Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Home in the World
China is one of those countries you hear so much about on the news, especially here in Australia. It is a global economic powerhouse, a heavyweight in manufacturing and trade with countries all over the world.
And I must admit I had been intrigued by it for quite some time. So when an opportunity came up to head to Shanghai for 4 days in October 2013 using one of the staff tickets my Dad used to get through working for an airline, I jumped at the chance.
And we loved it so much, we decided to return to China seven months later, revisiting Shanghai and also taking in Beijing. This post is a combination of those two visits, detailing my thoughts on what to see in Shanghai.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Shanghai. You can also read more about the GPSmyCity concept in this blog post.
Intro to Shanghai and China
There is no question that travelling to China, particularly from a Western country, is a significant culture shock. There is a reasonable, but not insurmountable, language barrier, and social media is blocked*.
*On my first visit to Shanghai in 2013, I was surprised to be able to access Facebook and Twitter from my hotel room. By the time I returned the following year, this had changed (apart from one day when I seemed to have slipped through a loophole and managed to get into Twitter for about 5 minutes!).
When I asked the hotel staff what had changed during the seven months between my stays, they told me a guest had abused the access privilege and all social media had since been clamped down on. But I talk more about this censorship in my Beijing post.
The Bund
Shanghai, however, is one of its most advanced, international and ‘Western’ cities, and is a good place to start any first-time visit to this fascinating country. By both day and night, the iconic skyline of its financial district, Pudong, dominated by the Oriental Pearl Tower, glitters like some kind of space-age wonderland on the eastern bank of the Huangpu River.
It is a veritable forest of glass skyscrapers. Yet as late as 1987, the area was nothing but nondescript low-rise and farmland – utterly unrecognisable from the incredible development that has emerged over the last three decades.
One of the best ways to appreciate it is by walking along the famous Bund that lines the opposite river bank. Also know as ‘Waitan’, this waterside promenade stretches for 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles), running parallel to Zhongshan East 1st Road.
At its northern end is the Waibaidu Bridge that spans the mouth of the Wusong (Suzhou) River, and which attracts countless bridal parties (or wedding fashion shoots? It was hard to tell) all trying to strike the right pose (day or night) amidst the backdrop of glinting skyscrapers and ferries. I don’t think I ever walked across that bridge WITHOUT seeing at least one such party.
The Bund itself (Bund originally derived from Persian, meaning ’embankment’) is very wide and extremely clean. As with most places in Asia, it tends to come alive more at night, when families, young couples, groups of friends and after-work businessmen all flock here to enjoy the light show and comparatively ‘fresher’ riverside air.
Despite this, and the fact that Shanghai has a population of (incredibly) 26 million people, I have never felt the Bund to be unbearably crowded. There was always more than enough personal space and the vibe was one of calm, pleasant, social recreation.
Sometimes, especially at night, you had to stop and pinch yourself as you stood looking out over the stunning, impossibly futuristic vista on the other side of the river. It could almost be a fake backdrop – but it’s not. If anywhere was to represent modern, 21st-century Asia, Shanghai’s Pudong is it.
And to enjoy the fabulous view up high over a cocktail and snacks, head to the aptly named Vue Bar on the 33rd floor of the Hyatt on the Bund. It is the ultimate rooftop bar, with swanky interior and cool outdoor deck (including cabanas) – and, admittedly, prices to match. But YOLO, right?!
But while it is quite difficult not to be dazzled by the state-of-the-art scene on the one side, remember to also turn your head the other way to admire the historic buildings lining Zhongshan East 1st Road, which reflect Shanghai’s multicultural heritage.
Many of them once housed banks and trading houses owned by the French, British, Americans and Russians, among others, along with swanky clubs, restaurants and newspaper headquarters. It was initially indeed a British settlement, before later being incorporated into the greater International Settlement.
Among the most iconic structures on this side of the Bund are Customs House (with its distinctive clock tower – the clock was brought from England in 1843 to remind expats of Big Ben), the neo-classical HSBC Building, and the Westin Bund Centre (while this is not located directly along the Bund, its unique ‘crown top’ is clearly visible from the waterside).
Coupled with these banking & office buildings are upscale hotels, including The Peninsula and the legendary art-deco Fairmont Peace (which, over the decades, has attracted local elite and foreign celebrities; its Old Jazz Bar was a hit amongst its expat population too), and high-end stores (think Chanel, Prada etc.).
The range of Western-style architecture extending along the entire length of the Bund ranges from neoclassical to Gothic to baroque, and if it weren’t for the Chinese characters on the street signs, you could indeed be forgiven for thinking you were in one of the great European metropolises.
Pudong
After strolling along the Bund and marvelling at Pudong from afar, it’s worth taking a short ferry ride over there from Puxi (the side the Bund is on). The tickets are very cheap (I do not recall exactly how much anymore, but I do remember commenting on how inexpensive they were), and can be purchased at the Jinling East Road Ferry terminal, accessed from the Bund.
It is worth knowing that the ferries can get quite crowded, and there can sometimes be a ‘stampede’ getting on and off. Once in Pudong, you can walk amongst the veritable jungle of concrete and glass, and even go inside the Oriental Pearl Tower (I did not). There is no denying this area is ultra modern, super clean, spacious, perfectly manicured and nowhere near as frenetic as Puxi.
But it also lacked some soul. It felt, to me, quite contrived and oversanitised. There are a number of luxury hotels on this side (particularly popular amongst business visitors), but I would still recommend staying amongst the action on Puxi. A few hours in Pudong was honestly enough; thereafter I was happy to admire it from afar.
Puxi and Yuyuan Garden
So I’ve mentioned the futuristic vibe of modern Shanghai and the nostalgic elegance of its historic ‘Western’ riverside buildings, but what of the actual Chinese parts of Shanghai? The parts where you feel you really are in Asia, as opposed to Europe or somewhere in outer space?
Well that involves venturing further into Puxi and Old Shanghai. My first experience in this part of the city started with Gucheng Park, which is situated about halfway down the Bund, a block or so in, near what was the ‘North-East Gate’ of the old city wall.
Though its name means ‘Park of the Old City’, it was actually created in 2002. Still, its tranquil water features, zen-like stones and lush bamboo are a calming way to ease you into the somewhat more chaotic Old Town.
From Gucheng Park, I headed deeper into the old town toward the Yu (a.k.a. Yuyuan or Yu Yuan) Garden. It’s all very photogenic and classically Oriental – the gardens were indeed first built during the Ming Dynasty, though much of them had to be rebuilt following various periods of destruction during the 19th century.
The intricate bridges and pavilions, whose red window frames and balustrades contrast beautifully with the verdant weeping willows, appear to almost float amidst the rocks and water – definitely a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Just adjacent is the ominously named Yuyuan Market (also ominously known as the Yuyuan Tourist Mart), which is a maze of souvenir shops, restaurants and food stalls, all set in a complex of Chinese pavilions (I believe these buildings are replicas of traditional architecture).
Be aware of seemingly friendly locals who offer to ‘show you around’ though. We needed to find a money changer, and one man was more than happy to guide us to one – only to then force us down hidden corridors, up stairs and through random doors to a hole-in-the-wall (and exorbitant) jewellery shop we had no interest in seeing.
Awkward and a waste of time. So by all means spend a bit of time soaking up the frenetic ‘bazaar’ vibe here, but after a while it is likely to do your head in.
Jade Buddha Temple
For a quieter change, and to explore China’s more spiritual side, I spent one afternoon in Shanghai visiting the Jade Buddha Temple, which was about a 15-20 minute taxi ride from the northern end of the Bund, and was founded in 1882.
The country is officially secular, though many of its people practise a variety of religions, from Buddhism to Taoism to Catholicism and even Islam. I have quite a strong interest in Buddhism and religious architecture, so I was definitely keen to visit this temple.
Like many temples in Asia, it is located on a nondescript street, surrounded by high-rise apartment blocks. But it is clearly distinguished by its yellow façade, arched red doors with imposing dragon-head knockers, matching red lanterns, and typical upturned roof tips.
Stepping into the main courtyard, my eyes and nostrils were instantly hit by the sweet clouds of incense smoke. It gave the place a mystical look and feel. But it was far from quiet. It was actually packed with tourists and locals, including a large congregation of cute old Chinese ladies.
The complex consists of a number of pavilions, interior courtyards, and outdoor corridors decked out in striking lanterns. Many of the sculptures, walls and trees are also hung with bright red prayer ribbons.
One of the main attractions here is, of course, the Jade Buddha itself, which reclines serenely in an ornately carved case. In a separate chamber are twin gold Buddhas, at whose feet many locals come to make offerings and pay their respects.
These chambers were much quieter than the main courtyard – spiritual sanctuaries of contemplation, away from all the crowds. Shanghai may not necessarily be hugely famous for its temples, but I would definitely recommend visiting this one.
People’s Park
I mentioned Gucheng Park and Yu Yuan Garden earlier, but another, larger, green space in the centre of Shanghai is the People’s Park – and on a hot, steamy day in late May its leafy promenades were the perfect place to cool off.
A veritable oasis in the heart of a pulsating metropolis. It’s also a great spot to people-watch: There are old men deeply engaged in card games or chess, groups of people gracefully practising tai chi, young people out enjoying the lush tranquility, the odd Western tourist (but not many), and little old couples having a well earned siesta.
The park is easily accessible via Shanghai’s efficient (but sometimes slightly confusing) metro; get off at People’s Square station, which happens to also have a maze of underground shopping arcades. When you eventually come up for air, the park will provide a welcome respite.
Shanghai Museum
Just adjacent to the park is the Shanghai Museum, which is free to enter and has an impressive display of Chinese and international artefacts, including calligraphy exhibits, Tibetan vases, ceramic Buddhas and much, much more. I ended up spending a lot more time in there than I expected. Well worth a visit!
Nanjing Road
And if it’s artefacts and souvenirs you’re looking to buy, Shanghai has countless options for shopping. As already mentioned, there are places like Yuyuan Market and the underground arcades at People’s Square station.
For a hardcore ‘Asian shopping’ experience, brace yourself and head to Nanjing Road (whose eastern section actually runs directly off the People’s Park and stretches all the way to the Bund.
It’s a pedestrian street jam packed full of international retailers, local shops, food outlets and hotels – and it’s almost always a sea of people, both by day and (especially) by night. I would recommend exploring it at both times, as it definitely takes on a different feel as the flashing neon signs start lighting up after sundown.
Xin Tian Di
For those after a shopping experience that’s slightly less intense, head to the leafy neighbourhood of Xin Tian Di (also written as Xintiandi).
I spent the good part of an afternoon wandering around this area, past its many upscale eateries and fashion boutiques, admiring the mix of modern and 1920s architecture, and peeping into narrow residential laneways (often comprising shikumen or ‘stone gate’ houses), where bikes line the walls and washing is strung overhead.
Tian Zi Fang
As you stroll further south through Xin Tian Di, you may eventually find yourself in the adjacent Tian Zi Fang enclave of Shanghai’s French Concession.
Like Xin Tian Di, Tian Zi Fang (also spelled Tianzifang) is a shopping and dining precinct – but, in my opinion, artsier and therefore nicer. Here you will find boutique galleries, all manner of craft stalls, tea houses and much more.
Don’t necessarily expect super bargains, as many of the wares are high-quality and handmade, especially in the galleries. But even if you do come away empty-handed, it’s still a fun and stimulating way to spend an hour or two. I definitely enjoyed it.
French Concession
The French Concession itself, of which Tian Zi Fang is part, is known for its easily walkable, tree-lined streets, European architecture and entertainment. I didn’t spend a lot of time strolling the streets, as I focused mainly on Xin Tian Di and Tian Zi Fang, but it was still clear to see why this city was once known as the ‘Paris of the East’.
Getting around Shanghai
In terms of getting around Shanghai, we used a combination of walking, the metro and taxis. Apart from some confusion buying metro tickets on one occasion due to a lack of English, we never had a problem.
We always found taxi drivers to be honest and fair – they gave us a printed receipt every time, and we never felt we were being given the runaround. We were particularly grateful of them when we were caught in a sudden and heavy rainstorm in the middle of nowhere in Pudong during rush hour!
But if you want to try something a bit different, take a short ride on the Maglev (magnetic levitation – no wheels or actual tracks) bullet train that reaches speeds of 431 km/h (268 mph).
It will admittedly only take you from Longyang Road subway station in eastern Shanghai to Pudong International Airport and back (8 minutes each way; the journey by car would be close to half an hour), but it’s still fun to try. We did the round-trip one afternoon and it was a great experience. Ticket information is available here.
Final thoughts on what to see in Shanghai
This blog entry is definitely longer than I intended, but Shanghai is so diverse, I really had no other choice! I had always heard good reports about it, but I think it actually exceeded my expectations. I would rank it among my top 10 favourite cities.
It pretty much has everything you want from a city getaway – modern infrastructure, vibrant shopping & entertainment, serene green spaces, exotic Oriental architecture, friendly, honest people, and a fabulous mix of Eastern and Western history.
Bear in mind many passports will require a visa to visit China, and this will need to be obtained before arrival. Shanghai itself is definitely worth a good few days, leave alone when combined with other cities in China. So I would suggest going all out and taking the time to enjoy this truly fascinating metropolis, whose stunning fusion of cultures and eras is sure to dazzle!
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
Trip facts
When I visited: October 2013 and May 2014
Weather: As mentioned, I visited in both mid-October and late-May. Both times were totally pleasant and perfect times to travel to Shanghai. October was slightly greyer and cooler (approx. 23°C/73°F) compared to the hotter, sunnier May (approx. 30°C/86°F).
We had the odd rain shower, especially in October, but it never affected our plans. Nights were comfortable enough to walk around without having to rug up too much. Air quality in Shanghai is not wonderful, but it certainly wasn’t terrible either, particularly at those times of year.
Where I stayed: Hyatt On The Bund
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For more Asia travel content, feel free to check out my other posts from China, as well as Cambodia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, plus my older travel memories (more narrative style than blog style, just like this post) from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore.