Shanghai Travel Guide: The Most Foreigner-Friendly City

🌆 Why Visit Shanghai?

Shanghai feels like a city of the future. The Pudong skyline — with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower piercing the clouds — is the face of modern China. But the old city still has charm: the tree-lined streets of the Wukang Road–Anfu Road area, the art deco buildings along the Bund, and the winding lanes of Old Town. Add to that one of the most unique Disney parks in the world and a food scene that ranges from Michelin-starred fine dining to dollar-a-plate street stalls, and you have a city that truly has it all.

📅 How Many Days Do You Need?

• 3 days (standard): The Bund, Old Town, the Wukang Road–Anfu Road area, and a skyline visit to Shanghai Tower or Oriental Pearl
• 4–5 days (comfortable): Add Shanghai Disneyland, Zhujiajiao Water Town, or a day trip to nearby Suzhou
• 5+ days (deep dive): Explore the city's museums, art galleries, and nightlife neighborhoods in depth

🎯 Top Attractions

The Bund (外滩)

Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade is a must-see for every visitor. On one side, a row of 26 magnificent colonial-era buildings — the "Exposition of World Architecture" — showcasing Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, and Art Deco styles. On the other, the dazzling Pudong skyline with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower lighting up the night. The Bund is best visited at sunset, when the golden light hits the old buildings and the city lights gradually flicker on across the river. A leisurely walk along the 1.5-kilometer promenade is the perfect way to start your Shanghai experience.

Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦)

China's tallest building and the third tallest in the world at 632 meters. The observation deck at 546 meters offers a jaw-dropping 360-degree view over all of Shanghai — on a clear day you can see the Huangpu River snaking all the way to the sea. The elevator ride is an experience in itself: it reaches a speed of 20 meters per second (72 km/h) and you'll feel your ears pop as you rocket up. Inside, the tower also features the world's highest hotel (J-Hotel) and a stunning atrium that spirals all the way up the building. Book tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.

Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠塔)

No skyline is more recognizable than the Oriental Pearl Tower. Though it is no longer Shanghai's tallest structure, the Oriental Pearl remains the city's most iconic symbol, appearing on everything from postcards to T-shirts. The tower features 11 spheres of varying sizes connected by three columns. The "Space Module" at 351 meters offers a glass-floor observation deck where you can look straight down at the city below. At the base is the Shanghai History Museum and a shopping complex. For the best value, buy a combo ticket that includes the observation deck, the glass-bottom walk, and the history museum. Visit at sunset for the most dramatic views.

Yu Garden (豫园)

A 400-year-old Ming Dynasty garden hidden in the heart of Shanghai's Old Town. Built in 1559 by a government official as a private garden for his parents, Yu Garden is a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscape design — complete with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and zigzag bridges that are meant to confuse evil spirits (who can only travel in straight lines). The Exquisite Jade Rock (玉玲珑) is the garden's centerpiece: a 3.3-meter porous stone that is over 1,000 years old. Surrounding the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar, a lively market area packed with snack stalls, souvenir shops, and the famous Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant where xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were invented. Allow 2–3 hours to explore the garden and the bazaar.

Wukang Road & Anfu Road (武康路/安福路) — Wukang Road–Anfu Road Area

This area is officially recognized as the Wukang Road–Anfu Road Historical & Cultural District. This is the trendiest part of Shanghai: tree-lined streets, art deco apartment buildings from the 1920s, and hundreds of independent boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. The iconic Wukang Mansion (武康大楼), a striking ship-like building at the junction of Wukang and Huaihai Roads, is the most photographed spot in the district. Wukang Road is quieter and more residential — perfect for a relaxed stroll. Anfu Road is livelier, packed with craft coffee shops, designer stores, and some of the best brunch spots in the city. Spend a morning or afternoon café-hopping and people-watching; this is Shanghai at its most cosmopolitan.

Jing'an Temple (静安寺)

One of China's oldest Buddhist temples, with roots stretching back to 247 AD. The current buildings are a 2010 reconstruction in traditional Song dynasty style, but the temple's name and site have endured for over 1,700 years. The most striking sight is the main hall's golden roof — it gleams in the afternoon sun and looks almost surreal against the glass towers of Jing'an District. Inside, a 3.8-meter jade Buddha sits in the center hall, carved from a single block of Burmese jade. The temple is surrounded by one of Shanghai's busiest shopping districts, so the contrast between the incense-filled courtyard and the luxury malls next door is jarring in the best way. Entry is 50 RMB. Go on a weekday morning for the quietest experience.

Nanjing Road (南京路)

China's most famous shopping street, and the stretch that connects the Bund to People's Square. The pedestrian section — about 1.2 kilometers of walking-only pavement — is a spectacle of neon, department stores, and street performers that feels closer to Times Square than anything else in China. The historic wing (East Nanjing Road) still has the 1930s art deco façades of the old Shanghai department stores; the modern wing (West Nanjing Road) is where you'll find the luxury flagship stores. You don't need to buy anything. The point is to walk it at night, when the signs flicker on and the crowd flows in both directions like a living river. If you do want to shop, the First Foodhall at the East end has been selling Shanghai snacks since 1934.

Zhujiajiao Water Town (朱家角)

An ancient water town just 45 minutes by subway from downtown Shanghai. Zhujiajiao (literally "Zhu Family Village") has a history spanning over 1,700 years, with well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. The town is crisscrossed by canals lined with willow trees, crossed by 36 stone bridges — the most famous being Fangsheng Bridge (放生桥), a 5-arch stone bridge built in 1571. Take a traditional wooden gondola (similar to Venice's gondolas but far more affordable) through the canals, visit the Kezhi Garden (课植园), and sample local snacks like zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and stinky tofu. Zhujiajiao is less commercialized than the more famous Zhouzhuang, making it a more authentic and relaxed experience. A half-day trip is enough, but you can also stay overnight in a canal-side guesthouse for a truly peaceful experience.

Shanghai Disneyland (上海迪士尼乐园)

Shanghai Disneyland is the most unique Disney resort in the world. Opened in 2016, it features the Enchanted Storybook Castle — the largest Disney castle ever built at 60 meters tall. Its signature attraction, TRON Lightcycle Power Run, is widely considered one of the best thrill rides at any Disney park. The park also offers exclusive attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and authentic Chinese cuisine that you won't find at any other Disney resort. The park is about 40 minutes from downtown Shanghai by subway (Line 11, direct to the gate).

🚇 Getting Around

• Subway: Shanghai has the longest metro system in the world (19 lines, 800+ km). Everything is labeled in English. Check the Metro & Bus Guide for Major Chinese Cities for route tips.
• Didi: Works perfectly. Use it for short trips or when the subway doesn't reach. Get setup tips in How to Use Didi in China as a Foreigner.
• Maglev (磁悬浮): The world's fastest commercial train, connecting Pudong Airport to downtown (7 minutes, 430 km/h). Worth doing for the experience alone.
• Biking: Shanghai is flat and bike-friendly. Shared bikes (Hellobike, Meituan) are everywhere in the city center — perfect for exploring the Wukang Road and Anfu Road area.

🏨 Where to Stay

🍜 What to Eat

Shanghai's food scene is legendary. Here are the dishes you absolutely must try.

Xiaolongbao (小笼包)

Delicate dumplings wrapped in paper-thin, pleated dough, filled with minced pork and a jellied pork stock that melts into a silky, intensely savory broth when steamed. To eat: nibble a small hole in the side, blow to cool the scalding liquid inside, then slurp the soup before dipping the whole dumpling in black vinegar with fine ginger shreds. The best ones have at least 18 pleats and a thin, translucent wrapper that doesn't tear. You'll find them in most dim sum houses around the Old City and especially near Yu Garden — follow the steam.

Shengjianbao (生煎包)

Yeasted buns fried bottom-up in a wide iron pan until the base turns into a thick, crunchy golden crust while the top stays soft and pillowy. The pork filling inside is seasoned with ginger and soy, releasing a hot, peppery soup with every bite they won't let you forget. Eat them fresh off the pan — they're usually sold in batches of four in a paper box, and they stay volcanic for minutes. Look for long queues outside small storefronts in the Old City and along Food Streets; that queue is your guarantee.

Red Braised Pork — Hong Shao Rou (红烧肉)

Thick slabs of pork belly with alternating ribbons of lean meat and translucent fat, braised low and slow in dark soy sauce, rock sugar, and Shaoxing wine until the fat turns gelatinous and the sauce reduces to a glossy, almost sticky glaze. Each cube is simultaneously tender and unctuous, with a complex sweetness that balances the deep savory punch of the soy. Served alongside braised eggs and bamboo shoots, it demands a bowl of plain steamed rice to soak up every last drop of the dark caramel sauce. Found on the menu at nearly every Shanghainese home-style restaurant, from the Old City to the Wukang Road–Anfu Road area.

Scallion Oil Noodles — Cong You Ban Mian (葱油拌面)

Deceptively simple: springy wheat noodles tossed in oil that has been slowly infused with charred scallions until fragrant and nutty, then seasoned with soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. Each strand comes out slick and glossy, carrying a subtle smokiness from the scallions and just enough salt to keep you coming back for another bite. Some stalls add dried shrimp or crispy fried shallots on top for extra texture. A fast, cheap lunch staple found at food courts, street-side noodle shops, and hole-in-the-wall canteens all over Shanghai.

Crab — Da Zha Xie (大闸蟹)

A seasonal obsession that takes over Shanghai every autumn — these freshwater crabs from nearby Yangcheng Lake are prized for their golden, buttery roe (in females) and sweet, delicate meat (in males). The name comes from the thick hair covering their claws, which signals maturity. Cracking one open with the traditional wooden mallet is a ritual: you pick out every sliver of meat, dip it in black vinegar with julienned ginger, and wash it down with warm Shaoxing wine. During crab season (September to December), you'll see them advertised everywhere from high-end restaurants to street stalls across the city.