Shanghai holidays

Strolling along the Bund is a must on vacations to Shanghai. The symbolic promenade, which is over 200 years old, winds along the Huangpu River lined with magnificent Gothic and Baroque buildings. Watch unforgettable sunsets and get that postcard shot across the water of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower dominating the skyline. 

No matter where you go on cheap holidays to Shanghai, you can rely on the tasty pork meatballs known as soup dumplings for budget-friendly snacks. Try steamed crab served in bamboo containers or spicy Shanghai smoked fish. If you’re an adventurous foodie, you’ll find plenty of exotic bites such as ‘shansi leng mian’ (cold noodles with hot eel in a sweet, gingery sauce).

Walk between ornate temples and noodle houses in the busy laneways of Shanghai’s Old City, which predates the 1850s. You’ll see ‘shikumen’ (traditional houses) in Xintiandi, with vaulted stone door frames and Chinese carvings. These days, many host upscale shops and chic restaurants. Delve further into history with period furniture and historic photos at the Shikumen Open House Museum.

Pudong is where to stay in Shanghai if you want to be close to the city’s landmarks. Book online tickets in advance to skip queues and visit the observation decks of Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building. There’s plenty to do at the globe-shaped Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with viewing decks, a 5D cinema and an indoor roller coaster. 

Good for: Landmarks, tourist attractions, restaurants

Home to the Bund, the Huangpu district is a tourist centre with pedestrian areas that offer welcome relief from the rush of cars and scooters. Neon-lit by night, Nanjing Road is the most famous street. The popular shopping district features designer stores next to tea shops and traditional noodle bars. See the City of God Temple, then relax among ponds and rockeries at the Ming Dynasty-era Yu Garden.

Good for: Shopping, pedestrian streets, history

The best neighbourhoods to stay in Shanghai to indulge in luxury are in the upscale Xuhui district. This area is home to the Former French Concession, which still looks the part, with grand buildings and leafy boulevards lined with patisseries, boutiques and fashionable bars. Unwind among beautiful floral displays at the Shanghai Botanical Gardens, best seen during the month-long Shanghai International Flower Show each spring.

Good for: Designer shops, nightlife, gardens

Planning on visiting lots of tourist attractions? Book tickets online in advance to skip queues and save with discounts on bundles. One of the top things to do with family is visit the incredible underwater tunnels at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Set aside a day for Shanghai Disneyland® or board a Huangpu River cruise at sunset to see the city’s landmarks light up. 

Put aside a little extra in the travel budget for designer fashion at hundreds of stores along popular Huaihai Road. For bargain hunters, shopping in Shanghai means the AP Plaza’s Xinyang Fashion Market for clothes and accessories. Head to South Bund Fabric Market for custom-made outfits and explore Tianzifang’s alleyways for art galleries, traditional Chinese souvenirs and unique jewellery. 

It’s hard to know where to start with so many great museums in Shanghai. As a transport hub, People’s Square is an easy stepping-off point. It’s home to the Shanghai Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art in neighbouring People’s Park. One for the whole family is the Shanghai Natural History Museum in Jing’an Sculpture Park, with dinosaur skeletons and a 4D cinema.

Choose between superclubs, riverside cocktail bars and trendy speakeasy venues for nightlife in Shanghai. Clubs along the Bund are pricey but worth it for glamorous nights out with views of the skyline. Find live jazz music in elegant venues in the Former French Concession or bar hop between British pubs and American-style bars on Hengshan Road.  

Restaurants in Shanghai suit all budgets, even when it comes to Michelin-starred food at the renowned Canton 8 for gourmet dim sum. Take your taste buds to 1933, a former slaughterhouse converted into a trendy restaurant and shopping complex. But for dining with temple views, choose a traditional restaurant along Chenghuangmiao Old Street. 

Walking around is the best free thing to do in Shanghai, with endless sights to stop and stare at. Enter the China Art Palace for free to admire paintings and sculptures. Take the metro to Qibao Ancient Town to photograph stone arch bridges over canals lined with traditional architecture.