10 Sights & Landmarks in Shanghai That You Shouldn't Miss

January 22, 2022 Malia Yoakum

The largest city in China is also its most cosmopolitan, offering visitors a chance to experience the past, present, and future all at once. The Huangpu River splits Shanghai into two districts: Pudong and Puxi. The Pudong skyline looks like it was ripped from the Jetsons, with the bulbous Oriental Pearl TV and Radio Tower looking a bit like a two headed lollipop. On the Puxi side, you can walk the Bund riverside district to get a taste of old Shanghai.
Restaurants in Shanghai

1. Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao)

Bingjiang Dadao, Shanghai China
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,391 reviews

Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao)

The riverside walk along the Bund may be busy and crowded during the day, but with good reason - it's simply a must when in Shanghai for people-watching and getting a good feel for the city.

Reviewed By matthewyetsky

The prefecture took the industrial roots of the city and transformed them into art, see both sides and try to imagine that once this metroplex was once a village and it grew exponentially as its importance as a port grew.

2. Heping Fandian

No.20 Nanjing East Road, Shanghai 200002 China [email protected] http://www.peaceshotel.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 689 reviews

Heping Fandian

Reviewed By ayl3 - Durham, United States

I have reviewed this hotel sometimes ago in 2016. If you wish to stay by the and and Nanjing Road the Fairmont peace hotel is the best location and it is simply a great hotel. The Jazz band which plays every night is a must.

3. Jin Mao Tower

No.88 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200121 China
Excellent
46%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,214 reviews

Jin Mao Tower

Reviewed By JochenHertweck - Frankfurt, Germany

When it opened in 1998 Jin Mao Tower used to dominate the Pudong skyline together with the Oriental Pearl Tower. These days it is overshadowed by the significantly taller Shanghai Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center. However, this should not deter you from visiting it. This stunning architectural masterpiece remains my second favorite observation deck in the city behind the one located at the top of Shanghai Tower. Unlike the neighbouring SWFC you can enjoy 360 degree views from the top and unlike the Oriental Pearl Tower there are usually no long queues to get in. The admission price is also more reasonable than at the other observation decks and in addition you get a dizzying view down the world’s tallest lobby.

4. The Bund (Wai Tan)

Zhongshan East 1st Road, Shanghai China
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,488 reviews

The Bund (Wai Tan)

This is a designated section of Shanghai’s port along the Huang Pu River lined with beautiful neo-classical buildings and a waterfront promenade that is packed with tourists, locals and street sellers.

Reviewed By gollyg2017 - Shanghai, China

This is where the vast spread of this huge city really connects-the true centre of Shanghai.A great view of both sides of the river- the 19th and early 20th century ornamental British and European buildings on one side, and the futuristic boldly designed skyscrapers on the other. No scammers or pickpockets to worry about here,as it's heavily guarded.Nice for a brisk walk during the day, but amazing to stroll and gaze in wonder at night with all the lighting! Keep walking and you'll find the ferry.Its a 10 minute ride to the other side, and only about 2 or 3 rmb per person!Do your research, and find a fancy restaurant or bar looking across the river to relax and finish off the evening. You can't go wrong!

5. Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu)

No. 1 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200120 China http://www.orientalpearltower.com
Excellent
49%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,605 reviews

Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu)

Speed to the top of the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower for a spectacular view, or just gaze at this beautiful structure from afar, especially striking when lit up at night.

Reviewed By MinuHyd - Hyderabad, India

This is indeed one of the nicest place to visit in Shanghai.Though this is not the tallest building in Shanghai,its really worth it.Its an amazing looking building and the views are awesome.The biggest highlight is the glass bottom viewing point..As many other places ,wifi is available in this attraction as well.However we had trouble reading the otp since it was in native language. Note:-Please mind that this is one of the most crowded places in Shangahi.The queues can get really big,and you might end up being in the line for a long time -The washrooms are not very well maintained and better to stay away unless its an emergency.

6. Old Town (Nanshi)

Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
44%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,154 reviews

Old Town (Nanshi)

Reviewed By JoanneP514 - Bowral, Australia

Easy to walk around in a couple of hours. Pretty gardens and pavilions and lots of shops to buy your souvenirs. Interesting old buildings, fabulous tea houses and lots of produce to tease the senses. Worthwhile. Beware though it is crowded and so be careful of your belongings.

7. Shanghai World Financial Center

Building 1, No.100 Century Ave, Pudong New Area, Shanghai China +86 21 6877 7878 http://www.swfc-observatory.com/
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,340 reviews

Shanghai World Financial Center

Three observation decks offer different experiences at the 94th, 97th, and 100th floors. The 100th floor is the highest observatory in the world, with transparent glass-walled walkways.

Reviewed By 737stefanr - Lidkoping, Sweden

Take the lift to the top and walk over the glass floor the view is fantastic you will see hole Shanghai.

8. Pudong New Area

Shanghai 200120 China
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,187 reviews

Pudong New Area

"Pudong, in its 13-year history, has surprisingly progressed in its economic strength and its urban development. This 556-sqaure-kilometer farmland 13 years ago is well on its way toward a modern metropolis. As the epitome of Shanghai' modernization and the symbol of China's reform and opening up drive, Pudong has become an ideal land for global investors."

Reviewed By ChuckTheTravelingGuy - Hot Springs Village, United States

For an incredible sight, enjoy viewing the nighttime lighted buildings in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai. It's like Times Square and the Las Vegas strip all in one. Amazingly beautiful. You can do this while visiting three of China's most famous cities...Beijing, Xian and Shanghai on an eight-day China Discovery Tour. My wife and I arranged our China Discovery Tour via email with tour representative Catherine Liu after checking out the tour on the Internet. Catherine was wonderful to work with as she was very professional, replied quickly with answers to our questions, and made sure our group tours of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai had excellent guides and drivers. Our group tours in Beijing included a visit to Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and gave us the fascinating opportunity to walk on the Great Wall. In Xian, a lovely city that was once the capital of China, we visited the site of the world-famous Terra-cotta Warriors. Amazing tour. If you have time in Xian, make sure to have dinner at one of the Hot Pot restaurants. A fun experience somewhat like the old days of cheese fondue dinners...but without the cheese. In Shanghai, the most flourishing metropolis in China, highlights will include a visit to the Bund, the multinational classic building complex along the river, a ride to the 85th floor the Global Financial Center for a bird's eye view of Shanghai, and lunch at a local restaurant. During your eight-day group tour (private tours are also available) you will stay in excellent five-star hotels, see the countryside when you ride a high speed bullet train from Beijing to Xian and fly from Xian to Shanghai. We highly recommend the China Discovery Tour on a visit to China. It is a quick way to tour three of China's most well-known cities. Contact Catherine Liu at [email protected] for more information. You will be glad you did.

9. Longhua Temple

No.2853 Longhua Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai China +86 21 6456 6085
Excellent
51%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 536 reviews

Longhua Temple

Built in the early Song Dynasty (960-1279), it is the oldest and largest temple in Shanghai. It is popularly believed that the temple gained its name Longhua from the legendary “Longhua” tree with branches extending some 20 kilometers, under which the Maitreya Buddha was enlightened.

Reviewed By sumit824 - Mumbai, India

It is a very old temple of Buddha. People has great respect for the temple. It was rebuild during Northern Song dynasty AD 977. It has beautiful architecture.

10. Former French Concession

Puxi Central, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,964 reviews

Former French Concession

A residential area of Shanghai once designated for the French, the French Concession is popular with tourists and expats, and appreciated for its cafes, tree-lined avenues, and tudor houses.

Reviewed By Hugary1 - Sydney, Australia

Part of our walking tour with Penny which also took in The Old Town, Yu Gardens Markets, Confucius Temple, a house were Albert Einstein stated in the 1920's and the oldest and largest house which is to be renovated. Penny was a fantastic guide who picked us at the hotel and organised transport to a couple of the attractions. Her English was outstanding and her knowledge was vast and extensive. We really enjoyed her commentary and general conversation. At the end of the tour she helped us get a Metro card and put enough funds to keep us going for 3 days of city travel. That gave us great freedom to explore the city and points further out and for that we are very grateful. She went above and beyond. The walk showed us areas that will be demolished soon. Houses left and bricked up. People on the day we walked were being served with their date to leave. Then onto the last of the areas still fully populated with its quaint shops and wonderful market place. These are sites that are disappearing and we felt that we were seeing a passing of a way of life in this city. The Temple was a place of calm and quite in a busy city and penny gave us the history behind it in a clearly articulated way. I suggest you get to see this before it all disappears.

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