch or dinner, definitely try the delicious steak and tomato rice, or stop by a bit later for their mind-blowingly gorgeous afternoon tea set.
- Libaixie (李百蟹): This chain is famous on Xiaohongshu (Chinese social media) for its super-aesthetic crab roe noodles, seasonal desserts, and store interior. If you’re looking for somewhere that screams “begging to be photographed,” you can’t pass up Libaixie!
Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town (朱家角)
Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town located just outside of the central Shanghai area, making it the perfect day trip from the city. With its arched stone bridges and endless canals lined with willow trees, Zhujiajiao has a romantic “mini Venice” kind of vibe to it! We spent a day in Zhujiajiao dressing up in hanfu, admiring the boats sailing up and down the canals, and feasting on traditional street foods like dried persimmons and zongzi, or glutinous rice dumplings filled with silky, fatty pork.
Reaching Zhujiajiao from Shanghai only takes about an hour and a half, and you can learn more about this wonderful day trip in my dedicated article here. But if you’re trying to decide what to do in Shanghai, I definitely think coming out to Zhujiajiao is worth it for the better part of a day!
🌾 Read more: Zhujiajiao Water Town Is the Best Day Trip From Shanghai
Beyond Shanghai….
Shanghai is one of China’s most impactful cities, serving as the gateway to the country and a young, trendy paradise. I myself adore Shanghai and could come here again and again to try new cafes and restaurants, shop till I drop, and spend my evenings at the glittering rooftops while watching the night fall over the Oriental Pearl Tower. I hope that if you’re new to Shanghai, you can also fall in love with China easily and explore the country beyond this first stop.
If you’re looking for where to start, I recommend making small trips out to other great cities near Shanghai. Hangzhou, the romantic lakeside city that has captivated poets and emperors for millennia, is only an hour by direct train from Shanghai. And Suzhou, the original “Venice of the East” with its impossibly beautiful canals and silk qipao, is barely half an hour on the high-speed rail. If you’re interested in both of these cities, check out my Yangtze River Delta travel itinerary that hits all three destinations in just one week!
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