Shanghai

Travel Guide
Shanghai
China’s largest city excites with its art, history, culture and architecture and dazzles with the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Magnificent temples, vast museums, fascinating architecture and plenty of big-city thrills, Shanghai Province has lots going on to keep you entertained and engaged. Investigate the city's art scene, visit ancient shrines and explore the nearby islands.

A good way to start your visit is with a walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s historic waterfront. It features some of the city’s most recognizable buildings. Note the different architectural styles, including art deco, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. They contrast markedly with the modern skyscrapers of Pudong, which lie across the Huangpu River. These towering structures are an even more fascinating sight when they are lit up at night. Another example of stunning architecture is the vast Shanghai Exhibition Center in Jing’an.

Among the city’s most beautiful and intriguing buildings are its temples. In the western part of Shanghai, find tranquility at the Jade Buddha temple, an early 20th-century place of worship that houses two jade Buddha statues. See one of Shanghai District’s most impressive temple complexes in the town of Nanxiang. The Yun Xiang Si Temple encompasses seven temples, a scripture library and a large hall for up to 700 worshippers.

The beauty of Shanghai’s architecture is also mirrored in its art. Browse examples of Asian contemporary art at the Shanghai Gallery of Art and at the Museum of Contemporary Art located within People’s Park. Walk along Mogoshan Road, where every possible surface is covered in graffiti.

Shanghai Province has many places to unwind, surrounded by natural beauty. Wander among the redwoods, gingkoes, cherry trees and flowering magnolias of the Yuyuan Gardens. Stroll through the colorful gardens of Guyi Gardens and rent a boat for a trip across its lake.

Take a daytrip out to the islands off Shanghai’s coast. Hike through the forests on Changxing or Hengsha and go bird watching at Dongtan Wetland Park on Chongming. While you are on this island, stop by Yingdong Ecological Village for boating, fishing and more bird watching.

A visit to Shanghai Province promises bright lights and big-city bustle as well as lots of nature and traditions.

Where to stay in Shanghai

Xintiandi featuring street scenes, a city and outdoor eating

Downtown Shanghai

4.5/5(65 area reviews)

Known for its beautiful gardens and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Shanghai. Check out top attractions like The Bund and Three on the Bund, and jump on the metro at East Nanjing Road Station or Yuyuan Garden Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Shanghai
Oriental Pearl Tower which includes skyline, a city and modern architecture

Pudong

4/5(642 area reviews)

Shanghai Wild Animal Park and Shanghai Disneyland© are top sights in Pudong, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Huinan Station or Safari Park Station to see more sights in the area.

Pudong
Jing An Temple featuring a temple or place of worship and religious elements

Jing'an

4.5/5(154 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Daning Lingshi Park while getting to know Jing'an, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Yanchang Road Station or Circus World Station to see more of the area.

Jing'an
Shanghai Museum featuring modern architecture

Huangpu

4.5/5(575 area reviews)

Known for its beautiful gardens and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Huangpu. Check out top attractions like Old Chinese City and Yuyuan Bazaar, and jump on the metro at Yuyuan Garden Station or East Nanjing Road Station to see more of the city.

Huangpu
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Hongqiao

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Hongqiao. Top attractions like Hongqiao Int'l Pearl City and Laowai Street 101 are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Hechuan Road Station or Longbai Xincun Station to see more of the city.

Hongqiao
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Xuhui

4.5/5(75 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Xuhui. If sightseeing is on the list, Shanghai Stadium is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Stadium Station or Xujiahui Station to see more of the area.

Xuhui
Central Hotel Shanghai
Central Hotel Shanghai
4 out of 5
No 555 Jiujiang Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,543 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$2,543
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Nanjing Road Shopping District and Old ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Central Hotel Shanghai
The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
5 out of 5
88 Henan Central Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
The price is NT$4,342 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
NT$4,342
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Nanjing Road Shopping District and People's ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (947 reviews)
Great stay
"Excellent experience with westin. Perfect room and perfect breakfast."

Reviewed on 2024/3/16

The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
5 out of 5
No.99 Madang Road, Luwan District, Shanghai, Shanghai
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$5,006 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$5,006
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (785 reviews)
"The property has a convenient location and is great for business travel. However the rooms are dated and worn, a renovation of the property is needed, they’re no longer fit for a five star hotel."

Reviewed on 2024/3/7

The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Modena by Fraser Putuo Shanghai
Modena by Fraser Putuo Shanghai
4 out of 5
No. 1, Lane 58, Tongchuan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai, Shanghai
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (839 reviews)
"two bedroom loft style suitable for family"

Reviewed on 2024/1/4

Modena by Fraser Putuo Shanghai
IFC Residence
IFC Residence
5 out of 5
8 Century Avenue Pudong, Shanghai, PVG
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a children's pool. Popular attractions Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower ...
9/10 Wonderful! (651 reviews)
"It is above a very high end mall with luxury shops and restaurants, metro is also underneath, which is only 2 stops to the People's Square. Fantastic view of the Bund from the footbridge of the hotel. Taxi to everywhere is also very cheap."

Reviewed on 2024/3/22

IFC Residence
Riverdale Residence Xintiandi Shanghai
Riverdale Residence Xintiandi Shanghai
4 out of 5
98 Shou Ning Road, 200021 Shanghai, Shanghai, Shanghai
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (876 reviews)
"Good location, convenient and walkable distance to mall"

Reviewed on 2024/3/23

Riverdale Residence Xintiandi Shanghai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Shanghai

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
603
" "5 - Excellent 53.22153574580759%
4 - Good
428
" "4 - Good 37.775816416593116%
3 - Okay
87
" "3 - Okay 7.678729037952339%
2 - Disappointing
11
" "2 - Disappointing 0.970873786407767%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 0.353045013239188%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 6, 2020

Love Shanghai, but the Virus changed everything!!! I have visited Shanghai at least 10 - 15 times before, but because of the virus - it was not the Shanghai that I was looking to visit and know, but it still was Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 29, 2020

Get a refillable Metro Card at the Peoples Square station; there's a lot to see in Shanghai but you'll need to use the Metro. It's very clean, well run and most cars have signs and verbal announcements in English. And don't forget Suzhou and Qibao!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 28, 2020

Shanghai is a vary safe city and vary modern also they have different cultural and You can have restaurant like Italian food everything you can find in Shanghai and even with a vary cheap price compare to other city like hongKong dubai

5/5 - Excellent

Jeff
Jan 27, 2020

Lots of shopping  biking ‍♀️ karaoke

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jan 22, 2020

It will be packed during the holidays but there is a wide variety of food choices and shopping choices. Walking around the city is very safe and you can see a lot by just taking a stroll around town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 21, 2020

A mystical place, people are courteous and well manner.

Cities near Shanghai