18 Best Things to See and Do in Shanghai: Explore China’s Largest City

Written by Veronica | Updated August 07,2025

Shanghai on the east coast of China is the country’s largest city by population. It is the greatest example of China’s economic and cultural progress, as the largest commercial and financial center and an important international port city in the western Pacific. Shanghai is definitely one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in China.

Although Shanghai is globally renowned as a modern international metropolis, there’s so much more to discover. If you’re wondering what to do in Shanghai, this article will guide you through 20 of the city’s best things to see and do. You can expect its rich past and modern wonders, immerse in multiple cultural experiences and try a variety of other fun activities. Whether it is your first trip to China or you’re a seasoned traveler, Shanghai promises you an abundance of surprises.

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• Explore Historical Landmarks of Shanghai
• Explore Modern Marvels in Shanghai
• Try Diverse Cultural Experiences in Shanghai
• Enjoy Nightlife and Entertainment in Shanghai
• Discover Fun Activities for Families in Shanghai

Explore Historical Landmarks of Shanghai

1. Stroll The Bund: A Riverside Walk through History

The Bund is an iconic walkway along the Huangpu River. It is 1.5 kilometers, about a mile long. Walking along the Bund is the top free thing to do in Shanghai. Across the river, you can see the world-famous Shanghai skyline with towering skyscrapers.

To the west, there are many historical buildings of old Shanghai, a total of 33 in different styles. The area was once a financial and foreign trade center. It is the perfect spot for an evening walk to see the skyline and experience the historical charm of Shanghai.

2. Wander Yu Garden: Discover A Different Side of Shanghai

Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden that showcases a very different side of Shanghai than the busy walkway of the Bund. As the only well-preserved Jiangnan-style garden in urban Shanghai, it is a must-do for those who want to experience the historical and cultural charm of Shanghai. The garden was built during the Ming Dynasty, more than 450 years ago. You can admire classical Chinese architecture with pavilions, rockeries, and water features. Find a moment away from the bustling city center and walk about the serene garden.

Some featured sites in the garden include: the Grand Rockery, Exquisite Jade Rock, Jiuqu Bridge (Nine Zigzag Bridge), Three Grains Hall, and the Ancient Opera Stage from the Qing Dynasty.

• Recommended visiting route in Yuyuan Garden: Entrance ➡ Inscription Stone of “Famous Garden on the Sea” ➡ Three Grains Hall ➡ Vase-shaped Moon Gate ➡ Yangshan Hall ➡ Grand Rockery ➡ Corridor over Water ➡ Myriad Flowers Tower ➡ Cloud-piercing Dragon Wall ➡ Exquisite Jade Rock ➡ Hall of Jade Magnificence ➡ Ancient Opera Stage.
• Time needed: About 1-2 hours.

3. Step onto Shanghai Old Street: Glimpse the Past of Shanghai

Shanghai old street, also known as “small east gate,” is located in Huangpu district. It preserves the architectural style and business layout from the historical old Shanghai in Ming and Qing dynasties. You can experience the traditional folk culture of Shanghai together with fusions of western culture. There’re the earliest banks in Shanghai, gold stores, jewelry shops, tea houses, and theatre stages.

Seeing its culture and history in the bustling alleyways is one of the unique things to do in Shanghai. You can visit City God Temple, one of the three major temples of the Yangtze River region. It has become a must-visit destination for those who travel to Shanghai. You can experience the city’s religious scene while finding the most authentic cuisines of Shanghai in the area.

✔ Recommended Historical Shanghai Tours:

• Shanghai Highlight Day Tour
• One Day Old Shanghai City Tour

4. Visit Jade Buddha Temple: See Incredible Buddhist Statues

Jade Buddha Temple is a busy Buddhist temple in the middle of Shanghai. As one of Shanghai’s three most renowned Buddhist temples, Jade Buddha Temple features a perfect blend of century-old historical legacy, religious culture, and architectural aesthetics from the Song Dynasty. It is most famous for housing two magnificent statues, the sitting Jade Buddha of 1.95 meters (6.4 feet) tall and the reclining Jade Buddha of 0.96 meters (3.15 feet) tall. The details behind their vivid visage and posture are very impressive. You can also walk about the temple to see Buddhist architecture and other relics.

• Address: 170 Anyuan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai
• Admission: Free, except during Lunar New Year’s Eve and the first to fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year.
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (regular days), 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM (incense offering days)

5. Discover Zhujiajiao Water Town: A Timeless Canal Town

Shanghai is nearby some of the best water towns in China. Zhujiajiao Water Town is located on the outskirts of the city. It’s an ancient town built on water. You can explore it by walking down the small alleyways lined with traditional stone residential houses. Walk over the stone bridges to see shops run by locals: make sure you try the local street snacks. It’s one of the most romantic things to do in Shanghai.

Alternatively, you can also hop on a traditional wooden boat, glide along the ancient canal in the middle of the town, and see the charming riverside architecture and daily life unfold from a unique perspective.

✔ Recommended Shanghai Water Town Tours:

• Half-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
• 4 Days Shanghai Private Tour with Zhujiajiao Watertown Tour

6. Admire Traditional Architecture in Qibao Town

Qibao Ancient Town, also known as Seven Treasures Old Town, is a thousand-year-old Jiangnan water town, located about 18 km from Shanghai. The town was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today, it still preserves its original Song Dynasty street layout and Ming-Qing architectural style.

For people who want to experience authentic water town scenery and life but don’t want to travel far to Suzhou or Hangzhou, Qibao Ancient Town is definitely a great alternative. Expect to immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere, small bridges, lines of ancient architecture with white walls and dark tiles, and authentic cuisines here during your visit.

Related reading: Shanghai vs. Hong Kong: Ultimate Comparison Guide for Travelers

Explore Modern Marvels in Shanghai

7. Ascend the Oriental Pearl Tower: Iconic Landmark of Shanghai

The Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower, at 468 meters (1,535 feet), used to be the tallest skyscraper in Shanghai. It is such an iconic landmark of the city that it is said to define the Shanghai skyline. It takes the center stage in all the pictures of Shanghai skyline because of its unique design and appearance.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is a must-visit landmark on your Shanghai tour. From the top, you can overlook the city from the observation decks. Or if you’re looking for an adventurous thing to do in Shanghai, challenge yourself on the thrilling glass-bottomed skywalk. Walk amongst the clouds and over the entire city of Shanghai.

8. Go Shopping at Nanjing Road: The Best Shopping Street in Shanghai

Nanjing Road is one of the world’s busiest shopping streets. Whether you’re into shopping or not, visiting it is a top thing to do in Shanghai for visitors. It is divided into Nanjing East Road, mainly a fair-price commercial area, and Nanjing West Road, the most expensive fashion commercial block in Shanghai mainly for luxury items.

For visitors, the East Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is especially recommended for its seamless connection with the Bund and the Huangpu River waterfront. Many interactive elements, like the retro “ding-ding trams”, street artist performances, are also available in this part.

Besides boundless shopping experiences, the street also serves as a landmark of the city’s history. Established in 1851, Nanjing Road was the first commercial street in Shanghai, and it still preserves nearly 20 Baroque and Gothic historical buildings. The street stretches about 5.5 kilometers from the Bund to Jing’an Temple, ranking it one of the longest pedestrian streets in the world.

9. Ride the Shanghai Maglev: The World’s Fastest Passenger Train

The coolest thing to do in Shanghai might be riding the Maglev, the world’s fastest passenger train. At 431 km/hour (270 miles/hour), it covers 30 km (19 miles) in only 8 minutes from Pudong International Airport to downtown Shanghai. It’s the best way to get to the city especially if you’re short on time on a Shanghai layover tour.

• Ticket price: 50 RMB for a single route
• Where to buy: On the second floor of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, or the the second floor of Longyang Road Station (No. 2100 Longyang Road)

✔ Recommended Modern Shanghai Tour: One Day Modern Shanghai Tour

Try Diverse Cultural Experiences in Shanghai

10. Visit Shanghai Museum: Unveiling China’s Art and History

To gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and history, you should visit Shanghai Museum, a non touristy thing to do in Shanghai. It is one of the best museums in China. A massive collection of ancient Chinese artifacts (more than 1,000,000) showcases thousands of years of Chinese history and art. Major collections include bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, and Chinese furniture.

More than Shanghai Museum, there are many other great museums in Shanghai ready to offer you a glimpse into local rich culture, history, art, science and technology development.

11. Experience Tianzifang and Xintiandi: See Traditional Shanghai Lifestyle 

Tianzifang and Xintiandi (or the New World) are both historic streets turned into shopping and dining areas. They are great places to experience the modern Shanghai lifestyle. Walking down the historic footpaths, you’ll find stylish shops and classy eateries in traditional architecture. On a sunny afternoon, enjoy a drink at one of the bars and treat yourself to a delightful dinner.

12. Taste Local Cuisine: Savor the Flavors of Shanghai

Whether you’re in Shanghai for a layover at the airport or an extensive China tour, one of the top things to do in Shanghai is tasting the local cuisine. The best Shanghai dishes include Xiaolongbao and Shengjianbao for breakfast. They are steamed buns and pan-fried buns. They’re the most famous and representative of Shanghai cuisine.

For lunch, try Shanghai noodles or classic dishes like Braised Pork Belly. Shanghai cuisine is relatively sweet and mild compared to other Chinese cuisines. At night, you’ll find street food stalls pop up across the city with delicious snacks. There’re different seasonal dishes throughout the year. Like in winter around Chinese New Year, people in Shanghai like to have spring rolls.

✔ Recommended Shanghai Food Tour: Half Day Shanghai Tour for Local Food and Zhujiajiao Water Town

13. Check Out the Histroic Wukang Building

As a quintessential Shanghai landmark, Wukang Building a can’t-miss Shanghai attraction for those architecture enthusiasts and photographers. The building was designed by the influential Hungarian architect László Hudec in 1924, showcasing a fusion of French Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles.

It is located on the iconic Wukang Road, sitting on a wedge-shaped plot where five streets converge. Its colossal ship appearance, distinctive curved balconies, red brick facade, and cutting-edge architectural techniques from 1920s Shanghai together make it a must-see marvel. Near to the Wukang Building, there are also 37 historical buildings, including former residences of many famous cultural figures and influential politicians worth your visit.

Enjoy Nightlife and Entertainment in Shanghai

14. Explore the Former French Concession: Nightlife Hotspot

Looking for fun things to do in Shanghai at night? The Former French Concession is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. You’ll find relaxing street pubs, high-end cocktail bars, live music venues, and dance clubs. Each place is like its own world that allows you to experience a part of life in Shanghai.

15. Huangpu River Cruise: Witness Stunning Night Views

Huangpu River is known as “the mother river of Shanghai.” You can get up close to Shanghai skyline and the river by boarding a Huangpu River Cruise. See the rich history of the city on one side of the bank and the amazing modern developments on the other. The cruise usually takes about 50 minutes.

A Huangpu River cruise along the Bund in Shanghai typically offers three types of excursions: Express Cruise, Essential Cruise, Specialty Cruise. Among them, the essential cruise route is the most chosen one, lasting about 45 minutes, with departures roughly every hour.

Prices and durations for different Huangpu River cruise routes:

✔ Recommended Shanghai Evening Tours:

• Shanghai Night Food Tour with Huangpu River Cruise
• Shanghai City Walk Tour at Night Market & Snack Street

Discover Fun Activities for Families in Shanghai

16. Visit Shanghai Disney Resort: Fun for the Entire Family

Visiting Shanghai Disneyland Resort is the best thing to do in Shanghai with kids. It opened in 2016 as the 6th Disneyland resort in the world. There’re six themed areas, Mickey Avenue, Pixar Toy Story Land, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, and Tomorrowland. The fun rides, exciting shows and parades, and stunning fireworks make it a land of magic for everyone in the family.

Related reading: Top 15 Parks in Shanghai

17. Explore Shanghai Ocean Aquarium: Underwater Exploration

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the largest ocean aquariums in the world with the longest submarine viewing tunnel. There’re fascinating underwater exhibits and shows that are both captivating and informative. The aquarium is divided into different zones based on location, is home to more than 300 types and 15,000 water creatures and rare fishes.

✔ Recommended Shanghai Family Tours:

• Shanghai Family Day Tour to Disneyland Park
• 3 Days Shanghai Family Tour with Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

18. Watch performances at the Shanghai Circus World

If you don’t know what to do in Shanghai with kids or at night, visiting Shanghai Circus World should be a great choice. Established in 1955, the troupe boasts one of the oldest and most esteemed circus groups in China. It is know for its unique Shanghai-style acrobatic acts, perfectly blending thrilling and graceful performances.

“ERA – Intersection of Time” and “Happy Circus” are the two most recommended show in Shanghai Circus World.

ERA 2 – Intersection of Time tells a romantic love story set in Shanghai through breathtaking acrobatics, cutting-edge technology, and diverse art forms. The show is staged nightly at 7:30 PM and runs for 60 minutes. Additionally, there will be an extra performance at 2:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

The “Happy Circus” show brilliantly connects animal performances through a series of clown stars, making it a favorite for kids. The show is held every Friday and Saturday from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

Related reading: 12 Hour Layover in Shanghai 2025-2026