Shanghai feels like stepping into the future while keeping one foot in the past. The first time I saw the Pudong skyline at night, with the Oriental Pearl Tower glowing purple against the stars, I couldn’t stop staring. It’s like someone took every sci-fi movie you’ve ever seen and made it real, but better.
From the peaceful Yu Garden (where I spent hours watching koi fish swim under ancient bridges) to the neon wonderland of the Bund at night, these are the most beautiful places in Shanghai that capture why this city is so incredible. Everyone knows about the skyscrapers, but trust me, Shanghai’s got layers of beauty that most people never see. Let me show you the spots that made my jaw drop in China’s most exciting city.
Best Places to Visit in Shanghai
Looking for the coolest things to do in Shanghai? Stroll through the scenic Fuxing Park, visit the historic Longhua Temple and Pagoda, and marvel at the breathtaking Oriental Pearl Tower. Explore the bustling People’s Square, a hub of culture and activity. Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or city life, here are the top attractions to visit in Shanghai.
1. Fuxing Park
- 🏆 Best For: Urban explorers 🏙️, culture enthusiasts 🎭, morning exercise fans 🧘
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: French-style gardens, peaceful tree-lined pathways, vibrant local culture with morning tai chi and dance groups
- 📸 Top Experiences: Watching locals practice tai chi at dawn, enjoying seasonal flower displays, exploring the historic revolutionary monuments
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi – Luxury hotel within walking distance of the park
Need an Instagram backdrop with cultural cred? Fuxing Park in Shanghai’s former French Concession delivers both style and substance. This unique green space blends European design with authentic Chinese daily life just steps from Xintiandi’s trendy shops.
I’ve never seen a more genuine slice of local life than watching elderly Shanghainese gather at dawn for tai chi and ballroom dancing. The park transforms seasonally—from spring cherry blossoms to autumn’s golden ginkgo trees.
History buffs will appreciate the Marx and Engels sculpture, while social butterflies can join locals playing cards under century-old plane trees. For the quintessential Shanghai morning, grab a coffee from a nearby café and stroll through this urban sanctuary where East truly meets West.
2. Longhua Temple and Pagoda
- 🏆 Best For: History buffs 🏯, spiritual seekers 🧘♀️, architecture admirers 🏛️
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Ancient Buddhist architecture, serene temple grounds, 1,700-year history with the iconic seven-story pagoda
- 📸 Top Experiences: Climbing the historic pagoda, witnessing Buddhist ceremonies, exploring the five main halls with intricate artwork
- 🏨 Where to Stay: InterContinental Shanghai Jing’An – Contemporary luxury with easy metro access to Longhua
Skip the tourist crowds and discover Shanghai’s oldest spiritual sanctuary at Longhua Temple in the city’s southwest. The magnificent Longhua Pagoda, dating back to 977 AD, offers a perfect counterpoint to Shanghai’s glass skyscrapers.
Walking through incense-filled halls housing golden Buddha statues and intricate wood carvings feels like stepping through a portal to ancient China. The temple’s five grand halls showcase art spanning dynasties.
My favorite time to visit is during the annual Longhua Temple Fair when the grounds come alive with traditional performances. For a more serene experience, explore the temple’s gardens featuring ancient camphor trees. Just 30 minutes from downtown via metro line 11, this spiritual retreat offers a necessary pause in your urban adventure.
3. Oriental Pearl Tower
- 🏆 Best For: Photography enthusiasts 📷, thrill-seekers 🎢, modernist architecture fans 🏙️
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Futuristic design with distinctive pearl-like spheres, spectacular views of Shanghai’s skyline, dazzling nightly light shows
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking on the glass-floor observation deck, dining in the revolving restaurant, exploring the Shanghai History Museum below
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Shangri-La Pudong – Luxurious accommodations with stunning views of the tower
Want bragging rights for conquering Shanghai’s most iconic landmark? The retro-futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower in the Pudong district isn’t just a skyline staple—it’s your ticket to the ultimate Shanghai experience. Standing 468 meters tall alongside the Huangpu River, it’s impossible to miss.
The tower offers multiple observation levels, including a heart-racing glass-floor deck 259 meters up. Trust me, nothing beats sipping a cocktail in the revolving restaurant as the entire city unfolds beneath you.
Don’t skip the excellent Shanghai History Museum in the tower’s base, featuring detailed recreations of old Shanghai streets. After dark, catch the spectacular light show that transforms this 1990s icon into a dazzling nighttime beacon visible across the city.
4. People’s Square
- 🏆 Best For: Art lovers 🎨, urban planners 🏙️, people-watchers 👀
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Central urban oasis, harmonious blend of modern architecture and green space, cultural hub of Shanghai
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Shanghai Museum and Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, watching the “marriage market” on weekends, enjoying the musical fountain
- 🏨 Where to Stay: JW Marriott at Tomorrow Square – Towering luxury hotel offering spectacular views of the square
Dive into Shanghai’s cultural heartbeat at People’s Square, the city’s central hub where old meets new in spectacular fashion. Once a colonial-era racetrack, this vast urban plaza now anchors downtown Shanghai between Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road.
The square houses the world-class Shanghai Museum, the fascinating Urban Planning Exhibition Hall with its massive city model, and the ultramodern Shanghai Grand Theatre. I’ve spent hours here just people-watching.
Don’t miss the famous weekend “marriage market,” where parents swap resumes of their unmarried children—a fascinating glimpse into contemporary Chinese culture. With excellent metro connections and surrounded by shopping, People’s Square makes the perfect base for your Shanghai adventures.
5. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
- 🏆 Best For: Families with children 👨👩👧👦, marine life enthusiasts 🐬, entertainment seekers 🎭
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Immersive polar and ocean-themed environments, cutting-edge marine exhibits, innovative multimedia performances
- 📸 Top Experiences: Watching the killer whale show, exploring the polar expedition zone, experiencing the 4D cinema and light shows
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Kerry Hotel Pudong – Family-friendly luxury hotel with easy access to the Ocean Park
Looking for an unexpected break from temple-hopping and shopping? Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park in Pudong New Area delivers world-class marine entertainment that rivals anything you’d find in North America or Europe. This massive park features five distinct zones inspired by different ocean regions.
The standout attractions include the polar expedition area with its playful penguins and the immersive tunnel aquarium. When Shanghai’s summer heat becomes unbearable, I head straight for the park’s water play zones.
Time your visit to catch the spectacular killer whale performance or the evening multimedia show. Located near Disney Resort and accessible via metro line 16, this ocean-themed park offers a refreshing alternative to Shanghai’s urban intensity.
6. Shanghai Museum
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏺, art connoisseurs 🖼️, culture seekers 🧠
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Stunning collection of ancient Chinese artifacts, distinctive bronze vessel-shaped architecture, thoughtfully curated galleries
- 📸 Top Experiences: Admiring the bronze collection spanning 3,000 years, exploring ancient ceramics and calligraphy, participating in cultural workshops
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Radisson Collection Yangtze Shanghai – Elegant hotel near People’s Square with easy museum access
Craving cultural depth beyond shopping and skyline views? Shanghai Museum at People’s Square houses China’s finest collection of ancient art in a building cleverly designed to resemble a bronze ritual vessel. This architectural masterpiece in central Shanghai is the perfect cultural counterweight to the city’s futuristic side.
The museum guides visitors through eleven galleries featuring bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, and furniture spanning thousands of years. You’ll never see me skip the extraordinary bronze collection with vessels dating to the 16th century BCE.
Grab the excellent free audio guides available in multiple languages. With regular special exhibitions and craft demonstrations, this world-class museum deserves at least half a day of your Shanghai itinerary—and best of all, admission is completely free.
7. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
- 🏆 Best For: Marine life enthusiasts 🐠, families with children 👨👩👧👦, photography lovers 📸
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: One of Asia’s largest aquariums with the world’s longest underwater tunnel, stunning diverse marine ecosystems
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking through the 155-meter underwater tunnel, watching shark feeding sessions, exploring the rare Chinese sturgeon exhibit
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Bund Riverside Hotel – Elegant accommodation with easy access to the aquarium and waterfront views
Dive into an underwater paradise at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium where even seasoned travelers stand mesmerized before the 155-meter tunnel. Located in eastern Pudong, this aquatic wonderland houses over 15,000 creatures from five continents. The dedicated China Zone showcases rare native species you won’t find anywhere else.
I still get goosebumps watching divers interact with sharks during the daily feeding shows. For the perfect visit, arrive early to beat the crowds and catch the morning ray feedings. The aquarium’s thoughtful layout takes you from frigid Antarctic waters to vibrant tropical reefs in just one afternoon.
8. Shanghai Zoo
- 🏆 Best For: Wildlife lovers 🦁, families 👨👩👧, nature photographers 📷
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Expansive natural habitats, extensive collection of rare Asian wildlife, beautiful landscaped gardens
- 📸 Top Experiences: Observing giant pandas, visiting the impressive primate house, exploring the Chinese wildlife exhibits
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Gubei Garden Hotel – Family-friendly accommodation set in lush surroundings near the zoo
Escape the urban jungle for a wild adventure at Shanghai Zoo, where the adorable antics of giant pandas will capture your heart and camera roll. This 74-hectare oasis in western Changning District houses over 6,000 animals in surprisingly spacious enclosures. The star attractions include the rare South China tigers and golden snub-nosed monkeys in the Chinese Wildlife Area.
You haven’t truly experienced Shanghai until you’ve watched orangutans swing overhead in the impressive primate house. Between exhibits, beautiful Chinese gardens offer perfect spots for a breather. My tip? Schedule your visit around the 10:30am feeding sessions when animals are most active.
9. Suzhou Creek
- 🏆 Best For: Urban explorers 🏙️, history buffs 📜, photographers 📸
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Fascinating blend of historic waterfront architecture, modern developments, and glimpses into Shanghai’s industrial past
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cycling along the riverside promenade, exploring converted warehouses, watching sunset reflections on the water
- 🏨 Where to Stay: W Shanghai – The Bund – Luxury hotel with contemporary design offering panoramic views of Suzhou Creek meeting the Huangpu River
Sip craft beer in a converted factory while watching boats drift along Suzhou Creek – this is how today’s Shanghai unwinds. This historic waterway cutting through central Jing’an and Putuo Districts has transformed from industrial artery to urban playground. Weathered brick warehouses now house trendy cafés and art studios.
Don’t miss M50 Art District, where former textile factories showcase contemporary Chinese artists pushing boundaries. Rent bikes to cruise the riverside promenade at sunset when golden light bathes the contrasting architecture. I’ve found the creek most photogenic from the ornate Waibaidu Bridge, where century-old ironwork frames modern skyline views.
10. The Bund
- 🏆 Best For: Architecture enthusiasts 🏛️, history lovers 🕰️, night view seekers 🌃
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Iconic waterfront with stunning colonial-era architecture facing futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River
- 📸 Top Experiences: Dawn photography of historic buildings, evening promenade with illuminated skyline views, Huangpu River cruises
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai – Luxurious heritage hotel housed in a restored 1911 building on the Bund
Experience a century of Shanghai in one panoramic glance at The Bund, where time travel feels possible every evening at sunset. This waterfront promenade in central Huangpu District showcases 52 historic buildings facing the sci-fi skyline of Pudong across the river. Gothic, Renaissance, and Art Deco facades tell stories of Shanghai’s roaring 1920s.
The real magic happens after dark when both riverfronts ignite with dazzling light shows. For the perfect shot, arrive at dawn when soft light bathes the empty promenade. Nothing beats ending my Shanghai days with a cocktail at a rooftop bar, watching the 632-meter Shanghai Tower glow against the night sky.
11. Xujiahui Cathedral
- 🏆 Best For: Architecture admirers 🏛️, history enthusiasts 📚, spiritual seekers 🕊️
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Stunning Neo-Romanesque architecture, peaceful sanctuary amidst urban bustle, rich historical significance
- 📸 Top Experiences: Admiring the grand interior nave, exploring the cathedral grounds, attending a service with musical accompaniment
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hengshan Picardie Hotel – Elegant Art Deco hotel in the former French Concession near the cathedral
Step into a hidden sanctuary where Shanghai’s constant buzz fades into reverent whispers at Xujiahui Cathedral. This magnificent Neo-Romanesque church in southwestern Xuhui District offers a spiritual oasis amid flashy malls. Completed in 1910, the red brick facade with twin spires draws your eye upward.
Inside, soaring ribbed vaults and stained glass windows create a breathtaking atmosphere. The cathedral survived Cultural Revolution damage to emerge as Shanghai’s largest Catholic church. Visit during Sunday morning mass to hear the magnificent pipe organ fill the space. Afterward, explore the surrounding former French Concession area with its plane tree-lined streets and art deco villas.
- Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Shanghai
12. Yu Garden
- 🏆 Best For: Traditional culture lovers 🏮, architecture enthusiasts 🏛️, photographers 📸
- ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Classical Ming Dynasty garden design, intricate stone and wood carvings, peaceful pavilions and ponds
- 📸 Top Experiences: Crossing the zigzag bridge to Mid-Lake Pavilion, admiring the Dragon Wall, exploring the traditional bazaar surrounding the garden
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel on the Bund – Upscale international hotel with contemporary décor, panoramic city views, multiple dining options, and prime location between Yu Garden and the Bund
Transport yourself to imperial China without leaving downtown at Yu Garden, where every pavilion, rock, and bridge was designed to surprise and delight. This 16th-century masterpiece in the bustling Old City showcases classical garden design at its finest. The famous Jade Rock – a 5-ton boulder with 72 holes – creates whispered music when rain falls through it.
Arrive before 9am to photograph the ornate Mid-Lake Pavilion without crowds. After exploring, dive into the surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar for Shanghai street food. The famous Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant serves the city’s best xiaolongbao. Visit during January’s Lantern Festival when the entire area transforms with colorful illuminations.
