As of 2026, the must-see places in Shanghai include The Bund (Wai Tan), Shanghai Tower SkyDeck (632m world's 2nd tallest), Yu Garden + Old City Bazaar. See highlights, time needed and tips for each below.
Shanghai blends historic landmarks, natural scenery, and local food experiences. We've organized 16 attractions across 4 categories. Each attraction card includes entry fees, opening hours, and local tips so you can plan straight from the page. Use the quick links below to jump to your favorite category.
1.5 km waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River — 1920s Western colonial buildings (HSBC Building, Customs House, Peace Hotel) facing the futuristic Pudong skyline across the water. The canonical Shanghai image.
Free Always open (night light show 19:00-22:00) 1-2 hours
Local tip: Sunset 18:00-20:00 is the most photogenic. Nighttime light show on Pudong skyscrapers 19:00-22:00 is the canonical photo angle. Avoid noon (heat + crowds). Walk full 1.5km north to south, then climb up to the elevated promenade for the panoramic shot.
Shanghai Tower SkyDeck (632m world's 2nd tallest)
#2
World's 2nd-tallest building — 632 m, 118-floor observation deck, world's fastest elevator (18 m/s). The canonical Pudong skyscraper experience.
Local tip: Pre-book online via WeChat or Klook to skip the 1-hour queue. Sunset visit (timed entry 17:30) lets you experience both day + night skylines in one ticket. Don't bother with the slow elevator visible from inside — take the express.
Yu Garden + Old City Bazaar
#3
1577 Ming dynasty classical garden with rockeries + pavilions + the 9-zigzag bridge to Huxinting Tea House (the temple of Shanghai tea culture). Surrounded by the Old City Bazaar — touristy but the only walk-able Ming-era cluster.
Local tip: Visit weekday mornings 8:30-10:30 to avoid the worst crowds. The Huxinting Tea House charges CNY 200+ / $28+ for tea on the bridge — overrated; better tea at the Old City teahouse for CNY 80 / $11.
Oriental Pearl Tower (468m, 1994 retro-futurist)
#4
468 m radio + observation tower in Pudong — the iconic 1994 pearl-on-stick landmark predating Shanghai Tower by 22 years. Lower spheres house viewing decks; upper sphere is a revolving restaurant.
CNY 200 / $28 main observation 9:00-21:30 1.5 hours
Local tip: Photogenic FROM the Bund, not from inside it — the views from inside are similar to Shanghai Tower but lower. Skip the inside visit unless traveling with kids; spend the budget on Shanghai Tower instead.
Historic Concessions & Old Town
4 spots
Old French Concession Walking Loop
#1
Tree-lined plane-tree boulevards of the former French Concession (1849-1943) — Wukang Road, Anfu Road, Yongkang Road, Wulumuqi Road. 1920s mansions converted to cafés, boutiques, restaurants. The most-photogenic Shanghai walking neighborhood.
Free Always open Half day
Local tip: Best 9:00-12:00 (low crowds) + 16:00-19:00 (golden hour through plane trees). Wukang Mansion (the wedge-shaped 1924 apartment building) is the most-Instagrammed spot — go early before tour buses. Lost Heaven, Cafe Sambal, Le Café are the canonical lunch stops.
Xintiandi (restored Shikumen lane houses)
#2
Restored 1920s Shikumen (stone-gate) lane houses turned into a 2-block dining + bar + boutique district. Includes the CCP First Congress Site (1921) — politically loaded but historically central.
Local tip: Mostly upscale — Xintiandi prices run double the equivalent French Concession café. Best for dinner + evening cocktails. The Madang Road CCP First Congress Site is free; reservation via WeChat in advance.
Tianzifang Arts District
#3
Maze of narrow Shikumen lanes converted to a bohemian arts + crafts district — small galleries, tea shops, ceramics studios, indie bars. The walkable alternative to upscale Xintiandi.
Free walking 10:00-22:00 (varies by shop) 2-3 hours
Local tip: Get lost in the alleys — Tianzifang's charm is the discovery. Most touristy shops sell mass-market 'Shanghai souvenirs' overpriced; the legitimate galleries are deeper in the maze. Beer at Kommune café is the canonical TIanzifang break.
Jing'an Temple (1216 Buddhist, in modern center)
#4
1216 Buddhist temple completely reconstructed in 2010 — its glittering rooftops and 30+ m statues seated in the middle of Shanghai's most expensive shopping district create the canonical Shanghai contrast.
CNY 50 / $7 entry 7:30-17:00 1 hour
Local tip: Combine with West Nanjing Road shopping + Plaza 66 luxury mall + Jing'an Park afternoon. Best photos from the Jing'an Park side looking at the temple against the modern skyline.
Modern Shanghai & Family
4 spots
Shanghai Disneyland (China's first Disney, 2016)
#1
China's first Disney theme park — the world's 7th Disneyland. The Enchanted Storybook Castle (largest Disney castle), TRON Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure boat ride. Avatar-style scale.
CNY 475-769 / $66-107 1-day depending on date 8:00-21:00 (varies seasonally) Full day
Local tip: Pre-book via Klook or official app 1-2 weeks ahead — gates sell out on holidays. Avoid Chinese national holidays (1 week varying Jan-Feb + 7-day October National Day) — wait times triple. Disney Premier Access (extra $20-40) skips queues for top rides.
Shanghai Museum (top Chinese art, free)
#2
Renmin Square (People's Square) — Shanghai Museum (free entry) holds the canonical Chinese ancient art collection: bronzes 3000+ BCE, ceramics 5000+ BCE, jade carvings, Ming + Qing furniture, calligraphy + paintings. China's top non-Beijing museum.
Free (passport required for entry) 9:00-17:00 (closed Monday) 2-3 hours
Local tip: Bring your passport — required at entry. Pre-book via the museum's official app or WeChat 1-2 days ahead (limited daily admissions). The bronze gallery (first floor) is the canonical Shanghai Museum highlight.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Shopping
#3
5.5 km commercial street from People's Square to The Bund — Shanghai's main shopping artery since 1840s. Department stores, brand flagships, snack stalls, street food. Most-walked street in China.
Free Always open (shops 10:00-22:00) 2-3 hours
Local tip: Walk from People's Square station east toward the Bund — the historic side is the eastern half. Best 19:00-21:00 for the LED + neon light atmosphere. Skip the tea-ceremony scam touts (English-speaking 'students' offering tea = $200 bill scam).
M50 / Moganshan Road Art District
#4
Former 1930s textile factory converted into Shanghai's largest contemporary art district — 100+ studios + galleries from emerging Chinese artists + a few international names. China's answer to Beijing's 798 Art District.
Free entry to all galleries 10:00-18:00 (most galleries closed Monday) 2 hours
Local tip: Best with an art-curious eye — check Time Out Shanghai for current exhibitions. Most galleries are pleasant 10-min visits each. Combine with French Concession lunch (15 min by Didi from M50).
Day Trips & Water Towns
4 spots
Suzhou Day Trip (UNESCO classical gardens)
#1
Suzhou is 30 min by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao (CNY 40 / $5.50 one-way) — UNESCO classical Chinese gardens (Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden), Pingjiang Road canal walk, Tiger Hill. The canonical Shanghai day trip.
Train CNY 40 / $5.50 each way + garden tickets CNY 80 / $11 each Trains every 10 min from Hongqiao Full day (8h round trip)
Local tip: Pre-book train tickets via Trip.com or 12306.cn 1-2 days ahead (can sell out on holidays). The Humble Administrator's Garden + Pingjiang Road walk is the canonical 1-day Suzhou itinerary. Skip the silk museum — overpriced + touristy.
Hangzhou Day Trip (West Lake + Longjing tea)
#2
Hangzhou is 1 hour by high-speed train (CNY 75 / $10 each way) — West Lake (UNESCO 2011, the canonical Chinese lake) + Lingyin Temple + Longjing tea villages. Marco Polo called it 'the most beautiful city in the world'.
Train CNY 75 / $10 each way + West Lake free Trains every 10 min from Hongqiao Full day (10h round trip including 2h transit)
Local tip: Boat ride on West Lake CNY 70 / $10 — worth it. Longjing tea village 30 min from West Lake, taxi CNY 80 / $11 each way. Best Apr-May (tea harvest + spring blossoms) or Sep-Oct (cool + autumn light).
Zhujiajiao Water Town (1700-year canals)
#3
1,700-year-old water town 1 hour west of Shanghai by metro or shuttle bus — 36 stone bridges + canal-side teahouses + traditional Ming/Qing architecture. The most-accessible water town from Shanghai.
Town entry free + combo ticket CNY 80 / $11 includes 8 attractions 8:30-17:00 (some shops later) Half day (5-6h round trip)
Local tip: Metro Line 17 from Hongqiao Railway station (1 hour, CNY 8 / $1.10) is the cheapest option. Avoid weekends (massive crowds). The Fangsheng Bridge (1571) is the most-photographed spot.
Tongli or Wuzhen Water Town (Suzhou region)
#4
Tongli (1.5 h from Shanghai) and Wuzhen (1.5 h, often overnight) are the deeper-canal water towns vs Zhujiajiao's touristy version. Wuzhen's east + west zones include preserved homes + theaters + indigo dye workshops.
Local tip: Wuzhen overnight is the canonical 'water town' experience — book a Wuzhen East Gate hotel. Wuzhen West Zone illuminated at night = most-photographed water town in China.
Practical Tips
Local know-how that saves you time and money on the ground.
1
Install VPN BEFORE arrival — Google + Facebook blocked.
2
Maglev train Pudong Airport ¥50 (8 min at 430 km/h) — ride once for experience.
3
The Bund night light show 19:00-22:00 + sunset most photogenic.
4
Din Tai Fung xiaolongbao canonical, but Jia Jia Tang Bao locally famous + cheaper.
5
Suzhou high-speed train day trip 30min + UNESCO classical gardens worth $90.
Getting Around
Subway ¥3-9 per ride. Didi for taxis. Walking in Bund + French Concession.
Book Tours & Activities in Shanghai
Booking online is typically cheaper than walk-up rates and reserves your spot.
Common questions about attractions and activities in Shanghai.
What are the must-see attractions in Shanghai?
Shanghai's most popular attractions include The Bund (Wai Tan), Shanghai Tower SkyDeck (632m world's 2nd tallest), Yu Garden + Old City Bazaar, among others. We've organized 16 attractions across 4 categories below — see details for hours, prices, and local tips.
What free things can I do in Shanghai?
Free entry attractions include The Bund (Wai Tan), Yu Garden + Old City Bazaar, Old French Concession Walking Loop, among others. Parks, plazas, and public museums let you experience Shanghai without spending — perfect for budget travelers.
Which attractions in Shanghai are most expensive?
Notable paid attractions include Shanghai Tower SkyDeck (632m world's 2nd tallest) (CNY 180 / $25), Oriental Pearl Tower (468m, 1994 retro-futurist) (CNY 200 / $28 main observation), Jing'an Temple (1216 Buddhist, in modern center) (CNY 50 / $7 entry). Booking online in advance is often cheaper than walk-up rates and lets you skip queues.
What are good day trips from Shanghai?
Day trip options from Shanghai include Suzhou Day Trip (UNESCO classical gardens), Hangzhou Day Trip (West Lake + Longjing tea), Zhujiajiao Water Town (1700-year canals), among others. Most are reachable by train or organized tour bus within 1-2 hours each way.
What can families with kids do in Shanghai?
Shanghai offers parks, aquariums, hands-on museums, and themed attractions for families. Look for "family" or "interactive" keywords in the descriptions below.
Where can I see the best night views in Shanghai?
Top night-view spots include The Bund (Wai Tan), Shanghai Tower SkyDeck (632m world's 2nd tallest), Oriental Pearl Tower (468m, 1994 retro-futurist). Visit after sunset or join a night tour.
What scams should I watch for in Shanghai?
Common tourist scams include overpriced taxis, fake tour sellers, and aggressive street vendors. Buy tickets at official counters and use hotel-recommended or app-based transport for safety.
Where do locals recommend that tourists miss?
Check the "Local tip" sections of each attraction below for insights you won't find in standard guidebooks. Outlying neighborhoods and local markets are often the best hidden gems.
More on Shanghai
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — everything in one place.
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
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