Shanghai Local Insider Advice ❗ Avoid Tourist Traps with These Tips

Shanghai Local Insider Tips

1. Oriental Pearl Tower

❌ Don’t do this: Buying a ticket for all three spheres of the Oriental Pearl Tower can be exhausting for adults, and young kids might not understand much.
✅ Do this instead: For kids under 7, just buy a ticket for the second sphere. The view and scenery are similar to the third, and once you’re down the elevator, you can’t go back up. Play to your heart’s content before coming down!

2. The Bund Ferry

❌ Don’t do this: Buying an expensive sightseeing ferry ticket requires advance purchase and waiting in long lines.
✅ Do this instead: The 2-yuan ferry is a perfect substitute! There are four sightseeing routes to choose from.

3. Sightseeing Bus

❌ Don’t do this: Spending over 100 yuan per person for a sightseeing bus.
✅ Do this instead: Go to Voisin at New World, buy two ice creams 🍦, and get two free sightseeing bus tickets. A great deal!

4. City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao)

❌ Don’t do this: Taking kids to the snack street or buying cultural souvenirs.
✅ Do this instead: Visit Yuyuan Garden and City God Temple in the evening to enjoy the night view. Maybe have a xiaolongbao (soup dumpling), but there’s no need for anything else.

5. Disneyland

❌ Don’t do this: Buying so-called “guided tours” usually means following a guide who cuts in line, which is a terrible experience!
✅ Do this instead: Opt for the Early Entry Card for better value, or, if you have the budget, choose the VIP service to skip the lines and have a better experience.

6. Museums

❌ Don’t do this: Taking kids directly to the museum without booking in advance.
✅ Do this instead: Make a reservation in advance. During summer, many museums offer midday or evening sessions, which help avoid the crowds.

7. Wildlife Park

❌ Don’t do this: Taking kids to the park on a hot day without preparation.
✅ Do this instead: Visit during the night session when it’s cooler and less crowded. You can also see the animals being fed at night! The park is open until 10 PM, so enjoy it!

8. Tianzifang

❌ Don’t do this: Fifteen years ago, Tianzifang was a trendy spot for artistic young people to visit, but now it’s outdated.
✅ Do this instead: If you want to see old Shanghai shikumen (stone gate) architecture, go directly to Zhangyuan. Skip Tianzifang, which is hot, crowded, and full of the same old stuff.

9. Nanjing Road and The Bund

❌ Don’t do this: Visiting Nanjing Road on a public holiday when it’s packed with people. The experience is terrible.
✅ Do this instead: If you want to see The Bund, go to North Bund instead. You can also visit the Postal Museum. It’s less crowded, with beautiful views and great scenery.

Supplementary Advice

The Bund’s lights are on from 19:00 to 22:00, and until 23:00 on holidays. There’s plenty of time, so no need to rush. 🌃✨🕒
The 2-yuan ferry at The Bund is equally romantic and offers a cost-effective way to enjoy the Huangpu River. 🛥️❤️💰
In July and August, it’s not recommended to visit Shanghai due to the extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 35-40°C (95-104°F). The heat can be intense, making outdoor activities uncomfortable. Instead, consider visiting in the spring or autumn when the weather is milder and more enjoyable for sightseeing and exploring the city. 🌞🔥🚫🍂🌸
Additionally, it’s best to avoid the plum rain season, which typically occurs from mid-June to early July in Shanghai. The plum rain season, known as “Meiyu,” is characterized by frequent, heavy rainfall and high humidity, which can make outdoor activities less enjoyable. 🌧️💦☔
When it comes to Citywalk, Wukang Road often comes to mind, but the North Bund and Xuhui Riverside are also beautiful and worth spending half a day exploring. 🚶‍♀️🌳🏞️
Shanghai is not ideal for driving; parking fees are high, and it’s easy to violate traffic rules. However, renting a shared bike and riding under the plane trees offers a more relaxed Shanghai experience. 🚴‍♂️🌿🚗💸
Spending in Shanghai isn’t as high as you might think. While brunch might be pricey, local specialties like shengjian bao (pan-fried buns) are affordable. You can have a great meal with a bowl of “shuangdang” or local noodles. 🥟🍜💰
If you plan to visit Disneyland, set aside at least a full day and stay near the park. Don’t stay downtown, as commuting back and forth can be exhausting. 🎢🏰🗓️
Lujiazui is best visited at night. Don’t miss checking in at the “Three Towers” (Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center). 🌆🏙️📸
Shanghai Metro Line 2 connects both Hongqiao and Pudong airports. If the timing is right, the subway is the most economical way to get around. Also, Pudong Airport is huge, so if your first stop is Disneyland, choose Pudong. Otherwise, Hongqiao Airport is closer to the city center. 🚇✈️🛬