Few cities in the world manage the balance between ancient tradition and hyper-modern ambition quite like Shanghai. As China's largest city and its financial capital, Shanghai has attracted international residents, global businesses, and adventurous travelers for over a century. The result is a city that feels cosmopolitan in a way that is distinctly its own — not simply a copy of a Western metropolis, but a fusion of Chinese culture, colonial history, and forward-looking innovation.

For English-speaking travelers, Shanghai is also one of the most accessible major cities in China. Signage in the metro system is bilingual, international hotel chains are abundant, and a growing number of restaurants and attractions cater to visitors who do not speak Mandarin. That said, learning a few basic phrases in Mandarin or downloading a reliable translation app will go a long way toward enriching the experience.

The city is also extraordinarily well-connected. Pudong International Airport handles flights from across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, and high-speed rail connects Shanghai to Beijing in under five hours. Once inside the city, the metro system — one of the most extensive in the world — makes getting around straightforward and affordable.

The list of things to do in Shanghai is long, but certain experiences stand out as truly unmissable. From iconic landmarks to off-the-beaten-path discoveries, the following attractions represent the very best of what the city has to offer.

The Bund

Photo by Li Yang on Unsplash

Yu Garden and the Old City

Photo by Timothée Gidenne on Unsplash

The French Concession

Photo by Ralf Leineweber on Unsplash

Shanghai Museum

Photo by Elliot Voilmy on Unsplash

Lujiazui and the Pudong Skyline

Photo by Freeman Zhou on Unsplash

For travelers with three days in the city, the following schedule provides a balanced introduction to the best things to do in Shanghai across neighborhoods, time periods, and types of experience.

Day 1 — The Bund, Yu Garden, and the Old City Begin the morning with a walk along the Bund, ideally arriving early to beat the crowds and enjoy the promenade in relative quiet. After exploring the waterfront, head south to Yu Garden and the surrounding bazaar. Spend the afternoon browsing the market stalls and sampling street food. Return to the Bund after sunset for the nighttime illuminations.

Day 2 — The French Concession and Shanghai Museum Spend the morning at the Shanghai Museum on People's Square, allocating at least two to three hours to explore the permanent collection. After lunch, take the metro to the French Concession and spend the afternoon exploring Tianzifang and Xintiandi. In the evening, the French Concession offers some of the city's best dining options, from traditional Shanghainese cooking to international cuisine.

Day 3 — Pudong, the Skyline, and River Cruise Dedicate the morning to Pudong, taking the metro to Lujiazui and ascending to one of the observation decks for panoramic city views. Visit the Shanghai History Museum in the Oriental Pearl Tower if time allows. In the afternoon, consider a cruise on the Huangpu River — numerous operators offer one-hour boat tours that provide a unique perspective on both the heritage Bund waterfront and the futuristic Pudong skyline simultaneously. Finish the day at a rooftop bar overlooking the river.

Shanghai cuisine (本帮菜, běnbāng cài) is characterized by rich, slightly sweet sauces, generous use of soy and sugar, and a preference for braised and red-cooked preparations. It is one of China's most distinct regional culinary traditions, and eating well is among the very best things to do in Shanghai.

Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings): Perhaps the single most iconic Shanghai food, these delicate steamed dumplings are filled with pork and a hot broth that pools inside the wrapper during steaming. The best versions are found at dedicated dumpling restaurants throughout the city, including branches of the internationally known Din Tai Fung and the locally beloved Jia Jia Tang Bao near People's Square.

Sheng Jian Bao (Pan-Fried Pork Buns): Similar in filling to xiao long bao but pan-fried rather than steamed, sheng jian bao have a crispy bottom and a soft, doughy top. They are a quintessential Shanghai street breakfast food.

Red-Braised Pork (Hong Shao Rou): Slow-braised pork belly in a sauce of soy, Shaoxing wine, and sugar is one of the signature dishes of Shanghainese home cooking. It appears on menus throughout the city and is comfort food at its most satisfying.

Hairy Crab (Da Zha Xie): Available in autumn (typically October and November), hairy crabs from nearby Yangcheng Lake are a seasonal delicacy that Shanghai residents take extremely seriously. The roe and crab fat are prized above all else.

Shanghai's metro system is one of the most efficient ways to navigate the city. With 20 lines and over 500 stations, it connects virtually every major attraction, neighborhood, and transport hub. Fares are calculated by distance and are very affordable. The system operates from approximately 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

Taxis are widely available and relatively inexpensive by international standards. Ride-hailing apps (Didi is the dominant platform in China) work similarly to Uber and allow passengers to input destinations in Chinese characters without needing to speak Mandarin.

For shorter distances within neighborhoods like the French Concession or the Bund area, walking is often the most enjoyable option. Many of Shanghai's most interesting streets — lined with plane trees, heritage architecture, and independent shops — reward slow exploration on foot.

Visa: Most international visitors require a visa to enter China. However, Shanghai participates in China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy, which allows eligible passport holders (including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most European countries) to visit Shanghai and surrounding regions for up to six days without a visa when transiting through the city. Travelers planning a longer trip will need to apply for a tourist visa in advance.

Currency: The Chinese yuan (CNY / RMB) is the local currency. Mobile payment platforms — particularly Alipay and WeChat Pay — are now the dominant form of payment in Shanghai, with many smaller vendors no longer accepting cash. International visitors can link foreign bank cards to Alipay, which is the recommended approach for a cashless experience. ATMs accepting international cards are available at major banks and airports.

Connectivity: Internet access in China is subject to restrictions, with many commonly used Western platforms — including Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — blocked. Travelers are advised to download a reputable VPN before arriving in China if access to these services is required.

Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most pleasant weather for exploring Shanghai, with mild temperatures and lower humidity than the summer months. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures frequently exceeding 35°C. Winters are cold and damp but rarely see significant snowfall.

Shanghai rewards curious, open-minded travelers with an extraordinary range of experiences that few cities anywhere in the world can match. From the colonial grandeur of the Bund to the futuristic towers of Pudong, from the classical gardens of the old city to the tree-lined lanes of the French Concession, the city's layers reveal themselves gradually to those willing to explore beyond the obvious landmarks. This Shanghai travel guide for first-time visitors provides a starting point, but the best discoveries in Shanghai — a perfect bowl of xiao long bao, an unexpected alley garden, a rooftop view at golden hour — are the ones that happen by chance.