Things to do in Shanghai.
Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan city and the easiest place for a first-time visitor to land: an efficient English-signed metro, a skyline that rivals any in the world, and a walkable old core wrapped around the Huangpu River. Two or three days covers the highlights — and it's the natural gateway to the canal towns of Suzhou and Hangzhou, each under an hour away by high-speed rail.
What to see
The Bund (外滩)
The colonial-era waterfront promenade, best at dusk when the Pudong towers across the river light up. Walk it north to south, then come back after dark for the skyline.
Yu Garden & old town
A classical Ming-dynasty garden ringed by the bazaar of the old town. Touristy but worth it; go early, then eat soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) nearby.
Former French Concession
Tree-lined streets, 1920s villas, independent cafes and boutiques. The most atmospheric walking in the city — aim for the Wukang Road and Tianzifang areas.
Pudong & the towers
Cross the river to Lujiazui. Go up the Shanghai Tower (second-tallest in the world) or the Oriental Pearl for the view back over the Bund at sunset.
Shanghai Museum
One of China's best, with free entry and world-class bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy. On People's Square, an easy half-day when the weather turns.
Zhujiajiao water town
A day trip to a Venice-of-the-east canal town an hour out, for stone bridges, gondolas and a slower pace away from the skyscrapers.
Where to stay
The best first-time base. Walk to the waterfront, Yu Garden and the metro hub at People's Square. Dense with international chain hotels.
Central, polished and well-connected, with the Jing'an Temple, malls and good restaurants. A smooth, modern base.
Xuhui and the leafy lanes around Wukang Road — quieter, full of cafes and boutiques. Atmospheric, slightly further from the headline sights.
Stick to international chains or English-listed hotels to guarantee foreign-guest registration. Search Shanghai hotels on Trip.com → See our Stay guide on which hotels accept foreigners.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Shanghai?
Walk the Bund waterfront for the colonial architecture and the Pudong skyline view, wander the Yu Garden and old town, stroll the tree-lined former French Concession, and go up one of the Pudong towers (Shanghai Tower or the Oriental Pearl) at dusk. With more time, add the Shanghai Museum, a Huangpu River cruise, and a day trip to the water town of Zhujiajiao.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Two to three days covers the essentials comfortably. Two days lets you do the Bund, Yu Garden, the French Concession and Pudong; a third day adds the Shanghai Museum, a river cruise, or a water-town day trip. Shanghai also pairs well with nearby Suzhou and Hangzhou, each under an hour by high-speed rail.
Where should I stay in Shanghai?
For first-timers, stay around the Bund or in Huangpu / People’s Square for walkable access to the waterfront, the metro and the old town. The former French Concession (Xuhui / Jing’an) is quieter and more atmospheric, with cafes and boutiques. Stick to international chains or hotels listed in English on Trip.com to guarantee foreign-guest registration.
Is Shanghai worth visiting?
Yes. Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city and one of the easiest for first-time visitors — efficient metro, plenty of English signage, and a skyline that ranks among the world’s most striking. It works as a standalone trip or as the gateway to the Yangtze Delta cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou.
How do you get around Shanghai?
The Shanghai Metro is fast, cheap and signed in English, and covers almost everywhere a visitor wants to go. Use DiDi (the local ride app) for door-to-door trips, and link Alipay or WeChat Pay to a foreign card before you arrive so you can scan to ride and pay. The Maglev links Pudong Airport to the metro at 300 km/h.