Activities in Shanghai

Shanghai rewards a mix of big views and slow neighbourhood walks. You don't need to tick off every tower. Three days give you the riverfront, the old town and the former French Concession, and a fourth can go to a canal town or Suzhou. The subway reaches almost everything, so it's easy to split your days between Puxi on the west bank and Pudong on the east.

Landmarks

The Bund. Walk the riverside promenade for free, either in the early morning when it's calm or after dark when Pudong lights up. It gets very crowded on holiday evenings. Allow an hour, then wander the old banks and hotels behind it.

One Pudong observation deck. Choose just one and pick a clear day. Shanghai Tower is the highest, and tickets there started from about ¥180 in late 2025. Go at sunset if you'd like both the daylight and night views, and check the forecast first, since cloud can hide everything.

Huangpu River cruise. An easy evening option that shows both banks. In November 2026, third-party listings showed tickets starting from about ¥110. Prices vary by pier and departure time, so check the boat and what's included.

Yu Garden and the old town. A classical garden surrounded by a busy tourist bazaar. Go at opening time to enjoy the rockeries and ponds before tour groups arrive, and check the closing day, as it's often shut on Mondays.

Museums. The Shanghai Museum is strong on Chinese art and has branches at People's Square and in Pudong. The Power Station of Art focuses on contemporary work. Many museums need an advance reservation with your passport and close on Mondays.

Neighbourhoods

Former French Concession. Plane trees, old villas, cafés and small shops. Walk Wukang Road and Anfu Road at your own pace, and allow at least half a day. This is often the part of the city people remember most.

Tianzifang and Xintiandi. Tianzifang is a maze of narrow lanes with craft shops, while Xintiandi is more polished, with restaurants in restored shikumen houses. Both are touristy, but they're easy to combine with a French Concession walk.

Hongkou. This area sheltered Jewish refugees during the Second World War. The refugee museum and surrounding lanes give the city's history a different angle, and a guided walk can add useful context.

Day trips

Zhujiajiao. A canal town on metro Line 17, about an hour from the centre. It's easy to reach, but it fills up by late morning, so arrive early or stay into the evening.

Suzhou. Famous for classical gardens, and about 30 minutes away by high-speed train. Some gardens need advance tickets and can get crowded, so choose two at most.

Hangzhou. West Lake and tea villages, around an hour away by high-speed train. It's doable as a day trip, but a night there makes for a more relaxed visit.

A realistic three-day plan

Day 1. Yu Garden at opening time, then the Shanghai Museum, and the Bund at dusk.

Day 2. The former French Concession in the morning, Xintiandi for lunch, then Pudong for a sunset view.

Day 3. Zhujiajiao or Suzhou, with a river cruise that evening if you have the energy.

Practical advice

Bring your passport. You may need it for museum reservations, high-speed trains and some attractions. Book trains early for holidays and weekends.

Payments and apps. Set up a mobile payment app before you arrive, and carry a power bank and a little cash. Download offline maps and a translation app in advance, since many foreign apps don't work well here.

When to go. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. June brings a rainy season, summers are hot and humid, and typhoons can occasionally disrupt plans. Avoid early October and Lunar New Year if you dislike crowds.