Shanghai

Travel Guide
Shanghai
China’s largest city excites with its art, history, culture and architecture and dazzles with the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Magnificent temples, vast museums, fascinating architecture and plenty of big-city thrills, Shanghai Province has lots going on to keep you entertained and engaged. Investigate the city's art scene, visit ancient shrines and explore the nearby islands.

A good way to start your visit is with a walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s historic waterfront. It features some of the city’s most recognizable buildings. Note the different architectural styles, including art deco, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. They contrast markedly with the modern skyscrapers of Pudong, which lie across the Huangpu River. These towering structures are an even more fascinating sight when they are lit up at night. Another example of stunning architecture is the vast Shanghai Exhibition Center in Jing’an.

Among the city’s most beautiful and intriguing buildings are its temples. In the western part of Shanghai, find tranquility at the Jade Buddha temple, an early 20th-century place of worship that houses two jade Buddha statues. See one of Shanghai District’s most impressive temple complexes in the town of Nanxiang. The Yun Xiang Si Temple encompasses seven temples, a scripture library and a large hall for up to 700 worshippers.

The beauty of Shanghai’s architecture is also mirrored in its art. Browse examples of Asian contemporary art at the Shanghai Gallery of Art and at the Museum of Contemporary Art located within People’s Park. Walk along Mogoshan Road, where every possible surface is covered in graffiti.

Shanghai Province has many places to unwind, surrounded by natural beauty. Wander among the redwoods, gingkoes, cherry trees and flowering magnolias of the Yuyuan Gardens. Stroll through the colorful gardens of Guyi Gardens and rent a boat for a trip across its lake.

Take a daytrip out to the islands off Shanghai’s coast. Hike through the forests on Changxing or Hengsha and go bird watching at Dongtan Wetland Park on Chongming. While you are on this island, stop by Yingdong Ecological Village for boating, fishing and more bird watching.

A visit to Shanghai Province promises bright lights and big-city bustle as well as lots of nature and traditions.

Where to stay in Shanghai

Central Hotel Shanghai
Central Hotel Shanghai
4 out of 5
No 555 Jiujiang Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $84 per night from Oct 6 to Oct 7
$84
per night
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Nanjing Road Shopping District and Old ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Not expensive, very nice hotel and excellent location - close to the metro line 2 which travels between the two Shanghai airports, close to a big shopping street and in walking distance from fantastic view to the Shanghai skyline. I would book this hotel again and I recommended this hotel to my ..."

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2023

Central Hotel Shanghai
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
5 out of 5
No.99 Madang Road, Luwan District, Shanghai, Shanghai
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $174 per night from Oct 6 to Oct 7
$174
per night
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (694 reviews)
Outstanding experience
"Everything was incredible. My room was outstanding, the hotel team is generous and helpful. I did a face treatment with Olivia - in one word : speechless!"

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2023

The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
5 out of 5
88 Henan Central Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
The price is $137 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
$137
per night
Oct 5 - Oct 6
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Nanjing Road Shopping District and Old Chinese ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (871 reviews)
"Pasamos unos días excelente en este hotel, caminando llegas a la calle Peatonal Nanjing Road y también a The Bund, fácil acceso para todos los puntos de interés caminando."

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Green Court Residence City Center Shanghai
Green Court Residence City Center Shanghai
4 out of 5
55 Beijing Xi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, Shanghai
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Shanghai Landmark Department Store ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,266 reviews)
"Decent hotel with a good location. Easy to reach from peoples square metro station"

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2023

Green Court Residence City Center Shanghai
Ifc Residence
Ifc Residence
5 out of 5
8 Century Avenue Pudong Lujiazui, Shanghai, Shanghai
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a children's pool. Popular attractions Shanghai World Financial Center and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (608 reviews)
"Perfect location for shopping and walking around, the rooftop swimming pool was amazingly clean with a beautiful view of the landscape. Suite was quite cozy and spacious, shower was really powerful. The living space on 3rd floor is connected to the IFC mall so it's quite convenience to walk ..."

Reviewed on Sep 4, 2023

Ifc Residence
Riverdale Residence Xintiandi Shanghai
Riverdale Residence Xintiandi Shanghai
4 out of 5
98 Shou Ning Road, 200021 Shanghai, Shanghai, Shanghai
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Shanghai. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (846 reviews)
"Nice location and staff are friendly"

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Riverdale Residence Xintiandi Shanghai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Shanghai

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
603
" "5 - Excellent 53.22153574580759%
4 - Good
428
" "4 - Good 37.775816416593116%
3 - Okay
87
" "3 - Okay 7.678729037952339%
2 - Disappointing
11
" "2 - Disappointing 0.970873786407767%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 0.353045013239188%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 6, 2020

Love Shanghai, but the Virus changed everything!!! I have visited Shanghai at least 10 - 15 times before, but because of the virus - it was not the Shanghai that I was looking to visit and know, but it still was Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 29, 2020

Get a refillable Metro Card at the Peoples Square station; there's a lot to see in Shanghai but you'll need to use the Metro. It's very clean, well run and most cars have signs and verbal announcements in English. And don't forget Suzhou and Qibao!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 28, 2020

Shanghai is a vary safe city and vary modern also they have different cultural and You can have restaurant like Italian food everything you can find in Shanghai and even with a vary cheap price compare to other city like hongKong dubai

5/5 - Excellent

Jeff
Jan 27, 2020

Lots of shopping  biking ‍♀️ karaoke

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jan 22, 2020

It will be packed during the holidays but there is a wide variety of food choices and shopping choices. Walking around the city is very safe and you can see a lot by just taking a stroll around town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 21, 2020

A mystical place, people are courteous and well manner.

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Shanghai

Cities near Shanghai