Things to Do in 📍Shanghai, China

I just visited Shanghai for the first time and I was only there for 24 hours because of my layover. That being said, I had a short trip but I made the most of it by visiting these areas:

🛕Qibao Ancient Town (slides2-4): This is a traditional area a little outside of Shanghai but you can still reach it easily by taking the metro. There are restaurants, shopping, and street markets that you can explore in this area.

🌯Street Food (in Qibao): This is an absolute must if you’re a travel foodie! There were so many options, most of which I didn’t know but tried anyways. I would definitely recommend you try the meat on a stick - they cook it right in front of you and add seasonings if you want!

🛍️Nanjing Road: This is a HUGE shopping center that is filled with soooo many stores. There were too many for me to choose because there is also the 📍New World Emporium nearby, which is a mall with 12 FLOORS🤯 You have to see it for yourself in person!

Before you go to Shanghai, remember to download a VPN so you can access your apps while visiting.

#Shanghai #shanghai2024 #travel #chinatravel #visitchina #thingstodoshanghai #vpn #traveltips #traveltipsandtricks #chinesefood

2024/5/22 Edited to

... Read moreWhen I explored Qibao Ancient Town, I was utterly captivated by its timeless beauty. It genuinely felt like stepping back into a different era, far removed from the futuristic pulse of downtown Shanghai. The serene canals, crisscrossed by beautiful stone bridges – like the famous Puhuitang Bridge, which offers such picturesque views – truly gave me that 'Venice of the East' feeling. I spent a wonderful afternoon just wandering along the canal banks, watching the traditional boats glide by, and admiring the intricate traditional Chinese architecture, often adorned with vibrant red lanterns. It's not just about the incredible street food, though that was a definite highlight; you'll also discover charming tea houses where you can relax, artisan shops selling unique local crafts, and ancient temples that whisper tales of history. I could have spent all day just soaking in the authentic atmosphere. Getting there by metro was incredibly easy and affordable too, which is a huge plus when you're trying to maximize a short visit! While my 24-hour layover was jam-packed, it only left me craving more of Shanghai! If you have additional time or are planning a longer trip, there are so many other must-visit spots I've heard rave reviews about. First on my list for next time is The Bund. Imagine walking along the waterfront, gazing at this breathtaking skyline where colonial-era European architecture dramatically contrasts with futuristic skyscrapers – it's absolutely iconic and a quintessential Shanghai experience. Then there's Yu Garden, a stunning classical Chinese garden that promises an oasis of calm amidst the city's vibrant energy, perfect for a peaceful escape. For incredible panoramic views that stretch for miles, I'd definitely recommend heading up the Shanghai Tower or the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. And for a taste of refined history and charming European influence, the tree-lined streets of the French Concession offer chic cafes and unique boutiques, perfect for an afternoon stroll. Shanghai truly offers an unparalleled blend of ancient culture and cutting-edge modernity that makes it profoundly worth visiting, even for a brief encounter. Beyond just remembering to download a VPN – which, trust me, is absolutely essential for accessing your usual social media and communication apps – navigating Shanghai was surprisingly straightforward. The metro system is incredibly efficient, extensive, and super affordable, making it my absolute go-to for getting around. One crucial tip: China is largely cashless, so having WeChat Pay or Alipay set up on your phone before you arrive will save you an immense amount of hassle. Seriously, almost every shop, restaurant, and street vendor operates through these apps! For communication, a good translation app is a lifesaver, though I found many younger people in tourist areas speak some English. I've heard the best time to visit Shanghai for comfortable weather is during spring or autumn, but even in winter, the city has its own festive charm. My personal advice? Embrace the vibrant energy, be adventurous with the food, and let yourself get happily lost in the unique fusion of old-world charm and futuristic dynamism that Shanghai offers. It's truly an unforgettable travel experience!

Related posts

How to spend a slow week in Shanghai💐
Michelin star lunches, DiDi rides, wholesale markets, vintage finds, and photo spots the algorithm hasn’t touched yet. I moved at my own pace, spent my last hours doing exactly what I wanted, and caught a bullet train to my next destination without a single compromise. This is what travel looks li
itsayanaiman

itsayanaiman

3 likes

Shanghai Private Tours
China tour with us: unique travel experience & beautiful memories for a lifetime. No commission-based shopping tours to China. #Summer2024 #lemon8partner #destination #Shanghai #privatetour #shanghai2024 #visitChina #travelwitemon8 #hellolemon8 # #shanghaiguide #Shanghai
ShanghaiTours

ShanghaiTours

655 likes

A couple in wedding attire poses against a light background with dramatic shadows, holding hands. The bride wears a white gown and the groom a black tuxedo. Text overlay reads 'WEDDING PHOTOSHOOT BEIYU STUDIO SHANGHAI'.
A smiling couple in wedding attire poses against a light background with shadows. The groom holds the bride in a romantic dip, both looking at each other affectionately.
A smiling couple in wedding attire poses against a light background with shadows. The groom carries the bride in his arms, who holds a white floral bouquet.
Wedding photoshoot in Shanghai, China🇨🇳
After being married for 3 years, we finally got our wedding photos done in Shanghai 🥰😍 #beiyustudio #weddingphotoshoot #shanghai #amwf
Meg 🪿

Meg 🪿

4 likes

4 Tips for Shanghai Travel: Save This Guide!
#chinatraveltips #chinatravel #Shanghai #china #chinese
tour.with.winter

tour.with.winter

3 likes

Most beautiful restaurant in shanghai
📍3 Warehouse (Roof Garden, 4th Floor, Sky Vanke Plaza) Get off the subway directly is Vanke Plaza, first go to the 3rd floor and then take the escalator to the 4th floor 🪩 The restaurant is very nice from every viewpoint, the sense of technology is ahead of its time, like traveling
Eat in china

Eat in china

14 likes

View of Shanghai✨
#shanghai #china #views #night
chinasightt

chinasightt

20 likes

Downtown Shanghai 🇨🇳
Guys I’m enjoying China so much 😍 these are just some beautiful places that I saw downtown. #chinacity #china #shanghai Shanghai
Nneka staple

Nneka staple

34 likes

🦊 Shanghai’s Next-Level Pet Playground: West Bund
You'll never believe the wild and wonderful creatures I just spotted at the West Bund Dreamcenter in Shanghai! 😮 Forget about your typical dogs and cats - this place is taking the pet game to a whole new level. As I strolled along the scenic waterfront promenade, I stumbled upon the most une
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

245 likes

Shanghai clips transition is the GOAT 🇨🇳🫶✨
#gettoknowme #chinalife #shanghai Shanghai
Chinapal_Jimmy

Chinapal_Jimmy

2 likes

travel to China Shanghai
Delicious food, beautiful scenery, safety, and the best travel experience. #travel #china #beijing #Shanghai #chongqing
ChinaWondersGuide

ChinaWondersGuide

24 likes

Your Go-To Guide in Shanghai 🥰🫶
Save this video for your Shanghai trip! ✨🇨🇳💕 #shanghai #shanghaitravel #chinatravel #visitchina #traveltips
Ivy | China Travel 🇨🇳💕

Ivy | China Travel 🇨🇳💕

4 likes

Incredible views with Shanghai Cafes ☕️
#chinacity #Shanghai #shanghailife #chinatravel
Chinapal_Jimmy

Chinapal_Jimmy

2 likes

Why Shanghai is a must-visit when you come toChina
If China is on your travel list, Shanghai should be at the top. This city perfectly blends Chinese tradition with global culture—you can walk past centuries-old temples and turn a corner to see futuristic skyscrapers. Shanghai is where the past meets the future, where local culture and internati
Kaylee in China

Kaylee in China

28 likes

Welcome to Shanghai ✨
China’s magical metropolis — Shanghai #Shanghai #chinatravel #shanghaiguide #cityvibes #metropolis
Eva Traveling

Eva Traveling

3 likes

❄️ Shanghai to Harbin: A Winter Wonderland!
Hey snow bunnies! 🐰 Dreaming of a white Christmas? Let's hop on over to Harbin! ❄️ Picture this: towering ice sculptures 🏰, steaming hot pot 🍲, and endless snow-covered landscapes ⛄️. It's like stepping into a real-life snow globe! Stroll down Central Street, marvel at St. Sophia Cath
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

13 likes

Things to avoid in shanghai ❤️🎄
#shanghaitrip #shanghailife #china #christmas
Chinapal_Jimmy

Chinapal_Jimmy

3 likes

travel to China Shanghai
Delicious food, beautiful scenery, safety, and the best travel experience. #china #travelrecommendations #travel #beijing #Shanghai
ChinaWondersGuide

ChinaWondersGuide

2 likes

Shanghai Private Tour
China tour with us: unique travel experience & beautiful memories for a lifetime. No commission-based shopping tours to China. #Summer2024 #lemon8partner #destination #Shanghai #privatetour #shanghai2024 #visitChina #travelwitemon8 #hellolemon8 # #shanghaiguide #Shanghai
ShanghaiTours

ShanghaiTours

13 likes

✨ A Night to Remember in Shanghai ✨
There’s something truly magical about Shanghai at night 🌃✨ Standing by the Huangpu River, with the Oriental Pearl Tower glowing in red and the city lights reflecting on the water — it feels like stepping into a dream. Sipping a cocktail on a rooftop, enjoying the cool breeze, and watching the sk
Lisa

Lisa

4 likes

🌟 Enchanting Light Show: Shanghai‘s Dreamy Forest!
Hey there, light chasers! ✨ Ready for some magic? 🪄 Shanghai's got a secret: a forest made of light! 🌳💫 Imagine stepping into your dreamland - that's this place! 😍🌠 Tyndall effect in action, creating a fairy-tale scene! 🧚‍♀️🌈 It's like walking through sunbeams in an enchante
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

12 likes

TastySaver Restaurants in Shanghai No.4
📍Li Bai Crab Here's the famous Suzhou crab noodle restaurant, Li Bai Crab. It's on the Bund 22, and the view is great. The noodles are delicious, and they're very strong, too 🦀The flour is very filling, so it's really good. Drunken prawns and crabs are also good.
Eat in china

Eat in china

6 likes

Shanghai Highlights
Some of my favorite memories from Shanghai! Unfortunately, a lot of the places were in Chinese and were found from just walking around so I don’t have every location name. I had a great time, it was so beautiful and I got to try so many different food. The architecture and sceneries were bre
Jenn

Jenn

2 likes

1000 Trees Plaza in China's Shanghai
1000 Trees Plaza in China's Shanghai The complex consists of two towers with 400 terraces and 1000 platforms buried in plants. 🧠
INTERESTING VIDEO'S ON LEMON8

INTERESTING VIDEO'S ON LEMON8

33 likes

🐼 Panda-monium at Shanghai Wildlife Park!
OMG, guys! 😍 You won't believe what just happened at Shanghai Wildlife Park! I got up close and personal with the cutest red pandas ever! 🦊 These little furballs are not raccoons, they're pure adorableness on four paws! 🐾 And get this - they were munching on tiny apples! 🍎 It was like wa
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

301 likes

A Guide To Disneyland Shanghai
Here are some tips and tricks on how to maximize your day at 📍 Shanghai Disneyland Resort 1. Book your tickets through Trip.com (you can use Apple Pay) 2. All activities/places in China - most of the time, tickets are linked to your passport. You scan your passport at the entrance to get in
TrekforTreats

TrekforTreats

18 likes

📍Shanghai Disneyland
Lovely winter ☀️ in Shanghai 🥰 Crazy about Zootopia 💕 Shanghai Disneyland Park #china #DISNEY #Shanghai #chinatrip #trip
Sansan._.33

Sansan._.33

1 like

🌟 Magical Firefly Forest Cruise: Shanghai‘s Hidden
Hey there, travel buddies! 👋 Get ready for a mind-blowing adventure! 🤩 Ever dreamed of sailing through a sea of stars? ✨ Well, dreams do come true in Shanghai! 🚢 Just 1 hour from the city, there's a secret firefly forest waiting for you! 🌳🐞 Hop on a boat and glide through the darkness,
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

6 likes

I’m in Shanghai, China!!🫶✨
⭐️Overall rating: /10: 7 I haven’t been here long enough to full joy the experience but I’ll update you loves 💜 #chinatravel #china #Shanghai
Nneka staple

Nneka staple

35 likes

Travel to China Shanghai
Delicious food, beautiful scenery, safety, and the best travel experience. #china #travel #beijing #Shanghai #chongqing
ChinaWondersGuide

ChinaWondersGuide

3 likes

Shanghai
Probably not this year, but I would love to travel to Shanghai soon.. 🤍 #lemon8diarychallenge #Shanghai #Shanghai china #china
Bella

Bella

10 likes

Most tourists only see 10% of Shanghai... 🏙️
Don't be one of them! 🛑 Beyond the neon lights of the Bund, there’s a side of the city that’s pure magic. From floating museums to 1920s villas, these 5 hidden gems will show you the real Shanghai soul. ✨ 📍 Save this for your 2026 China trip! 🇨🇳 Ready for a seamless, private journey? Shoot
Ivy | China Travel 🇨🇳��💕

Ivy | China Travel 🇨🇳💕

0 likes

Shanghai,China
lvlong886

lvlong886

6 likes

Chang’an Fu theme lunch in Shanghai China
#shanghai #china #chang ’anFu #travel #explore
Cassie

Cassie

26 likes

🐒 Lemur Island: Shanghai Zoo‘s Hidden Gem!
Heads up, animal lovers! 🚨 I've got the scoop on Shanghai Wildlife Park's best-kept secret - Lemur Island! 🏝️ Picture this: adorable lemurs 🐵 roaming free, sunbathing 🌞, and even napping right by your feet! No cages, no barriers - just pure lemur magic! ✨ These fuzzy cuties are super
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

15 likes

Shanghai foodie tour
China tour with us: unique travel experience & beautiful memories for a lifetime. No commission-based shopping tours to China. #Summer2024 #lemon8partner #destination #Shanghai #privatetour #shanghai2024 #visitChina #travelwitemon8 #hellolemon8 # #shanghaiguide #Shanghai
ShanghaiTours

ShanghaiTours

397 likes

A cover image for a "Shanghai First-Timer Survival Guide" titled "8 Things Not To Do!". It features two contrasting images: a crowded city street at night marked with a red X, and a modern skyline with green space marked with a green checkmark, illustrating "Wrong Way VS Right Way."
This image compares "The Bund" (wrong way) with "The North Bund" (right way). The left shows a crowded, neon-lit street at night. The right displays a less crowded, scenic view of the Shanghai skyline from the North Bund, featuring modern skyscrapers and green areas.
This image compares "Jing'an Temple (Inside)" (wrong way) with "Skybridge View (Free)" (right way). The left shows an ornate golden interior of Jing'an Temple. The right shows the temple's golden roof and the modern CBD skyline from an elevated skybridge.
First Time in Shanghai? Do’s & Don’ts‼️
👋 Hi friend! Check this before your first Shanghai trip! 🙋🏻‍♀️ About us: Unlocking Love, China ❤️ for you. We aim to make it easier for travelers worldwide to explore China.
DecodingChina coco

DecodingChina coco

1 like

Escape Downtown Shanghai and Go To...
#china #Shanghai #chinatravel #chinese
tour.with.winter

tour.with.winter

2 likes

Must-Try Shanghai Delicacies: Crab Roe 🦀
Shanghai is famous for its rich and savory crab roe dishes. From juicy crab roe soup dumplings (Xie Huang Tang Bao) to creamy crab roe noodles, every bite is full of umami and tradition. Don’t miss these seasonal delicacies when you visit! #ShanghaiFood #CrabRoe #SoupDumplings #XieHuan
Wok Street China

Wok Street China

309 likes

travel to China Shanghai
Delicious food, beautiful scenery, safety, and the best travel experience. #china #travel #beijing #Shanghai #chongqing
ChinaWondersGuide

ChinaWondersGuide

1 like

Yuan Garden so amazing Shanghai must visit
#shanghai #shanghai2024 #shanghaitrip #yuyuan garden shanghai #chinatravel
Sophie Zhang

Sophie Zhang

30 likes

🤖 Discover Shanghai‘s Colossal Anime Wonders!
Calling all Eva fans - you won't want to miss this! 😍 Shanghai has unveiled the most magnificent monument to our beloved mecha icon, the Evangelion Unit-01 Statue. This colossal creation stands tall as the largest anime sculpture in the Guinness World Records - a true testament to the city&
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

4 likes

🌟 Shanghai‘s Secret Night Forest Adventure!
Hey night owls! 🦉 Ever dreamed of wandering through a magical glowing forest? Well, pinch yourself 'cause it's real in Shanghai! 🌳✨ This hidden gem in Fengxian opens at 7PM 🕖, when darkness falls and the magic begins! Follow a mysterious storyline 📜 and witness mind-blowing light shows a
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

3 likes

Travel to China Shanghai
Delicious food, beautiful scenery, safety, and the best travel experience. #travel #china #beijing #Shanghai #chongqing
ChinaWondersGuide

ChinaWondersGuide

11 likes

#shanghai#china
China_yasmin

China_yasmin

14 likes

🐼 Red Pandas Demand Dinner at Shanghai Zoo!
OMG, cutest dinner bell ever! 😍 Guess who's causing a stir at Shanghai Wild Animal Park? The adorable red pandas are on a mission for munchies! These fluffy little troublemakers 🦊 (nope, not raccoons!) are rallying their squad for feeding time. Talk about #SquadGoals ! �bamboo Imagine t
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

12 likes

Shanghai China 🫶🥰
Walked out like the skyline was expecting me. 🔥🇨🇳 . . . #travel #traveltiktok #china #shanghai #fyp
MomoChronicles

MomoChronicles

1 like

9 Must-Sees Spots in 🇨🇳Shanghai!
Discover the best of Shanghai, from historic charm to futuristic skylines! 🏙️✨ 1️⃣ The Bund: Historic meets modern. Stroll along the river, see old Euro architecture face off against Lujiazui skyscrapers. Stunning night lights! ⛴️ 2-Yuan ferry is a must! 2️⃣ Lujiazui: Downtown skyline central! Cl
DecodingChina coco

DecodingChina coco

1 like

【Shanghai China🇨🇳】Sightseeing Tour
Shanghai's urban planning is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there are so many places to visit that it takes a lot of time to savor them all. I look forward to coming back next time. #lemon #Lemon8 #chinatravel #Shanghai #Lemon8Diary
Wayne Gray_925

Wayne Gray_925

11 likes

🏯 Time Travel at Shanghai‘s 25k㎡ Ancient Park!
Buckle up, time travelers! 🚀 I've stumbled upon Shanghai's best-kept secret - a massive ancient-style theme park! Dress up in traditional Han clothing 👘, complete quests for "flying money" 💸, and watch mind-blowing NPC performances! 🎭 Pro tip: Arrive early to avoid the costum
ShanghaiTravel

ShanghaiTravel

10 likes

Shanghai light show the bund light
Get free 3-day Shanghai travel itinerary E Book at 🔗 shanghaispecials.com #china #shanghai #shanghaitravelguide #chinatrip #shanghailife
Sophie Zhang

Sophie Zhang

171 likes

See more