1. The Bund
Walking along the Bund is one of the must-do things for Shanghai visitors. Located on the west side of the Huangpu River, the Bund is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Shanghai. The Bund is flanked by ancient buildings representing a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance. This is in stark contrast to the east side of the river, which is filled with amazing skyscrapers that can reach dizzying heights. A good time to walk the Bund is at night, when the skyscrapers are lit up like Christmas trees.
2. Yuyuan Garden
The Yuyuan Garden has been a fixture in Shanghai since the 16th century when a Ming Dynasty official wanted to create a peaceful garden for his parents to spend their old age. Today it is one of China's most famous classical gardens, metaphorically translated as delightful and satisfying. The garden is piled high with rockeries, halls, pavilions where visitors can rest their weary feet, and ponds that flow very serenely at your feet.
3. Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road is Shanghai's shopping street. In fact, it is one of the largest and most famous tourist locations in the world, attracting about one million shoppers every day. Built in 1845, the road is divided into east and west, with the eastern part being the main shopping area. Once a place where traditional Chinese stores sold daily necessities, today Nanjing Road is filled with upscale stores, restaurants and hotels.
4. Shanghai World Financial Center
Since Shanghai is one of the centers of the global economy, it's fitting that it has its own world financial center. However this financial center is not an old building but an innovatively designed skyscraper that stands at a height of 492 meters. The 101-story building houses 20 multinational financial institutions, shopping centers and a large hotel. Travelers who suffer from a fear of heights may want to visit the observation deck located near the top of this amazing landmark.
5. Shanghai Museum
Paris has the Louvre, Amsterdam has the National Museum, and Shanghai has its own world-class museum. Housed in a modern building on People's Square,*** the Shanghai Museum has five floors containing ancient Chinese history: old coins, priceless paintings and ceramics, finely carved traditional lacquer furniture, and ancient bronzes and jades. All in all, the museum has over 120,000 exhibits organized into 11 galleries. Even the building itself is a work of art, with a round dome representing heaven and a square base. Best of all, the museum offers free admission every day and hosts roughly 8,000 people a day.
6. Tianzifang
Tianzifang used to be a residential area in the French Concession. Today it is an art district similar to Beijing's 798, filled with boutiques where visitors can buy arts and crafts or check out the traditional architecture. Tianzifang is located in a maze of alleys near Taikang Road and is filled with many small businesses including art supply stores, fashion studios, galleries and cafes. The area is known for its old traditional architecture.
7. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
A trip to the water town is a must for anyone visiting Shanghai. Located on the outskirts of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is one of the best-preserved water towns in the region, albeit 1,700 years old. Visitors must take a boat tour, rowing under 35 ancient stone bridges that are lined with old-fashioned houses. Perhaps the most famous bridge is the 1571 Fangsheng Bridge, with its five openings and eight dragons encircling a pearl. Visitors also won't miss the North Street with its Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. Also worth a visit is the largest memorial garden in Zhujiajiao - Cozy Garden.
8. Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is an iconic building in Shanghai, standing on the banks of the Huangpu River in the Pudong New Area. At 468 meters high, it is the tallest building completed in the early 1990s. Looking like a cross between the Eiffel Tower and Seattle's Space Needle, the world's sixth-largest broadcasting tower has 15 observation decks and a 264-meter-high revolving restaurant. The glass floor of the outdoor observation deck is probably one of the most exciting attractions in Shanghai.
9. Shanghai Maglev Train
Shanghai's main airport, Pudong International Airport, is a short distance from downtown Shanghai. The Shanghai Maglev Train is the fastest way to get into the city. With speeds of up to 430km/h, the 30km journey to the center of Pudong can be completed in just 8 minutes on the Maglev train. From there, visitors can transfer to a subway, bus*** or cab to reach their final destination. The Maglev train was built at the beginning of the 21st century and cost 8.2 billion RMB to build ****.
10. Shanghai Circus City
Songhai is known for its acrobatic performances and is better than Shanghai Circus World. Visitors can see these amazing acrobats in the daily performances of Insertion Time, a show that rivals Broadway musicals. The agile acrobats perform everything from traditional acrobatics to martial arts techniques, all complete with music, lights and costumes. Circus World Shanghai also has its own circus - Circus Delight - featuring everything from clowns to animals to acrobats. The Circus of Joy takes center stage on weekends and holidays. Shanghai Circus has its own circus stages around the world where international circuses can also perform.