Get the Best of Shanghai

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Shanghai showcases the modern China. This is clearly visible at the street level and at
night. These are our recommendations for the essential Shanghai experience.

Must-see Attractions in Shanghai

Though Shanghai is different to Beijing in that it does not have the hundreds of historical
and cultural however it has a charisma which is unique. Most of the most popular
attractions are grouped in the city center a short distance from each other.

Combine the Bund Visit with Nanjing Road

Dongyi Road (First East Road) | Zhongshan Road | Shanghai City
The Bund has been the icon for Shanghai
for a many years and is well known for its
52 western colonial buildings along the
Huangpu River. The avenue is wide and
1.5 km in length. Opposite the Bund is the
famous New Pudong Area with many
modern skyscrapers such as the Oriental
Pearl TV Tower, World Financial Center
and Jinmao Tower.

Ferries are available to cross the Huangpu

River at 2 Yuan/person. A ferry ride will
help appreciate the contrast between modern Shanghai and classical Old Shanghai.

Very near the Bund is Nanjing Road that is renowned as the busiest pedestrian street in
China. Large malls and high ends shops make this street an attraction in its own right. Both
the Bund and Nanjing Road are free.

Shanghai Museum and People’s Square

NO 201, Renmin Avenue | Shanghai City

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Shanghai Museum is one of the four most
famous museums in China, along with the
Palace Museum, Shaanxi Provincial
Historical Museum and Nanjing Museum.
It has 12 display halls and over 120,000
valuable relics representing bronze wares,
porcelain, pottery, paintings, and
calligraphy and minority ethnic crafts.

As it is so large with so many works, we

would recommend you pick choose a few
and concentrate on them. Bronze ware is
extremely brilliant. Audio guiding devices in different languages are available for rent and
may help you get a better understanding through your visit.

The appearance of the museum itself is special and looks like a huge bronze price from a
distance and is a good photo opportunity. This fabulous museum is free of charge and its
opening hours are from 9:00-17:00.

The People's Square where the museum is located is the city center and many important
buildings are around it.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Huangpu Riverside | Shanghai City
Oriental Pearl TV tower became a symbol
of Shanghai development and
modernization. It is famous for its height
(468 m/1535 feet), it is the 4th tallest tower
in Asia, and its shape. The tower consists
of pearl shaped balls mounted on its base.
Each one offers a sightseeing platform.
The tower also houses the Oriental Pearl
Science Fantasy World and the Shanghai
Municipal History Museum. There is an
addition charge to visit these attractions.

The Aerial Sightseeing Corridor is the best place to enjoy a bird view of Shanghai city
center. Visitors could look down on the world under their feet through the transparent glass
floor. The day needs to be clear day as you can see nothing on a rainy or foggy day. The
Revolving restaurant in the 2nd biggest ball is also good place to see the night view of
Shanghai. It revolves once every 2 hours.

Opening hours are from 8:00-21:00 and admission varies according to the level. Click here
for detailed prices.

Old French Concession

Luwan District and Xuhui District | Shanghai City
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The Old French Concession was the residential area for French residents during the
colonial period in Shanghai. It consists of about 240 streets in the Luwan and Xuhui
Districts. Nowadays, it is popular place to relax in the many trendy cafes on the tree-lined
avenues and among the Tudor houses.

Yuyuan Garden
No.137 Anren Road | Huangpu District | Shanghai City
Yuyuan Garden is located in the Temple of
City God (Chenghuang Temple) and is
surrounded by many shops selling local
food and souvenirs .The garden is an
oasis amongst the hustle and bustle. If you
are interested in Chinese architecture and
art, do miss this place.

The Garden was created by Pan Yunduan,

a Government Officer, for his family and
was completed in 1577 during the Ming
Dynasty. It is a classical southern Chinese
garden with halls, stone lions, pavilions, corridors, ponds, rockeries and an ancient stage.
Each corner opens a surprising new space.

Besides the architecture, there are also many valuable artworks in the garden. They
include brick carving, stone carving, furniture, clay sculpture and wood engraving. Each
one tells a story. Calligraphy is specialty in the garden since as famous calligraphers have
written inscriptions over the years.

The inscription on the big stone at the entrance says 海上名园（A famous garden in a
seaside city） and was inscribed by Chairman Jiang Zemin in 1999 when the garden
celebrated its 440 anniversary.

Zhujiajiao Water Town

No.36 Meizhou Road | Zhujiajiao Town | Qingpu District | Shanghai City
Zhujiajiao Water Town is the nearest water
town to Shanghai and only a one hour
drive. A day trip from Shanghai is sufficient
to see this 900-year old town.

The town's is best features are the many

different bridges which cross over the river.
A classical ancient southern water town,
Zhujiajiao has wooden houses constructed
in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, tree-lined
pavements made with stone and marble.
The town provides lots of photography
opportunities.

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Admission to the town is free. A B\boat ride is available for 60 Yuan/person to see the
sights along the river and pass under the bridges. Pickle is famous local food and be found
in local stores. Souvenirs are everywhere and you should bargain hard.

Try Local Food at Din Tai Fung in Xintiandi

Floor 2, Building 6 |Xintiandi Square | NO.123, Xingye Road | Shanghai City
When you visit Shanghai, do miss trying the local food. Din Tai Fung is a excellent place to
experiment in a good environment. Din Tai Fung is a traditional Chinese food restaurant
famous for Xiaolongbao with different fillings (light dumpling with soup inside). This type of
dish is comfort food for the locals. There are also many other dishes to tempt including
braised beef noodles, chicken soup and dumplings. The prices are moderate at $10-
$15/person.

The environment is quiet good but you may need make a reservation or wait for about 10-
15 minutes to get a seat. Take away food is available also. Diners can make a reservation
and wander around Xintiandi to kill time or take a leisurely walk after having dining.

Shop in a Local Specialty Market

Shanghai is considered a shopping
paradise in mainland China with every
taste being catered for from top-end malls
to specialty street markets. Visitors
wishing to take some local specialty home
could consider silk. South Bund Soft
Spinning Material Market is a local silk
market specializing in tailor-making
clothes to fit most budgets.

South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market 南外滩轻纺面料市场

NO 399, Lujiabin Road (near Nancang Road) | Huangpu District | Shanghai City
The shops at this market cater to foreign customers with tailors having their own specialty.
Materials in the market vary in quality and price. It is wise to compare a number of shops
and then make the final decision. Suits, T-shirts, traditional Chinese garments and Qipaos
are all available. Staffs at the shop speak English so there is not a big problem in
communicating. Average cost is around $100/suit.

Night Cruise on the Huangpu River

Area A, NO 501 | Dong Er Road of Zhongshan Road | Shanghai City
Huangpu River is life blood of Shanghai. It is now not only for transportation but for
sightseeing cruises of modern Pudong District and the classic beauty of the Bund. A night
Cruise on the Huangpu River will provide a platform to enjoy the essence of Shanghai by
night.
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The cruise ships are operated by 3
companies and have different routes and
prices but all include the essentials. The
average cost is CNY100/person for the
cruise only. The regular route starts from
the Bund and passes the Oriental Pearl
TV & Radio Tower, Binjiang Avenue and
then makes its return after reaching
Yangpu Bridge. The night scenery is a
contrast of modern skyscrapers and
colonial architecture along the Bund with
lights and music adding to the scene.
Cruises run from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm but after 6:00 pm is the most popular.

Watch a Night Show—Shanghai Circus World

Shangcheng Theater | No.1376 Nanjing West Road | Jing'an District | Shanghai City

There is no shortage of shows in Shanghai but the Shanghai Circus World is highly
recommended because it is an excellent show but at a very fair price. At CNY200-CNY280
/person the show provides a spectacular event with skills far beyond any ordinary person.
This 1 1/2 hour show has 9 parts from classic acrobatics to contortionist and comic
sketches. All seats are good due to the good theater design; no seats has an interrupted
view.

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