All citiesShanghai Things to do and walking itinerary
China Shanghai travel guide
30 things to do in Shanghai, where to stay, airport transfers, 2 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Shanghai
- Oriental Pearl Tower — TV tower in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Shanghai Museum — museum in the Huangpu District of Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Yu Garden — classical garden in Shanghai (visit ≈ 45 min)
- People's Square — public square in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Shanghai Grand Theatre — opera house and concert hall in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Jade Buddha Temple — building in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jing'an Temple — building in Jing'an Temple, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- City God Temple of Shanghai — building in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- China Art Museum — museum located in Pudong, Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Shanghai Science and Technology Museum — museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Xiaotaoyuan Mosque — mosque in Huangpu, Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center — urban planning (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum — building in China (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Lu Xun Park — recreational area in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Shanghai Natural History Museum — museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Shanghai Art Museum — Museum in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Site of the First Congress of the Chinese Communist Party — historic building and museum in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Fuyou Road Mosque — mosque in Huangpu, Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Wen Miao, Shanghai — building in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pudong Mosque — mosque in Pudong, Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Beth Aharon Synagogue — building in China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Power Station of Art — former power station, contemporary art museum in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Century Park — green space (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Huangpu Park — urban park (visit ≈ 45 min)
- People's Park — public park in Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 45 min)
- St. Francis Xavier Church — 1850s Baroque Church in Shanghai (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Joseph's Church — building in China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Peter's Church — church in Shanghai (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Huxi Mosque — mosque in Putuo, Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Nicholas' Church — building in Huangpu District, Shanghai, China (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Shanghai walking itinerary
Starting point: The Bund / Huangpu. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.0 km · 10,840 steps · 1 h 47 min on the way): Yu Garden → City God Temple of Shanghai → Xiaotaoyuan Mosque → Shanghai Museum → People's Square → Shanghai Grand Theatre → Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
- Day 2 (≈ 2.5 km · 3,420 steps · 34 min on the way): Oriental Pearl Tower
Where to stay in Shanghai
- The Bund / Huangpu: Historic waterfront buildings facing the Pudong skyline; the most iconic area.
- Former French Concession: Plane-tree-lined streets, villas and cafés; perfect for walking.
- Jing’an: A temple, malls and good metro links.
- Lujiazui (Pudong): Luxury hotels among the skyscrapers, with views of the Bund.
- Xintiandi: Restaurants and bars in restored shikumen lane houses.
- People's Square: The hub where three metro lines meet, near museums and Nanjing Road.
Getting from the airport to Shanghai
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG): Maglev train ≈ 8 min, then metro line 2 to the centre ≈ 20 min
- Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA): Metro line 2 or 10 ≈ 35 min
Getting around
The metro is extensive and cheap, with English signs. For taxis, show the address written in Chinese.
Classic places to eat
- Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant: Soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) at Yu Garden since the early 1900s.
- Huxinting Tea House: A historic tea house in the middle of a pond, reached by a zigzag bridge.
- Jia Jia Tang Bao: A simple dumpling shop on Huanghe Road loved by locals.
- Old Jesse (Lao Jishi): Small and homely; red-braised pork and classic Shanghainese dishes.
- Wang Baohe: Famous since 1744 for yellow wine and autumn hairy crab.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- T'ang Court — 3 MICHELIN stars, Cantonese
- 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana — 2 MICHELIN stars, Italian
Romantic views
- The Bund Promenade (Evening): A riverside walk facing the glowing Pudong towers.
- Yu Garden (Early morning): A classical Chinese garden of ponds, pavilions and rockeries.
- Waibaidu Bridge (Evening): The historic steel bridge at the north end of the Bund.
- Wukang Road (Afternoon): Old villas and small cafés under plane trees.
- Shanghai Tower (Sunset): The city from one of the world’s highest observation decks.
Football stadiums in Shanghai
- Hongkou Football Stadium: Home of Shanghai Shenhua F.C.
- Shanghai Stadium: Home of Shanghai Port F.C.
Good to know before visiting Shanghai
- Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
- Fine: Photographing military sites and some official buildings, or flying drones without permits, is banned.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in enclosed public places in major cities.
- Warning: Carry your passport; if staying in a private home you must register with police within 24 hours.
- Warning: Unauthorised protests and religious activities are banned; check official travel advice.
- Warning: The Tibet Autonomous Region needs an extra entry permit.
- Emergency: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119
- Plugs: A/C/I, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use boiled or bottled.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: China, Wikivoyage — China, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Shanghai travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Shanghai?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Shanghai?
- Highlights: Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, People's Square and Shanghai Grand Theatre. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Shanghai?
- The Bund / Huangpu: Historic waterfront buildings facing the Pudong skyline; the most iconic area. Other options: Former French Concession, Jing’an, Lujiazui (Pudong), Xintiandi and People's Square.
- How do you get from the airport to Shanghai city centre?
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG): Maglev train ≈ 8 min, then metro line 2 to the centre ≈ 20 min · Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA): Metro line 2 or 10 ≈ 35 min
- How do you get around Shanghai?
- The metro is extensive and cheap, with English signs. For taxis, show the address written in Chinese.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Shanghai?
- According to the last known data there are 2 starred restaurants: T'ang Court (3 stars), 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (2 stars). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Shanghai?
- Emergency: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119.
- Do you tip in Shanghai?
- Tipping isn't customary.
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