Top 10 Attractions in Shanghai

Shanghai: for centuries an industrial and trading centre, home to the largest container port in the world, and with almost 24 million inhabitants, an absolute mega-city. It's famous for its impressive skyline full of dazzling, futuristic-looking skyscrapers that symbolise China's rapid technological progress – but that's far from Shanghai's only face.

In other corners of the city, a rich history is reflected: grand historic buildings, a traditional old town, European architecture mixed with the local. And in yet other areas you'll come across colourful artists' quarters, bustling shopping streets and peaceful green oases.

Hearing all that, you'll want to visit this metropolis for yourself…!

Nowhere are the contrasts between tradition and modernity clearer than on the Bund, the riverside promenade along the Huangpu River. Called Waitan in Chinese, this area is considered a historic landmark of the city, because here, in the beautiful buildings, you can see how the different architectural influences of the colonial era blend with the Chinese building style. Banks, counting houses and hotel palaces line up one after another and are beautifully lit in the evening. In a visually appealing and historically interesting way, the Bund reflects the city's history as an international trading centre.

The promenade, lined with elegant buildings, is THE place to take a walk that's typical of Shanghai. The magnificent old buildings on one side are far from the only draw: across the river, you're treated to a view of the ever-growing economic and high-tech centre of Pudong. It's the famous skyline you know from so many photos, with the Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Our tip: Visit the promenade on the Bund either in the early morning or at sunset. In the morning there are far fewer people about and the soft morning light creates a peaceful atmosphere. Sunset, on the other hand, is spectacular, especially watched from one of the rooftop terraces. Both the famous Bar Rouge and the Tian Di Bar offer breathtaking views over the Bund, the river and the skyscrapers beyond the water.

The economic and high-tech centre of Pudong is among Shanghai's best-known sights. The ever-growing forest of high-rises is the trademark of modern Shanghai and draws thousands of visitors every year. Can you believe that in the mid-1980s there was little more than a few dilapidated port facilities right here?

Pudong's promenade is also very good for a walk, as from here you can enjoy the view of the other side and admire the elegant building façades on the Bund.

Anyone visiting Pudong should definitely climb at least one of the famous skyscrapers. The former radio and TV tower Oriental Pearl, the 421 m Jin Mao Tower and the 632 m Shanghai Tower all have viewing platforms and restaurants. The latter is not only the tallest skyscraper in Shanghai but also the tallest building in China and the fourth-tallest in the world. Its viewing platform sits at 562 m, higher even than that of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The Oriental Pearl Tower, on the other hand, has a revolving restaurant, a museum on the city's history and even a virtual-reality roller coaster.

Our tip: The top floors of the Jin Mao Tower are occupied by the 5-star Hyatt Hotel. The hotel is home to the Cloud 9 Bar, one of the highest bars in the world. Here you can enjoy not only the luxurious atmosphere and a good drink but, above all, a breathtaking panorama of the city.

The Yu Garden (in Chinese Yu Yuan) looks exactly as enchanting, peaceful and mystically oriental as you'd imagine an old Chinese garden to be. It's one of the most famous examples of Chinese garden design and one of the loveliest sights in Shanghai. Set in the middle of the vast metropolis, this cherished and well-tended Chinese garden offers those seeking rest a place to relax amid the greenery.

The magnificent complex was built in 1559 by Pan Yunduan, a high official of the emperor. During wars and uprisings the garden fell into disrepair, but it was fully renovated in 1950. The famous zigzag bridge is said to keep evil spirits away and leads over nine corners to the traditional teahouse in front of the garden proper. Here you can attend a Chinese tea ceremony, in keeping with the garden's idyllic atmosphere.

If you can, visit the Yu Garden on a weekday morning. At this time only a few visitors are around, which underlines the quiet, contemplative mood of this place.

In front of the Yu Garden the mood is completely different: it's a hive of activity, as countless shops crowd between old-decorated, oversized new buildings, offering a colourful mix of clothing, jewellery, bric-a-brac, fake antiques and much more.

Tip: anyone who works up an appetite before or after visiting the Yu Garden can reach Fangbang Lu in just a few minutes' walk – a street famous as a culinary hub for authentic street food.

Nanjing Road is the city's largest shopping street and thus one of the most important sights in Shanghai when it comes to shopping. Whether you actually want to buy something or simply enjoy the colourful bustle of shops, neon signs and passers-by – here you'll find exactly that!

Since the metro was built, this street has been a pure pedestrian zone that invites you to stroll, window-shop and shop. Big-name brand stores line up here, and especially after dark the garish advertising signs become a real spectacle. Chinese characters mix with world-famous brand logos and bathe the shopping street in every conceivable colour.

In the middle of the city lies People's Park, a public park. Where there was once a racecourse, today there are manicured green spaces and lawns – a place where city dwellers like to meet in their free time, walk their dogs or picnic on the grass. Many come here to take a little break after a shopping trip on Nanjing Road.

The park is also home to two museums: the Shanghai History Museum and the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art.

Fun fact: Since 2004, a corner of the park has hosted an official “marriage market”: the parents of marriage-minded young people meet here at weekends to exchange information about their children and identify potentially suitable partners. To do this, they create posters with profiles that are read by other parents. What seems curious to us is a long-standing tradition in China.

A real Shanghai sight is the Urban Planning Museum. In this museum you learn a lot about how the city came to be – an interesting look into the past, complemented by an equally interesting look into the future. What does the future of this mega-metropolis, with its many building projects, look like – especially if the economy and population keep growing so rapidly?

A labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with quirky cafés, boutiques, shops, galleries, artists' studios and obscure bars: this is Tianzifang, a hip, alternative quarter of Shanghai. The old buildings have been lovingly renovated and give the area a character all of its own – probably also because the city's modern arts scene feels at home here. Anyone looking for the special and creative can wander through the alleys of Tianzifang and is sure to discover plenty of the unexpected. And when your feet and eyes grow tired from all the walking and looking, just sit down in one of the many little cafés and watch the people passing by.

Our tip: Café Dan is said to serve incredibly good coffee and offer a quiet, hidden atmosphere, just the thing for anyone coming from the busy streets of the arts quarter. Cat lovers can drink a tea at Tono's Palace and enjoy the company of a few tame cats that live in the cosily furnished café.

The quarter of the former French Concession in Shanghai also offers a good retreat from the hectic everyday life of the mega-city. There are many stylish restaurants and cafés here, housed in neoclassical buildings with ornate façades and balconies. A part of Shanghai's history is visible here: the quarter shows the historic influences on the city, which form a pleasant contrast to the metropolis's modern skyscrapers. Alongside small cafés and restaurants, you might even find a Viennese coffee house or a French bakery here. To the north, the quarter borders Huaihai Zhonglu, Shanghai's upmarket avenue.

Our tip: An evening walk in the French Concession quarter is especially lovely, as the lively restaurants and beautifully lit old buildings give the place a very special atmosphere.

Not directly in Shanghai, but a little outside, lies another highly worthwhile place: the idyllic water town of Wuzhen. It's perfect for a day trip from Shanghai – a relaxing excursion out of the big-city jungle and into a picture-postcard little town with waterways, winding lanes and glimpses of traditional life in China.

The water town of Wuzhen dates from the Qing dynasty and is around 120 km from Shanghai. It lies on the Grand Canal and is criss-crossed by numerous smaller canals that form a street-like network between the old houses. The still green water and the rustic wooden buildings make a romantic picture and show what old China probably looked like – long before the first skyscrapers. Old businesses such as an ironmongery, indigo-dyeing workshops and soy production have survived here and continue to be maintained.

Shanghai really does have a lot to offer! Those were 10 sights, but in truth there's so much more to discover in the giant city (and around it). Would you like to see the sights of Shanghai with your own eyes? Then come along and join us on one of our China tours.

By the way: Shanghai isn't the only city in China worth seeing! The capital, Beijing, has a great deal to offer too. If you'd like to learn more about the highlights of that city, feel free to read on here.