Shanghai, a megalopolis where past and future, East and West intersect. As you walk through the city, you’ll encounter retro Western-style mansions and the charm of ancient towns from a century ago, while looking up reveals futuristic skyscrapers that pierce the clouds.
This time, we’ll deeply introduce five carefully selected spots, from ‘classic tourist attractions’ that first-time visitors to Shanghai absolutely must see, to places where you can step a bit deeper and experience local charm. We’ve included real information such as the best visiting times, insider tips to avoid crowds, and must-try gourmet foods, so please use this to help plan your trip!
The Bund
📍 Address: Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu, Waitan, Huang Pu Qu, Shang Hai Shi, China 200002
When it comes to Shanghai sightseeing, the ‘Bund’ (Wàitān) is undoubtedly a highlight, stretching approximately 1.5 km along the Huangpu River. Lined with majestic Western-style buildings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, such as former banks and consulates in Art Deco and Baroque styles, it vividly preserves the essence of Old Shanghai, also known as the ‘Wall Street of the East.’
The Bund’s greatest charm lies in its overwhelming ‘contrast.’ To the west, you have a century-old cluster of Western architecture, while across the river (Pudong New Area), sci-fi-like skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai Tower soar into the sky. The experience of witnessing these two eras simultaneously is unique to this place.
The best time to enjoy the most beautiful scenery is about 30 minutes before sunset. From the magic hour when the sky turns a deep indigo, the buildings across the river light up all at once, and the Western architecture behind you is illuminated in golden hues—it’s a breathtakingly beautiful moment. However, weekend and holiday evenings can be incredibly crowded, often described as a ‘sea of people.’ If you want to take your time with photos, it’s best to wait until after 8 PM, or alternatively, enjoy the local scene by watching citizens practice Tai Chi in the crisp early morning air.
Furthermore, an excellent tip for avoiding crowds and enjoying the spectacular view is to take a public ‘water bus (ferry),’ which costs only 2 yuan (about 40 JPY). Even without a luxurious night cruise, the sheer power of the skyscrapers viewed from a local ferry, with the river breeze on your face, is exceptional! Please note that the Bund’s lights usually turn off around 10:00 PM to 10:30 PM, so be mindful of your visiting time.
Yu Garden
📍 Address: Sipailou, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China 200000
A short walk from the Bund brings you to ‘Yu Garden’ (Yù Yuán), Shanghai’s premier classical Chinese garden. Built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by high-ranking official Pan Yunduan over approximately 18 years to please his parents, this venerable garden embodies the wish for ‘a garden of happiness.’ It is now designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council of China.
Designed in the traditional Jiangnan garden style, the garden is full of visual delights, such as winding corridors that create an illusion of depth and exquisite carved walls adorned with dragon motifs. The main highlight is the ‘Jade Exquisite Rock’ (Yù Línglóng), a peculiar 3-meter-tall stone considered one of the three most famous stones of Jiangnan. This stone, with its 72 holes, has a mysterious mechanism where if water is poured on it, water flows out from all holes simultaneously—a masterpiece said to have been cherished by past emperors.
As a popular tourist destination, it gets very crowded during the day, so the best time for a comfortable visit, even on weekends, is first thing in the morning (around 9 AM). Purchasing tickets in advance through apps like Trip.com will ensure smoother entry.
Also, don’t miss the ‘Yu Garden Bazaar’ and ‘Yu Garden Old Street’ just outside the garden. This area, lined with magnificent Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, functions as a large food court. It’s incredibly enjoyable to stroll around, savoring hot xiaolongbao from the famous ‘Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant’ or indulging in Chinese tea. In the evening, the area is beautifully lit up with Chinese-style lanterns, creating an atmosphere straight out of a movie.
Shanghai Tower
📍 Address: 501 Yin Cheng Zhong Lu, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China 200120
A symbol of Shanghai’s ‘future’ is the ‘Shanghai Tower,’ soaring in the Pudong New Area. At 632 meters tall, it is the world’s second-tallest building and proudly the tallest in mainland China, characterized by its beautiful spiraling form, reminiscent of a dragon ascending to the sky.
Tourists flock to the ‘Top of Shanghai’ observation deck on the 118th floor (546m above ground), reached by one of the world’s fastest elevators. From the 360-degree glass-enclosed floor, an overwhelming panoramic view unfolds, allowing you to gaze down at the majestic flow of the Huangpu River and even the surrounding skyscrapers like the ‘Oriental Pearl TV Tower’ and ‘Jin Mao Tower,’ which you once had to look up to.
For a more in-depth experience, we recommend tickets that allow access to ‘Summit 632’ on the 126th floor. Here, a massive 1000-ton ‘damper’ that stabilizes the building during strong winds is on display, where you can enjoy a powerful art show featuring light, sound, and lasers.
Here are some practical tips you should know. Booking tickets in advance via apps like Trip.com is cheaper and faster than buying on-site, allowing entry with just a QR code. However, entry times are divided into 2-hour slots, and long queues, including baggage checks, form from late afternoon to evening. If you aim for the perfect timing to see the sunset transition into night, you must arrive early, calculating for queue times. The window spots during night view hours are often crowded, so using a selfie stick or GoPro for your smartphone can help you capture beautiful photos over the heads of the crowd.
Tianzifang
📍 Address: Lane 210, Taikang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China 200023
‘Tianzifang’ (Tiánzǐfāng) is a popular, retro, and artsy strolling area located in the former French Concession. Originally a densely populated residential area of traditional brick ‘Shikumen’ (Shíkùmén) alley houses unique to Shanghai, it transformed into a fashionable spot blending modern art with a downtown atmosphere after artists began establishing studios there in the 1990s.
Stepping into its alleys, you’ll find winding narrow paths, some less than 2 meters wide, forming a maze. Stone gates where Chinese and Western architectural styles mingle, and weathered red and blue brick walls. Meanwhile, look up and you’ll see local residents’ laundry casually hung overhead, creating a curious space where everyday life and the extraordinary coexist, much like a ‘living museum.’
The streets are bustling with traditional crafts, Qipao dresses, international brand perfumes, hand creams, as well as stylish cafes and bars. It has an atmosphere akin to ‘Harajuku of the back alleys’ in Tokyo, and without aggressive touts, you can enjoy browsing shop windows at your own pace or negotiating prices for interesting finds.
The area itself is not vast, so you can enjoy the atmosphere in about 30 minutes even without buying anything. Weekends are lively with tourists, but weekdays can be quiet with fewer people, so if you want to take nostalgic photos at leisure, visiting on a weekday or in the morning is recommended.
Qibao Ancient Town
📍 Address: Qīngnián Lù Bùxíngjiē 5933+JGJ, Minhang District, Shanghai, China 201101
If you’re a traveler who wants to experience a ‘water town’ but doesn’t have time for a long trip to the suburbs, we wholeheartedly recommend ‘Qibao Ancient Town’ (Qībǎo Gǔzhèn), located just a short walk from Qibao Station on Shanghai Metro Line 9. It’s also close to Hongqiao Airport and incredibly popular as the most accessible water town from central Shanghai.
This town, with over 1000 years of history, retains the typical scenery of a ‘Jiangnan water town.’ Arched stone bridges crossing canals, traditional white-walled, black-tiled buildings lining both banks, and leisurely rowing boats navigating the water. Sipping tea from the second floor of a nearby cafe while gazing at this picturesque scenery is a blissful moment that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the big city.
And the other main attraction of Qibao Ancient Town is its ‘local B-grade gourmet food’! The narrow main street (Qibao Old Street) is packed with street food stalls. An absolute must-try is the famous giant ‘Qibao Tangyuan’ (glutinous rice balls with black sesame or meat fillings). Furthermore, crispy ‘Scallion Pancakes,’ traditional baked pastry ‘Haitang Gao’ (crabapple cake), and boldly displayed ‘White Cut Mutton’ are among the exotic and appetizing delicacies that will entice your taste buds.
On holidays, it gets so crowded with local tourists that it’s difficult to move, so be very careful about pickpocketing. If you want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the water town, the best time to visit is on a weekday morning or after dusk when the canal banks are beautifully lit up with lanterns. The cobblestone streets are uneven, so wear comfortable sneakers.
Summary: Real Advice for Enjoying Shanghai Sightseeing
How did you like these Shanghai tourist spots, filled with both old and new charms?
Finally, here’s some useful information to help you enjoy your trip smoothly.
First, Shanghai is a completely cashless society. Many establishments do not handle cash, so it’s absolutely essential to link Japanese credit cards to payment apps like ‘Alipay (Zhifubao)’ or ‘WeChat Pay (Weixin Zhifu)’ before you depart (Note: Some large tourist facilities like Shanghai Tower may still accept cash).
Also, the subway network is highly developed between major spots, so taking the subway is the primary mode of transport. If you need a taxi, it can be difficult to hail one on the street, so it’s best to use ride-hailing apps like ‘DiDi (Didi Chuxing).’
Around Yu Garden and the Bund, there are still reports of scams where people approach you in a friendly manner and try to lead you to overpriced tea houses, or pickpocketing in crowded areas. Stay vigilant, hold your belongings securely in front of you, and maintain a firm attitude by politely but clearly saying ‘Bùyào’ (No / Don’t want) to suspicious approaches.
Shanghai, where history and cutting-edge modernity, local vibrancy and sophisticated art mingle. Make sure to prepare thoroughly beforehand and enjoy your own deep Shanghai journey!
