Things to do in Shanghai
Planning your first trip to China? Shanghai is an ideal introduction, offering a mix of modern skyline and historic neighborhoods that make it one of the top things to do in Shanghai for first-timers. The city is tourist-friendly, easy to navigate by metro, and packed with great food, markets, temples, malls, and iconic views across the Huangpu River.
Where To Stay In Shanghai
Pick a hotel near the Bund or in Lujiazui for the most convenient Shanghai sightseeing. Staying close to the river puts you within walking distance of attractions like Yuyuan Old Street, the IFC Mall, and the aquarium, and it makes catching sunrise or sunset skyline views effortless. If you prefer quieter streets, choose a central hotel near People’s Square or Nanjing Road shopping for easy access to restaurants and transit.
1. Yuyuan Garden & Old Street (豫园老街)
Yuyuan is a compact historic area where classical gardens, traditional teahouses, and busy market lanes meet. The Huxinting Teahouse and the classical Yuyuan Garden are highlights, while the surrounding Old Street is full of snack stalls, souvenir shops, and decorative architecture. Evenings are particularly atmospheric when lanterns and storefronts light up and the area hums with visitors.
For a fun cultural photo op, many visitors rent qipao or hanfu to stroll the alleys. Yuyuan is very easy to reach by metro, or it can be a short walk from Bund-area hotels—making it a natural first stop for Shanghai attractions for first-timers.
2. The North Bund (北外滩)
The Bund waterfront is famed for its sweeping skyline views, but the North Bund offers equally stunning panoramas with fewer crowds. From here you get an expansive view of Pudong’s skyscrapers across the Huangpu River, making it a favorite spot for photographers and evening strolls.
Visit at twilight to watch the buildings light up and reflect on the water. Because the North Bund is less congested than the classic Bund promenade, it’s a calmer place to soak in Shanghai sightseeing without losing any of the drama of the skyline.
3. Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦)
The Shanghai Tower dominates the Pudong skyline and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Visitors can ride high-speed elevators to observation decks on the 118th, 119th, and 121st floors; the upper deck is one of the highest public observation points globally. The view gives a bird’s-eye perspective of the city’s layered skyline, river bend, and neighboring skyscrapers.
Photography from the decks requires shooting through safety glass, which can be a slight limitation for sharp shots, but the novelty of standing so high makes it worthwhile. Afterward, stroll the nearby Lujiazui Central Green Space to relax with a different perspective at ground level.
4. IFC Mall (国金中心)
The IFC Mall is more than a shopping destination; its rooftop is an underrated free viewpoint in central Pudong. The rooftop terrace offers unobstructed views of the Oriental Pearl Tower on one side and close-up perspectives of Jin Mao and Shanghai Tower on the other, making it a convenient stop on a day of Shanghai sightseeing.
Because there’s no entrance fee, the IFC rooftop is perfect for a relaxed break—grab a coffee, sit under an umbrella, and enjoy the skyline without the crowds or ticket lines of paid observatories.
5. Shanghai Aquarium (上海海洋水族馆)
Located beside the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Aquarium is known for its long underwater tunnel and diverse marine exhibits. It’s an easy escape from summer heat or a rainy afternoon and is family-friendly with displays of fish, sharks, and themed habitats representing global oceans and rivers.
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6. Mingzhu Roundabout (明珠环岛)
One of the easy-to-miss highlights on many lists of things to do in Shanghai is the Mingzhu Roundabout. This elevated circular walkway sits in the heart of Pudong and gives visitors close-up views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the surrounding skyscrapers without having to contend with street traffic.
The roundabout links several attractions—Super Brand Mall, the Disney flagship store, IFC rooftop, and nearby river crossings—so you’ll probably pass through it while exploring Lujiazui. It’s lively both day and night, and because it’s raised above the road, it’s a pleasant, safe place to pause for photos or to plan your next stop in the Pudong area.
7. Sinar Mas Plaza / SMP (金光中心)
Sinar Mas Plaza, commonly called SMP, combines shopping, dining, and one of Shanghai’s most impressive paid observation decks known as The Stage. If you want a single, unforgettable panorama of the river bend and the famous skyline lineup, this is the spot to pick—the view frames the Oriental Pearl, Jin Mao and Shanghai Tower in perfect alignment.
The mall itself has plenty of shops and restaurants for pre- or post-viewing meals. Plan to arrive close to sunset if you can—the shifting light and the lights coming on across the river make for dramatic photos. Tickets to The Stage are inexpensive compared with other observatories, and many travelers consider it the best paid viewpoint in the city.
8. Nanjing Road (南京路)
Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s premier shopping street—busy, bright and packed with options from street vendors to high-end boutiques. Think of it as the city’s Fifth Avenue: malls, department stores and countless eateries stretch for blocks, making it a prime destination for people-watching and retail therapy.
Spend a few hours sampling local snacks, hunting for souvenirs, or cooling off in one of the large shopping centers. At night the neon-lit facades turn the whole avenue into a lively promenade, and you can easily combine a Nanjing Road wander with nearby Yuyuan Old Street or a trip across to the Bund for North Bund views.
9. Excursions From Shanghai — things to do in Shanghai
Beyond the city limits, Shanghai is a great base for day trips that showcase China’s variety. Popular short excursions include Suzhou for its classical gardens and canals, Hangzhou for West Lake scenery, and Zhujiajiao for a charming water town experience—each reachable by high-speed train or organized tours.
Closer to the metropolis, families can visit Shanghai Disneyland or the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. If you want a grander escape, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) offers spectacular peaks and cloud seas, but it’s best treated as a multi-day trip since travel from Shanghai is two to three hours by train. Book a guided day trip if you prefer a hassle-free itinerary and local insights.
