10 Things to See in Shanghai in 2024

No matter how many times you've been to Shanghai, The Bund always manages to inspire. Stretching along the western bank of the Huangpu River, The Bund is a waterfront promenade and historic business district. Arguably, Shanghai's most-famous tourist attraction, The Bund was long the city's financial and commercial center. Today, visitors can explore Shanghai's architectural legacy as they stroll along the redeveloped waterfront. The main pedestrian area extends just over a kilometer from Waibaidu Bridge to Yan'an Road. Start at either end and enjoy the view. The natural curve in the Huangpu River helps bring the many impressive facades into relief while the glittering skyscrapers across the river in Lujiazui create a stunning urban skyline. After sunset The Bund is illuminated with golden lights in an impressive visual display. Look for the former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) building and the Customs House. Stop in to see the interior décor at the Fairmont Peace Hotel and visit the cafes and galleries that are part of the RockBund redevelopment. Even today, The Bund remains the heart of Shanghai.

Ask anyone who has lived in Shanghai about their favorite places and chances are you'll hear mention of the French Concession. Outside the financial district, Shanghai displays its softer, more historic side. Long boulevards lined with French Plane trees shade European-style villas as people from all walks of life enjoy simple pleasures in neighborhoods along Wukang Road. A constantly evolving mix of cafes, small stores, art galleries, and residential units predominate. During spring and fall, the area could easily be mistaken for some outer Parisian arrondissement. The French Concession contains some of Shanghai's best-preserved historic residential buildings, known as shikumen. The Shikumen Wulixiang Museum in the hip Xintiandi neighborhood provides a fantastic look at these dwellings during Shanghai's Golden Age in the 1920s. Another place to go is Tianzifang. Developed from a renovated residential area, Tianzifang features more than 200 diverse small businesses such as cafes, bars, restaurants, art galleries, craft stores, design houses, and studios. The narrow alleys are great places to get lost while you hunt for a bargain. In the Former French Concession it's easy to recognize why people fall in love with a city so relentlessly modern, yet so unapologetically traditional. This is one of those places where you can feel like a local.

A pleasant consequence of Shanghai long having been an international city is the architectural gems hidden throughout. Columbia Circle is a popular redevelopment centered on the historic Columbia Country Club. Back when Shanghai was home to the so-called International Settlement, an extraterritorial treaty possession jointly controlled by the Americans and the British, foreign residents sought to mimic what they were accustomed to back home. Built on what was once known as Colombia Road, the Columbia Country Club was founded in 1918 as a club for Shanghai's American residents. During the Second World War, the location was converted to an internment camp by occupying Japanese forces. After the war, the buildings and grounds fell into disrepair and all but faded from Shanghai's collective memory. Fortunately, the entire complex has been newly renovated and reopened as an upscale arts and leisure area called Columbia Circle. There are now numerous cafes and shops set amongst the historic buildings. The developers also kept and rehabilitated the country club's iconic pool. If you've never had a chance wander through the area, we wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Columbia Circle in 2024.

Shanghai has a taste for grand architecture. A recent addition to the city's list of megaprojects is the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, aka the Shanghai Planetarium. It holds the distinction as the world's largest planetarium and is among the newest of Shanghai's marquee museums. The planetarium features numerous hands-on exhibits covering a range of astronomical and astrophysical topics. There is a significant section detailing China's history of space exploration that contains a replica module from the Tianhe space station. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum features an enormous 8K ultra-high definition dome theater as well as over 120 collections of artifacts, including some from scientific luminaries Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Johannes Kepler. Located far from downtown in the Lingang Special Area in Pudong District, visitors can take Metro Line 16 to the Dishui Lake terminal station. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum is a great place to visit in addition to nearby Dishui Lake. The lake is ringed by parks and walking paths, making it a wonderful place to visit during the spring, summer, or fall. If you're looking for a great way to spend a day in Shanghai, make sure you consider a visit to the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. This is certain to be a hot-ticket item in 2024.

Speaking of trendy neighborhoods, have you paid a visit to Xintiandi lately? Located near Yu Garden, the Shanghai Museum, and People's Square, Xintiandi is one of Shanghai's most popular and fashionable neighborhoods. Several years of consistent redevelopment have attracted numerous businesses, restaurants, cafes, and upscale hotels. The neighborhood's tree-lined streets are characteristic of the Former French Concession and make for an extremely pleasant place for an afternoon or evening stroll. Xintiandi is also notable for containing some of Shanghai's best examples of preserved historic residential buildings, known as shikumen. The Shikumen Wulixiang Museum provides a fantastic look at these dwellings during Shanghai's Golden Age in the 1920s. Walking through the streets today, you can almost sense how it must have felt to belong to Shanghai's upper classes during those heady interwar years when cabaret dominated. Make sure to take a stroll along Madang Road and visit nearby Taipingqiao Park. The park provides a nice foreground for attractive photos of the surrounding upscale high-rise apartments. You'll also have plenty of opportunities to shop. Xintiandi is home to dozens of high-end retailers including Tiffany & Co, Leica Camera, and more. We know you'll enjoy a visit to this bustling and trendsetting neighborhood.

Have you been in Shanghai for a while? Ever wonder where it all began? Are you someone who really likes to delve into the history of the places you visit? If that sounds like you, pay a visit to the Guangfulin Relics Park in Shanghai's outer Songjiang District. Set a bit far from Downtown, the area is reachable via Metro Line 9 to Songjiang University Station. Guangfulin Relics Park is a combination museum, archaeological site, and preserved ancient town. You can learn about the earliest known human settlements in the region, explore artifacts from the period, and take a journey through Shanghai history. Impressively, parts of the museum are housed in what look like underwater houses. The whole scene is quite stunning, especially at night. The park has numerous preserved buildings and is a great place for a casual stroll, especially during the summer. Be sure to visit the Duoyun Bookstore location where you can enjoy a coffee, tea, or snack in the café. The bookstore's setting inside the historic buildings there makes it a great place for some photos.

Located across the Huangpu River from The Bund is Lujiazui, the epicenter of the world's fifth-largest financial industry and the only place where you can find three adjacent super tall skyscrapers: the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower. The latter currently stands as the world's second-tallest building. Take a ride on the world's second fastest elevators as you rocket up to the Top of Shanghai and enjoy panoramic views from the Shanghai Tower observation deck. Explore the exhibition detailing the tower's planning and construction. Alternatively, head for Jin Mao Tower where you can see the tower's spectacular internal atrium at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. Those with a penchant for adventure can try the Skywalk Experience, an outdoor glass walkway on the 88th floor! All three skyscrapers are linked by a lovely elevated walkway and host an impressive range of shopping and dining options. Families will want to visit the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium where they can explore magical wonders beneath the waves. Kids will enjoy the Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom, located next to the Oriental Pearl tower. As night falls, the skyscrapers in Lujiazui come alive with light, creating a breathtaking backdrop. This is the best place to see modern Shanghai, which makes it one of the city's top-10 attractions.

Here's a fun location with a sort of macabre legacy. 1933 Old Millfun is a trendy arts and culture space located in Shanghai's Hongkou District not far from the Bund. The enormous concrete structure once housed Shanghai's largest slaughterhouse. Today, the space has been converted into a variety of art shops, galleries, cafes, theatre spaces, bookstores, and more. The iconic architectural design has long attracted visitors eager to snap photos among the concrete, glass, and steel. Built in a Gotham-Deco style, 1933 Old Millfun is nothing if not exotic. The curving walkways and odd staircases are fun to explore and initially puzzling until one remembers they were originally purpose built to guide livestock to slaughter. This is a fun area to visit at night when you can catch an avant-garde performance or enjoy a bite to eat and a walk amongst the gallery spaces. 1933 Old Millfun is reachable via Metro Lines 4 and 10 to Hailun Road Station.

Shanghai boasts some fabulous urban greenspaces. In fact, it's hard to select just one to feature. Consider this recommendation is more something to get you started. World Expo Park is located in Pudong on the site of the former Expo 2010. At the time, it was the largest World's Fair site ever constructed, covering over five square kilometers. Today, the riverfront areas are part of a highly accessible public greenspace complete with rolling lawns, lots of bike and walking paths, and several children's play areas. World Expo Park anchors a larger greenspace development that extends along both banks of the Huangpu River. This is a place to explore if you're searching for somewhere to relax, go for a jog, or just enjoy the outdoors. It is possible to visit several additional and connected parks along the river. You can also cross to the Puxi side to visit the museums and galleries in the popular West Bund area. A convenient option is to rent one of Shanghai's ubiquitous grab-and-go bicycles and branch out from World Expo Park to explore along the river. The Shanghai Ferry allows you to bring rental bikes aboard so you can easily cross the river using the ferry service and continue along. This is a great way to spend some time in Shanghai.

Yu Garden is a classic Chinese garden located in Huangpu District just south of The Bund. Originally built as a private garden for Ming Dynasty officials, it is the only classic garden in the central city. Pathways, pavilions, and lovely flora cover the roughly two hectare site. It's an ideal place to escape the city scene and find a moment's peace. Yu Garden is set within the boundaries of the former Old City, a Chinese settlement dating back to the 16th century. Note the hundreds of plaques and inscriptions written by well-known individuals, as well as the park's collection of stone carvings. Wander the paths and see the ponds filled with lotus and koi. Yuyuan Bazaar, located nearby, is a touristy place to browse for antiques and souvenirs. Stroll across Jiuqu Bridge and stop at the teahouse for a refreshing cup of jasmine tea. The Old City area also contains many important temples. Among these are the Shanghai City God Temple, a Taoist place of worship. Don't forget to sample some authentic Shanghai snacks. At night, golden lights on the ancient-style buildings make the bazaar an excellent backdrop for photos. You'd be forgiven for thinking you had traveled back to a Ming-era market. For all these reasons and more Yu Garden is one of the top-10 best things to see in Shanghai.

There's a saying that while Beijing is China's capital, Shanghai likes to think it is. Shanghai is a city that recognizes its importance and acts accordingly. The dynamic business environment means there are always new stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. With a large and vibrant international workforce, Shanghai is one place in China where foreign visitors don't feel out of place. Come discover all the great things the city has to offer. Whether you're fresh off the boat or a seasoned China hand, there are always surprises waiting for you in the Paris of the East.