4 must-see attractions and 5 total things to do.
Shanghai is a city you experience through your senses — and none more so than taste. Beyond the 5 attractions listed here, the food scene deserves a category of its own.
Most visitors spend 3–5 days here. With 4 must-see attractions, I recommend pacing yourself — hit 2–3 per day and leave room for spontaneous discoveries.
外滩
Shanghai's iconic waterfront with colonial-era buildings on one side and Pudong's futuristic skyline on the other.
法租界
Tree-lined streets with art deco apartments, boutiques, and the city's best cafes.
豫园
A classical Ming Dynasty garden in the heart of the Old City.
上海中心大厦
China's tallest building (632m) with the world's fastest elevator and observation deck.
南京路
China's premier shopping street — 5.5km of shops, malls, and department stores.
In Shanghai, the food is an adventure in itself. Here are my picks for what to eat — if you skip these, you haven't really been.
小笼包 · ¥30–60 for 6 pieces
Soup dumplings — paper-thin wrappers filled with pork and savoury broth.
where Din Tai Fung (multiple locations) or local shops
生煎 · ¥8–12 for 4 pieces
Pan-fried pork buns with a crispy bottom and juicy filling.
where Yang's Fried Dumplings (multiple locations)
大闸蟹 · ¥100–300 per crab (seasonal)
Seasonal autumn delicacy — prized for its roe and sweet meat.
where Specialty crab restaurants in the French Concession
The crossroads of China — Yangtze river views, breakfast culture, and resilient spirit
Shared interests
China's most flavour-obsessed city — spicy food, fiery energy, and a night that never ends
Shared interests
The birthplace of dim sum and China's window to the world for 2,000 years
Shared interests
The mountain city — futuristic skyline, spicy hotpot, and Yangtze river nights
Shared interests
Peng planned our entire two-week honeymoon across China. She found us a guide in Xi'an who brought the Terracotta Warriors to life in a way I'll never forget. Every detail was handled — train tickets, restaurant reservations, even a bouquet waiting at our hotel in Shanghai.
James & Lisa
Toronto, Canada
My 72-year-old mother came with us to China and Peng made sure every step was comfortable. She picked hotels with elevators, planned rest breaks between attractions, and even found a clinic when Mom needed her blood pressure checked. Worth every penny.
Priya
Singapore
I've helped hundreds of travellers plan their perfect Shanghai trip.
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