8 Awesome Things You Should Try Out In Shanghai

1. Look for Local & Street Food

While in Shanghai you must try the local food! Since Shanghai is one of the biggest cities of China, you will be able to find many different flavors of China here.

The one Shanghainese dish you have to try is the “Xiaolongbao”, a steamed soup dumpling filled with pork, minced crab…

A great Shanghainese restaurant to try out this local dish would be the Nanxiang Steamed bun restaurant. There, you can taste 8 original flavored Xiaolongbao for CNY 10.

Another good Xiaolongbao restaurant is the Lu Bo Lang Restaurant, Bill Clinton but also Queen Elizabeth ate there in the past. If you want to eat there like they did, you should know that a meal there costs around 200¥.

On the other hand, Shanghai has a big, colorful and noisy street food scene where you can easily eat like a local in every single corner of the city. Yet, be careful of where to eat! We advise you exploring Fanfbang Road and Sipailou Road in the Old Town. You can make great deals there!
Check more here about Shanghai Travel Guide.

2. Eat & Drink At The Bund

If you want a fine-dining night out you should go straight to The Bund, where the dining nightlife is very dense. There, you can eat very well while enjoying futuristic views of Lujiazui just across the river.

The buildings on the Bund facing the skyline make it a unique moment for anyone visiting Shanghai. You have to go to M On The Bund to catch an unique view of the magnificent skyline.
Moreover, The French Cellar will allow you to enjoy the best French wines in Shanghai, try it out here!

You can also visit Mr and Mrs Bund, a French restaurant that local expats enjoy a lot, now bringing travelers from all over the world for its delicious French cuisine. Lost Heaven is also a good and still reasonable choice for Chinese delicacies from Yunan province.

3. Nightlife in Shanghai – From Sun Set till Sun Rise

Shanghai is THE sleepless city that always has cool places to hang out until the next morning! Many world famous artists and DJs come there very regularly.

The Bund, hosting the famous Le Bar Rouge is a “must do” if you’re ready for a decadent night in Shanghai. Still at The Bund? Why not giving a go at the nightclub MUSE and check how Shanghainese people party there?

Party lovers wanting to make it wild are recommended to head to The Mansion, a famous nightclub, especially for expats, everyone loves the ambiance over there! There, you will for sure be able to make it until the sunrise. If you’re the last one dancing there, then you’re the boss of Shanghai nightlife!

4. Get into Shanghai Cultural Places

Shanghai is the perfect place to learn Chinese. Learning a few words of Mandarin and taking a calligraphy class will help you understand Chinese culture and history.

You can get a Chinese lesson at Mandalingua or Mandarin House, and keep a great souvenir with you!

If you’re willing to get even more into your Chinese cultural immersion, you should already know that China is famous for its martial arts, and as you walk through Shanghai streets you could meet groups of Chinese practicing Tai Chi, usually early in the morning, which can seem like a weird dance at first but is a form of meditation. You can try to meet new people with 10 must have apps for traveling to China.

5. Visit Museums, Arts and Theatres

If you’re into China history, you must visit Shanghai museum, it is a world class museum and it could take you a full day to visit it!

Shanghai Science & Technology Museum is also a very famous museum in Shanghai displaying 13 main permanent exhibitions and 4 sciences theaters.

Shanghai Film Museum, for movie lovers, will take back you into the Shanghainese cinema of the 1920’s with subtitled video clips. Finally, the tree story Long Museum showcases one thousand years of Chinese art, antiques, and porcelains.

China is also famous for its acrobatics shows. ERA, the amazing acrobatics show at Shanghai Circus World has been rated by most International magazines as the best acrobatics show in Shanghai.

6. Get in the middle of futuristic buildings

Shanghai is a modern city. Therefore, you have to enjoy its amazing flashing buildings and skyscrapers. You can get lovely views from the top of some towers.

You should try out the Oriental Pearl Tower and climb to one of the highest observation deck of Shanghai at 1,148 feet offering a 360 degrees view. Make sure to be there on a sunny day!

7. Authentic China and Temples

You should also take some time to walk in the Yu Garden, the holy Jing’An Temple in the heart of Shanghai, or even visiting the largest reclining marble-Budhha in the Jade Buddha Temple.

If you are not into temples, you can visit the Xujiahui Cathedral and the Jewish Synagogue. They are impressive by their architecture and attracting many visitors every day.
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8. Go to the Watertowns

If you have enough time in front of you, you should visit the Watertown’s surrounding Shanghai. They are much more relaxed than the busy Shanghai city.

Here are our suggestions: 50 minutes away from Shanghai, Zhujiajiao. The city is loved by most foreign visitors because of its wooden houses, great atmosphere, and relaxed coffee shops.

Also, Fengjing is an 1800 year-old Watertown with lovely canals, bridges and temples. Visitors usually go there to meet some of the friendly Chinese artists in their workshops straight onto the river.
FInally, Zouzhouang, a water town that prides itself for being the number one Chinese Watertown. It is very pretty but might be too touristic for some of you!