▶ Attractions
Shanghai, known as the Paris of the East, is a gateway city to visit China. Sightseeing in Shanghai can be a daunting task. In a megacity Shanghai where there's something different to see around every corner, it can be hard to know where to start. If you are planning your visit, use our definitive guide to the top Shanghai attractions whenever you're entertaining out-of-town guests or simply want to play tourist and revisit iconic places. Here below are the most popular sights and spots in Shanghai include towering skyscrapers, great parks, museums, exotic streets, historical venues, etc. Landmarks like the Bund, Nanjing Road, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Garden & Bazaar are perennial favorites, but we’ve also highlighted a few of our favorite gems, such as Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai Disneyland. Discover the very best attractions in Shanghai to learn about its past and present, Start your Shanghai tour now.
Scenic Spots
Standing at the end of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower soars 468 meters, setting the character of the new urban area as well as its cityscape. An all-around panorama view of Shanghai from the tallest TV tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world can be amazing, walking on the glass bottom and feeling your adrenaline pumps is also cool.
The Jinmao Tower is situated in the heart of Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in Pudong New Area. This 88-story skyscraper rises 420 meters, making it one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Observation Deck is on Level 88, 340 meters above the ground. In bright and comfortable light, you could enjoy a bird's eye view of Shanghai City.
The Bund is a 1.5-kilometre-long waterfront area and a protected historical district in central Shanghai. It is acclaimed as an outdoor museum of international architecture. The serene river, long walkway and green belt against the dazzling backdrop of elegant buildings make Shanghai's Bund a signature site for residents and tourists alike.
Yuyuan Garden is an extensive, traditional Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Huangpu district, Shanghai. With over 40 serene scenic spots comprised of pavilions, rocks and ponds, the garden is now a key site under State-level protection. The temple, market and garden are seamlessly integrated, combining temple activities, folk traditions, leisure, shopping, dining, sightseeing and cultural activities.
Shanghai Wild Animal Park (SWAP) is one of the largest national-level wild animal parks in China. More than 200 species of rare animals totalling over 10,000 from around the world are housed at SWAP, including giraffes, zebras, antelopes, white rhinoceroses, giant pandas, snub-nosed monkeys, Siberian tigers and Asian elephants.
Shanghai Disney Resort is the first Disney resort in mainland China and the sixth one in the world. In Disneyland, you can lignite your dream by exploring Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, and Tomorrowland with different themes, characters, and activities. Disney is a dreamland for both children and adults.
Heritage Zones
Nestled where Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai meet and just 40 kilometers from central Shanghai, the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town showcases traditional life and stunning architecture from long ago.
The Fengcheng Laochengxiang Historical and Cultural Block in Fengcheng town, Fengxian district, is home to the only walled city in Shanghai that has been preserved to this day.
Fengjing Historical and Cultural Block is a significant site in the suburbs of Shanghai, renowned for its well-preserved traditional architecture and rich history.
Museums & Galleries
Shanghai Museum, renowned as one of China's finest museums, houses a collection of nearly 1.02 million items, of which 140,000 have been designated as national treasures.
The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is ranked as a first-class national museum and a 5A national tourist spot, besides as an educational excursion demonstration base and one of Shanghai's landmarks.
The Fengxian Museum is a comprehensive museum that serves as a hub for not only academic exchanges, but also for the collection, protection, research, and exhibition of artifacts.
Theaters
Shanghai Grand Theatre is an iconic cultural landmark. It hosts a variety of performances, including opera, ballet, symphony orchestras and art festivals.
Founded by Soon Ching-ling (1893-1981), the Shanghai Children's Art Theater is part of the China Welfare Institute.
Opened in 2023, the New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center in Pudong New Area is a cutting-edge cultural and commercial hub that integrates performing arts, commerce, offices, and hotels.
Parks
Located in the northeast of Chongming Island, Dongping National Forest Park in Shanghai is a national 4A-level scenic area and a popular day trip destination for many Shanghai residents.
As downtown Shanghai's largest free park, Shanghai Century Park creates a boundary-free environment for residents and visitors to enjoy leisurely strolls and a range of amenities.
Shanghai Gongqing National Forest Park is home to over 300,000 trees belonging to more than 200 species.