Shanghai Attractions: Complete Visitor Guide
10 must-visit sites in Shanghai — tickets, hours, transport, and tips for foreign tourists.
Quick Jump:
1Must-Visit Attractions
Must VisitFree EntryThe Bund
外滩
Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade stretching 1.5km along the Huangpu River, offering jaw-dropping views of the futuristic Pudong skyline. Lined with 52 heritage buildings showcasing Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, and Art Deco architecture from Shanghai's colonial era.
Must VisitYu Garden (Yuyuan)
豫园
A stunning 400-year-old classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, packed with rockeries, pavilions, ponds, and dragon-topped walls across 2 hectares. The surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar is a bustling marketplace of traditional snacks and souvenirs.
Must VisitOriental Pearl Tower
东方明珠
Shanghai's most recognizable landmark, this 468-meter TV tower features multiple observation decks, a thrilling glass-floor skywalk, and the excellent Shanghai History Museum in its base. An unmistakable part of the Pudong skyline visible from across the city.
Must VisitShanghai Tower
上海中心大厦
China's tallest building and the world's second tallest at 632 meters, featuring the world's highest observation deck on the 118th floor. The spiraling, twisting glass tower is an engineering marvel with the world's fastest elevators reaching the top in under 55 seconds.
2Popular Attractions
PopularFree EntryNanjing Road
南京路步行街
China's most famous shopping street and one of the busiest in the world. This 5.5km pedestrian boulevard stretches from The Bund to Jing'an Temple, lined with flagship stores, neon signs, historic department stores, and a charming tourist trackless train.
PopularFree EntryFrench Concession
法租界
Shanghai's most charming neighborhood, a sprawling former colonial district defined by tree-lined avenues, elegant European villas, Art Deco apartments, boutique cafes, independent galleries, and a thriving brunch culture. The perfect area to wander aimlessly and soak in old-world Shanghai.
PopularJade Buddha Temple
玉佛禅寺
An active Chan (Zen) Buddhist monastery founded in 1882, home to two exquisite jade Buddha statues brought from Burma. The temple bustles with worshippers burning incense and chanting, offering an authentic glimpse into Chinese Buddhist practice in the heart of modern Shanghai.
PopularFree EntryShanghai Museum
上海博物馆
One of China's finest museums, housed in a striking building shaped like an ancient bronze ding vessel. Its world-class collection spans 5,000 years with masterpieces in bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, jade, and minority art across 11 permanent galleries.
PopularZhujiajiao Water Town
朱家角古镇
A beautifully preserved 1,700-year-old water town just one hour from central Shanghai, crisscrossed by canals spanned by 36 ancient stone bridges. Wander through narrow lanes lined with Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, take a gondola ride, and sample local snacks far from the city bustle.
