A garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty, constructed to create peace and health (which is what "Yu" stands for). This is one of the hottest landmarks in Shanghai. After visiting the garden, you can check out busy alleys of bazaars surrounding the garden. Subway: Line 10, Yuyuan Station 豫園站. Map it!
Source: Wendy Hung Located next to Yu Yuan, you'll find long lines of people waiting to taste these delicious soup dumplings. There are quite a few famous soup dumplings restaurants in Shanghai, but Nanxiang is one of the best. Subway: Line 10, Yuyuan Station 豫園站. Map it!
Source: Wendy Hung As one of the famous towers in Shanghai, Oriental Pearl Tower was completed in 1994 and has become one of the most recognizable towers in the world. It's located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district by the side of Huangpu River, opposite The Bund. You can go up to the observation platform which has an outside area with a glass floor and entrance to the history museum. Subway: Line 2, Lujiazui Station 陆家嘴站. Map it!
Source: Wendy Hung If you love hot and spicy, then don't miss out on Qiao Jiang Nan's mouthwatering menu. Also known as "South Beauty Restaurant," make sure to order their famous boiled fish. The presentation will blow you away while the ambiance of the restaurant is stylishly modern. There are many locations throughout Shanghai, but there's one nearby Oriental Pearl Tower. Subway: Line 2, Lujiazui Station 陆家嘴站. Map it!
Source: Facebook/QiaojiangNan Dying for some international flavors? With an unbeatable view of the city, M on the Bund is a gastronimical way to put a classy touch upon your stay in Shanghai. Chef Hamish Pollitt creates a fantastic menu of modern European food, the Middle East and North Africa. Subway: Line 2 or 10, East Nanjing Road Station 南京东路站. Map it!
Source: Photo/M on the Bund Best combination ever if you dare to try spicy hot pot and get a performance out of it. Make sure to order Kung Fu noodles along with your hot pot (you can choose how spicy you want the soup base to be). This will be the most entertaining family style meal you've ever had! Subway: Line 2, Lujiazui Station 陆家嘴站. Map it!
Source: Wendy Hung If you're a fan of contemporary art, Moganshan Road is where you'll find yourself in a state of euphoria. Hundreds of artists have gathered in this area to express creativity in graffiti, urban exhibitions or galleries and auctions valued at millions of dollars. Renowned artists such as Zhou Tiehai, Ding Yi, Xu Zhen all have galleries here that are absolutely worth checking out. Subway: Line 3, Zhongtan Road 中壇路站. Map it!
Source: Facebook/ShanghART Get your bargain skills on! Whether these antiques you see at this market are the real deal, they still make beautiful souvenirs to bring home. Note: don't buy them without negotiating the price! Subway: Line 10, Laoximen Station. 老西门站. Map it!
Source: Flickr/Aapo Haapanen Aka: Waitan, will make you feel like you've suddenly landed in London as most architectures in this area captivate influences from Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Classical periods. You can take photos of the waterfront and the famous skyline of Shanghai then sit at cafe or restaurants facing the water to enjoy the astounding view. Subway: Line 2 or 10, East Nanjing Road 南京东路站. Map it!
Source: UNSPLASH Freeman Zhou Situated on the outskirts of Shanghai (1h30m by metro), Zhujiajiao has been called the Venice of Shanghai. Houses located on the riverbanks date back to 1,700 years ago. Take a boat ride on the river which will lead you to vintage alleys for some shopping and browsing. Cross some bridges to take scenic photos. Subway: Line 2 of Zhuxu Line 朱徐线. Map it!
Source: UNSPLASH Rikke Filbært This is where you can find a ton of shopping, eating and drinking hotspots in the city catered to visitors. It's a romantic setting during the day with outdoor cafes and cute shops, then turns into a happening scene at night. Subway: Line 1 South Huangpi Road Station 黄陂南路站. Map it!
Source: UNSPLASH Ye Massa After your visit to Shanghai Museum, you can stroll through People's Square to enjoy the vastness of space. Stay until night when you'll witness beautiful light displays from the museum to the Grand Theater nearby. Subway: Lines 1, 2, 8 人民广场站. Map it!
Source: UNSPLASH Marco Montero Pisani Finding an amazing museum in China is difficult as many artifacts and treasured pieces are now located in the National Museum in Taiwan. But situated near People's Park, Shanghai Museum is worth a look, and you'll find incredible collections of jade, porcelain, and ceramics. Subway: Line 8, Dashijie Station 大世界站. Map it!
Source: UNSPLASH X.J Qian The former French Concession area of Shanghai has now been transformed into a hub of adorable shops, cafes, and restaurants. You'll find great souvenirs to bring home or keepsakes for yourself! The tiny alleys are also residential homes. It's the perfect fusion of modern artsy and ancient Shanghai. Subway: Line 9, Dapuqiao Station 打浦桥站. Map it!
Source: UNSPLASH Max van den OetelaarNorth sea. That’s what it means in Chinese. Shang hai. 6,000 years ago, it was home to the Kingdom of Wu. After numerous defeats to various conquers, Shanghai ultimately came to thrive during Tang and Song dynasties as a trading port. Seven pagodas and thirteen temples marked the formerly sordid hamlet as the giant town of the southeast. The port became a bustling exchange between China and Japan, a successful hub between provinces along the Yangtze River.
Today’s Shanghai is a metropolis comparable to the Big Apple of Asia, with skyscrapers towering over the waterfront and sophisticated travelers bustling in and out of the cosmopolitan city scene. There’s also the other city where toddlers sporadically take a leak on the corner of downtown where men in designer suits are commuting to work. In this city of extremes, dichotomies oddly coexist better than mountains and water.
Since the Song Dynasty, Shanghai has claimed its status as a powerful player with the spurt of growth that leaves the rest of the world gazing in awe particularly in recent decades. Although old Shanghai glamour from the 1920s has been replaced by contemporary aspirations of the new, Shanghai thrives as a city of Asia’s now.
For travelers, Shanghai is the ideal destination for city lovers as it offers delectable street food alongside world-renowned gastronomy. The landmarks and sights might be a bit lacking compared to cities such as London, Paris or Manhattan, but there’s still plenty to feed the appetite of a curious traveler. So have fun, try everything, and never judge.
