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 assured. Start your journey awakening your 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 will find the best things to do in Shanghai to make the most of your visit.

Yuyuan Garden is an oasis of tranquility with nearly 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 will find specialized houses where you can try the classic pu-erh, oolong, jasmine and black tea with the accent of China, the birthplace of tea. Accompanying the tea, sweeten the experience with local delicacies such as moon cakes and Cantonese desserts. It's like a feast for the senses.

This ceremony is the perfect activity to immerse yourself in 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.

Details of interest

• Address: 279 Yu Yuan Lao Jie, Huangpu, Shanghai.
• Hours: daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Another of Shanghai's must-do activities is its 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 like**"ERA: Intersection of Time**," directed by the talented creator of Cirque du Soleil. It is a captivating work that narrates the history of China from its roots to the present. With extraordinary acrobatic performances and cutting-edge technology, this show fuses the rich historical culture of Shanghai with a modern twist, creating colorful 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 is 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. Make a note of this activity among your things to do in Shanghai at night and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

Details of interest

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

Dive into a dizzying adventure at the Shanghai Tower! Meet the third tallest tower in the world with its impressive 632 meters. 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 look at it from the outside, go up to the observation deck in the world's fastest elevator. 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 theaters.

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 the Zhujiajiao Water City, the jewel of Shanghai. Lose yourself among its alleys, canals and ancient architecture in the middle of this marvel of the Ming Dynasty. 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 kilometers west of downtown. During the Ming Dynasty, this watery city came alive with canals that were the commercial epicenter of the time. Today, bridges connect charming lanes where you'll see cafes and boatmen offering rides and stores with 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. A wide range of things to see and do awaits you in this city, best to have a private guide optimize your visit and take you to see everything from Fangsheng Bridge to Kezhi Garden.

Feast your taste buds with a gastronomic tour in Shanghai. Indulge in a symphony of flavors 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 best gastronomic cities in the world.

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, featuring delicacies enhanced with spice and spice that tantalize the senses.

Whether you book a Shanghai food tour, a culinary street food tour or choose to explore the local cuisine on your own, from Xintiandi to the vibrant markets of the Old City, the streets of Shanghai are your passport to a journey of sensory sensations for your palate.

Meet the crown jewel of Shanghai: The Bund. Imagine yourself surrounded by gravity-defying skyscrapers, the Oriental Pearl Tower illuminating the sky and elegant European buildings. Across the river, restaurants for every taste 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's recommended among Shanghai day trips and tours.

Whether you choose to walk The Bund or take one of Shanghai's cruises to cruise 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, mind you, the Bund is a 24/7 tourist magnet, and this boat ride is included in the tour bus pass, so be prepared to rub shoulders with the crowds and hawkers.

Details of interest

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

Get to know 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 colorful transportation to the route, the tour is quite 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 off and on whenever you want, all while listening to interesting commentary in about 8 languages, including Spanish. It's like having a personal guide who tells you all the secrets of this city.

This bus is more than just a means of transportation, 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 sites: 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.

While Shanghai is beautiful, it's not every day we travel to China, so we want to get the most out of our trips. So day trips are a good option to get to know other outstanding cities, and if there is one that cannot be missed, it is the capital, Beijing. Day trips to Beijing from Shanghai will allow you to have a quick view of its 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, it is worth strolling through its Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Imperial Vault of Heaven, two imposing architectural gems. Another important stop is the Forbidden City. Here you are transported back to the imperial grandeur of yesteryear. Home to 24 emperors for more than 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 group of buildings of Soviet heritage, it is the anteroom to the Forbidden City. Another recommended stop is the Summer Palace, with its beautiful gardens and boat rides on Kunming Lake.

Finally, do not forget to immerse yourself in authentic Chinese life by exploring the famous Hutongs. By rickshaw, bicycle cab or on foot, the Nanluoguxiang, Gulou and Wudaoying neighborhoods 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 attention 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 subway traveling to the People's Square station. Admission is free, although some special exhibitions may have a nominal fee. The museum, praised for its bilingual (Chinese-English) descriptions, is a cultural treasure worth exploring.

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

Details of interest

• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• 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. This temple, initially built to house two Burmese jade statues, has grown into an amazing collection of sacred art. Pay homage to the jade Buddhas, but you can 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 organize your visit during the early morning hours to avoid the crowds. You can easily reach it by subway at Changshou Road station. For more details you can check their website.

Details of interest

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