Shanghai is an intrepid, thriving city that has moved
itself to the forefront of China’s impending future
growth. With nicknames like the “Queen of the Orient”
and the “Paris
of the East”, Shanghai
is proud of its modern-day image. There is certainly no
shortage of things to do in Shanghai, and there are many
alluring Shanghai tours worth booking if you want further
insight into one of the world’s largest cities.
Getting to all the Shanghai attractions on your list is
made easier by the city’s extensive bus and metro
systems, both of which have plans for expansion. You can
also get around efficiently and effectively by way of
taxi if you please. Shanghai tourism is on the rise, and
there are certainly some major Shanghai attractions that
visitors will want to consider. The following are just
some ideas for fun things to do in Shanghai, and between
your sightseeing endeavors, you can always enjoy some
relaxation time at one of the many Shanghai parks.
The Bund is without question one of the most popular Shanghai attractions. This waterfront area, which runs for about a mile along the Huangpu River, forms the easternmost boundary of Old Shanghai, and here you can gaze at buildings of various architectural styles. The Bund, which means “embankment”, is a most significant Chinese landmark, and should you head here at night, the glimmering skyscrapers make for a dazzling backdrop. After a languid stroll along The Bund, you might head to the southern end of the famous stretch to peruse the shops or hit one of the few restaurants.
Shanghai may be quite modern in parts, but it also retains
some vestiges of the past, among the most significant
of which is the Yu Gardens complex. Found in the old town
section of the city, this Chinese landmark is Shanghai’s
most renowned Chinese garden, and it is certainly one
of the top Shanghai attractions. Though it can get quite
crowded here, the Yu Gardens nonetheless offer a nice
break from the busy Shanghai streets, and besides the
lovely gardens themselves, there are a number of structures
that accentuate the complex, such as the famed Five-Dragon
wall. Individuals, couples, and families will all enjoy
a trip to the Yu Gardens, as it is a Shanghai tourism
magnet for very good reason.
Asia’s tallest TV tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower
rises some 1,550 feet into the sky, and it offers visitors
a most stunning panoramic view of sprawling Shanghai.
The main observation deck at this popular Shanghai tourism
icon is found at an elevation of almost 870 feet, and
it’s high enough by many people’s standards.
For those who want to get more of a bird’s eye view,
there is also a “Space Capsule” viewing deck
found at an elevation of around 1,100 feet. If you aren’t
a fan of heights, you might opt for the views from the
295-foot “Space City” lookout. High-speed
elevators get visitors to the sight decks with speed,
and the elevator attendants typically offer various facts
about the tower along the way. The Jin Mao Tower, which
is Shanghai’s tallest skyscraper, is another place
to enjoy excellent views of the city.
There are at least a handful of interesting Shanghai
museums to visit, and among the best is the Shanghai Museum
of Art. Moved to the historic clock tower building in
2000, the Shanghai Museum of Art is most known for its
impressive bronze, calligraphy, and ceramics exhibits.
There are also some very intriguing paintings to check
out here, and visitors can enjoy self-guided audio tours
that are certainly worth the small additional fee. After
enjoying all that the museum exhibits have to offer, you
might enjoy a nice meal at the nice, western-style restaurant
on the 5th floor. Those traveling with kids will certainly
want to also consider adding the Shanghai Discovery Children’s
Museum to their Shanghai tourism agendas.
Found less than a mile from downtown Shanghai, the Jade
Buddha Temple is certainly among the most intriguing Shanghai
attractions. This Shanghai tourism gem, though not very
old at all, is nonetheless very rewarding to visit. Among
the most interesting artifacts here is a 6-foot jade Buddha
statue which was arduously dragged quite a long distance
by a monk in the latter half of the 1800's. It’s
certainly interesting to observe the thousands of worshipers
who make their way to the Jade Buddha Temple, and the
temple’s architecture is a joy to set eyes on for
sure.
Huangpu River Cruise
A Huangpu River Cruise certainly deserves mention among the top Shanghai tourism draws. The daytime Huangpu River cruises head downriver to the Yangtze, which is a nice treat, and you’ll certainly enjoy some wonderful views along the way. Cruise schedules can change with the season, but generally, the morning cruises usually run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and the afternoon cruises generally go from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. At night, the 7-9 p.m. Huangpu River cruise doesn’t go all the way to the Yangtze, but it does offer up some scintillating nighttime views of the Bund and Pudong (newer section of town). Comfortable seats make the trip all the more relaxing, and you can grab snacks or a meal onboard, as well as hit a cafe/bar selling coffee, tea, and beer. Shorter Huangpu River cruises are available as well, should you be interested.
If luck is one your side, the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe will be in town performing during your Shanghai trip. Seeing this dazzling group of men and women perform mind-blowing acrobatics and gravity-defying stunts is certainly a treat. Though the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe has been known to perform at the Shanghai Center Theater, chances are good that you will catch them at their newer home venue, the Shanghai Circus World. Unless the group is performing elsewhere in the world during your visit, you can expect a daily show at 7:30 p.m. There really aren’t words to describe the show that these people put on, so you’ll just have to see if for yourself!
