19 Exciting Things To Do In Shanghai, China

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Shanghai is China’s biggest and richest city, and is where ancient traditions and modernity collide in a seamless way.

Needless to say, there are many things to do in Shanghai, from strolling along the iconic Bund to immersing yourself in the rich heritage of the Shanghai Museum, this city has something for everyone.

If you’re not sure what to do in Shanghai, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ve shared our top tips for attractions to visit in Shanghai, plus advice on where to eat, sleep, drink, shop and explore.

Is Shanghai Worth Visiting?

It’s hard to explain the sense of optimism and excitement that you feel when you walk through Shanghai – it’s a city that is just alive and buzzing.

I think this is because China is a country that is developing so quickly and playing an increasingly important role globally.

So for visitors, Shanghai is a great place to get an understanding of modern China’s role in our global future.

The city also offers a great mix of old and new – on the one hand you can see old-school produce markets in the streets, eat traditional cuisine, and witness time-honored customs, but on the other hand you can see a rapidly expanding skyline that is so gleaming and futuristic it almost looks like it was built by aliens.

Where else in the world can you experience such a contrast? If you can’t answer that question, then we’re agreed that Shanghai is definitely worth a visit.

Things to Do in Shanghai

To me, a visit to Shanghai is more about people watching and observing what life is like in modern China, rather than hitting up a series of historic sites.

With that in mind, here are a couple of attractions in Shanghai I highly recommend for soaking up the city’s culture and atmosphere.

1. Walk Along The Bund

The Bund is an iconic waterfront promenade that offers a fusion of history and modernity.

Nestled on the banks of the Huangpu River, this is the perfect place to capture the mesmerizing skyline featuring both colonial-era and contemporary architectural marvels.

It’s lined with trendy restaurants and bars, and when nighttime hits, the skyline turns into a dazzling spectacle of illuminated skyscrapers reflected on the tranquil waters.

2. Visit The Shanghai Museum & People’s Square