10 Free Things to do in Shanghai Region That You Shouldn't Miss

May 22, 2021 Russell Mellin

Shanghai is the cool, confident face of modern China, and its energy is infectious. Go to the Bund to watch ships on the river and marvel at the huge variety of architectural styles on display, or watch the crowds go by in People’s Square. Shoppers should make a beeline for the Fabric Market, where you can have a suit or dress tailor-made for you at bargain prices. At night, explore all manner of fashionable restaurants, bars and nightclubs, or just stroll through the city enjoying the spectacular neon lights.
Restaurants in Shanghai Region

1. South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market

No.399 Lujiabang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China +86 21 6318 5616 http://www.yiwumarketchina.com
Excellent
87%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,287 reviews

South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market

A bespoke company based in Shanghai. Our main business is tailor-made men's and women's wear. Within more than ten years of experience in the bespoke industry, customers are all over the world. We have our own tailors and factories for both shirts and suits.

Reviewed By 617kristineg

We visited the fabric market on the first day of our family visit in order to have things custom made in time to pick them up 5 days later. Had a BEAUTIFUL yellow trench coat made at BOOTH #285, Gorgeous blue suit for my son made at Suits by Susan #233 (they spoke English very well and were super helpful on the choices to be made), Also had a shirt made from Cloud at booth # 172 (I brought in one of my favorite shirts and they had an exact copy in one of their fabrics) and my daughter had a dress made at #172 as well. DEFINITELY negotiate with the price!

2. Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao)

Bingjiang Dadao, Shanghai China
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,391 reviews

Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao)

The riverside walk along the Bund may be busy and crowded during the day, but with good reason - it's simply a must when in Shanghai for people-watching and getting a good feel for the city.

Reviewed By matthewyetsky

The prefecture took the industrial roots of the city and transformed them into art, see both sides and try to imagine that once this metroplex was once a village and it grew exponentially as its importance as a port grew.

3. Fuxing Park

No.2 Gaolan Road, Shanghai China
Excellent
41%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 566 reviews

Fuxing Park

Reviewed By kindfultraveller

enjoyed seeing the huge variety of groups who meet here. singing, dancing , exercise, calligraphy, majong and cards music. Everyone was so unself concious and enjoying themselves and happy for you to watch. It is an attractve shaded park which was lovely to be in during hot weather. We found it so much fun to watch all theses groups socialising and paracticing together and they were friendly to us and let us join in.

4. Heping Fandian

No.20 Nanjing East Road, Shanghai 200002 China [email protected] http://www.peaceshotel.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 689 reviews

Heping Fandian

Reviewed By ayl3 - Durham, United States

I have reviewed this hotel sometimes ago in 2016. If you wish to stay by the and and Nanjing Road the Fairmont peace hotel is the best location and it is simply a great hotel. The Jazz band which plays every night is a must.

5. Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)

No.201 Renmin Avenue, Shanghai China +86 21 6372 3500 https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/museum/frontend/
Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,847 reviews

Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)

This elegant museum, opened in 1996, features eleven state-of-the-art galleries housing China’s international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jade and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture.

Reviewed By DeveanCook - Lubbock, United States

The Shanghai Museum is an expansive museum covering many collections of art from ancient Chinese history and it is both informative and impressive. The museum covers 4 floors and has 11 galleries. The galleries are all quite vast and are informative. Information cards are almost all in both English and Chinese, making it very easy for Westerners and non-Chinese speakers to understand the descriptions. A better job of this could've been done in the exhibition on currency, however, as a number of signs were in Chinese only. Just about every aspect of ancient Chinese arts are covered including calligraphy, paintings, pottery and ceramics, and sculpture. There are also exhibits covering bronze, jade, currency, and furniture. In addition to the ancient Chinese exhibits there are also exhibitions in other categories including Silk Road coins, artifacts from Oceania, and others. The sheer size of the collection means that at least 3 hours should be spent here and it is nearly impossible to cover the entire museum in one day. In all, this museum is well worth a visit in Shanghai.

6. The Bund (Wai Tan)

Zhongshan East 1st Road, Shanghai China
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,488 reviews

The Bund (Wai Tan)

This is a designated section of Shanghai’s port along the Huang Pu River lined with beautiful neo-classical buildings and a waterfront promenade that is packed with tourists, locals and street sellers.

Reviewed By gollyg2017 - Shanghai, China

This is where the vast spread of this huge city really connects-the true centre of Shanghai.A great view of both sides of the river- the 19th and early 20th century ornamental British and European buildings on one side, and the futuristic boldly designed skyscrapers on the other. No scammers or pickpockets to worry about here,as it's heavily guarded.Nice for a brisk walk during the day, but amazing to stroll and gaze in wonder at night with all the lighting! Keep walking and you'll find the ferry.Its a 10 minute ride to the other side, and only about 2 or 3 rmb per person!Do your research, and find a fancy restaurant or bar looking across the river to relax and finish off the evening. You can't go wrong!

7. Old Town (Nanshi)

Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
44%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,154 reviews

Old Town (Nanshi)

Reviewed By JoanneP514 - Bowral, Australia

Easy to walk around in a couple of hours. Pretty gardens and pavilions and lots of shops to buy your souvenirs. Interesting old buildings, fabulous tea houses and lots of produce to tease the senses. Worthwhile. Beware though it is crowded and so be careful of your belongings.

8. Pudong New Area

Shanghai 200120 China
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,187 reviews

Pudong New Area

"Pudong, in its 13-year history, has surprisingly progressed in its economic strength and its urban development. This 556-sqaure-kilometer farmland 13 years ago is well on its way toward a modern metropolis. As the epitome of Shanghai' modernization and the symbol of China's reform and opening up drive, Pudong has become an ideal land for global investors."

Reviewed By ChuckTheTravelingGuy - Hot Springs Village, United States

For an incredible sight, enjoy viewing the nighttime lighted buildings in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai. It's like Times Square and the Las Vegas strip all in one. Amazingly beautiful. You can do this while visiting three of China's most famous cities...Beijing, Xian and Shanghai on an eight-day China Discovery Tour. My wife and I arranged our China Discovery Tour via email with tour representative Catherine Liu after checking out the tour on the Internet. Catherine was wonderful to work with as she was very professional, replied quickly with answers to our questions, and made sure our group tours of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai had excellent guides and drivers. Our group tours in Beijing included a visit to Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and gave us the fascinating opportunity to walk on the Great Wall. In Xian, a lovely city that was once the capital of China, we visited the site of the world-famous Terra-cotta Warriors. Amazing tour. If you have time in Xian, make sure to have dinner at one of the Hot Pot restaurants. A fun experience somewhat like the old days of cheese fondue dinners...but without the cheese. In Shanghai, the most flourishing metropolis in China, highlights will include a visit to the Bund, the multinational classic building complex along the river, a ride to the 85th floor the Global Financial Center for a bird's eye view of Shanghai, and lunch at a local restaurant. During your eight-day group tour (private tours are also available) you will stay in excellent five-star hotels, see the countryside when you ride a high speed bullet train from Beijing to Xian and fly from Xian to Shanghai. We highly recommend the China Discovery Tour on a visit to China. It is a quick way to tour three of China's most well-known cities. Contact Catherine Liu at [email protected] for more information. You will be glad you did.

9. Former French Concession

Puxi Central, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,964 reviews

Former French Concession

A residential area of Shanghai once designated for the French, the French Concession is popular with tourists and expats, and appreciated for its cafes, tree-lined avenues, and tudor houses.

Reviewed By Hugary1 - Sydney, Australia

Part of our walking tour with Penny which also took in The Old Town, Yu Gardens Markets, Confucius Temple, a house were Albert Einstein stated in the 1920's and the oldest and largest house which is to be renovated. Penny was a fantastic guide who picked us at the hotel and organised transport to a couple of the attractions. Her English was outstanding and her knowledge was vast and extensive. We really enjoyed her commentary and general conversation. At the end of the tour she helped us get a Metro card and put enough funds to keep us going for 3 days of city travel. That gave us great freedom to explore the city and points further out and for that we are very grateful. She went above and beyond. The walk showed us areas that will be demolished soon. Houses left and bricked up. People on the day we walked were being served with their date to leave. Then onto the last of the areas still fully populated with its quaint shops and wonderful market place. These are sites that are disappearing and we felt that we were seeing a passing of a way of life in this city. The Temple was a place of calm and quite in a busy city and penny gave us the history behind it in a clearly articulated way. I suggest you get to see this before it all disappears.

10. Bund International Architecture Exhibition

Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200002 China
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 922 reviews

Bund International Architecture Exhibition

Reviewed By ZenithWanderer - Makati, Philippines

If you're into European-style buildings, then go here! It's best to see those at night! Best if you could come around April or May where you get to strong on colder evenings compared to summer!

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