Shanghai’s Dazzling River Glow

Evening mist softens the Huangpu River as skyscraper lights shimmer across the Bund and the scent of street-side scallion pancakes drifts through Nanjing Road.

Visit in spring or autumn—wander Yu Garden, explore the French Concession, and use the metro to glide easily across Shanghai.

Discover now and begin your Shanghai journey.

Shanghai - Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

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19 Best Things to Do in Shanghai for First-time Visitors

A practical, up-to-date list of Shanghai’s top sights and experiences for first-time visitors, covering the Bund, Yu Garden, museums, neighborhoods, transit tips and booking advice for popular attractions.

Things to do in Shanghai | Time Out Shanghai

A city-focused collection of articles and curated guides highlighting Shanghai’s best museums, parks, food scenes, neighborhoods and events, updated regularly with local reviews and seasonal recommendations.

Ultimate Guide to Shanghai: 7 AMAZING Things to See in 2025

A concise attractions guide that highlights Shanghai’s must-see landmarks (the Bund, Yu Garden, Oriental Pearl Tower, Jing’an Temple, Nanjing Road) with visitor tips and personal observations geared to short itineraries.

Top 7 Free Things to Do in Shanghai

A budget-friendly list of no-cost experiences around Shanghai—public parks, local markets, art districts and cultural walks—emphasizing how to experience local life without spending much.

The French Concession: A Walk Through Shanghai’s Most Surprising Neighbourhood

A neighborhood-focused walking guide to the French Concession covering history, tree-lined streets, shikumen architecture, cafés, galleries and recommended walking routes for soaking in Shanghai’s colonial-era charm.

The Bund (Waitan)

Zhongshan East 1st Road (East Zhongshan Road), Huangpu District, Shanghai

The Bund grew as Shanghai’s international financial and trading center from the mid-19th century; its row of 52 historic buildings reflects European architectural styles and the city’s treaty-port era, now preserved as a riverside cultural promenade.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden)

No. 168–279 Anren (Fuyou) Street / Yuyuan Old Street area, Huangpu District, Shanghai (addresses vary by source)

A private garden begun in the Ming dynasty (16th century) for the Pan family, Yuyuan combines classical pavilions, rockeries and ponds and sits beside the City God Temple and lively bazaar; long valued as a place of scholarly retreat and public attraction.

Shanghai Tower

479 Lujiazui Ring Road / Shanghai Tower, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Completed in the 2010s as part of Pudong’s financial district development, Shanghai Tower is a twisting megastructure symbolizing the city’s rapid modern growth; it houses observation decks, offices, retail and restaurants.

Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower

Lujiazui, Pudong New Area (near Century Avenue / Pudong Avenue), Shanghai

Opened in the mid-1990s, the futuristic ‘pearls on a stem’ tower quickly became a visual symbol of modern Shanghai; it contains observation platforms, exhibition spaces, dining and entertainment and helped define Pudong’s skyline.

Shanghai Museum

201 Renmin Avenue, People’s Square, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200003

Established in the 20th century and re-housed in an iconic round building at People’s Square in 1996, Shanghai Museum holds extensive collections of ancient Chinese art — bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and jade — and is a major cultural institution in the city.

Stroll the Bund (Waitan) and riverside promenade

A 1.5 km waterfront promenade with historic colonial-era buildings on the Puxi side and panoramic views of Pudong’s skyscrapers across the Huangpu River.

Iconic skyline photography at sunrise or night; easy walking route that showcases Shanghai’s 19th–20th century international history and modern development; numerous restaurants and rooftop bars nearby.

Visit Yu (Yuyuan) Garden and the Bazaar

A classical Ming‑dynasty scholar’s garden of pavilions, rockeries and ponds located beside the Old City’s bustling market streets and Huxinting Teahouse.

One of Shanghai’s best-preserved traditional gardens — great for architecture and serene views — plus nearby stalls for local snacks and souvenirs.

Go up Shanghai Tower (observation deck)

China’s tallest building (in Pudong), with high-speed elevators and an observation deck for sweeping views over the city and Huangpu River.

World-class viewpoint to appreciate Shanghai’s scale and the cluster of Pudong skyscrapers; combines modern architecture, shopping and dining in one visit.

Explore Shanghai Museum and People’s Square

A leading museum of ancient Chinese art (bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade) located on People’s Square in central Shanghai.

Outstanding collections that give historical context to Chinese art and culture; compact, well-curated galleries ideal for first-time visitors.

Wander Tianzifang / French Concession alleys

A renovated shikumen neighbourhood and labyrinth of narrow lanes (around Taikang Road) filled with independent boutiques, galleries, cafes and small restaurants.

Offers a relaxed, local-feel contrast to downtown Shanghai — excellent for boutique shopping, street photography and sampling contemporary Shanghai food and coffee culture.