Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai travel guide & travel ideas

Shanghai

Shanghai, though the biggest city in China and the nation's financial heart, never appeared as a royal city back in Chinese history (weird more or less). So no palace, no imperial mausoleum here, probably not that bad if you happen fly from historical Beijing or Xi'an. So what we get here? A living 'Museum of International Architecture' in the Bund; breathtaking panoramic city view at 468 m high, on top of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and maybe a fancy meal its revolving restaurant; indigenous Shikumen architecture with poles and clothes seemly everywhere; older generations playing Mahjong from day to night in small alley; elegant and quiet Yu Garden as an arcadia in the modernity…

Don’t forget Shanghai is also a city of food lover, nothing feels better to eat a way through the Yunyuan Market; by the way, be prepared to give your first shot to eat a bun by a tube (yes! tube) in your life, when you get Sugar Spice Cafe in the market.

What else? Come and find in person during your own Shanghai trip!

Travel ideas about Shanghai

Classic Shanghai

For a classic Shanghai tour, there is no way to miss Jinmao Tower, check out the metropolitan by a birds-eye view at China’s tallest building (and 3rd tallest in the world), really not bad. The Bund also tops many travelers’ lists of what to see in Shanghai, those 100+ years old buildings are all living evidence for the city’s old glamour and prosperity. If you are a fan of shopping or good food, head over to Yuyuan Market, Tianzifang and Xintiandi, stroll around, discover gadget, bargain and eat, be sure you set aside an afternoon.
Go to a Water Town?

Want to have something different? A short tour to water towns near Shanghai brings you that different experience. Like other super cities, Shanghai never lacks skyscrapers and shopping malls. But there are attracting water towns make Shanghai like no others, Zhujiajiao, Xitang for instance. What? Xitang belongs to Zhejiang Province, not to Shanghai, no big deal, 1 day is quite enough for a round trip!
Local Life Experience

If schedule allows and you need more interaction with Shanghai, why not being a Shanghai people for 1 day. Start with a trip to local vegetable market with a housewife, pick materials while taking a crash course on how to bargain and win, cook and enjoy your own Shanghai lunch. Afternoon is left for Mahjong, a 'sport' with the largest playing population in China!
Try the Maglev?

Maglev? Sure, let's take it between Pudong Airport and downtown, taste the extreme speed of 301km/h and gets your adrenaline level high, only US$8.
Have more time?

Apart from the classic attractions, Shanghai has many other places to go and things to do, such as taking a stroll along then French Concession, doing shopping on the bustling Huaihai Road, etc. If you have a loose schedule, try these optional tours of Shanghai.