Top 10 things to do in Shanghai
1. The Bund
One of the famous attractions in Shanghai is the Bund – it is a symbol of the city and attracts thousands of tourists every day. Bund stretches from the Baidy Bridge over 1.5 kilometres and offers magnificent views of Pudong - modern business district of Shanghai, located on the opposite bank.
2. Nanjing Road
One of the highlights of the city and one of the top 10 things to do in Shanghai is visiting the Nanjing Road, a very long street, ideal for shopping and sightseeing. There is an abundance of small traditional stores with a wide variety of products, to match any taste, needs and budget. There are plenty of restaurants open all day, where you can try local delicacies.
3. Yuyuan Garden
One of the most famous and picturesque parks in Shanghai is the Yuyuan Garden, founded in the 16th century during the rule of the Ming Dynasty. The park stretches over an area of more than 4 hectares, and is separated into 6 different parts. Each and every corner of the Garden has its own unique architectural features. It has numerous lakes, ponds with goldfish, rare plants and trees, bridges, extravagant arcs and stone buildings. Here visitors can also see the Temple of God – the Guardian of the City. Yuyuan Garden is located next to a busy shopping area, where you can buy souvenirs, antiques, paintings by local artists, various herbs and teas, as well as try delicious Chinese cuisine.
4. Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Museum is a unique and interesting place to visit, it remains one of the largest archives of Chinese and Asian history and is located in the central part of the People’s Square. Apart from the unusual architectural design, the Museum features 11 galleries and 3 spacious exhibition halls. Visitors can see exhibits made from bronze, ancient Chinese furniture, works of art and handicrafts made from luxurious fabrics, bamboo and rare materials.
5. Jade Buddha Temple
Jade Buddha Temple was built in the 20th century in a very interesting style – it features symmetrical halls and courtyards, inverted roof elements, as well as bright yellow walls. It is easy to recognise this Temple due to its prominently bright saffron walls. Surrounded by smaller relics, the main Jade Buddha statue is almost 2 m. tall and was placed here by one of the monks who brought it from Burma in 1882. This is truly an amazing attraction that has captivated the hearts of millions of travellers worldwide.
6. French Concession
This neighbourhood is a real landmark of Shanghai, it is a beautiful French town in the heart of a Chinese metropolis. With an extensive history, this place attracts locals and visitors alike, to feel the romantic culture and spirit of the West. Apart from walking in the old streets, there are various attractions to visit, such as the St Ignatius Cathedral, The Library, luxurious Shikumen residences, fascinating Fuxing Park, as well as the Longhua Temple and Martyrs’ Cemetery.
7. Qibao
Small town of Qibao is a great place to learn about the magnificent past of the city and among the top 10 things to do in Shanghai. It is located less than 20 km away from the city centre and there are no cars, noise or any pollution here. It was built in the 10th century AD and reached the peak of its development about a thousand years ago. The word Qibao means ‘7 treasures’, as explained by myths and legends – there were 7 treasures in this place – the Golden Lotus, the Magic Tree, the Big Bell, the Buddha, the Golden Rooster, Jade and the Jade Axe.
8. Oriental Pearl Tower
One of the outstanding modern monuments in Shanghai is the Oriental Pearl TV tower, built in 1995. Its height is more than 450mters and it is the 3rd tallest TV tower in the world. It consists of 15 spheres, of different sizes, located at different levels. At night time the tower is illuminated and is a favourite sight for locals and guests alike. The building features 6 elevators that, with the speed of 7meters per second, can take you to the observation deck located at very top in less than 1 minute.
9. Jinmao Tower
The tallest building in the city gives travellers the opportunity to look at Shanghai from a bird’s eye. The building, made of durable concrete, started functioning from 1999 and is surrounded by 8 steel columns. At the top of the skyscraper, on 88th floor, is an observation deck with glass windows boasting breathtaking views of the city.
10. Shanghai Zoo
Shanghai zoo is home to more than 6,000 birds and animals, 600 types of plants and more than 620 rare species of animals. This is one of the most visited places in Shanghai, and ideal for families with children. At various times of the day there are shows and activities that visitors can participate in. Among the animals brought here from around the world, you can see the big panda, golden monkey, South-Chinese tiger and the peacock, all of which are considered to be national symbols.