6 Places You Cannot Miss To Visit In Shanghai

Shanghai is a city that reveals itself slowly, so it can take a while to see all of its charms. These 6 attractions are a great place to start if you have only a few days to experience the city’s splendour. From iconic landmarks to floating towns, museums teaching the culture and history of Shanghai, beautiful green spaces and local hangouts, you’ll find something worth visiting around every corner of China’s biggest city.

# The Bund

The Bund may be be a common sight for people who live in Shanghai, but for visitors, it’s one of the first things you must do when entering the city. On the left bank of the waterfront promenade are the old European buildings from Shanghai’s colonial days, and on the right are the skyscrapers that have come to represent Shanghai on postcards and stamps around the world. For a peak Bund experience visit at sunrise, when pensioners practise tai chi and fly kites in front of the skyline.

# Propaganda Poster Art Centre

The Propaganda Poster Art Centre is an art museum for people who don’t care for art and a history museum for people who don’t like history. Tucked away in the basement of a nameless apartment building, the centre offers an eye-opening introduction to China’s tumultuous 20th century through posters that show an ever-changing vision for a Communist paradise.

# Qibao

Surrounding Shanghai are eight ancient water towns, which make for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. If you don’t have time to visit them all, Qibao is the perfect place to stop. Located within the city limits, Qibao is known for its delicious street food and its beautiful canal views. Just a few streets long, Qibao is like a mini-town. It is best enjoyed during the week, as it can get packed with tourists at the weekend. Highlights include the cheap shopping and the Qibao Winery.

# Fuxing Park, Huangpu

Once the largest park in Shanghai, Fuxing Park is the quintessential Chinese senior-hangout spot. Find sprightly adults dancing their favourite ballroom steps, playing cards or mahjong or writing ephemeral poetry with giant calligraphy brushes. Located in the French Concession, Fuxing Park is also a great escape from the city that surrounds it. Here, there is plenty of green space and vegetation to renew your body and soul.

# Lujiazui Skyline

Lujiazui is Shanghai’s financial district, home to the city’s most iconic skyscrapers. When you exit the metro stop, you will be surrounded by an urban jungle that is so much more impressive in person than it is in pictures. Whether you choose to walk around the elevated skyway or check out one of the rooftop bars, Lujiazui is sure to be an experience you won’t soon forget.

# M50

Short for Moganshan 50, M50 is an ultra-hip contemporary art district on Moganshan Road that is home to some of the city’s best art galleries and museums. Located in an industrial area along Suzhou creek, M50 is often compared to Beijing’s 798 Art District or New York’s SoHo. The district embraces its grittiness and sports some very photogenic graffiti.