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 showing a bar, street scenes and café scenes

Downtown Shanghai

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Known for its beautiful gardens and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Shanghai. Check out top attractions like Three on the Bund and Shanghai Old Street, 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 modern architecture, a skyscraper and a city

Pudong

4/5(109 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 religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Jing'an

4/5(16 area reviews)

Travellers choose Jing'an for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Yanchang Road Station or Circus World Station and check out top sights like Daning Lingshi Park.

Jing'an
Shanghai Museum featuring modern architecture

Huangpu

4.5/5(94 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

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

Travellers choose Xuhui for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Stadium Station or Xujiahui Station and check out top sights like Shanghai Stadium.

Xuhui
Central Hotel Shanghai
Central Hotel Shanghai
4 out of 5
No 555 Jiujiang Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
The price is S$123 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$123
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Overall good. I am not really happy with the receptionist service. Communication n flexibality"

Reviewed on 6 Mar,2024

Central Hotel Shanghai
Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai
Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai
4 out of 5
505 Nanjing Road East, Shanghai, Shanghai
Fully refundable
The price is S$158 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
S$158
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Popular attractions Nanjing Road Shopping District and Old Chinese ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Great choice for a first-time visitor
"Very central location on Nanjing (East) Rd which was perfect for a first time stay in Shanghai. Really liked the hotel which was particularly busy at the time I stayed (Chinese New Year). Great breakfast selection. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Would happily return."

Reviewed on 16 Mar,2024

Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai
The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
5 out of 5
88 Henan Central Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
The price is S$212 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$212
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Nanjing Road Shopping District and Old Chinese ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (945 reviews)
Great stay
"Excellent experience with westin. Perfect room and perfect breakfast."

Reviewed on 16 Mar,2024

The Westin Bund Center, 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.
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! (874 reviews)
"Staff are friend and nice"

Reviewed on 26 Jan,2024

Riverdale Residence Xintiandi 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 World Financial Center and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (645 reviews)
"The staff were quick & responsive to a room heating issue we experienced & assigned our family to another room promptly."

Reviewed on 8 Mar,2024

IFC Residence
Green Court Residence City Center Shanghai
Green Court Residence City Center Shanghai
4 out of 5
55 Beijing Xi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, Shanghai
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Shanghai Landmark Department Store ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,308 reviews)
"Center of Shanghai"

Reviewed on 22 Feb,2024

Green Court Residence City Center 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

Things to do

Reviews of Shanghai

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
92
" "5 - Excellent 48.167539267015705%
4 - Good
88
" "4 - Good 46.07329842931937%
3 - Okay
10
" "3 - Okay 5.2356020942408374%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5235602094240838%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Asiantraveller
3 Feb 2020

Be aware that not much Chinese people can speak English, prepare yourself with Chinese instruction/ information to give local people for help. Taxi is not easy to get, especially in short distances travel

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Jan 2020

A busy and clean city, with the traditional and new features stand together. Food varieties are plenty and at very reasonable prices. Getting around is easy on Metro. People in general are helpful and considerate.

4/5 - Good

Maz
18 Jan 2020

Excellent public transport, plenty to see and do for a stopover. It's easier to travel independently here than in other parts of China.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

Not easy to shopping or take taxi if you don't have wechat or alipay.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

Amazing city especially on evening when all the lights are on, really recommend the acrobatic show if you the time.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Jan 2020

Love all about Shanghai