The Ultimate Shanghai Guide: Famous Attractions and Gourmet Treats
The Bund
East Nanjing Road Station, Line 1,10
No one would skip the Bund on their first visit to Shanghai. The Bund is undoubtedly the most iconic and irreplaceable attraction in Shanghai. I highly recommend visiting it.
If you don’t have a tour guide, I suggest downloading a self-guided tour app when visiting the Bund. The app provides audio explanations about the origins and styles of the architectural wonders along the Bund, showcasing the cultural foundation of Shanghai before 1949.
The Bund has its charm both during the day and at night, so if you have time, I recommend visiting both. If you’re short on time, make sure to see the night view.
Most people walk to the Bund from East Nanjing Road Station, linking the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street with the Bund. If you need to return to Nanjing Road or People’s Square from the Bund, I suggest not retracing your steps back to East Nanjing Road (Peace Hotel). Instead, walk south to “Fourth Avenue” Fuzhou Road and then return. Fuzhou Road is a cultural street in Shanghai and leads to the fashion landmark Raffles City and People’s Square Metro Station.
In the compact area bounded by Suzhou River to the north, Yan’an Road Elevated to the south, Huangpu River to the east, and People’s Square to the west, there are numerous historical buildings worth exploring if you have time.
If you only visit Shanghai once, I highly recommend taking a Huangpu River cruise.
Board the cruise at Shiliupu Wharf, head north to Yangpu Bridge, south to Nanpu or Lupu Bridge, and return to Shiliupu Wharf. The night cruise on the Huangpu River is fantastic. I can’t think of any city with a river night view more beautiful than the Huangpu River, including Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.
Avoid the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel; it’s a waste of money.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
West Entrance at Xizang Middle Road: People’s Square Station, Lines 1, 2, 8
East Entrance at Henan Middle Road: East Nanjing Road Station, Lines 2, 10
One of the top ten famous pedestrian streets in China, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, is the earliest established commercial street in Shanghai, known as “China’s No. 1 Commercial Street.” Other famous commercial streets in China include Wangfujing in Beijing, Shangxiajiu in Guangzhou, Heping Road in Tianjin, Chunxi Road in Chengdu, Jiefangbei in Chongqing, Dongmen Old Street in Shenzhen, Zhongshan Road in Qingdao, Zhongshan Road in Xiamen, and Ximending Pedestrian Street in Taipei.
This area is a shopping paradise, home to many department stores offering a wide range of products. The most famous buildings on Nanjing Road are the four major department stores of the past: Sincere, Wing On, Sun Sun, and The Sun. Sincere and Wing On still retain their names, standing opposite each other. The other two have become First Food Store and No. 1 Department Store. The No. 1 Department Store has now upgraded and integrated with the nearby New World City South East Store.
The street is full of creative urban sculptures, with many benches for visitors to rest. The artistic and fashionable atmosphere is strong. You can see the old-style tram, “Dangdang Che,” shuttling back and forth on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, offering a taste of old Shanghai worth experiencing.
Oriental Pearl Tower
Lujiazui Station, Line 2
Since the completion of Shanghai Tower, there are now four observation decks in Lujiazui. Within a radius of less than one kilometer, there are four urban observation decks over 300 meters high, a unique feature globally, making it hard for many to decide which one to visit for a panoramic view of Shanghai.
The observation decks, in order of height from low to high, are: the upper sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower (the middle large sphere), Jin Mao Tower, the space capsule of the Oriental Pearl Tower (the small upper sphere), Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower.
My recommendation is to visit the Oriental Pearl Tower first, followed by Shanghai Tower. Avoid Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center.
The kitchen set trio in Lujiazui is arranged in a triangle, with Jin Mao Tower to the northwest, Shanghai Tower to the southwest, and the Shanghai World Financial Center to the east. Lujiazui is located in Pudong, mainly viewing the Huangpu River and Puxi to the west. The view from the easternmost Shanghai World Financial Center is blocked by Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower, especially since Shanghai Tower blocks much of the view towards the Shiliupu and City God Temple direction. So, there’s no need to save a bit of money for an unsatisfactory view.
Jin Mao Tower is too low, overshadowed by its two taller neighbors, making it uncomfortable.
Although Shanghai Tower offers the highest and most comfortable view, I still recommend the Oriental Pearl Tower. Its basement has an Old Shanghai Style Street, which is free to visit after buying a ticket to the tower. This unique experience provides insights into Shanghai’s local culture, not to be missed.
There is no need to pay extra for the space capsule of the Oriental Pearl Tower.
The revolving restaurant in the Oriental Pearl Tower is mediocre. But if time permits, buying a combo ticket on Taobao offers a good deal. You can go up in the late afternoon to see the daytime view, then move down one floor to the buffet restaurant to enjoy the sunset while dining, and finally, see the night view after dinner, making it a perfect visit.
City God Temple/Yu Garden
Yu Garden Station, Line 10
Many people are confused about the difference between the City God Temple and Yu Garden. Many guides refer to it as the Old City God Temple Tourist Area, but the metro station is called Yu Garden. Locals usually refer to it as the City God Temple, while the listed company is called Yuyuan Mall, home to Shanghai’s famous jewelry brand, Lao Miao Gold.
Originally, this area was a City God Temple in Shanghai’s county 600 years ago, where people worshiped the land god for peace. Later, a high official built a Jiangnan-style garden called Yu Garden nearby. After 1949, it developed into an ancient city tourist area, with ticketed attractions and free areas for eating, drinking, and entertainment.
However, the City God Temple is highly commercialized, with overpriced and mediocre snacks, such as the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant by the Nine-Bend Bridge, which always has long queues. Though not particularly special, the City God Temple area is the most representative ancient site cluster in downtown Shanghai and a must-visit.
One place I find worthwhile is Songyuelou’s(松月楼) vegetarian buns on Jiuxiaochang Road. They are tasty and reasonably priced. From the alley next to the Nine-Bend Bridge, head straight west through the alley to Jiuxiaochang Road to find it.
Yu Garden also has several famous old-style restaurants serving traditional Shanghai cuisine, such as Green Wave Gallery(绿波廊) and Shanghai Old Restaurant(上海老饭店). While these might not be the best in modern standards, they offer an authentic taste of traditional Shanghai cuisine, worth trying during a visit. However, be prepared for higher prices.
Green Wave Gallery has hosted numerous foreign dignitaries visiting Shanghai. Their specialties include various Shanghai-style dim sum like Eyebrow Pastries, named for their shape and the Wu dialect saying that something is so delicious it makes your eyebrows fall off. Shanghai Old Restaurant’s specialty is Eight Treasures Duck.
Another old Shanghai-style restaurant is Wang Bao He on Jiujiang Road, known for its crab feast. But now, it’s particularly popular among young people for its all-you-can-eat crayfish (advance reservation required). It’s located right behind the Century Plaza on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.
There’s also Lao Zhengxing(老正兴) on Fuzhou Road, just south of Yongan Department Store and Wang Bao He on Hubei Road, about 100 meters south past Hankou Road and then right on Fuzhou Road. Lao Zhengxing is the only old-style Shanghai restaurant listed in the 2018 Michelin Guide with one star, known for its Grass Circle and Eight Treasures Spicy Sauce.
Another Shanghai specialty is fresh meat mooncakes. Shanghai-style fresh meat mooncakes are delicious and worth trying. It’s a unique culinary experience, expanding your gastronomic horizons.
Mooncakes in China are a delicacy traditionally enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival while admiring the moon. Depending on the region, there are Cantonese-style, Chaozhou-style, Suzhou-style, and Beijing-style mooncakes. Fresh meat mooncakes are a variant of the Suzhou-style mooncakes, which originate from the Jiangnan region of China. Personally, I believe Suzhou-style mooncakes are the best among the four types, and fresh meat mooncakes are the best among the Suzhou-style mooncakes. If you plan to travel to Hangzhou, you should try their fresh meat mooncakes, which are even tastier than those in Shanghai. I recommend buying them from the bakery chain “SepBakery” in Hangzhou.
Many old brands in Shanghai are famous for their fresh meat mooncakes. For example, Shen Dacheng(沈大成) on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, opposite Yongan Department Store and Fashion Store (formerly Sincere Department Store). Other places on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street include Zhen Lao Da Fang(真老大房) and Taikang Food Store(泰康食品店). There’s also Wang Jiasha (王家沙) on Nanjing West Road (Line 2, Nanjing West Road Station), though Wang Jiasha is more famous for its Green Rice Balls.
It’s hard to say which is the best. Some are flaky, some are crispy, some have a lot of lean meat with a chewy texture, and some have juicy meat with more fat. Generally speaking, the one with the longest queues before the Mid-Autumn Festival is Bright Food Store, which is also my favorite for fresh meat mooncakes.
Apart from Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road, Shanghai used to have many food streets with numerous time-honored brands, such as Yunnan Road, Huanghe Road, Wujiang Road, and Zhapu Road. However, with the rise of large urban complexes filled with various standardized chain restaurants offering unique cuisine from around the world, more and more people prefer to gather and dine there. The old brands, which are clustered in small downtown spaces, bearing high rent costs and without the extensive citywide chains like Yang’s Dumpling, appear relatively desolate.
The only one still holding up is Yunnan Road Food Street (云南路美食街) near Line 8 Dashijie Station.
A quick reminder: although “Dashijie,” the centenarian landmark that reopened to the public in 2017, is an important cultural site in old Shanghai, it has now turned into a tourist trap. Do not buy a ticket to go inside.
Yunnan South Road Food Street is uniquely located at the intersection of the former British concession, the French concession, and the old city of Shanghai, a mix of various influences. Today, it sits at the geometric center of three of Shanghai’s most popular scenic spots: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Yuyuan Garden, and Xintiandi on Huaihai Road, making transportation very convenient.
On Yunnan Road, there are many renowned old brands, including Hong Chang Xing (洪长兴), the first halal restaurant in Shanghai; Gong De Lin (功德林), the first vegetarian restaurant in Shanghai; Xiao Shao Xing (小绍兴), the first restaurant for white-cut chicken in Shanghai; Yan Yun Lou (燕云楼), the first Beijing cuisine restaurant in Shanghai; Xian De Lai (鲜得来), the first restaurant for pork ribs and rice cakes in Shanghai; and Da Hu Chun (大壶春), the first restaurant for Shengjian in Shanghai.
Shengjian is a type of pan-fried dumpling that originated in Shanghai. It’s known for its crispy bottom, juicy pork filling, and a rich, flavorful broth inside.
Speaking of Shengjian, I must mention Yang’s Dumpling (小杨生煎). It has become a signature of Shanghai tourism, and it feels like a trip to Shanghai would be incomplete without trying it.
However, if I could only choose one restaurant on Yunnan Road, it would be DeDa Western Restauran.(德大西菜社)
While traditional Shanghainese cuisine and the surrounding Suzhou-Hangzhou cuisine might bear some similarities, Shanghai-style Western cuisine is unique to the world, only available in Shanghai.
I believe that Shanghai-style Western cuisine best represents the city’s unique historical and cultural character—a hybrid of Jiangnan culture and Western culture.
Western cuisine has many styles, with the best being Italian and Spanish food. However, Spain was too weak when Shanghai was rising, so it had little influence on Shanghai. French, Italian, Russian, British, and German cuisines have all been localized and innovated in Shanghai. The most famous Shanghai-style Western dishes include Shanghai-style Borscht (adapted from Russian cuisine), Shanghai-style fried pork chops, Shanghai-style salad (potato, ham, peas, and carrot salad), baked clams and crab shells (evolved from French baked snails), and Shanghai Portuguese chicken, which is entirely different from what you would find in Macau.
The most distinctive dish is undoubtedly the fried pork chop with spicy soy sauce.
You may have never heard of spicy soy sauce, which is neither soy sauce with chili nor chili sauce with soy sauce. It is a unique condiment originating from the UK, a mixture of chili, vinegar, ginger, green onion, sugar, and salt, with a slightly sour, sweet, savory, and mildly spicy taste. In China, only Shanghai and Hong Kong, cities deeply influenced by British culture, use it in cooking. In Cantonese, it is called “Kip Sauce.”
Fried pork chops with spicy soy sauce have a very special flavor.
Spicy soy sauce with fried pork chops is an unconventional, unorthodox, and unrefined way of eating that Westerners would never dream of. But this is a creative product of Shanghai people, combining local ingredients and Shanghai-style flavors, symbolizing the city’s pragmatic, adaptable, and inclusive cultural character.
A city can only become a truly charming international metropolis by embracing diversity and inclusiveness. In the past, the most charming city in China was Hong Kong, but unfortunately…
Besides De Da Western Restaurant, the only other noteworthy Shanghai-style Western restaurants are Red House Restaurant (红房子西菜馆) and Xinlicheng Western Restaurant (新利查西菜馆).
It is said that Red House Restaurant was the favorite Western restaurant of the famous Chinese writer Eileen Chang. Today, there are three Red House restaurants in Shanghai, located at Changle Road, South Shaanxi Road, Huaihai Middle Road, Maoming South Road, and Shaanxi North Road, Wuding Road, with the main store at Changle Road, South Shaanxi Road (Line 1, 10, 12 South Shaanxi Road Station).
Xinlicheng Western Restaurant is one of the few remaining old-style state-owned restaurants in Shanghai, with two locations: one at Guangyuan Road, Tianping Road corner in Xujiahui business district (Line 1, 9, 11 Xujiahui Station, Line 10, 11 Jiaotong University Station) and the other at Xietu Road near Dong’an Road (Line 4, 7 Dong’an Road Station).
The prices are not high, and the food tastes good, but the decor is very old-fashioned, and the tableware is even older, almost outdated, completely different from the current mainstream dining styles in Shanghai. However, the most unique feature is the local elderly waitresses who always seem reluctant and find you troublesome. If you care about service attitude, do not go there.
Speaking of Huaihai Road, on Sinan Road by Fuxing Park (Line 13 Huaihai Middle Road Station), there is the famous Aniang Noodle House(阿娘面馆), known for its signature yellow croaker noodles.
Speaking of noodles, the most common noodle restaurants in Shanghai today are various Suzhou-style soup dumpling shops, such as Lao Sheng Chang, Lao Sheng Xing, Lao Hong Xing, Lao Chang Sheng, Lao Tong Xing, Hong Rui Xing, Shen Da Chang, etc., almost as prevalent as Chaozhou claypot porridge shops in Shenzhen.
However, genuine Shanghainese noodle shops are different from these Suzhou-style noodle shops. The biggest feature of Shanghainese cuisine is “thick oil and red sauce”. These thick oil and red sauce noodles are not spicy but have a heavy taste that you won’t find in Suzhou’s De Yue Lou (得月楼) or Hangzhou’s Zhi Wei Guan (知味观), and not everyone can accept them.
The best Shanghainese noodle shops are small non-chain street-side eateries unknown to even people from other provinces in China. I have tried many around Luwan, such as Baotai Noodle House (宝泰面馆) on Quxi Road and Dayan Noodle House (大眼面馆) on Luban Road . However, the number one noodle shop in Shanghai is probably still Aniang Noodle House’s yellow croaker noodles (黄鱼面).
From Sinan Road Aniang Noodle House, walking east for a kilometer will take you to Xintiandi. Walking south on Sinan Road for 200 meters will bring you to the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen. Another 100 meters will take you to Sinan Mansion, and another 100 meters to the famous Zhou Mansion—the residence of the Shanghai delegation of the Communist Party of China. Walking another 500 meters south, past Ruijin Hospital, will take you to Tianzifang. So if you have the stamina, you can visit all these attractions in one go, and riding a shared bike is even more convenient.
Let me add a few words about Sinan Mansion. This is the only historical architectural preservation area in downtown Shanghai with a complete set of old houses, comprising 51 old houses of various styles, including detached garden houses, row houses, corridor houses, Shikumen alley houses, and new-style alley houses that combine Chinese and Western elements. If the Bund was where the capitalists worked hard, this was where they came home to rest.
Disney Resort
Disney Station, Line 11
Recommended Attractions: 4 Rides + 3 Shows
“4” are four attractions:
- TRON Lightcycle Power Run (Tomorrowland)
- Soaring Over the Horizon (Adventure Isle)
- Roaring Rapids (Adventure Isle)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Treasure Cove)
“3” are three shows:
- Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration
- Mickey’s Storybook Express Parade
- Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light
These popular attractions have long queues, so it’s best not to visit on weekends. As soon as you enter the park, head to specific locations (check the map or ask staff) to scan your ticket’s QR code and get a FastPass.
With a FastPass, you can skip the long lines for popular attractions and usually wait less than 10 minutes during your reserved time slot. You can only hold one FastPass at a time, and the next one can be obtained two hours later, with a maximum of three per day. Typically, all FastPasses are distributed by noon, so you usually only get one. If you’re early and lucky, you might get a second one after two hours.
For thrill-seekers, prioritize TRON Lightcycle Power Run. For families with children, prioritize Roaring Rapids. For those with elderly companions, prioritize Soaring Over the Horizon.
Xintiandi
Xintiandi Station,Line 10, 13; South Huangpi Road Station, Line 1
Originally the birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party, Xintiandi has transformed into a chic area often recommended by travel guides, though it’s optional according to Ligge. The prices here are very high. The first ten-million-yuan-per-square-meter property in Shanghai, Lakeville, is here. As of now, the price per square meter is still between 150,000 to 180,000 yuan, making a basic unit cost around 20 million yuan. Unless you plan to visit Huaihai Road, it’s not worth it for budget travelers or students.
However, the CCP’s First Congress Memorial is free with a passport and offers a well-done exhibit that provides historical insights from a perspective not commonly seen in the West.
Tianzifang
Dapuqiao Station, Line 9
Tianzifang is a renovated old-style Shikumen neighborhood that has been commercialized into a modern cultural and creative zone. Compared to Xintiandi, Tianzifang retains more of its original charm, although it still has a commercialized feel. There are still some well-preserved old-style neighborhoods in Shanghai that haven’t been commercialized.
For tourism, some level of commercialization is necessary for a good visitor experience. Ligge finds Tianzifang more worthwhile than Xintiandi or even the City God Temple. While the Bund showcases the unique old Shanghai as the financial center of the Far East, Xintiandi is a pseudo-antique area, and the City God Temple was rebuilt after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Tianzifang, however, represents the ordinary residential areas of old Shanghai, making it relatively rarer.
In other words, Xintiandi is like a nouveau riche pretending to be a high-class intellectual, while Tianzifang is a bourgeoisie dressing up as a high-class intellectual. Both are dressed up for show, but it’s about who looks better doing it.
Additionally, Dapuqiao’s Sun Moon Light Center is a trendy spot for young people in Shanghai, offering countless dining options.
Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao Station, Line 17
Shanghai is part of the Jiangnan region of China. The literal meaning of Jiangnan is “south of the Yangtze River.” Nowadays, it generally refers to the Yangtze River Delta, including southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, and the entire Zhejiang province. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Jiangnan has been the most prosperous area in China due to its abundant rainfall, numerous waterways, and rich production of rice, fish, tea and silk, hence the name “Jiangnan Water Town.” The ancient architecture of Jiangnan towns embodies unique Chinese aesthetics, filled with the charm of traditional landscape paintings and is definitely worth seeing.
Shanghai has many Jiangnan ancient towns, but the most famous one is Zhujiajiao(朱家角) in Qingpu District.
If you are very short on time and can only spare a few hours and want to see the flavor of an ancient Jiangnan water town without leaving Shanghai, it’s recommended to visit Qibao Ancient Town (七宝古镇). Located outside the Outer Ring Road, Qibao was still a rural area 20 years ago, but today it is fully urbanized and quite expensive. The 9th Line directly reaches Qibao Ancient Town, which is a must-see spot for tourists.
If you have half a day, it is recommended to go to Zhujiajiao. Take Line 17, and after 11 stations from Hongqiao Railway Station, you can reach Zhujiajiao in about half an hour. The travel time is manageable, and you can even visit Zhujiajiao in the afternoon and return to Hongqiao by metro in the evening to catch a plane or high-speed train.
Of course, there are many other water towns in the suburbs of Shanghai, including Minhang Qibao, Qingpu Zhujiajiao, the relatively famous Jiading Nanxiang, Jinshan Fengjing, Pudong Xinchang, and the relatively less commercialized Qingpu Liantang, Jiading Loutang, Songjiang Sijing, Qingpu Jinze, and the pseudo water town Zhaojialou built for the Shanghai World Expo.
For free travelers, the most convenient options are Qibao, Zhujiajiao, and Nanxiang (11th Line Nanxiang Station), which are directly accessible by metro.
However, the essence of Jiangnan water towns is not within Shanghai but in the surrounding areas of Suzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou. I have visited famous ancient towns such as Zhouzhuang(周庄), Tongli(同里), Xitang(西塘), and Nanxun(南浔). The one I found best managed and most charming, and which I recommend staying overnight at, is Wuzhen(乌镇).
If you have more time and plan to travel from Shanghai to Hangzhou, don’t miss Wuzhen on the way.
Huaihai Middle Road Commercial Street
West section: South Shaanxi Road Station on Lines 1, 10, and 12
Middle section: Middle Huaihai Road Station on Line 13
East section: South Huangpi Road Station on Line 1
Huaihai Road was formerly known as Avenue Joffre. If Nanjing Road is the most prosperous commercial street in the British concession (International Settlement), then Huaihai Road is the most prosperous commercial street in the French concession, so it is also known as the “Oriental Champs-Élysées.” Because the French concession area of Shanghai is very large and unique, Shanghai was once known as the “Paris of the East.”
As mentioned earlier, Huaihai Road has left many old famous eateries and many French-style old buildings. Of course, there are also more modern high-rises, a product of the full integration of tradition and modernity.
Let me briefly talk about the current state of Shanghai’s commercial districts. Roughly counting, with the rapid expansion of Shanghai’s city size in recent years, new urban complexes are everywhere. Today, Shanghai has at least 50 commercial districts. Even Beijing and Hong Kong don’t match this scale, and even Tokyo might not either.
However, with the main part of East Nanjing Road being turned into a pedestrian street at the end of the last century, it gradually became a place for tourists to take photos. Although it is crowded every day, the per capita consumption is not high. To cater to the consumption needs of tourists, the businesses on East Nanjing Road have increasingly lowered their positioning.
On the other hand, with the completion of the Plaza 66, Westgate Mall, and the Taikoo Hui, West Nanjing Road has developed into the most high-end commercial district in Shanghai, especially after the completion of Jing’an Kerry Center in recent years, merging West Nanjing Road with the Jing’an Temple commercial district, becoming the closest to the luxurious life depicted in novels about Shanghai.
Similarly, the Huaihai Middle Road commercial district also encountered the same problem as East Nanjing Road and was once in decline. For instance, the closure of Pacific Department Store and Yongxin Department Store. However, in recent years, it has repositioned itself, emphasizing the combination of fashion and classics. After the construction of K11 above the South Huangpi Road Station, and especially after merging with the Xintiandi commercial district, the fashion status of the East Huaihai Middle Road commercial district has revived. After the construction of the iapm mall above the South Shaanxi Road Station, the West Huaihai Middle Road has become a new leader in high-end luxury commerce. Today, the opulence of South Shaanxi Road (Huaihai Middle Road) is no less than that of North Shaanxi Road (West Nanjing Road).
This is the general position of Huaihai Middle Road in Shanghai’s commercial district competition today, and I think it is worth a visit.
Expo Riverside Tourism Area
Puxi Expo Riverside: Expo Museum Station on Line 13
Pudong Expo Riverside: Expo Avenue Station on Line 13, China Art Museum Station on Line 8
Xuhui Riverside: Longhua Middle Road Station on Lines 7 and 12
This is the youngest must-visit attraction in Shanghai, aside from Disneyland, and it is also the largest in area.
The 2010 World Expo left a deep mark on Shanghai, comparable to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
For many Shanghai residents, the two-week-long Beijing Olympics left only vague memories of the grand opening ceremony and the Chinese team winning gold medals. However, the half-year-long Shanghai World Expo remains a clear memory.
The World Expo concentrated the rich cultures of various countries in a small area, which is actually most in line with the purpose of tourism—to acquire knowledge and life experiences most efficiently.
Because the Shanghai World Expo had exhibition areas on both sides of the Huangpu River, since 2010, Shanghai started a renovation project for the entire Huangpu River, from Yangpu in the north to Minhang in the south. The Shanghai municipal government has put a lot of effort into transforming both sides of the Huangpu River into pollution-free, open, garden-like, and fully connected waterfront platforms and leisure cultural spaces, though it is not completely finished yet.
The more maturely developed areas currently are the Expo Riverside and the southern Xuhui Riverside.
Some of the key attractions include:
- Pudong Expo Riverside: China Art Palace (formerly the China Pavilion at the Expo, free admission for general exhibitions), Expo Park, Expo Axis commercial district, and Mercedes-Benz Arena (formerly the Expo Performance Center).
- Puxi Expo Riverside: Power Station of Art (formerly the Urban Future Pavilion at the Expo, featuring a large chimney marked with a thermometer), SAIC-GM Pavilion (formerly the GM Pavilion at the Expo), Shanghai Expo Museum (a new building opened on May 1, 2017, with free admission), Nanyuan Riverside Green Space and commercial area (where I got married).
- Xuhui Riverside: Long Museum, West Bund Camp (hosting various temporary indoor and outdoor events), Yuz Museum, West Bund Art Center, and the currently under-construction West Bund Sports Center and Oriental DreamWorks, developed in cooperation with DreamWorks Animation.
For first-time visitors to Shanghai, the priority attractions are China Art Palace and Shanghai Expo Museum, both of which have free admission. The former is the most significant symbol of the Shanghai World Expo—the China Pavilion, while the latter houses a rich collection of Expo memories.
Additionally, the Shanghai Expo Museum is the only Expo museum in the world, making it a unique and rare attraction.
In summary, Shanghai’s blend of internationalization and modern amenities provides a comfortable and engaging experience for first-time visitors to China. Its ease of communication, modern facilities, and diverse attractions make it an excellent choice for a seamless introduction to Chinese culture and urban life.
