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Shanghai

China travel guide

What to see in Shanghai

The Bund, Pudong’s skyscrapers, Yuyuan Garden and the former French Concession.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 8 must-see places
  • Best time: from March to September and from November to January
  • Stay in Huangpu
  • Typical food: Xiaolongbao
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0

Shanghai highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Yuyuan Garden

    A classical Ming garden with pavilions.

  2. Oriental Pearl Tower

    A TV tower with pink spheres.

  3. Shanghai Tower

    China’s tallest skyscraper, with a twisting shape.

  4. Tianzifang

    Shikumen alleys with shops and cafés.

  5. Shanghai Museum

    Ancient Chinese bronzes and ceramics.

  6. Jing’an Temple

    A golden temple among skyscrapers.

  7. Zhujiajiao

    A water town of canals and old bridges.

  8. Former French Concession

    Tree-lined avenues with colonial houses.

Where to stay in Shanghai

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Huangpu · Jing’an · Xuhui

Day trips from Shanghai

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Shanghai

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Shanghai are from March to September and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February

    Lunar New Year (approximate dates)

    Millions of people travel at this time: trains and flights are full and expensive, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

    What to do: Book transport weeks in advance and expect closures for the first three days.

  • October

    Golden Week

    From 1 to 7 October the whole of China travels: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the trains are packed.

    What to do: If you can, move your trip by a week; if not, book tickets in advance and visit first thing in the morning.

Book ahead

Tickets that sell out or have long queues, and closing days.

  • Opening hours Shanghai Museum

    Closed on Mondays, except on public holidays.

Typical food of Shanghai

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Shanghai from your kitchen).

Xiaolongbao
Photo: Eason Lai from 上海 · CC BY-SA 2.0

Xiaolongbao

Shanghai’s steamed buns filled with pork and broth: when you bite them they release hot soup. The trick is a broth jelly that melts as they steam.

  • Serves 4
  • 3 h

Ingredients

  • For the jelly: 500 ml chicken stock and 2 gelatine leaves (or 10 g agar)
  • 300 g minced pork
  • 1 piece of ginger, grated, and 2 spring onions
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of rice wine
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 of sesame oil
  • For the dough: 250 g flour and 130 ml lukewarm water
  • Black vinegar and ginger strips to serve

How to make it at home

  1. Heat the stock with the gelatine, let it set in the fridge and cut it into small cubes.
  2. Mix the meat with the ginger, spring onion, soy sauce, wine, sugar and sesame oil, then with the chopped jelly.
  3. Knead the flour with the water, leave to rest for 30 minutes and roll out very thin 8 cm discs.
  4. Put a spoonful of filling on each disc and close it by pleating the top.
  5. Steam them on paper for 8 minutes and serve with vinegar and ginger.

The trick: They’re eaten from a spoon: take a small bite, sip the broth and then eat the rest.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a busy local spot with a queue. The dishes you can’t miss are in the China guide.

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai

What to see in Shanghai?

Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Tianzifang, Shanghai Museum and Jing’an Temple.

What to see in Shanghai in 3 days?

Don’t miss Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Tianzifang, Shanghai Museum and Jing’an Temple. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Shanghai?

The handiest areas to stay are Huangpu, Jing’an and Xuhui.

What’s the best time to travel to Shanghai?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Shanghai are from March to September and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

What day trips can you take from Shanghai?

Water towns, Suzhou and Huangpu River cruise.

What is the typical food of Shanghai?

Xiaolongbao. Shanghai’s steamed buns filled with pork and broth: when you bite them they release hot soup. The trick is a broth jelly that melts as they steam.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.