10 Places You Must Visit in Shanghai: First-Timer Travel Guide
- Arron Goh
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Planning your first trip to Shanghai and wondering what places you actually need to visit?
After travelling around Shanghai multiple times, these are the places I would personally recommend — from the famous skyline and traditional gardens to neighbourhood streets, architecture and some quieter spots that many first-time visitors miss.
This isn't just a list of Shanghai's most famous landmarks. These are places we've actually visited, photographed and explored ourselves.
If you're visiting Shanghai for the first time, I recommend starting here.
1. 1000 Trees Shanghai
If there is one modern Shanghai attraction that surprised me, it's 1000 Trees Shanghai.
The building looks like a giant vertical forest beside Suzhou Creek, with hundreds of columns topped by trees and plants.
It's one of the most unusual pieces of architecture in Shanghai.
But don't just come for the building itself. The surrounding Suzhou Creek area is also nice for walking, photography and seeing a more modern side of Shanghai away from the Bund.
This has actually become one of the most popular Shanghai guides on my website.
2. Yu Garden 豫园
For something completely different, visit Yu Garden (豫园).
This is the Shanghai people often imagine when thinking about traditional China:
Chinese gardens
old architecture
ponds
bridges
lanterns
and traditional shopping streets around the surrounding Yuyuan area.
It's definitely touristy.
But for a first trip to Shanghai? I'd definitely recommend you to visit this place.
The contrast between Yu Garden and modern areas like Lujiazui is part of what makes Shanghai so interesting.
3. The North Bund 北外滩
Everyone knows the Bund. But if you want another skyline viewpoint, check out The North Bund.
The area sits along the Huangpu River and gives you beautiful views looking towards both: Lujiazui and the historic Bund skyline.
It also tends to feel less chaotic than the main Bund promenade.
If you're into photography or just want somewhere to walk along the river, this is one of my favourite alternatives.
4. Wukang Road 武康路
If you like architecture, cafés and pretty streets, Wukang Road is one of the easiest recommendations in Shanghai.
This is where you'll find the famous:
Wukang Mansion 武康大楼
but I'd recommend walking beyond the building itself.
The surrounding neighbourhood has tree-lined streets, historic architecture, cafés and small shops.
It's one of those areas where the best thing to do is simply: walk.
5. Anfu Road 安福路
From Wukang Road, continue towards Anfu Road.
This whole neighbourhood has become one of Shanghai's trendier lifestyle areas.
You'll find:
cafés
boutiques
fashion stores
restaurants
and plenty of people taking photos.
Wukang Road and Anfu Road work especially well together because they're close enough to turn into one continuous city walk.
→ Read: Shanghai Citywalk — Wukang, Anfu & Huaihai Streets
6. Huaihai Middle Road 淮海中路
If you enjoy shopping, fashion and city walking, continue towards Huaihai Middle Road.
Compared with traditional attractions, this gives you a much more contemporary Shanghai experience.
You'll find international fashion brands, flagship stores, shopping centres and plenty of restaurants and cafés along the surrounding streets.
I like this entire route because you can experience:
Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Huaihai Road
without jumping from attraction to attraction by car.
You're actually experiencing the city on foot.
7. Shanghai Postal Museum
This one is more of a hidden gem.
The Shanghai Postal Museum is housed inside a beautiful historic building near Suzhou Creek.
Even if postal history isn't something you're particularly interested in, the architecture itself makes it worth considering.
The surrounding area is also great for walking, especially if you're already exploring:
Suzhou Creek
North Bund
or nearby historic neighbourhoods.
It's one of those places that many first-time Shanghai itineraries completely miss.
8. Sunset Corridor & Pudong Art Museum
If you're looking for somewhere to enjoy Shanghai's skyline around sunset, head towards the riverside around Pudong Art Museum.
The promenade here gives you one of the best perspectives looking across the Huangpu River towards the historic Bund.
I'd come in the late afternoon.
Watch the city slowly change from daylight into:
sunset → blue hour → Shanghai at night.
You don't necessarily need to enter the museum either.
The riverside itself is worth the trip.
9. The Bund 外滩
Obviously, you can't make a list of places to visit in Shanghai without including The Bund.
Yes, it's crowded.
Yes, everyone goes there.
And yes...
you should still go. 😂
This is where you get the iconic view across the Huangpu River towards:
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai Tower
Shanghai World Financial Center
and the rest of the Lujiazui skyline.
I'd recommend seeing the Bund at least twice:
once during the day and once at night.
They feel completely different.
→ Read: The Bund Shanghai Travel Guide
10. Shanghai's Local Food Stops
Technically this isn't one attraction.
But I wouldn't visit Shanghai and only look at buildings. Some of our most memorable Shanghai experiences were simply finding somewhere good to eat.
Two places we've written about include:
Hanxiang Noodle Restaurant
A simple local noodle restaurant where you can experience a much more everyday side of Shanghai food.
Mao Tou Lao Die 毛头老爹饭店
If you like braised pork, this was another memorable Shanghai meal for us.
Hefu Noodle House 和府捞面
We also tried Hefu Noodle House (和府捞面) at the Lujiazui branch.
The best part was the view — you can look out towards Shanghai's famous 三件套 skyline while eating. We ordered noodles and wagyu beef skewers, and both were really good. If you're already exploring Lujiazui, this is an easy food stop to add.
→ Read: Hefu Noodle House Shanghai
Bonus: Explore Shanghai by Citywalking
One thing I'd strongly recommend in Shanghai is to stop treating every destination as an isolated attraction. Some areas are much better explored together.
For example:
Shanghai Citywalk Route
Wukang Road
↓
Anfu Road
↓
Huaihai Middle Road
This gives you architecture, fashion, cafés, shopping and local neighbourhoods within one walk.
How Many Days Do You Need in Shanghai?
For a first trip, I think 4 days / 3 nights is a good starting point.
You won't see everything. But you'll have enough time to cover:
The Bund
Yu Garden
Lujiazui
Wukang / Anfu
1000 Trees
and several food stops without rushing constantly.
We've done Shanghai as part of longer China trips as well, including our Hangzhou + Suzhou + Shanghai itinerary.
→ Read: Shanghai 4D3N Itinerary
Which Places in Shanghai Are Actually Worth Visiting?
If this is your first Shanghai trip, my priorities would be:
Must Visit
The Bund
Yu Garden
Wukang Road
1000 Trees
If You Have More Time
North Bund
Anfu Road
Huaihai Middle Road
Shanghai Postal Museum
Pudong riverside
Shanghai is one of those cities where the journey between attractions can sometimes be just as interesting as the attraction itself.
Planning Your Shanghai Trip?
Continue exploring:
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