Best Things To Do in Shanghai

Shanghai is a frenetic city that contrasts past and future, but is enjoyed in the present. Here, adventure is guaranteed. Start your journey by awakening the senses with an exotic gastronomic tour. Explore The Bund and get lost among the shikumen-style houses and restaurants, just before the skyscrapers surprise you around the corner.

Explore the Shanghai Museum, travel to Beijing or admire the city from the **world'**s third tallest tower. This oriental pearl is a canvas where tradition and modernity intertwine in a visual symphony, and in this article you'll find the best things to do in Shanghai to make the most of your visit.

Yuyuan Garden is an oasis of tranquillity with almost 500 years of history. Here you travel back in time among pavilions, towers, ponds, flowers and highlights such as the Jade Stone, the garden's treasure.

After soaking up the history and breathtaking scenery, take a stroll through the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar and get ready for the tea ceremony. In this market you'll find specialised tea houses where you can sample classic pu-erh, oolong, jasmine and black tea with the accent of China, the birthplace of tea. To accompany the tea, sweeten the experience with local delicacies such as mooncakes and Cantonese desserts. It's like a feast for the senses.

This ceremony is the perfect way to get a taste of the local culture. In addition, in Shanghai you can enjoy this tradition in other places such as Huaihai Roado Xintiandi, where the best afternoon tea experiences in Shanghai gather hundreds of people daily.

Interesting details

• Address: 279 Yu Yuan Lao Jie, Huangpu, Shanghai.
• Opening hours: daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Another must-do activity in Shanghai is the Chinese acrobatic shows- I promise it's something you won't want to miss on your must-do list in the city! Shanghai's acrobatic school and troupe, with their impressive track record of gold medals in international competitions, will take your breath away with their feats of skill and grace.

With your Shanghai Circus World tickets you have the opportunity to witness shows such as**"ERA: Intersection of Time**", directed by the talented creator of Cirque du Soleil. It is a captivating work that tells the story of China from its roots to the present day. With extraordinary acrobatic performances and cutting-edge technology, this show fuses the rich historical culture of Shanghai with a modern twist, creating colourful and vivid scenes that capture the spirit of China and the soul of the city.

From the Maglev Train to the Shenzhou 5, every moment on stage is worth enjoying, and despite its late night schedule, it's ideal to schedule among the things to see and do in Shanghai with children. Live music, immersive sets and other spectacular surprises capture the attention of the whole family. Put this activity on your list of things to do in Shanghai at night and prepare for an unforgettable experience.

Interesting details

• Address: 2266 Gonghexin Road, Zhabei Qu, Shanghai.
• Price: from €45.

Dive into a dizzying adventure at the Shanghai Tower! See the world's third tallest tower at an impressive 632 metres. Its innovative design, shaped like an ascending spiral, makes it unique and distinctive in the city's skyline. Although, I recommend that you don't just stand outside and watch it from the outside, take the world's fastest lift up to the observation deck. It will take you up to the 119th floor. A thrilling experience!

Enjoy the best panoramic views of Shanghai. See the Huangpu River, the Bund district and the imposing Oriental Pearl Tower from above. The experience also includes virtual reality activities and 4D movie theatres.

The Shanghai Tower is not only an architectural landmark, but also a symbol of China's economic development. Get ready for an experience that will challenge your limits and leave you in awe of Shanghai's grandeur from the top!

Interesting details

• Address: 501 Yincheng Rd (M), Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:30-21:30 hrs.

Just an hour from the Asian megacity lies Zhujiajiao Water City, the jewel of Shanghai. Lose yourself in the alleys, canals and ancient architecture of this Ming Dynasty marvel. You can explore it on foot, discovering every nook and cranny, or indulge in the luxury of a boat or ferry ride along the canals.

This Venice of Shanghai is located about 50 kilometres west of the city centre. During the Ming Dynasty, this watery city came alive with canals that were the commercial epicentre of the time. Today, bridges connect charming lanes where you'll see cafes and boatmen offering rides and shops selling quaint souvenirs.

Although exploring on your own has its charms, I suggest a day trip to Zhujiajiao from Shanghai - on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds. There's a wide range of things to see and do in this city, and it's best to have a private guide optimise your visit and take you from Fangsheng Bridge to Kezhi Garden.

Feast your taste buds with a food tour in Shanghai. Indulge in a symphony of flavours as you explore its bustling streets, either on foot or by bike. From egg pancakes to hot pot, let this Asian giant surprise you - after all, you are in one of the world's best foodie cities.

In Shanghai, woks are the stars of the show, with well-prepared dishes for as little as one euro or signature cuisine for other experiences. Try the dumpling soups at Xintiandi, the legendary zongzi and moon cakes at one of the terraces and pastry shops in the French Concession, among its shikumen buildings. And don't forget to stop for one of Forbes' top five recommended street foods, which are all spicy and spice-powered delicacies that tantalise the senses.

Whether you take a Shanghai food tour, a culinary street food tour or explore the local cuisine on your own, from Xintiandi to the vibrant markets of Old Town, the streets of Shanghai are your passport to a sensory journey for your taste buds.

See the jewel in Shanghai's crown: The Bund. Imagine yourself surrounded by gravity-defying skyscrapers, the Oriental Pearl Tower lighting up the sky and elegant European buildings. Across the river, restaurants for all tastes and exquisite shopping, that's what you'll see along Shanghai' s famous waterfront.

The range of things to do and see on The Bund is so vast that it is recommended among Shanghai day trips and excursions.

Whether you choose to walk along The Bund or take one of Shanghai's cruises to sail the Huangpu River, the adventure in the area is epic. Ah! And if you're up for it, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is like a psychedelic trip under the river - just be aware that the Bund is a 24/7 tourist magnet, and this boat ride is included in the sightseeing bus pass, so be prepared to rub shoulders with the crowds and hawkers.

Details of interest

• Address: Zhongshan Rd (E-1), Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 22:30 to catch the cruise, however, bars and restaurants have different opening hours and can go until the early hours of the morning.

See the Pearl of the Orient at your own pace with one of Shanghai's Hop on Hop off bus tours, a double-decker convertible bus that takes you to the city's most iconic destinations. From the colourful transport to the route, the tour is an experience - even the buses have become Instagrammable with their graffiti style and retro look!

The Shanghai sightseeing bus offers a 48-hour pass that you can enjoy with the flexibility to hop on and off at your leisure, all while listening to interesting commentary in around 8 languages, including Spanish. It's like having a personal guide to tell you all the secrets of this city.

This bus is more than just a means of transport, it's your passport to explore the history and vibrant life of Shanghai. And with over 40 stations on 4 routes, it covers all the must-see sights: The Bund, Nanjing Road, Chenghuang Temple, Xintiandi, Lujiazui, Oriental Pearl Tower, Jade Buddha Temple, People's Square where the controversial Marriage Market is located, and many more.

Although Shanghai is beautiful, it's not every day that you travel to China, so we want to make the most of our trips. So day trips are a good option to get to know other outstanding cities, and if there is one that can't be missed, it's the capital, Beijing. Day trips to Beijing from Shanghai will give you a quick look at landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall of China.

Start your adventure at the majestic Temple of Heaven. Built during the Ming dynasty, its Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Imperial Vault of Heaven, two imposing architectural gems, are worth a stroll. Another important stop is the Forbidden City. Here you are transported back to the imperial grandeur of yesteryear. Home to 24 emperors for over 500 years, this historic enclave opened its doors to the public in 1925. Inside, it houses an impressive collection of gardens, museums and fascinating buildings.

Tiananmen Square is one of the largest in the world at 44 hectares. Surrounded by a collection of Soviet-heritage buildings, it is the antechamber to the Forbidden City. Another recommended stop is the Summer Palace, with its beautiful gardens and boat rides on Kunming Lake.

Finally, don't forget to immerse yourself in authentic Chinese life by exploring the famous Hutongs. By rickshaw, bicycle taxi or on foot, the neighbourhoods of Nanluoguxiang, Gulou and Wudaoying will reveal the essence and authentic culture of Beijing.

Tour the Shanghai History Museum, a gem located near the bustling Nanjing Road. Impossible to miss, this museum features unique architecture: a circular building on a square base that captures the eye from afar.

The museum houses an extensive collection of relics from ornate calligraphy to jade carvings and traditional Chinese costumes, divided into categories such as Chinese bronze, ceramics, paintings, furniture, calligraphy, seals, jade stones, ancient coins and sculptures, thus tracing the rich history of the nation.

One of the highlights besides its architecture is that this museum is designed to appeal to tourists and locals alike. You can easily reach it by metro by travelling to the People's Square station. Admission is free, although some special exhibitions may have a nominal fee. Praised for its bilingual (Chinese-English) descriptions, the museum is a cultural treasure worth exploring.

Arrive early to avoid crowds and learn about Shanghai's history through its exhibits. Find out more by visiting the Shanghai Museum website.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 - 17:00.
• Price: free of charge.

Step into the magic of the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai's iconic landmarks that has been expanded to accommodate more visitors. Initially built to house two Burmese jade statues, the temple has grown into an amazing collection of sacred art. Pay homage to the jade Buddhas, but you'll also find other gems, such as the three golden Buddhas in the Great Hall, representing the past, present and future.

Explore the Hall of the Heavenly King, where four heavenly kings surround more Buddhas, acting as divine protectors. The Hall of the Reclining Buddha features a white jade statue sculpted in one piece. In addition to its beauty, the Jade Buddha Temple is one of the few active Buddhist monasteries in Shanghai, home to many monks.

Recent visitors praise its tranquility and impressive artwork, which is why millions of visitors throng its gates daily. I advise you to organise your visit during the early hours of the morning to avoid the crowds. You can easily get there by metro from Changshou Road station. For more details you can check their website.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:30 - 16:30.
• Price: from €3 and there is an additional supplement of approximately €1 to visit the Jade Buddha Chamber.