Whoever said New York is the city that never sleeps never came to Shanghai. The list of things to do/try/see/explore/taste in Shanghai is unlimited and extends through all hours of the day or night depending on what you enjoy.

Shanghai succeeds in combining both the old and the new. Therefore, you still have street food culture, historic temples and landmarks scattered about the city, and an emphasis on some long-standing tradition. Butttt you have LED-lit skyscrapers, high-end shopping malls, and Michelin-star restaurants surrounding you. This international gem of a city rocked my world and now it’s your turn to become enchanted with it.

I’ve compiled 25 awesome things for you to do when you visit Shanghai (since listing the thousands of possibilities seemed like overkill for one post).

Visit the Jade Buddha Temple

This Buddhist temple is located in the Jing’an District of Shanghai. But even if you are not Buddhist, this is actually quite a spiritual experience. You’re instantly hit with a thick smell of burning incense as you enter the temple grounds.

There are a variety of halls to wander, each housing different statues and, of course, the two main Jade Buddha statues. You’ll likely see monks and Buddhist tourists praying throughout each of the temple halls. Overall, this temple is not to be missed and I obviously couldn’t leave before purchasing some incense of my own.

Get Lost in the Alleys of Tianzifang

Tianzifang is a plethora of alleys homing gift shops, craft/art stores, restaurants, bars, etc. This was part of the “China experience” that I was really craving: overcrowded alleys, the smell of various street food, an over-stimulation of neon signs. If you’re not careful, you could get lost in these winding alleys for hours. And, if you are a souvenir buff like me, you could shop here for hours too.

My favorite places – if you can find them: Blan Bunny tea (sample as many teas as your heart desires), White Rabbit gift shop (I recommend buying the body lotion; it smells amazing), and Time and Place (a stationary store where I always purchase journals when I’m here).

Maneuver the Crowds, Eat, and Drink Along East Nanjing Road

Be sure to get some good arm workouts in before coming to Shanghai because you may need to literally push your way through crowds, especially on this street. East Nanjing Road is THE main pedestrian street in Shanghai. The street is packed with people at all hours of the day and night. Honestly, I’m beginning to wonder if there is anywhere in Shanghai that isn’t packed at all hours of the day and night.

If you enjoy people watching as much as I do, grab a seat and watch the world go by. Just be prepared that if you’re a Westerner you’ll be shielding yourself from multiple people approaching you asking if you want to purchase a purse or watch…so be on the lookout.

Eat Xiao Long Bao Anywhere and Everywhere

Xiao Long Bao (XLB) are soup dumplings – aka God’s gift to earth. The second that burst of flavor enters your mouth you’ll be an XLB addict for life. Just be sure to savor it before you burn off your tastebuds – the soup inside can be scalding if you’re not careful! These come in an array of flavors from pork to shrimp and are typically served with vinegar as a dipping sauce if you desire.

While Din Tai Fung may be the most well-known restaurant to enjoy these, you may also want to discover some great local dives. Check out this great article for some XLB hot spots. If you love XLB, you will also want to try Yang’s Dumplings. Yang’s serves larger, fried dumplings and they are equally delicious. There are Yang’s all throughout Shanghai.

Admire the Historic Buildings on Old Shanghai Street

This is definitely a spot to firsthand witness where “old” and “new” collide. For instance, thousands of years ago who’d have ever thought you could order a Pumpkin Spice Latte in one of these buildings?

This is another great spot for picking up some Chinese souvenirs (Chinese knots, calligraphy, fans, silk, jade). Make sure you also stop in a pharmacy to learn more about traditional Chinese medicine they still sell!

Men, you may want to Google why you’re being offered a seahorse.

Then Head Next Door to Yu Garden

This is the ultimate zen garden. The moment you step inside you instantly feel a sense of calm – a drastic change of pace from the bustling city right outside the grounds. If you love photography, this is an excellent spot as every turn has a unique vantage point of the gardens.

Meander Down the Bund

The Bund is the waterfront walkway along the Huangpu River. During the day you can observe some incredible views of the skyline and Shanghai’s famous skyscrapers, but nighttime is when the real treat begins. All of the buildings are covered in various-colored LED lights that change patterns. Ships strung in lights sail past and you feel like you’re witnessing a performance. I don’t care how busy you are or how “out of the way” this might be. See the Bund at night.

Transport to Europe in the French Concession

You may think you’ve teleported to Europe while wandering this neighborhood: the signature trees lining the streets, everyone riding their bikes, the various cafes. There is a large expat community living here so this is where you’ll find a big mish-mash of other international restaurants and bars.

Savor a Peking Duck Meal

This was bomb. I enjoyed my first (and definitely not last) Peking Duck meal at Da Dong. This is a meal AND entertainment. The chef rolls the cart over to the table to present the full duck and then he delicately slices it in front of you and plates it perfectly! You then get a side dish of cucumber, scallions, bean sauce, and more (I can’t recall everything). You also get some mini pancakes and the waitress demonstrates how to fill your pancake with duck and the sides. It’s like eating mini duck tacos!

Barter at the Knockoff Markets

Do you want Gucci? Do you want to pretend you’re a Real Housewife? Are you upset you can’t afford it? Here is your safe haven. Imagine naming your price (and then bargaining…and then bargaining some more) for any designer clothing you want. Except they aren’t truly designers, they are knock-offs.

Practice how to be firm and aggressive, but know when to walk away. (P.S. If you walk away, the price tends to suddenly plummet down). AP Plaza is the biggest “fake market.”

Tired of All the Walking? Give Your Feet a Rest on the Shanghai Big Bus Tour

The Big Bus Tour is a great way to see as much of Shanghai as possible if you are limited on time. There are several options of routes you can take and all are hop-on, hop-off. Get on the top level of the double-decker to get a unique vantage point of the city. The tour provides commentary throughout the ride, so you’re learning as your feet can take a break!

Have a Beer at Boxing Cat

Boxing Cat is a local Shanghai micro-brewery. The delicious beer quickly paved the way for a craft beer scene in the city. You can find a few fun locations scattered around Shanghai.

Chillax with the Peace Hotel’s Old Jazz Band

If you want to be swept back in time, head to the Peace Hotel’s Jazz Bar. The band currently has an average age of 82 and they are definitely a spunky bunch! The swanky Peace Hotel is exciting in itself, but the band is the real reason to swing by. Sit at the bar and grab a cocktail and enjoy some incredible music. The entire audience is stoked to be there, so the entire vibe is a blast.

Find Your Future Spouse at the Marriage Markets

Are you single and ready to mingle? Who needs Bumble or Hinge when you have an umbrella? Every weekend, hundreds (if not thousands) of people bring an umbrella with a piece of paper attached for display.

This piece of paper is essentially someone’s dating profile (age, height, job, etc.). Parents and grandparents mainly stroll the sidewalk observing the potential dating prospects. I’m currently booking my trip back so I can setup an umbrella of my own.

Stuff Yourself on One of the Many Food Tours

Don’t tell me you like Chinese food if you’ve never been to China. You’ve never had REAL Chinese food until you’re here. You can go on some incredible food tours here where you’ll be able to sample a variety of dishes in a day. And don’t be afraid to be adventurous because YOLO; I’ve eaten a rabbit head, starfish, every type of intestine there is, etc. When in Rome China? I’ve gone on food tours with both UnTour and Lost Plate and highly recommend either one!

Take a Day Trip to Suzhou and See the Canals

Ah, Suzhou, the “Venice of China.” They aren’t joking. However, instead of overpaying 80 Euro to sit in a gondola with an Italian man singing off-key, a stout Chinese woman charges about $18 to silently push you around the village. This is actually preferred in my book. This small water village is surrounded with canals, old bridges, and charming homes. If you have time to add a day trip to Suzhou onto your itinerary, it’s highly recommended!

Walk Around the Glamorous Shopping Malls

Shanghai’s shopping malls are next level. I’m convinced that each one has every designer brand known to man inside despite being merely a few blocks away from one another at times. The malls are also one of the biggest “see and be seen” places in the city.

Every time I’m in a mall I see both men and women dressed to the nines. At first I truly thought they were celebrities until I learned some companies hire models/influencers to simply walk around malls and get photographed there. I have yet to be hired. Rude.

Fly a Few Hours to Qingdao for a Tsingtao

Qingdao is a unique city with a lot of history (I am aware all of Asia has a lot of history compared to the US). Did you know for years Qingdao was occupied by Germany? As a result there is still quite a bit of German architecture and the Germans also founded the Tsingtao Brewery.

The city’s slogan alone is enough to make anyone want to jump on a flight: “Qingdao, where the people eat clams, drink beer, and swim in the sea.” Sold.

Swing by the Enormous Starbucks Reserve

This was the world’s largest Starbucks when it opened in 2018. Chicago has since taken that crown. Having been to both, I can tell you Shanghai’s is infinitely better. The Shanghai Starbucks Reserve masters the art of feeling homey yet entertaining with all of the different displays and menu items. The Chicago one is a bit bland and feels quite cold to be honest. Prepare to wait in line since you and half of the city want to step inside.

Have an Authentic Tasting at a Teahouse

I was never much of a tea drinker until my China trips. Once I started exploring the various flavors and sampled them (both hot and cold versions), I started to love tea. There are many teahouses around Shanghai that will provide an authentic tea tasting experience. You’ll sit at the tiny table and the host will present the variety of teas for you to try. There is usually dried fruit on the table to enhance certain flavors.

Wander the Shanghai Museum

Many of the museums throughout Shanghai are free – including the Shanghai Museum. The only problem is beating the lines so you don’t waste hours waiting to get in. However, on a very rainy day or a very hot day this is a great escape. Wander the different rooms to see incredible artifacts.

Each room has a different theme such as ceramics, paintings, furniture, etc. Definitely worth the visit if you have time. I also think their gift shop has some amazing finds!

Escape the City Bustle in Fuxing Park or People’s Park

For such a large city, Shanghai does an incredible job utilizing greenery and including parks throughout the city. I love walking through the parks as you really can see locals in action: elderly men sitting on benches with their birds in cages, groups of women with boomboxes dancing to traditional music, a couple singing opera tunes. I’ve really seen it all in the parks!

Xintiandi

Xintiandi is definitely a tourist hotspot. If you love shopping, this is a great area to explore (although I’ll admit there are quite a few Western shops/eats: Lululemon, Shake Shack). However, it’s also where a lot of the young people hang out at the bars and restaurants here so at night this neighborhood is very much alive and well – just follow the noise!

Did I end up dancing to a Chinese band covering KC & The Sunshine Band’s That’s the Way (I Like It) at a German restaurant? Wow, that is quite the blend of cultures! And to answer the question: yes. Yes I did.

Look Up What Festivals, Markets are Happening

As I mentioned, there is ALWAYS something happening in Shanghai. Utilize resources like Time Out Shanghai, Instagram, or Smart Shanghai before your trip to get an idea on what events may be occurring.

For instance, one day I stumbled upon a ~FREE~ traditional dance performance that lasted a couple hours off E. Nanjing Road. While it was quite difficult to simply communicate I wanted a photo, the struggle was worth it as you can see!

Get in Touch with Your Creative Side in M50, the Art District

M50 is Shanghai’s art district. You can spend a good amount of time exploring the various art galleries in this neighborhood. There are impressive murals lining the alleys. If you are an art lover you need to swing by this district to check-out what the local artists have on display and for sale.

Well, that concludes my list of 25 awesome things to do in Shanghai! Go out there and explore!